Retaking the MCAT: The No-Regrets Playbook

May 06, 2025 :: Admissionado

You ever get that nagging “maybe I should retake it” feeling? Yeah, we’ve been there. One second you’re channeling your inner Doogie Howser, fully convinced you’ve conquered the beast that is the MCAT. The next? You’re side-eyeing that score report like it just insulted your mom. Cue the spiraling. You crack open Reddit, swim the murky waters of Student Doctor Network, maybe even consult your cousin’s roommate’s girlfriend—you know, the one who casually dropped a 520 and now moonlights as an MCAT oracle. The opinions? Endless. The confusion? Palpable.

Here’s the thing: everyone’s got a take, but none of those hot takes live your life, juggle your schedule, or know the exact cocktail of ambition, anxiety, and caffeine that keeps you going. So, what’s right for you?

That’s where we come in. We’re gonna cut through the noise, peel back the layers of well-meaning advice (and some not-so-well-meaning flexes), and get to the heart of it. Should you retake the MCAT Stick with us. This is the guide that will help you figure that out. For real.

How Many Times Can You Retake the MCAT?

Alright, let’s get logistical. According to the AAMC (that’s the big boss of MCAT-land), here’s how many swings you get at this thing:

• Up to 3 times in a single testing year.
• 4 times over two consecutive years.
• 7 times total in your lifetime.

Yup. They actually cap you. Turns out, too much MCAT is bad for your health. Or at least bad for their testing algorithm.

But does anyone really hit that limit? Honestly? Almost no one. We’re talking unicorn territory here. The vast majority of test-takers aren’t out there burning through seven tries like they’re playing Mario Kart. According to AAMC data, roughly one in four MCAT takers are repeat customers. And most of those? They’re clocking in a second attempt, maybe a third. Beyond that? Numbers start to thin out fast.

So why even talk about the upper limit? Well, because if you’re sitting there pondering attempt number five (or flirting with the idea), it’s time for a serious gut check. Is the MCAT the problem… or is it your approach?

Here’s a truth bomb: If brute force hasn’t worked after four swings, doubling down won’t magically fix things. The MCAT isn’t a dragon you slay with sheer persistence. It’s a puzzle. And sometimes, the best move isn’t to attack the puzzle harder—it’s to step back, reframe how you’re thinking about it, and switch strategies.

This isn’t about testing your resilience. It’s about testing your strategy. So, before you book that next exam date, ask yourself: Am I playing smarter? Or just playing more?

Does Retaking the MCAT Look Bad? Let’s Get Real.

Ah, the age-old question that’s haunted many a med school hopeful at 2 a.m.: If I retake the MCAT, will admissions committees blacklist me? Are they all sitting around some conference table, cackling at your score history?

Let’s put this to bed. The short answer? No, retaking the MCAT does not automatically make you radioactive. Med schools aren’t out here punishing you for persistence. They’re looking at the whole picture—GPA, clinical experience, personal statements, the works. The MCAT? It’s one data point in a sea of data points. But—and this is important—they do notice patterns.

Here’s when retaking starts to look a little… dicey:

• Your score stagnates. If you go from a 506 to a 506 to a 506, admissions committees are gonna raise an eyebrow. Not because you retook, but because nothing changed. It signals that maybe you didn’t switch up your prep, or worse—you hit a ceiling.
• Your score drops. Ouch. That’s a double whammy. Not only does it hurt your ego (been there), but it can suggest to AdComs that pressure gets the best of you. Or that you didn’t prep strategically the second (or third) time around.

But here’s the flip side—and it’s the good stuff. A retake can look awesome. Picture this: You started with a 500. Then, bam! 512. That’s your Rocky comeback moment. It says, I take feedback, I adjust, I conquer. That kind of improvement arc? Med schools eat that up. It shows grit, self-awareness, and growth mindset—buzzwords that translate to future success in med school.

So the moral of the story? Retaking doesn’t look bad. Not improving looks bad. And hey, that’s where we come in. If you’re thinking about a retake, don’t go it alone. Admissionado’s got strategies, resources, and just the right amount of tough love to make sure your next MCAT story is one for the comeback reel.

Should You Retake? The Self-Assessment No One Else Will Give You

Forget the Reddit threads, forget your buddy who “knows someone at Harvard Med,” forget your aunt who keeps reminding you that her coworker’s nephew scored a 528. This is your journey, and it deserves more than recycled internet advice. It’s time for a raw, unfiltered gut-check—the self-assessment no one else is giving you.

Let’s start with the hard numbers. Because as much as we love to romanticize the comeback story, med school admissions are still a numbers game.

1. Did you score below a school’s cutoff?

If your target schools have a stated minimum (say, 500) and you’re below it? That’s an automatic retake zone. No amount of glowing recommendation letters will get you through that particular gate.

2. Is your GPA sky-high but your MCAT lagging behind?

This is where balance matters. If you’ve got a killer GPA (think 3.8+) but your MCAT is hanging out in the low 500s, that mismatch could raise questions. Schools want to see you thrive in both arenas. If your MCAT isn’t keeping up, it might be time to level up.

3. Are you applying MD or DO?

Different playgrounds, different rules. For MD programs, the median MCAT score generally hovers between 510-518, depending on the school. DO schools? Typically a bit lower, around 502-508. Know your field. If you’re shooting for MD and sitting at a 504, retaking could push you into a more competitive bracket.

4. What’s your target school’s median?

This isn’t about average scores across the board—it’s about your dream schools. If the median at your target is a 515 and you’re rocking a 507, that’s an uphill climb. Could you still get in? Sure. But why not give yourself every possible edge?

