Should I retake the MCAT with a 517?

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.

Is 517 a good score for MCAT?

Attaining a score of 517 on the MCAT means you performed in the 96% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 515?

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.

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.

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.

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

What is the average MCAT score on the first attempt?

Your MCAT total score will be in the range of 472-528 with an average score of 500. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored between 118-132 with an average score of 125. Applicants accepted to allopathic (MD-granting) medical schools for the 2022-2023 year had an average MCAT score of 511.9.

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 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 with a 518?

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 518 on the MCAT means you performed in the 97% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

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.

How bad does an MCAT retake look?

So, if you retest, make sure you are improving. Even getting the same score a second time looks bad on an application because it may indicate that you aren't learning from your mistakes, are unsure of yourself, and don't have forward momentum. A lower score or the same score isn't good; improvement is the only option.

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).

Can I get into med-school with a 517?

The answer is a resounding YES! 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.

Is it bad to take MCAT twice?

We recommend not exceeding two MCAT retakes after your first attempt. The more attempts you have on your application, the worse it will look to admissions committees, especially if you are not making significant progress in increasing your score.

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.

How do you know if I should retake the MCAT?

Use resources like the MSAR database of med school admissions requirements to help you compare your GPA and MCAT scores to the averages for the programs on your list. Are you competitive for most of the schools you are applying to? If not, then retaking the test will probably be in your best interest.

What happens if you retake the MCAT and get a lower score?

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.

Can you get into Harvard with a 518 MCAT?

A high undergraduate GPA and strong MCAT score show med schools that you can handle what's ahead. But every school varies in what they consider a “strong” score. The top schools will have high average MCAT scores: for example, Harvard and Stanford have average scores of 520 and 518, respectively.

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 percentage of people retake the MCAT?

DATA ON RETAKING THE MCAT EXAM

Since this exam's introduction in 2015, the vast majority of examinees (just under 95%) have tested at most once or twice. About 5% have tested three times. Only about 1% of examinees have tested more than three times.

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).

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 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.

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.