What is the difference between the old MCAT and the new MCAT?

First administered in 1928, the old MCAT evolved substantially and the most recent version—the new MCAT—was introduced in April 2015. The new MCAT is scored on a scale of 472–528, with a mean score of 501. The old MCAT was scored on a scale of 3–45, with a mean score of approximately 25.

Is the old MCAT or new MCAT harder?

For most students, the current exam will likely be easier in some aspects but harder in others. There is no doubt, though, that pre-medical students will have to work hard to prepare for the new MCAT just as previous students did for the old MCAT.

What is the difference between the old and new MCAT?

The old MCAT was scored on a scale from 3-45 with an average MCAT score of 25.2. On each section you could earn 1 to 15 points. The new MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528 with a mean score of 500. On each section you can earn 118 to 132 points.

Why did they change the MCAT?

Last revised in 1991, the exam has been updated to reflect the changes in medicine and science and to test examinees on not only what they know but how well they use what they know. Here is why the exam is a better test for tomorrow's doctors and what the changes mean for you as an aspiring medical student.

What did the old MCAT look like?

Scores on the multiple-choice sections of the old MCAT exam were reported on a numeric scale ranging from 1 to 15. Scores on the three multiple-choice sections were summed to create a total score, ranging from 3 to 45. 1. Before January 2013, the old MCAT exam included a fourth section, the Writing Sample.

Where Do You Stand in Comparison to New MCAT Data? | The MCAT Podcast Ep. 301

Is the new MCAT harder?

The MCAT is not getting harder over time. The MCAT did change in 2016 in which some people say it is harder, but it remains relatively consistent. Even so, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) normalizes scores based on the scores of a particular MCAT.

Has anyone gotten a 45 on the MCAT?

But Graham Wehmeyer, a senior microbiology major, was walking into the dreaded MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, completely prepared. Seven and a half hours later, Wehmeyer became one of the few examinees to receive a perfect 45 on the MCAT.

Why did Khan Academy get rid of MCAT?

Khan Academy covertly announced that they are dropping the MCAT product from there lineup of products and services and all of the amazing free resources they have. They claim that it's a lack of bandwidth, a lack of financing, and other issues to keep the product up-to-date and refreshed and the support needed.

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.

Is 517 a good MCAT score?

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.

What is a perfect score on the MCAT?

A 528 is the highest MCAT score that you can achieve by scoring a perfect 132 in each of the four MCAT sections. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored from a 118 to a 132, and when you add these four sections up, you can score anywhere between a 472 and a 528.

What is the hardest subject in MCAT?

Many students consider CARS the most difficult MCAT section, with AAMC data showing that the average CARS score is about 1 point lower than the other MCAT section scores. This is likely because CARS requires a different way of thinking through problems and can be more difficult to prepare for.

Does taking the MCAT 3 times look bad?

Although you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime, that number certainly doesn't reflect how many times you should be taking the MCAT. Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application.

What score is failing the MCAT?

There is no definitive pass or fail score for the MCAT; rather, each medical school sets its own criteria for acceptable scores.

Should I retake a 513 MCAT?

Was your actual MCAT score reflective of your ability? If you were averaging 510-512s on your practice AAMC exam but scored much lower on test day, this is a good reason to retake the MCAT. The lower score is more likely due to nerves, pressure, lack of sleep, or sickness than lack of knowledge and ability.

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.

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.

Has anyone ever taken the MCAT without studying?

Every year, we meet students who failed to achieve their target MCAT score and come to us for help. In assessing their study approach, we've identified the five biggest study mistakes on the MCAT. This may sound shocking to you but every year we meet students who took the MCAT without studying.

Why do people void their MCAT score?

Voiding your MCAT score eliminates the chance of medical schools seeing your performance. If you believe your performance was far from your best due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, extreme anxiety, or burnout, voiding may be a viable option.

Do most people fail the MCAT?

While the exam is challenging, the short answer to that question is “no.” Each and every year, plenty of our students do well on the MCAT, making them even stronger candidates for 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.

Is a 500 a bad MCAT score?

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.

Has anyone ever gotten a 100 on the MCAT?

1. Has Anyone Gotten a Perfect Score on the MCAT? Though getting the highest score on MCAT is a challenging feat, some prospective med school students have gotten a perfect score. The highest possible MCAT score is 528.