Thinking of retaking Sept 18 (June 1st 2018 exam got a 509)
I want to retake the MCAT in sept, because i got a not to hot score in cars (129 C/P, 129 Bio/BChem , 127 P/S), what would be my best route in doing so? I previously studied using the Kaplan self paced program and have all the books. Was thinking of brushing up on content review for the first month, then drilling AAMC practice stuff for the last month. What do you guys think and has anyone gone this route already?
Posted Jul 11, 2018, 6:47 PM UTC
17
I got the same CARS score as you (I also took June 1), and it's a little disheartening. I have two words of advice, because I am planning on retaking as well.
(1) 509 is a GREAT SCORE!! I want your score, I would give anything for that score. Be proud, and step back. Look at all your hard work and acknowledge that before moving forward. I am also not going to sit back and tell you to settle for your score if you know in your heart you can do better. That's a question only you can answer. If you genuinely KNOW you can do better, then go for it! It would be a disservice to yourself not to. CARS is definitely the easiest to improve (from what I've heard). I personally think you can EASILY get your science scores up to 130s and psych up to 129+ with a little more time and practice.
(2) For CARS prep I am planning on reading books for pleasure everyday to get my reading speed and comprehension up (it certainly cannot hurt) I am planning on buying the Q pack and breaking the review up into sections. I think I'm going to start untimed and understand the AAMCs logic in their answers. I never struggled with timing, so I think I'll need to work on strategy now. What did your previous CARS prep look like? How did you feel about CARS on test day?
I appreciate the love!! I know my score is okay but i know i can up my P/S and CARS score as well and this is why im retaking it. i appreciate you motivating me to do so lmao but CARS was honestly the most boring thing ive ever done and i actually paid no serious mind to it, even when the test was 2 weeks away. definitely my down fall. But on test day that CARS section almost put me to sleep lol i hated it and i think the general consensus for 6/1 takers was the same. I need to work on timing too, for all sections
What are you gonna do as far as content review goes? you think i should brush up on stuff, take notes on what i am iffy on? i want to go thru content as quick as possible and focus on CARS and section banks from AAMC
Hey man if you know you can do it, don't listen to anyone else. Don't give up! It's not like you're starting over completely, just look at this as your diagnostic: a 509. You can only go up from here if you put forth the time and energy.
- content: I think I'm going to stick with Altius. First off, I'm planning on starting with some light content review. I didn't use KA the first time, and I think I'll try it this time. I would recommend using Anki for practice; I started using that at the end of my prep, I wish I would've used it sooner. Theres a 300 page KA doc, and everyone that's used it (from what I've seen on reddit) has increased their ps score by at least 2-3 points. I'm planning on using that for psych. For CP, since we both got the same score, I'm going to start with physics review (there was none on our exam, and tbh if there was I would not have gotten a 129). I am sure there are concepts that you were praying wouldn't show up on your exam haha, start with those first. You'll know you're ready to retake when you don't predict a score drop because of a topic. I'm going to use UWORLD for BB and CP practice, and redo some section bank questions as well.
My tutor told me this; let the practice problems kick your ass so the MCAT doesn't. Work so hard and prepare so well this time around that your exam day just feels like another day. That's how the top scorers feel. I have a feeling we'll both be up there next year. Best of luck friend!!