Standardized testing is only really something that the USA gets into. If it turns out that you don't score well on those standardized tests (that get you entry to college or graduate school) well... That was what I meant about Canada. Alternatively: UK, Australasia, etc etc etc. Some people simply don't score well on them. I can't answer a single GRE math question in the under 30 seconds time allowed. So... That basically undermined my applying to do graduate school in the US. And there it is. You know... In the USA I wouldn't have graduated high school because of my inability to do math. And I probably wouldn't have graduated from college because of my inability to do math (with the breadth requirement on liberal arts education). So... Don't worry about the standardized testing too much, and remember that worst case: There are places in the world where you can get an education where they really don't give a **** about how you score on standardized tests and most especially on how you score on something that is simply irrelevant (what are your B's in? music?)

Do I think that there are philosophers in the world who are better than me because they score well on GRE math? Not at all. I'm really not into the 'better' or 'worse' game... When it makes the difference between who gets accepted into a program or who does not then ignoring others is tough, though.

In the USA it seems to be considered that if your parents come from a certain socio-economic class then you go to college. That is simply what you do. There are a number of individuals who are really into hanging out in the frat houses or who are really into athletics or who are really into whatever... They are at college because they really want to be cheerleaders or to join that frat or to make some friends before they start popping out babies or... Whatever. Some of the brightest (on the regular tests) go this way... Don't do their work and muddle through...

I have a couple friends who are doctors and they said there were studies where the best doctors were solid B students who worked hard for their B's. Lots of material to cram and don't think too hard about it or get too creative with it or you will get your *** sued. I know med school is a tough one... Most especially in the USA... How wedded are you to the country? Would be considerably easier (and significantly cheaper I'm sure) to do that elsewhere. But... Crossing your qualification so you are able to practice inside the US can be tricky... Still, I'd recommend your not ruling out that option. There are many quality institutions outside the US (that compare well) that have more flexible entry criteria (are often looking for something a bit different) that might be better suited to you. Just don't forget that when it comes to your sending out applications is all... The application fee tends to be less... The cost of the education tends to be less... You have less high scoring IMG's to compete against, too (I'd worry less about your american friends and more about them!)