Does it look bad if you retake the MCAT?

Retaking the MCAT isn't a red flag, and even three attempts may not impact your admissions decision, although we recommend performing your best on the first two tests.

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 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.

Is it good to take the 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.

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

Do med schools look down on retaking MCAT?

If you're able to show an appreciable score jump from one test to the next, the majority of medical schools won't see having retaken the MCAT as an issue.

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 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 493 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 493 on the MCAT means you performed in the 29% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

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.

Do med schools care about retakes?

Many students have been accepted to medical school after failing and retaking a course or two early in their college education. That said, three or more Fs might be considered a deal-breaker.

How common is it to take the MCAT twice?

In fact, over a quarter of medical school applicants have taken the MCAT more than once. But do not make this decision lightly. Retaking the MCAT is a draining process that will take place when premeds have very little time to spare.

What is a bad 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 percentage of students retake the MCAT?

All 285 applicants took the MCAT at least twice, 65 (22.8%) took it 3 times, 10 (3.5%) took it 4 times, and 3 (1%) took it 5 times. Of the repeat test takers, 154 (54%) applicants were able to obtain a total MCAT of ≥500, and 57 (20%) were ultimately accepted into medical school.

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.

Can schools see how many times you took 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.

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 515 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 515? Generally, we recommend retaking the MCAT if the MCAT score is not balanced among the four sections of the MCAT or your target med-school has a higher cut-off. For example, if you scored 126/130/130/129, the 126 sticks out and can be a red flag to med-schools.

What score is 80% correct on MCAT?

Note: A score of 80% correct for each of the 4 exam subsections translates to an MCAT scaled score of 127, which further underlines the fact that the relationship between percent correct and scaled scores is not straightforward and the changes are not consistent across exam sections (there is a correlation, but they ...

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.

Is it worth retaking the MCAT?

You could improve your score.

Score improvement is, of course, the entire motivation behind retaking the MCAT in the first place. According to the AAMC, test-takers who scored between 472 and 517 the first time saw a median gain of two to three points the second time around.

Should I retake a 511 MCAT?

Is 511 a Bad MCAT Score? According to recent AAMC stats, a 511 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 511 is 82 percentile rank on the MCAT. *

Can a high GPA make up for low MCAT?

The bottom line is this – if you have a low MCAT, you must do your best to balance it with a high GPA. While these stats are not the be-all and end-all of medical school admissions, some schools will not continue the review of your application if you do not demonstrate a strong academic history via your GPA and MCAT.

What's 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.

Can I get into med-school with a 505 MCAT?

So, for students who are doing about average or a little above average on the MCAT, in the 502-505 range, that's good enough to get a look and probably good enough to get an interview—although you would have to knock it out of the park on everything else—it could get you an acceptance.