Is it worth retaking the MCAT?

According to the most recent AAMC data, 39 percent of people who took the MCAT between 2020 and 2022 were retesters. On the whole, retaking the exam tended to produce better scores for this group compared to their initial results.

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.

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 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.

Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 511?

You should retake a 511 MCAT score if your score is not balanced among the 4 sections, or if your target med-school(s) require a higher score for you to be competitive.

MCAT 101: Tips for Retaking the MCAT | The MCAT Podcast Ep. 251

Is 493 a bad MCAT score?

A score of 493 corresponds to the 29th percentile, meaning that you performed better than 29% of test-takers. While this might not seem terrible at first glance, it's essential to understand that medical schools typically seek applicants with higher percentile scores.

Does it look bad to take the MCAT twice?

Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application. Aim to avoid taking the MCAT multiple times while planning to retake it once if necessary.

Do schools care if you retake MCAT?

Med schools will review every MCAT exam result.

For example, some consider only your highest score, while others review an average of all iterations. Still others consider only the highest scores from each section. No matter what, admissions committees will see all of your MCAT scores.

Do most people 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.

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.

Can I get into medical school with a 512 MCAT?

Is 512 a Bad MCAT Score? According to recent AAMC stats, a 512 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 512 is 85 percentile rank on the MCAT. *

What percentage of students retake the MCAT?

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.

Does taking the MCAT 3 times look bad?

This is because taking the MCAT too many times does not reflect well on your medical school application. If you're looking for additional material to help study and avoid taking the test again, consider Magoosh's MCAT prep! Basically, you should take the MCAT no more than three times.

How do med-schools view retaking MCAT?

Bryan adds that when it comes to the MCAT, all of your scores are reported to the med schools. This means every single time you've taken the MCAT except if you void your score. Voiding is not reported to med schools. So all of your scores are reported.

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 the MCAT if I got a 126 on cars?

MCAT CARS Scoring and Competitive Edge

You need a 125 or higher to be competitive for a majority of MD schools (assuming your other section scores are all 127 or higher). You need a 127 or higher to be competitive for most medical schools in Canada (regardless of other section scores).

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the MCAT?

You cannot. The MCAT is scored from 472 to 528. About 1% of MCAT-takers score above 523. Striving for a score above 523 puts you in competition with extraordinarily well-prepared pre meds.

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.

Should I retake MCAT if I got a 508?

Seeing how a 508 on the MCAT is very close to the average MCAT score, it will be in your best interest to improve your score, as most medical schools seek students with above-average credentials.

Should I retake a 517 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 517? Generally, we recommend retaking the MCAT if the MCAT score is not balanced among the four sections of the MCAT. For example, if you scored 126/131/130/130, the 126 sticks out and can be a red flag to med-schools.

Should I retake a 502 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 502? 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.

Is taking the MCAT 3 times a red flag?

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. If you score even lower on a second or third attempt, admissions committees will not see you as a worthwhile investment.

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.

Should I retake a 507 MCAT?

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.