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I Didn’t Want to Retake the MCAT — But I’m So Glad I Did
By Dr. Sarah
Last Updated Apr 2, 2025
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After I saw my MCAT score, I closed my laptop and didn’t touch my study materials for two weeks.
Not because I was too busy.But because I was completely done.I had already given it everything I had — study plans, practice questions, 3 AM cram sessions, flashcards on flashcards… and still came out with a score I couldn’t confidently apply with.I told myself, “I’m not retaking this. I just don’t have it in me.”But deep down, I knew: I still wanted med school. I still wanted to fight for that dream. I just didn’t know how to do it differently this time.If you’re in that same space — frustrated with your first score, unsure how to get back your study motivation — I hope this helps.Here’s what changed for me the second time around, and how I finally walked away with a score I was proud to submit.
1. I Gave Myself Permission to Be Pissed (Then Let It Go)
Let’s be honest: retaking the MCAT feels like failure — even when you know it’s common.I needed space to feel it: disappointed, frustrated, even embarrassed. I talked to no one about it for a while. And that was okay.But after a few weeks, I realized: if I didn’t let go of that frustration, I’d carry it into my next prep. And that would only weigh me down.So I reset. Mentally and emotionally. I forgave myself for not getting it right the first time. And that helped me start again with a clearer head.
2. I Reviewed What Didn’t Work (Instead of Repeating It)
The biggest mistake I almost made was jumping straight back into the same routine that gave me a low score.Instead, I sat down and asked:• What sections actually improved over time?• Where did I waste the most study hours?• What resources felt helpful… vs just busy work?I found that I had been:• Over-studying low-yield topics• Ignoring CARS out of fear (which showed)• Spending too much time reviewing notes and not enough practicing questionsThat analysis gave me direction for my second round of prep.
3. I Focused Less on Studying More — and More on Studying Smarter
First round? I logged 6+ hours a day, every day.
Second round? I studied 2–3 hours max — but with total focus.The difference?This time I:• Used active recall instead of passive rereading• Did daily timed passages to build real stamina• Practiced eliminating wrong answers out loud (which helped my reasoning click)I wasn’t trying to “prove” anything with long hours anymore. I was trying to learn and retain. There’s a big difference.
4. I Stopped Trying to Study Alone
During my first prep, I didn’t talk to anyone about the MCAT. I thought studying solo would help me stay focused.In reality, it just made me feel isolated, anxious, and unsure if I was even doing it right.So this time, I joined a small study group online. We didn’t study together every day — but we checked in weekly, shared strategies, and kept each other accountable.Just knowing someone else was in it with me gave me a sense of momentum I didn’t have before.
5. I Created a Routine That Worked for My Life Now
Your second MCAT attempt isn’t a repeat of the first. You’ve changed. Your schedule might have changed. Your capacity definitely has.I stopped trying to force my old prep schedule to work and started building around my actual life.• I picked a start date and worked backwards• I blocked study hours that felt realistic, not ideal• I added recovery time to avoid burnout againThis wasn’t about making it perfect. It was about making it possible — and sustainable.
Here is a random paragraph that should be added in this section which supports the point mentioned above.
Follow These 5 Steps— and You’ll See Results
By following these five proven steps, I was finally able to bounce back from burnout and rebuild the kind of momentum that actually led to real results.But here’s the challenge:Most students struggle to implement all these steps on their own— not because they aren’t smart or motivated, but because they’re carrying too much emotional baggage from their first attempt… and trying to “start fresh” without a real plan.Retaking the MCAT isn’t just about trying again.
It’s about doing it differently — with more intention, more clarity, and more support.Because once you shift your mindset and prep in a way that works for you,
your comeback score is closer than you think.
That’s why we created The 30-Day MCAT Study Bundle—to provide students with a step-by-step roadmap that ensures they follow these exact six steps effortlessly.For a limited time, the 30-Day MCAT Study Bundle is available with exclusive bonuses:🔹 A Complete 30-Day Study Plan – Know exactly what to study every day.
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