Should I retake a 496 MCAT?

Seeing how a 496 on the MCAT is significantly below the average MCAT score of 501, it will be in your best interest to improve your score, as most medical schools seek students with above-average credentials.

Is 496 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 496 on the MCAT means you performed in the 39% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Can I get into med-school with a 495 MCAT?

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 apply to medical school with a 497?

Considering that a 497 is a below-average score, it is improbable to be competitive for med-school admission with that score. However, once you know which medical schools you aim to get into, you'll better understand whether a 497 will get you accepted.

Can I get into DO school with a 496 MCAT?

Or, you can consider DO schools, since osteopathic medical schools typically have average accepted MCAT scores between 500-510. However, this does mean your options will be more limited when it comes to getting into medical school.

Can I Get an Acceptance With a 496 MCAT? | Old PreMeds Ep. 331

How bad is a 495 on the MCAT?

A 495 MCAT score is below the national average and is likely to make getting into med school quite challenging. If you have a 495 MCAT, consider retaking the test or applying to medical schools that are known to accept students with a low MCAT.

Does a bad first MCAT score matter?

So, naturally, a high score on your first attempt is ideal. However, it doesn't always work out that way. 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.

Is 497 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 is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical school?

Overall, a great MCAT score is considered to be 515 to 528 (the highest score possible). The absolute minimum MCAT score is 472. However, scoring below 500 significantly reduces your chances of getting into any medical school.

What is a bad 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.

How bad is a 494 MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 494 on the MCAT means you performed in the 32% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 123 (C/P) 124 (CARS) 123 (B/B) 124 (P/S).

How bad is a 490 MCAT score?

🏆 A 490 MCAT score places you in the 20th percentile, meaning that you've performed better than 20% of test-takers.

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.

Can I apply to med-school with a 496?

Medical schools have different cutoffs for students based on being in-state, out-of-state, in particular programs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more. Considering that a 496 is a below-average score, it is improbable to be competitive for med-school admission with that score.

Does it look bad to retake MCAT?

1. Will It Look Bad On My Application If I Retake the MCAT? 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.

Can I get into med-school with a 497 MCAT?

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 497 on the MCAT means you performed in the 42% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Can I get into med-school with a 498 MCAT?

With a score of 504–506 or lower, you are not going to be a very competitive candidate. But this score range does not mean you are out of the race! A score of 501 or lower is typically considered too low to be competitive, so you might want to retake the exam or apply to medical schools that do not require the MCAT.

Does a high MCAT offset a low GPA?

Pre-Med Myth 2: A high MCAT score will make up for my low GPA, or vice versa. Fact: This myth is true at a certain level but only in extreme cases.

What is the most common 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.

How do you explain low MCAT score in 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 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.

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.

How common is it to 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.

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.