What happens if you do bad on the MCAT?

It's a sign that you won't survive medical school, and you won't pass the USMLE, the board exams. Being a doctor is a lot more than getting through the schooling. So doing well on the MCAT doesn't mean you'll be a good doctor, but doing poorly on it suggests that you don't have the academic chops to make it that far.

What to do if you did bad on the MCAT?

If your MCAT score is significantly below average for the schools you're applying to, you may need to reconsider when you apply to medical school. Retaking the MCAT will take time, as you must assess your situation, change your study tactics in order to improve, and find an available test date.

What happens if you don't do well on the MCAT?

You're worn out, drained, and full of anxiety—and you know your top choice schools will see your score. Yes, you have the option to take the MCAT again, but schools will see this score along with the next one. If you void this test, they won't see your score. You can take the test again and, hopefully, do better.

Is it bad to get bad score on MCAT?

Earning a 490 MCAT score is significantly below the national average and can present difficulties in gaining admission to medical school. If you received a 490 on the MCAT, you should consider retaking the exam or applying to medical schools known to accept applicants with lower MCAT scores.

What happens if you fail the MCAT?

Before planning for a retake, you should stop and consider the MCAT score you received in context of your ultimate goals. Since technically you can't “fail” the MCAT, you have to figure out if the score you received necessitates a retake.

I didn't do well on the MCAT, now what should I do?

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.

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 491 a bad MCAT score?

Is 491 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 491 on the MCAT means you performed in the 23% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Why am I scoring so low on MCAT?

Not doing enough analysis is the another common mistake students make during MCAT prep. As a rule of thumb, you should spend 2-3 times the amount of time you spend going over your questions as you spend actually doing them. Analyze why you got the question wrong and if you got it right, analyze why you got it right.

Can I get into med-school with a 502 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.

Is it OK to fail in med school?

Getting Bad Grades in Medical School. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: most of us fail at least once in medical school. Unless you're one of those rare students who can absorb knowledge like a sponge, failure is all part of the process.

Can an average person do well on the MCAT?

For the 2023–2024 academic year, the average MCAT score for medical school applicants was 506.3, whereas the average MCAT score for medical school matriculants was 511.7. The numbers show that being ahead of the pack greatly influences your odds of getting into medical school.

What is the average MCAT score on the first attempt?

Average MCAT Scores

MCAT scores range from 472-528. Between 2016-2017 and 2023-2024, the average MCAT score jumped over 1.5 points, from 499.6 to 501.3. The average appears to be increasing overall, with 2022-2023 holding the record-high score of 501.6.

Does retaking the MCAT look bad?

Retaking the MCAT isn't a red flag, and even three attempts may not impact your admissions decision, although we recommend performing your best on the first two tests.

Does a bad first MCAT affect chances?

No matter what, admissions committees will see all of your MCAT scores. While taking the test twice is unlikely to impact your admissions decision, if you end up taking the MCAT three or more times could make them question if you're prepared for the challenges of medical school.

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.

How bad is a 480 MCAT score?

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: 119 (C/P) 120 (CARS) 118 (B/B) 123 (P/S).

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.

Is a 499 MCAT score bad?

Is 499 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 499 on the MCAT means you performed in the 49% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is GPA or MCAT more important?

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

Should I retake a 508 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 508.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

Our medical school admission experts recommend that you aim for a total score of 511 or above. This score places you in the 81 ^st percentile of MCAT scores, according to AAMC.

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.

Can I get into med-school with a 515?

An MCAT of 515, which will place you in the 90th percentile of all test takers, or above will make you a much more competitive applicant. A score over 517, the 94th percentile, should nearly guarantee admission.

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.