u/Proof-Cow3601

Hi everyone!

So I tested 8/15 and ended up with only a 505 (127/123/127/128) with a 123 CARS. Not sure what happened that day, but I walked out feeling good and now I am quite defeated, especially as a Canadian applicant who is now limited in schools to apply to.

I have decided that my course load isn't too rough this semester, so I might give another attempt a try, and aim for a test date in January 2027. Honestly, I am burnt out and exhausted as hell, but I want this really badly and not ready to give up yet.

I think I have a good foundation of the sciences so I was thinking of only doing Anki and UWorld, so that I can put all my energy into improving my CARS score these next few months. In my last attempt, I did JW, UW and finished all the AAMC packs so I am worried that I don't have any good resources left.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can improve my CARS? I am thinking of getting a tutor, because there is clearly something wrong with my strategy here.

Also any advice on how you balance school with MCAT studying? Would 2-3 hours of focused studying on the weekdays and maybe 4-5 hours on the weekends be enough?

Anything would be much appreciated!🥹

Hey everyone,

I’ve been a lurker on this subreddit for a couple years now and I wrote the 8/15 test. This will be my third attempt and I am absolutely terrified that I won’t be able to reach the CARS cutoff for Canadian medical schools.

My past scores were 493 and 501 (both of which CARS was below 125), and on my practice tests this time around I was able to hit 510. I practiced multiple CARS passages a day, even full CARS sections starting from day 1 because I knew it was my worst section.

I felt like the science sections that day weren’t too bad (psych was the bane of my existence but…), but I don’t really know how CARS went. It was such a blur and how I did feels so up in the air, which I guess is typical of this section.

Is anyone else in this situation? I feel like I’ve worked so hard every attempt, changing my strategies and dedicating my full attention and time to this test, but it feels like I’m not getting it.

I just don’t know how to deal because I have this pit in my stomach everyday leading up to score release, and the thought of taking this exam a fourth time makes me want to cry :(