Is the MCAT graded on a curve?

One of the most important things to note about the scoring process is that the MCAT exam is NOT graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning no matter when you take your exam.

How many questions can you miss on the MCAT to get a 528?

Another advantage of the scaled score is that you don't need to get every single question correct to score a 528. Some estimates suggest you could get up to eight questions wrong and still score a 528. The MCAT does not penalize you for wrong or unanswered questions, rather you gain points for every correct question.

How many questions can you miss on the MCAT to get a 128?

If the real MCAT that you get is more difficult, then you might be able to miss 11 or 12 questions and still get a 128. (Of course, these numbers are just approximations. The AAMC never releases the actual scales for the exams they administer).

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 ...

Is 493 a bad MCAT score?

Is 493 a bad MCAT score? The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 493 on the MCAT means you performed in the 29% percentile.

Is The MCAT Curved? -Jack Westin

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.

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.

Has anyone gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

Yes. It is possible. Test designers make it difficult, but it is possible. Some students achieve a 528, the magic MCAT number, the perfect score every year.

Is a 517 MCAT bad?

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 is the hardest portion of the MCAT?

What is the hardest section of the MCAT? The two sections that students typically have the most difficulty with on the exam is either Chem/Phys or CARS.

Does it look bad to take the MCAT multiple times?

4. Is It Bad To Retake the MCAT More Than Once? Retaking the MCAT multiple times isn't necessarily bad as long as your score improves each time. If your score worsens with each attempt or stays the same, it won't strengthen your med school application.

What is the raw score for the MCAT?

The MCAT raw score conversion involves translating the (raw score) into a scaled score that ranges from 118 to 132. Each section of the MCAT is scored separately, and the four section scores are then added together gives a total score ranging from 472 to 528.

How generous is the MCAT curve?

The MCAT exam is not graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test or who tests at the same time you did.

Is MCAT getting harder?

The AAMC essentially does a “curving” against the difficulty of the test from across 20,000 test takers. It's not curved against the 20 kids in the room with you. So, assuming that in any two or three-year period the pool of premeds doesn't change much, it can't get any harder.

Has anyone gotten a perfect MCAT?

Has Anyone Gotten a Perfect Score on the MCAT? Though getting the highest score on MCAT is a challenging feat, some prospective med school students have gotten a perfect score. The highest possible MCAT score is 528.

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 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 512 MCAT too low?

Nonetheless, a 512 MCAT score is above the average score for accepted applicants at many medical schools. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average MCAT score for U.S. medical school matriculants in 2020-2021 was 511.5. Thus, boasting a 512 score puts you in a competitive position.

Can high GPA make up for lower 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.

Is a 502 a bad MCAT score?

As of the 2022-23 testing cycle, the 50th percentile score for the MCAT is 501.6. In other words, a score of 502 or higher is considered an above-average MCAT score. Because med school is super competitive, the higher the score you earn, the better your chances of getting in will be.

What is a bad 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.

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.

Is a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Attaining a score of 480 on the MCAT means you performed in the 3% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 123 (C/P) 118 (CARS) 118 (B/B) 121 (P/S).