What is considered a low MCAT score?

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.

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 considered 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. A poor MCAT score could also be considered anything below the 50th percentile for recent test-takers, which is approximately 501.

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.

Is a 490 MCAT score bad?

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.

HIGH GPA but LOW MCAT - What are your options?!

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

Based on the average accepted MCAT scores and minimum required MCAT scores at medical schools in the US and medical schools in Canada, you'll need a minimum score in the 490-495 range to be accepted into any medical school that requires the MCAT. Anything lower than 490 is very unlikely to be acceptable.

Is a 500 MCAT score bad?

The majority of medical schools in the US recommend that students score a minimum of 500 on the MCAT, which means scoring 125 in each of the four sections. So, technically speaking, a bad MCAT score would be anything below 500.

Can I get into med-school with a 500 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.

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.

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.

Do a lot of people fail the MCAT?

No one “fails” the MCAT. The MCAT score is an important part of a medical school application but there is no passing score. About 70,000 new MCAT-takers take the test every year. Roughly 20,000 get into medical school (MD or DO).

What is a bad first 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.

Can you get into Harvard with a low MCAT?

Before you throw your hands up in defeat, consider that while Harvard's average stats are quite high, not everyone getting in has a 3.9 GPA and 520 MCAT score. Given that these are average scores, approximately as many students with lower stats get in as those with higher stats.

What score is 100% on MCAT?

They act as placeholders, however, and can be useful in better understanding the score range. Scores of 524-528 are in the 100th percentile, meaning no one has achieved them.

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 an Ivy League MCAT score?

Dedicate enough time to preparing for the MCAT: Though your MCAT score isn't the only stat considered, the average MCAT score of Ivy League med school matriculants is 517 or higher.

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.

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).

What is top 90% MCAT?

Maybe you want to aim high, maybe you're naturally a high achiever, or you want to get into that top medical school. If you want to be in the top 10 % of MCAT test takers, you need to have an MCAT total score range of 514-528. This will put you in the 90th percentile range - applicants who have the best scores.

Has anyone ever gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

A 528 on the MCAT is incredibly rare. It is in fact so rare that probably less than 3 or 4 people in the US score that high each year. (This is not the ACT where multiple people ace it each month).

Is 95% MCAT good?

If you want to attend a top medical school, you should aim for the 95th percentile or higher. Remember that if you take the MCAT more than once, the schools you apply to will be able to see your current and past scores.

Is a 90% on the MCAT good?

However, anything above the 90th percentile would be considered outstanding for the MCAT exam.

How rare is a 520 MCAT?

Attaining a score of 520 on the MCAT means you performed in the 98% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 131 (C/P) 129 (CARS) 132 (B/B) 128 (P/S).

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.