Why is the CARS section of the MCAT so hard?

Unlike the other three sections of the test, CARS requires no outside knowledge or prior memorization of subject material, making it a much more difficult section to study for.

Why is CARS so hard on the MCAT?

However, the truth is that CARS is built on reasoning skills you can develop. After learning that CARS is not a memorization or knowledge-based section, many students let their guard down, avoid practicing this section until the last month or two, and are surprised by their low CARS score in the MCAT.

What is the most difficult section of the MCAT?

The CARS section is difficult for a lot of students because it doesn't test your knowledge of science content. Instead, you have to be able to read and understand passages on social studies and humanities topics to answer the associated questions. Learn more about how the MCAT is scored.

How do you ace the CARS section of the MCAT?

What is the average MCAT score for CARS?

The average MCAT score for the critical analysis and reasoning skills (CARS) section is 124.7 in 2023-2024, down from 124.9 in 2015. To score in the 90th percentile, you must have scored 128 or higher.

HOW I SCORED A 131 on the CARS section of the MCAT - 5 SIMPLE TIPS + FREE Practice Passages

Is a 127 on CARS bad?

There are some top-tier schools that really want you to get a 127 or higher (like Harvard, Stanford, etc) but if you were to get really high scores on the other sections but managed to get a 126 on CARS, you are still very competitive.

Is 128 good on CARS?

The score range of CARS is 118-132 (curved scale). A good CARS score will vary from school to school, but generally, a score of 128 will put you in the 90th percentile.

How do you get a 99% MCAT?

However, if you want to crack the MCAT 99th percentile, you need to prioritize rigorously addressing your weak points. If there's a topic you consistently struggle with, do targeted practice (e.g. a focused group of challenging questions) until you improve.

What is a competitive CARS score on the MCAT?

The CARS section is scored on a scale from 118 to 132, with a median score of 125. Generally, a CARS score above the median (125) can be considered good and competitive, showcasing a strong ability to comprehend complex passages, analyze arguments, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.

How many questions can you get wrong on MCAT CARS?

In the CARS section with 53 questions, you can usually get: 5 wrong answers (90% accuracy) and score 130 (top 5%) 10 wrong answers (83% accuracy) and score 127-128 (top 25%) 15 wrong answers (72% accuracy) and score 125 (top 50%)

What is the most heavily tested subject on the MCAT?

Some disciplines have a larger number of questions devoted to them in the MCAT than others. For instance, Biology has the highest number of questions (45), followed by Psychology (38), and Biochemistry (30). Similarly, some foundational concepts have a higher percentage of questions within each section.

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.

Is it OK to fail the MCAT?

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.

Do most 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.

What is a really bad MCAT score?

So, technically speaking, a bad MCAT score would be anything below 500. However, in order to be a competitive applicant, you should aim to score much higher than 500. A good MCAT score largely depends on the schools you are applying to.

Does anyone think the MCAT is easy?

The MCAT is a hard test, but it's manageable if you approach it diligently and efficiently. In other words, you'll need to work hard and smart. Let's look at what makes the exam more challenging than other tests you might have taken or heard of.

Is 517 a bad 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.

Is 487 a bad MCAT score?

Seeing how a 487 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 502 a competitive MCAT score?

As of the 2022-23 testing cycle, the 50th percentile score for the MCAT is 501.6. In other words, a score of 502 or higher is considered an above-average MCAT score. Because med school is super competitive, the higher the score you earn, the better your chances of getting in will be.

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

While test designers make it difficult, it is possible to achieve a so-called “perfect score” on the MCAT. According to the AAMC, out of the approximately two hundred thousand students who take the exam each year, between 30 and 70 achieve the highest score of 528 on the MCAT.

Is 481 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 481 on the MCAT means you performed in the 4% percentile.

Is 512 a high MCAT score?

If you scored a 512 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 85th percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and you now have a competitive score for med-school admission.

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 curved is the MCAT?

One of the most important things to note about the scoring process is that the MCAT exam is NOT graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning no matter when you take your exam.

What MCAT section is most important?

On the MCAT, biology (at 65% of the Bio/Biochem section) will be by far the most important of the four “classic” MCAT subjects, followed in importance by general chemistry (30% of the Chem/Phys section); physics (25% of the Chem/Phys section); and finally organic chemistry (15% of the Chem/Phys section).