Does it hurt to retake MCAT?

While many students worry that taking the MCAT twice is bad, medical schools won't care if you take the MCAT twice, especially if you improve your score!

How bad is it to retake the MCAT?

Does retaking the MCAT look bad? Like reapplying to medical school, retaking the MCAT does not inherently look bad. That said, you should strive to take the MCAT as few times as possible.

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.

Is it better to void or retake MCAT?

Remember: A voided test leaves no trace, so if you need an MCAT score for an application, you will need to retake the exam.

How do med schools view retaking MCAT?

Medical schools will receive and view all of your MCAT scores, and in the case of your retake scores being lower than your initial scores, the admissions committee may view this as a negative factor—raising questions about your preparedness for med school.

Should You Retake the MCAT? | 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Do schools care if you retake MCAT?

While many students worry that taking the MCAT twice is bad, medical schools won't care if you take the MCAT twice, especially if you improve your score!

Is it bad to retake MCAT twice?

It is important to note that every scored attempt appears on your record and is therefore seen by admissions committees. Even though you can technically take the MCAT three times a year or more over a few years, this is not advisable. We recommend not exceeding two MCAT retakes after your first attempt.

What percentage of students retake the MCAT?

On average, 38 percent of all MCAT test takers retake the MCAT. It should be noted that there is no shame in retaking the MCAT. There are thousands of doctors who took the MCAT two and even three times.

Do most people retake the MCAT?

Roughly 70,000 first-timers take the MCAT every year. About 15,000 earn admission to MD-granting medical schools and roughly 5000 to DO-granting medical schools. About 30,000 re-take the MCAT. ~6000 obtain admission to to MD schools and another 2000 to DO schools.

Is 515 a good MCAT score?

The average MCAT total score is 502 with a standard deviation of 10.8, while the 90th percentile score is 515. As of 2023, there are 44,565 men and 51,890 women in medical school according to the AAMC. In the graphic below, we highlight some important MCAT score statistics.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?

Unfortunately, the test is designed to have average MCAT score of about 500, which means at least half the test takers get 500 or below, a score too low to meet most medical school standards. This means that a large percentage of people will probably need to retake the test if they want to go to medical school.

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.

Do medical schools see how many times you took the MCAT?

Also keep in mind, medical schools will be able to see all of your scored exams, and there are limits on the number of times you can take the exam. See the MCAT Essentials for more information about viewing your scores, releasing your scores to programs and lifetime limits.

How many people take MCAT twice?

Your application will not necessarily get compromised by taking the MCAT more than once unless you receive a lower score on the second exam than on your previous exams. Though this certainly isn't a situation anyone necessarily wants to be in. Almost 20% of students retake the MCAT exam.

How long should I study for MCAT retake?

Reevaluating Your MCAT Retake Study Plan

Typically, if you're a full-time study student, you should spend 40 hours a week studying every week like a full-time job. And if you are studying for this MCAT part-time, then around 20 hours a week or 25 hours a week is ideal.

Should I retake MCAT if I got a 508?

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 508.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted?

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.

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the 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. Thus, achieving a perfect MCAT score is quite difficult, but it is not impossible.

Is a 520 A good MCAT score?

If you scored a 520 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 98th percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and you now have a competitive score for med-school admission.

Is 512 on MCAT good?

If you scored a 512 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 85th percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and you now have a competitive score for med-school admission.

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.

Is 517 on MCAT good?

Attaining a score of 517 on the MCAT means you performed in the 96% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 128 (C/P) 132 (CARS) 127 (B/B) 130 (P/S).

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.

Is 510 a good MCAT score?

Considering that a 510 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission. With a 510, you might make some med-school score cutoffs, but the rest of your application needs to be very competitive to make you a viable candidate for most med-schools.

How do I prepare for MCAT retake?

Go to the official website for AAMC practice tests. Take the test under realistic, timed conditions. Don't use a calculator for the physical sciences or chemistry sections. Try to mimic the real experience as much as possible.