This question came up in the HLTHPROF listserv in May, 2003:

An exemplary student had the flu on the April 2003 MCAT administration day, and as you may guess, did poorly. Her advisor asked the listserv members what she should do, and the responses pertained to how medical schools handle multiple MCAT scores:

From: Ellen R. Julian, Ph.D., Asst VP and Director of the Medical College Admission Test
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N St., NW
Washington, DC 20037

Subject: Which set of scores do they use?
To: HLTHPROF@list.msu.edu

We have just completed a survey of admissions officers, and one of its questions is directly related to Ed's response to Julie about advice for a student who had a very bad MCAT day. I thought you might like to get the information straight from the admissions officers.

Here is the question:

For applicants who have taken the MCAT more than once, which set of MCAT scores does your admissions committee consider?

We sent the survey to 141 US and Canadian medical schools. We had 86 responses (61%). The percentages are of those who responded. We have a research project underway to see if we can determine which of the approaches yields the best predictive validity.

I hope you find this useful,

Ellen