Ok so exactly like the title sounds… wondering if I should retake my MCAT.
For context, I got a 510 (127/124/128/131) in May, so not a bad score AT ALL. In fact, I’m actually pretty proud of it. There are a few reasons I’m considering a retake:
1. I’m from Florida and a lot of public schools here average around a 515 to matriculate.
2. 510 is the lowest I got on any of the AAMC full lengths with 515 being the highest. I’m pretty sure I was averaging around a 513?
3. The 124 for my CARS is making me REALLY nervous. I just really do not want to have to pay OOS tuition if I don’t have to.
4. My subsection scores were all lower than I got on any of the full lengths, not by a significant point difference but enough to make a difference on my overall score, with the exception of P/S (don’t ask me how i got that 131, I didn’t get above a 128 on any of the AAMC FLs lol). On the other hand, my CARS was way lower, I got a 129 on every FL minus one which I got a 127 I think.
5. I genuinely feel like the last month I really figured out how to study for the MCAT & I feel that if I study that way for 3-4 months I can significantly improve my overall score, but I might just be cocky… idk. I do credit my P/S score to that change in study habits during that last month though.
6. Research is important to me, and if I have the choice I would like to go to a research heavy institution, which usually have higher average MCAT score matriculants.
There are a couple considerations here. When I took my MCAT I was doing way too much & not focusing on it the way I should have been (which is why I’m surprised I even banged out a 510 lol). I was working 25 hours a week, doing research for 10-15 hours a week, and taking a full course load (15 credit hours & got a 4.0 yay!) I was also going out a good chunk of time. I also think that because I gave myself 6 months to study I didn’t actually take it seriously until maybe the last 2 or so months.
Here’s where it gets tricky though, this upcoming semester I will again be working about 15-20 hours a week and doing 10 hours of research a week. I am only taking 2 classes though. If I were to retake, my goal would be a 515+, which I think is doable if I can increase my C/P & obviously my CARS score. So, what are your thoughts?
For context, I got a 510 (127/124/128/131) in May, so not a bad score AT ALL. In fact, I’m actually pretty proud of it. There are a few reasons I’m considering a retake:
1. I’m from Florida and a lot of public schools here average around a 515 to matriculate.
2. 510 is the lowest I got on any of the AAMC full lengths with 515 being the highest. I’m pretty sure I was averaging around a 513?
3. The 124 for my CARS is making me REALLY nervous. I just really do not want to have to pay OOS tuition if I don’t have to.
4. My subsection scores were all lower than I got on any of the full lengths, not by a significant point difference but enough to make a difference on my overall score, with the exception of P/S (don’t ask me how i got that 131, I didn’t get above a 128 on any of the AAMC FLs lol). On the other hand, my CARS was way lower, I got a 129 on every FL minus one which I got a 127 I think.
5. I genuinely feel like the last month I really figured out how to study for the MCAT & I feel that if I study that way for 3-4 months I can significantly improve my overall score, but I might just be cocky… idk. I do credit my P/S score to that change in study habits during that last month though.
6. Research is important to me, and if I have the choice I would like to go to a research heavy institution, which usually have higher average MCAT score matriculants.
There are a couple considerations here. When I took my MCAT I was doing way too much & not focusing on it the way I should have been (which is why I’m surprised I even banged out a 510 lol). I was working 25 hours a week, doing research for 10-15 hours a week, and taking a full course load (15 credit hours & got a 4.0 yay!) I was also going out a good chunk of time. I also think that because I gave myself 6 months to study I didn’t actually take it seriously until maybe the last 2 or so months.
Here’s where it gets tricky though, this upcoming semester I will again be working about 15-20 hours a week and doing 10 hours of research a week. I am only taking 2 classes though. If I were to retake, my goal would be a 515+, which I think is doable if I can increase my C/P & obviously my CARS score. So, what are your thoughts?