My premed advisor, Dr. McDade, thinks I should retest.
My Kaplan teacher said "Of course I'll want to retest."
Great. I have been saying all along that I DO NOT WANT TO RETEST!
But I suppose if I decide to continue the doctor route, I probably should retest.
How do I decide if I should retake it?
I found a great article on the Student Doctor Network about retesting and wanted to share their general guidelines about retaking the MCAT. First, check the MSAR for the MCAT scores and GPAs your top schools generally accept. This will automatically give you an idea of where you stand.
*If any section score is 7 or below, you should probably retake. Not many schools accept students with a 7 or lower and the ones that do are usually in-state schools.
*If your score is +30, and your GPA matches the averages for the schools you’re looking at, don't worry about retaking.
*If your score is below 30 by a few points AND in-state schools aren’t much of an option, you should consider a retake.
*This one is big. If you don’t think you can raise your score by at least 3 points, there’s no reason to retest. You should be aiming for an overall improvement of 3 or more points. DO NOT retake it until your practice test reflects this improvement consistently!!!!!! Having a bad/low/average score can hurt your application. Retesting and not improving will GREATLY damage your application.
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So I decide to retest..now what?
First, take a break. Your brain will thank you.
It’s tempting to drive right in after a poor MCAT score, but you must take some time off.
You’ve just been studying for quite awhile, so give your brain a break.
Also, make sure you approach the test with renewed confidence.
Going in with a defeated attitude will not work.
So relax, and then tackle your retake refreshed and full of confidence.
Next, analyze exactly what went wrong during your MCAT experience.
Scrutinize everything; from content weaknesses to sleeping habits.
Once you find your weaknesses, develop a plan to eliminate them.
The two most common mistakes people make which lead to a retake?
The two most common mistakes people make which lead to a retake?
Studying for the MCAT with other commitments (especially school).
Taking the MCAT before completing their pre-reqs.
Avoid these mistakes, especially for a retake!
Consider these questions:
1. Why do you think you did poorly?
2. Were you getting plenty of sleep?
3. Are you weak in any content areas?
4. How was your post-test review?
5. Did you have other commitments?
6. Did you score dramatically lower than your practice test average?
2. Were you getting plenty of sleep?
3. Are you weak in any content areas?
4. How was your post-test review?
5. Did you have other commitments?
6. Did you score dramatically lower than your practice test average?
7. Any personal issues prevent you from focusing?
8. Did you try a short 1-2 month schedule?
9. What materials did you use?
10. How did you best learn the material?
11. Did you take enough timed practice passages?
8. Did you try a short 1-2 month schedule?
9. What materials did you use?
10. How did you best learn the material?
11. Did you take enough timed practice passages?
The absolute most important thing you can do it to get new practice material.
Do NOT reuse old practice passages and practice tests!!!!
Do NOT reuse old practice passages and practice tests!!!!
Finally, make a study schedule.
Try a standard three month schedule.
Make sure it addresses your weaknesses.
Once you craft your schedule, follow it.
Schedule lots of breaks and exercise to help with the stress.
Also, sign up early for your test.
When you create your schedule, make sure you
TAKE A COUPLE FULL LENGTHS A MONTH BEFORE YOUR MCAT DATE.
If your practice test score is not within your target range after 4 tests,
you should consider delaying. If you delay, go over your weaknesses again
and complete another in-depth analysis of what went wrong.
Thoroughly review ALL of your practice problems the day AFTER you take them.
Don't even look at the answers until then.
Remember to round like crazy for any math problem
Always use process of elimination with your answer choices
If your test is in the morning and you're not a morning person,
Always use process of elimination with your answer choices
If your test is in the morning and you're not a morning person,
start getting used to waking up early when you start taking practice tests.
Try to practice under as realistic as possible conditions when you take your practice tests.
Try to practice under as realistic as possible conditions when you take your practice tests.
Be sure to REVIEW!!
Go over EVERY question. Both the ones you got right and the ones you got wrong.
Reviewing should take 2-3 times longer than taking the timed practice problems.
If your tests are fluctuating, it is due to the different topics on the various tests.
Reviewing should take 2-3 times longer than taking the timed practice problems.
If your tests are fluctuating, it is due to the different topics on the various tests.
You have some glaring weaknesses that when targeted, nail you, badly.
You have to find out what those weaknesses are because they are evident by your scores.
Do NOT dismiss any wrong answer as a "stupid mistake."
You made that error for a reason. Go over your tests again and find out why.
Make a "Why I Missed It" chart. You will be able to easily notice trends.
Consider these things when reviewing:
Make a "Why I Missed It" chart. You will be able to easily notice trends.
Consider these things when reviewing:
1. Why did you get the question wrong/right?
2. What question/passage types do you miss most?
3. How is your mindset when facing a particular passage?
4. Are you stressed for time?
5. Where are your mistakes happening the most? Beginning? End?
2. What question/passage types do you miss most?
3. How is your mindset when facing a particular passage?
4. Are you stressed for time?
5. Where are your mistakes happening the most? Beginning? End?
6. What was your thought process for both the questions you got right and wrong?
7. For verbal, what was the author's mindset and main idea?
8. Did you eliminate all of the answer choices you could from first glance?
9. What content areas are you weak in?
10. Why are the wrong answers wrong and the right answer right?
11. How can you improve so you don't make the same mistake again?
AAMC has published lists of topics covered under each subject area.
7. For verbal, what was the author's mindset and main idea?
8. Did you eliminate all of the answer choices you could from first glance?
9. What content areas are you weak in?
10. Why are the wrong answers wrong and the right answer right?
11. How can you improve so you don't make the same mistake again?
AAMC has published lists of topics covered under each subject area.
Print, them, read them, write on them, know them well.
Cross topics off when you master them.
Take 6 - 10 writing prompts each day and set a 5 minute timer.
Practice writing prewrites.
Walk into that second test believeing in yourself and in your score.
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