Can you get into med school with a low MCAT score?

There are many med schools across the United States that accept students with low MCAT scores. If you have a strong application otherwise, and if you can justify your low MCAT score in an essay or in an interview, you still have a good chance of getting in at most med schools in the US.

What to do if your MCAT score is low?

If your MCAT score is significantly below average for the schools you're applying to, you may need to reconsider when you apply to medical school. Retaking the MCAT will take time, as you must assess your situation, change your study tactics in order to improve, and find an available test date.

Is 487 a good MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 487 on the MCAT means you performed in the 13% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is a 500 MCAT score bad?

A 500 MCAT score is on average. Although the average now is a little bit higher, 500 is typically good enough. Don't worry about your stats. You can apply, in the context of having diversity as well for medical schools.

Is 499 a good MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 499 on the MCAT means you performed in the 49% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

I applied to 61 Medical schools... // 2022-2023 Medical School Application Cycle Results

How common is a 520 MCAT?

Attaining a score of 520 on the MCAT means you performed in the 98% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 131 (C/P) 129 (CARS) 132 (B/B) 128 (P/S).

Should I retake a 507 MCAT?

It simply means that, on average, students with this score do not get into medical school. According to the latest statistics, students with a score of less than 506 have even less of a chance of getting into medical school. And students with scores around 501 and lower should really consider retaking the test.

What is a failing MCAT score?

There is no definitive pass or fail score for the MCAT; rather, each medical school sets its own criteria for acceptable scores. To determine the score needed for a particular medical school, it's best to consult the specific school's requirements or visit their website.

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

Since this method is not perfect, we'll leave you with a range; between 30 and 70 students every year achieve a perfect 528 MCAT. This is out of the nearly three hundred thousand students who take the exam.

Is it OK to fail the MCAT?

First there is no passing score for the MCAT it's just one of many things medical schools look at for acceptance but obviously getting a higher score is better and schools like Harvard will want a high score even for someone who did other amazing things.

Is GPA or MCAT more important?

In other words, students with higher GPAs and MCAT scores have a better chance of getting into medical school. On the other hand, it's really difficult to get into medical school with a low GPA. The lower the GPA, the higher the MCAT score needed to get into medical school, and vice-versa.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

A great score is 515 to 528 (the maximum possible score), while an average score is 502 to 508. In contrast, a poor score is 501 and below. This guide will go over what a good MCAT score is and how medical schools use your score to make their decision.

What is a realistic MCAT score?

Our medical school admission experts recommend that you aim for a total score of 511 or above. This score places you in the 81 ^st percentile of MCAT scores, according to AAMC.

Why am I scoring so low on MCAT?

In the same vein as not giving yourself enough time to study, I often find that students who don't achieve their goal scores on the MCAT didn't fully cover all the necessary content. This is often due to lack of time, dislike for a certain subject, or assumed mastery of a particular content area.

Does a bad first MCAT affect chances?

They will take each into consideration, so even if your second or third score is better than your first, there's a chance that one bad score can still ruin your chances of getting accepted. Your score might be lower -- Of course, there's always a chance that your retest score is worse than your previous one.

Should I explain a low MCAT score?

If you are asked about your score, be honest and straightforward. Explain your low MCAT score results, highlight why you think your score is lower than it could be, and talk about the steps you're taking to address the issue. Remember that there are many traits that make a great medical school student.

What is an elite MCAT score?

The "safe" MCAT score for elite, competitive medical schools can vary depending on the specific school and its admissions criteria. Generally, competitive medical schools look for MCAT scores in the 90th percentile or higher, which typically translates to a score of around 515 or above.

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

To get an excellent MCAT score means to score in the overall 90th percentile or higher, which currently means a score of 515 or greater. With an MCAT score of 515 or above, you have a significantly better chance of getting accepted. Anything above the score of 517 is considered outstanding.

What happens if you fail MCAT 7 times?

You can take the MCAT up to seven times. After your seventh attempt, you'll no longer be able to register or take the test, regardless of how long it's been since your last attempt.

Should I retake a 515 MCAT?

While going from 515 to 517 looks good, going from 498 to 501 looks great. So statistically speaking, unless you're already in the very highest tier of test takers, chances are that retaking the MCAT will result in a better score and will ultimately benefit your application.

Does taking the MCAT twice look bad?

We recommend not exceeding two MCAT retakes after your first attempt. The more attempts you have on your application, the worse it will look to admissions committees, especially if you are not making significant progress in increasing your score.

Do multiple MCAT scores look bad?

That's not the message you want to send to medical schools that you keep making mistakes over and over again. Again, medical schools don't care if you have multiple MCAT tests on your application. Just make sure that if you screw up the first time, know why so you can prove the next time.

Can I get into an MD school with a 507 MCAT?

The typical MCAT score one needs to be competitive for medical school admission to allopathic medical schools in the United States is a 511. MCAT scores of 509 or below are generally considered low and not competitive for allopathic medical school admissions.