Hi all!
I’m starting a 1-year postbacc program later this month and plan to enter the June 2015 application cycle to med school.
Yes, I’m aware the MCAT is changing after January 2015.
For some background, I have never taken physics ever and took some of the premed requirements in college 7-8 years ago. I just took a practice MCAT from AAMC this week to get an idea of where I stand before I start my postbacc, knowing that the MCAT is changing. My score on the practice test wasn’t bad considering I haven’t taken organic chem in 7 years and I’ve never taken physics.
So my question is: Should I take the current MCAT in January 2015 and then take the new one in April/May 2015? I won’t have finished the premed requirements by the time I take the current version in January, but based on my practice test score, other than $275 I don’t have much to lose. And then I could take the new one as well.
I ask because its hard to tell with the new scoring system where I will fall and I’d like to get an idea of which schools I should most heavily consider based on my MCAT score out of 45, not 528.
aah and clearly the title of this thread should be “advice” not “advise”… last day of teaching has my brain fried 
I wouldn’t look at score so much as scaled percentage to compare the 2 tests. A score is just a number, while the percentage will show you roughly how you compare to the other test takers. While the score will change with the new test, I have a feeling schools are still going to favor those applicants in say the top 70-80th+ percentile regardless of version. I read an unconfirmed rumor that some schools are only taking the new test starting in '16. While I doubt the validity of that, you may look into it for the schools you’re interested in applying to
You may consider taking a couple of more practice exams under a simulated testing environment (ie time, stuff around you, etc) to see if you’re at the level you think you are after one practice. Not saying you aren’t, but every test is different and there are tons of subject matter that you didn’t see on the one test you took. Granted, your score should/will improve if you actually study for it… My practice scores not including my diagnostic test covered about a 7 point range, and I hit my average on the real one.
I was far removed from most of my prereqs and did a Kaplan course which essentially retaught me everything. I’m not endorsing taking the test without the prereqs done, but it’s definitely possible to learn the material without sitting in a classroom. The MCAT = time + money + stress. If you can afford it on all those levels, it might be nice to take the “short” version in January if you absolutely feel you can get a score that is representative of your abilities and can land you an interview. Otherwise, it may not be worth the rush. Studying for and taking the MCAT is brutal, then you add on an extra month of freaking out before you get your score. My family and I are very happy we only had to go through that once…
If you’re not going to be done your pre-reqs, I wouldn’t personally risk the January test (this is also the advice I heard from the med school admissions dean where I go.)
Also, I’m not sure why you’d put yourself through 2 tests. There is significantly more material to know for the new test, between all of the psych/sociology and biochem. If you think you want to take the new test, I’d put all of your efforts into preparing for that, starting soon when the new study materials are released.
Or alternatively I’d put all of your effort into killing the old version so you don’t have to take the new one at all. Like kennymac said, you can teach yourself if you’re willing to take on the work.
With just a one-year post-bacc you must already be very busy and crunched for time. For me at least it would be hard to prepare for one MCAT, much less 2.
Having looked through the new test and completed some practice problems, I don’t think that there’s a significant amount of new info on the new test. Most undergrad students are required to take courses in Psych and Socio in order to graduate so you’ve likely already been exposed to the material.
The Biochem isn’t all that knew either since I’ve seen Biochem flavored questions on previous MCAT exams in the past. Also, Biochem is the #1 failed course in med school (as of 2007, old info I know), so I understand why it’s on the MCAT now.
This new version looks much more intellectually interesting than the previous exam.