Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In a random access (RACH) procedure, a user equipment (UE) may transmit a first RACH message (e.g., RACH Message A (MsgA)) to a base station, which may include an indication of a modulation order, a maximum number of repetitions for RACH Message B (MsgB) data, or both. The base station may multiplex random access responses (RARs) for UEs into second RACH messages (e.g., RACH MsgBs) based on the indication(s) and may transmit these RACH MsgBs. The UE may receive and decode a downlink control information (DCI) portion of a RACH MsgB but may determine not to decode the data portion of the RACH MsgB if an indication in the DCI of the modulation order, the threshold number of repetitions, or both does not match the value reported by the UE. Otherwise, the UE may decode the full RACH MsgB.