5. Did your practice scores suggest you could do better?

If you consistently hit higher scores in full-length practice exams (legit ones, not the sketchy free tests floating online), but test day threw you a curveball? That’s a strong case for a retake. It says your potential hasn’t been fully cashed in yet.

Self-Assessment Checklist:

• Current Score: ______
  
• Target Score (based on median at dream schools): ______
  
• Practice Test Average: ______
  
• Score Trajectory (flat, improving, declining?): ______
  
• GPA Strength (relative to MCAT): ______
  
• MD or DO Applicant?: ______
  
• Personal Circumstances (workload, family stuff, life chaos): ______
  
• Mental Health Check-In (be honest): ______
  
• Time & Resources to Study Again (realistically): ______

Here’s the deal: if your checklist reveals big gaps between your current position and your goals and you have the bandwidth (mental, emotional, logistical) to give this beast another solid swing, a retake makes sense. But if life’s throwing you curveballs and another few months of prep would leave you drained and demoralized? Pump the brakes.

This isn’t about what Reddit thinks. This is about making a decision that aligns with your goals, capacity, and well-being. Because the MCAT is just a step on your journey—not the whole damn staircase.

The Right (and Wrong) Reasons to Retake the MCAT

Let’s get one thing straight: retaking the MCAT isn’t a badge of shame—or a badge of honor. It’s a strategy move. And like any solid strategy, it needs to be based on good reasons, not knee-jerk reactions or peer pressure.

Good Reasons to Retake:

• You missed your target score. Simple. If your score is below the median for your dream schools (or below a hard cutoff), a retake could unlock doors that otherwise stay shut. This is about positioning, not perfection.
• You’ve got a new, legit study plan. Not “I’m just gonna do more of what I did before, but harder.” We’re talking a fundamentally different approach: new resources, different study techniques, maybe even professional coaching (hey, that’s what we’re here for).
• Life threw you off last time. Major life events—family emergencies, health issues, stress meltdowns—can tank test day performance. If external factors got in the way and you know you can do better with a clearer runway? That’s a green light.

Bad Reasons to Retake:

• Peer pressure. Your roommate’s 518 doesn’t define your worth. Neither does the Reddit crowd flexing their super scores. This is your path. Stay in your lane.
• Emotional reactions. “I should have done better.” Cool. But unless you know how you’re going to do better, all that emotion isn’t going to move the needle. Anger and frustration aren’t study strategies.
• No real plan to improve. If your prep looks the same, expect the same results. If you can’t outline specific changes to your study game, retaking is just burning time (and sanity).

Pep Talk Time: This isn’t about ego. This is chess, not checkers. Sometimes, not retaking is the bravest, smartest move. If your score puts you in a solid range for your goals, and retaking would just be about “proving something”? Let it go. Save that energy for the next battle. Strategy over pride—always.

Strategy for a Successful Retake

Look, if you’re gonna retake the MCAT, new game plan or bust. Charging back in with the same study habits, the same flashcards, the same passive YouTube bingeing? That’s not grit—that’s a recipe for disaster (and another disappointing score report). Retaking demands radical change.

Tactics to Level Up:

• Target Your Weaknesses Like a Sniper. No more blanket reviewing. If CARS made you sweat or bio/biochem tanked your score, zero in. Diagnose exactly where you struggled—timing? comprehension? content gaps?—and attack those spots.
• Simulate Test Day… Relentlessly. Full-length practice exams under real conditions: same time of day, same length, no pausing, no snacks (besides what you’ll have on test day). Getting your brain used to the marathon is key. The MCAT isn’t just about what you know, it’s about how you perform over seven hours.
• Adjust Your Timing Strategy. Maybe you know the content but ran out of time. Time management is a skill—practice pacing yourself, flagging tricky questions (without falling into the black hole of “just one more minute”), and moving on when you need to.
• Consider Professional Help. If you’ve been flying solo and hit a plateau, it might be time to bring in reinforcements. A tutor, coach, or structured course can offer outside perspective, accountability, and proven strategies to shake things up.

Tools for a Smarter Retake:

• MCAT Study Schedule Generators (e.g., Blueprint MCAT, Princeton Review)
• Khan Academy MCAT Collection (still a goldmine, even though they’ve stopped updating)
• AAMC Official Materials (practice exams, question packs, section banks—these are the standard)
• UWorld for MCAT (top-tier question bank for drilling weaknesses)
• Anki with Pre-Made Decks (but only if you’re actually using them strategically, not just racking up card counts)

This isn’t about working more—it’s about working smarter. Retaking the MCAT should feel like training for a different sport, not just running the same drills harder. New tactics, new mindset, new outcome. That’s how you win the rematch.

So… Should You Retake?

By now, you’ve got everything you need: the cold, hard facts (how many times can you retake the MCAT), the reality check on how schools view retakers (hint: it’s all about the comeback), and that brutally honest self-assessment (because no one else is gonna ask you how your mental health’s holding up). The big question—retake or roll forward—is sitting right there in front of you.

Here’s the deal: whatever your call is, it’s the right one if it’s grounded in strategy, not emotion. If you’ve got gas in the tank, a new game plan, and the hunger to raise that score? Go for it. But if you’re solidly in range for your schools, or if another round of prep would leave you fried? Walking forward without a retake can be the power move.

Either way, you’re not doing this alone. Admissionado’s here to help you crush it—whether that’s crafting your retake strategy or sharpening your med school application with the score you’ve got.

Book a free consultation with one of our experts. Let’s talk about your MCAT strategy, your med school game plan, and how we can get you from where you are to where you want to be. No fluff. Just real talk and real results.