Does a bad first MCAT score matter?

So, naturally, a high score on your first attempt is ideal. However, it doesn't always work out that way. While it's true that you can take the MCAT three times in the same year and seven times in a lifetime, medical schools can see how you scored on each attempt.

Does a bad first MCAT affect chances?

If you retake the MCAT only once, even twice, and improve your score each time, it won't impact your chances of admission. However, retaking the MCAT excessively or scoring lower each time you take it may negatively impact your application.

Do med schools look at first MCAT score?

There is no rule that they have to follow. It's not like there is an AAMC mandate of what to do with multiple MCAT scores. So, they're just going to see all of them and take the most recent or the highest. If they're looking for a reason to reject you, they take the lowest.

What is the lowest acceptable MCAT score?

Medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada that necessitate the MCAT typically accept scores ranging from 490-495 at the minimum. Scores below 490 are rarely if ever, accepted. Interestingly, a vast majority of individuals score above this range. Recent data suggests that the average score hovers around 506.5.

What's a bad score on the MCAT?

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.

You Got a Bad MCAT, Now What?

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.

Why do people do poorly on the MCAT?

You Didn't Take Enough Practice Exams or Do Enough Practice Questions. The best way to prepare yourself for the pace and style of the questions you'll see on your MCAT retake test day is to do practice exams and practice questions.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

So, technically speaking, a bad MCAT score would be anything below 500. However, in order to be a competitive applicant, you should aim to score much higher than 500. A good MCAT score largely depends on the schools you are applying to.

Should I explain a low MCAT score?

You can use your personal statement to briefly explain why your MCAT is not as great as the rest of your application components. If you have a reason other than “I just didn't study enough,” this extenuating circumstance can be incorporated into your medical school personal statement.

Is it possible to get into med school with a low MCAT?

A low MCAT score can make getting into med school more challenging, and you should work harder on the other pieces of your application to compensate. That said, gaining acceptance into medical school with a below average MCAT is not impossible.

Can I get into med-school with a bad first semester?

Medical schools want to see optimal academic performance, but that doesn't necessarily mean that one bad semester or lower grades will count you out of the running. Your overall GPA is very important, and med school admission committees will look at that in conjunction with your individual semesters and trends.

What is a normal first MCAT score?

Your MCAT total score will be in the range of 472-528 with an average score of 500. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored between 118-132 with an average score of 125. Applicants accepted to allopathic (MD-granting) medical schools for the 2022-2023 year had an average MCAT score of 511.9.

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.

Is retaking the MCAT a red flag?

Taking the MCAT more than once isn't necessarily a red flag for admissions committees. Many applicants opt for at least one retake to improve their scores. However, the impact of retakes on your application can vary between institutions.

Does retaking the MCAT look bad?

Similar to reapplying to medical school, retaking the MCAT does not inherently look bad. However, you should aim to take the MCAT as few times as possible. For this reason, you should study each time diligently before taking or retaking the test.

How do I deal with a bad MCAT score?

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

A 517 MCAT score is not just good; it's outstanding. Scoring a 517 puts you in the top 10% of all test-takers, and it can significantly boost your chances of getting accepted into your dream medical school.

Should I retake a 507 MCAT?

If you want to maximize your chances of achieving medical school acceptance, and if your overall application is not strong, we recommend you retake the MCAT if your score is 507.

Can I get into med-school with a 515?

According to recent AAMC stats, a 515 on the MCAT is not a bad score because it's an above-average MCAT score, and it is competitive for med-school admission: A 515 is 91 percentile rank on the MCAT. * The current average MCAT score is at the 501 mark, and a 515 is 14 points ahead of that score.

Is 491 a bad MCAT score?

Is 491 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 491 on the MCAT means you performed in the 23% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Can an average person do well on the MCAT?

For the 2023–2024 academic year, the average MCAT score for medical school applicants was 506.3, whereas the average MCAT score for medical school matriculants was 511.7. The numbers show that being ahead of the pack greatly influences your odds of getting into medical school.

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

The MCAT is way more complex and considered a very challenging standardized test for med school. Also, the contents and structure of the MCAT are more advanced than the SAT. In contrast, the SAT is used as a standardized college and university admission exam.

Is it OK to fail in med school?

Getting Bad Grades in Medical School. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: most of us fail at least once in medical school. Unless you're one of those rare students who can absorb knowledge like a sponge, failure is all part of the process.

Has anyone taken the MCAT 7 times?

As someone who took the MCAT seven times, whose medical school application was rejected 129 times before finally earning an acceptance, I know firsthand how hard the road is to becoming a doctor. But through the difficult and frustrating times, I ask candidates to have faith in themselves.

Should I retake a 502 MCAT?

If you want to maximize your chances of achieving medical school acceptance, and if your overall application is not strong, we recommend you retake the MCAT if your score is 502.