What to Do If You Get an Bad MCAT Score

Getting an MCAT score that is lower than expected can be a stressful and disappointing experience for pre-med students. It can make you question your ability to get into medical school and even make you doubt your career path. However, it's essential to remember that one bad score doesn't define you and that there are ways to overcome this setback.

Take a Deep Breath

Before we dive into what you should do next, take a deep breath. It's going to be okay. Although it's normal to feel upset, disappointed, or frustrated, remember that this is just one aspect of your application. It is also a test that you can take again. Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments, strengths, and how far you've come.

Evaluate Your Score

The next step is to evaluate your score and determine if it's worth retaking the MCAT or delaying your application cycle. It's crucial to understand where you stand, what your goals are, and what the best course of action is for your situation.

If you took the MCAT right before applying to medical school and received a lower score than expected, it may be worth delaying your application cycle. Applying late into the cycle may hurt your chances of acceptance. However, taking an extra year to study and retake the exam may be beneficial in the long run. Remember, many students start medical school in their mid-20s, late 20s, or even 30s or 40s. By pushing back a cycle it will allow you time to properly study for the exam and also be early in the next application cycle.

On the other hand, if you took the MCAT earlier in the application cycle such as January and received a lower score, you may be able to retake the exam and still apply early enough not to hurt your chances of acceptance. This would be a may or even june test date. However, before retaking the exam, ask yourself why you received a lower score. Was it just a bad testing day, or did you never even perform well in your practice tests and thought you would pull off a miracle on test day? If it's the latter, you may need to go back to the drawing board and reevaluate your study plan and make sure you have a thorough amount of time to prep. If it was just a bad test day you may not need as much time.

Final Thoughts

Receiving an MCAT score that is lower than expected can be disappointing, but it's essential to remember that it's just one aspect of your application. Don't give up on your dreams just because of one setback. Take some time to reflect, evaluate your situation, and make a plan to move forward. With hard work and dedication, you can overcome this hurdle and achieve your goal of becoming a physician.

At The Premed Consultants we have worked with tons of MCAT re-takers and would love to see you become one of our next success stories. If you are interested you can check out out program here:

Or book a free consult to see what program may be best for you here.