Should I explain a low MCAT score?

If you are asked about your score, be honest and straightforward. Explain your low MCAT score results, highlight why you think your score is lower than it could be, and talk about the steps you're taking to address the issue. Remember that there are many traits that make a great medical school student.

How do you explain a poor MCAT score?

Start by acknowledging the low score, then briefly discuss what you did to improve your score if you decided to retake the test or why you chose not to retake the MCAT. Provide an explanation if there were any extenuating circumstances which contributed to your low score.

Should you apply with a low MCAT score?

There are few medical schools who accept students with an MCAT of lower than 490. If your MCAT score is dangerously low, you may be better off retaking the test or applying to no-MCAT medical schools.

How do you address a low MCAT score in secondary application?

Highlight extenuating circumstances.

You can explain these circumstances in your personal statement and secondary applications. Even if you had a busy semester while you were studying for the MCAT, you may explain that you overcommitted and did not perform as well.

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.

Overcoming Low GPA and MCAT | My Journey to Med School

How common is a 520 MCAT?

Is 520 a good MCAT score? An MCAT score of 520 is very strong and puts you in the 97th percentile of all MCAT test takers.

How common is a 515 MCAT?

Attaining a score of 515 on the MCAT means you performed in the 94% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 128 (C/P) 129 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 129 (P/S).

Do schools accepting low MCAT scores?

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.

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 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.

What is the lowest acceptable MCAT score?

Generally speaking, the lowest acceptable score to be admitted to medical school is in the 490-495 range. Most medical schools do not list a minimum required MCAT score, but their average accepted MCAT score may be higher.

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.

What matters more GPA or MCAT score?

While MCAT scores are important, admissions committees also consider other factors, such as GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and interviews, when evaluating applicants.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

A poor MCAT score is any score that doesn't get you into a medical school, but statistically this would be a score below the overall mean or average, so a score of 506 or less. A poor MCAT score could also be considered anything below the 50th percentile for recent test-takers, which is approximately 501.

Is 510 MCAT too low?

In general, a good MCAT score is 511 and above.

So do not worry too much if your score is lower than this.

Should I retake a 506 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 506? 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 506.

Does taking the MCAT twice look bad?

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.

Can I get into med-school with a 503 MCAT?

Considering that a 503 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission.

Do multiple MCAT scores look bad?

Again, medical schools don't care if you have multiple MCAT tests on your application.

How do you talk about a low MCAT score in an interview?

For example, instead of saying, “I could have gotten a good score if my orgo teacher was better,” you could say, “My MCAT score doesn't accurately reflect my ability and passion for medicine in the same way that my clinical experiences do.” The first example places blame on someone other than the applicant for a low ...

What is the easiest MD to get?

Less competitive specialties to consider include family medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry. Other potentially easier options include physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine.

Is 491 a good MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 491 on the MCAT means you performed in the 23% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 122 (C/P) 123 (CARS) 123 (B/B) 123 (P/S).

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

How Rare is a Perfect Score on the MCAT? A score of 528 on the MCAT places you in the 100th percentile of individuals who have taken the test. Based on the AAMC's Summary of MCAT Total and Section Scores, we can approximate that 0.020% of individuals managed to achieve a perfect score on their MCAT.

Is 505 a bad MCAT score?

Considering that a 505 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission. With a 505, 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.

What is the average MCAT score for 2023?

Data Summary. The average MCAT score for all test-takers in 2023-2024 is 501.3. The average MCAT score for test-takers who applied to medical school in 2022-2023 was 506.5. The average MCAT score for all medical school applicants who ended up enrolling was 511.9.