Is the MCAT curved?
There is no curve associated with the MCAT® exam. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test. Learn more about how the exam is scored.
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. Thus, achieving a perfect MCAT score is quite difficult, but it is not impossible.
Number of correct answers ranging from 46 to 48 might have a scaled score of 128, and so on. The scaled score indicates how much examinees know or understand based on the body of knowledge and reasoning skills that the MCAT exam covers.
To get an excellent MCAT score means to score in the overall 90th percentile or higher, which currently means a score of 515 or greater. With an MCAT score of 515 or above, you have a significantly better chance of getting accepted. Anything above the score of 517 is considered outstanding.
The lowest score on the MCAT is set at 472 due to the normal distribution of test results and the diminishing number of test-takers below this threshold. A score of 472 serves as an indicator for test-takers to reassess their preparation and readiness for medical school.
Attaining a score of 515 on the MCAT means you performed in the 94% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Is 480 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 480 on the MCAT means you performed in the 3% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
While going from 515 to 517 looks good, going from 498 to 502 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.
About MCAT Score Ranges
Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored between 118 and 132, with the mean and median at 125. The total MCAT score range is between 472 to 528, with the mean and median at 502.
Attaining a score of 486 on the MCAT means you performed in the 12% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
What's the lowest MCAT score?
When you add the scaled scores of each section, the total MCAT score range is from the lowest score of 472 to the highest MCAT score of 528, with a midpoint of 500.
The MCAT score ranges from 472-528. The average MCAT score was 501.5 for those who took the test between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022. To be in the 75th percentile, you must score higher than a 509. To be in the 50th percentile, you must score greater than a 501.6.
Usually, any score less than 507 is considered too 'low' for MD programs. While the 3-point difference seems incredibly minor, it's huge in the admission boards' eyes. Some schools might not even review your application if you scored lower. Students with a 506 score or below are less likely to be accepted.
For people applying to medical school, the average is anywhere from a 504-505. Furthermore, the average people that get accepted into medical school is anywhere from a 510-511. So, if you are below the 504 range, you'd probably consider it to have a lower MCAT score.
| School | Average MCAT Score | Average GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 520.06 | 3.9 |
| New York University (Grossman) | 522 | 3.92 |
| Columbia University (Vagelos) | 508-528 | 3.44-4.0 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 521 | 3.94 |
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.
A "good" MCAT score is one that puts you near or above the average percentile for matriculants at your target medical schools. For comparison, the average MCAT score for students admitted to an MD program in the United States in 2021–2022 is between 511 and 512, with an average GPA of 3.74. (Source: AAMC ).
An MCAT of 511 or above makes you a competitive applicant for both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools assuming other aspects of your candidacy are also strong. 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.
Attaining a score of 490 on the MCAT means you performed in the 20% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
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.
Can a high MCAT offset a low GPA?
A high MCAT score can help neutralize a lower GPA score. For example, the admissions committee might overlook a GPA below 3.5 if the candidate has an MCAT score of 520.
For example, if you scored a 512 and the schools you want to apply to are top tier schools, you will most likely need to retake. However, if your goal is to get into any medical school, then there are many MD schools average MCAT score of matriculants is 512. You must understand your limitations.
Andy took the MCAT exam seven times and applied to medical school twice before getting one interview and acceptance. He reminds premeds to have faith in themselves and that perseverance and grit are important for a career in medicine.
An examinee cannot take the exam more than seven times in their lifetime. Not showing up for an exam counts as an attempt toward the lifetime limit. Voided scores count as an attempt toward the lifetime limit. Students can appeal for special permission to exceed the limits.
Unfortunately, taking the MCAT more than three times can indicate to prospective medical schools that you struggle with the required prerequisites and content. Though it is not impossible to receive acceptance if you test four times or more, your chances are greatly reduced after the third attempt.
It's not your fault because you haven't been taught the correct way to study for the MCAT. You haven't fully developed the skills necessary to analyze passages, or think critically. If you want to start scoring over the 500 mark consistently, you need to start studying smarter instead of just studying hard.
Failing the MCAT isn't the end of the world—even if you need to retake the exam, if you're willing to put in the effort to improve your score, then there's no doubt that you'll be able to get the score you want.
So, what is a good MCAT score? A good MCAT score is around 511 or higher, since that is the average MCAT score of successful matriculants. Keep in mind that many students get accepted to medical school with lower MCAT scores, too. But 511+ is considered competitive.
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 492 on the MCAT means you performed in the 26% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
A good MCAT with a lower than expected GPA may be due to a variety of causes. MCATS correlate well with the ability to successfully complete medical school. MCAT scores are more important than grades in most circ*mstances.
Can you get into MD with 500 MCAT?
Assuming a good cumulative GPA (i.e., 3.5+) and well-written application essays, we suggest the following rough program breakdowns depending on your MCAT total score: 511+: 100% MD programs; 0% DO programs. 506–510: 75% MD programs, 25% DO programs. 500–505: 25–50% MD programs; 50–75% DO programs.
Medical School Matriculant MCAT Averages & Stats
If your MCAT score is near the average range of 506, it's not impossible, but rather improbable to be successfully admitted to medical school. And if you do gain an acceptance, it likely won't be at your top choice schools.
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 497 on the MCAT means you performed in the 42% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Attaining a score of 500 on the MCAT means you performed in the 53% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Whilst it's certainly possible to get into a medical school with a 507 or below (and there have been cases of students accepted with sub-500 scores), it's unlikely – especially if you're applying for a more competitive college. In general, it's difficult to get accepted with an MCAT score below 500.
A 95th percentile rank on the MCAT equals a scaled score of 518, which means you scored better than 95% of other test-takers. The average MCAT percentile score for some of the most prestigious medical schools in the United States is 517.
specific MCAT Score.
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.
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 495 on the MCAT means you performed in the 35% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Some schools are going to filter out your application if your MCAT score is below 500. With a 504 MCAT score, you should get through the filters, but if you have a very low section score below 124 or 125, that could be more of a problem.
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 it possible to get a 525 on the MCAT?
Attaining a score of 525 on the MCAT means you performed in the 100% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 131 (C/P) 132 (CARS) 131 (B/B) 131 (P/S).
MCAT Tip: A 528 is the perfect MCAT score, but a 100th percentile score is not necessarily the perfect score. It can be any score over a 524, which means you can have a few mistakes and still score in the 100th percentile.
Another advantage of the scaled score is that you don't need to get every single question correct to score a 528. Some estimates suggest you could get up to eight questions wrong and still score a 528. The MCAT does not penalize you for wrong or unanswered questions, rather you gain points for every correct question.
Attaining a score of 518 on the MCAT means you performed in the 97% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Usually, any score less than 507 is considered too 'low' for MD programs. While the 3-point difference seems incredibly minor, it's huge in the admission boards' eyes. Some schools might not even review your application if you scored lower. Students with a 506 score or below are less likely to be accepted.
The bottom line is this – if you have a low MCAT, you must do your best to balance it with a high GPA. While these stats are not the be-all and end-all of medical school admissions, some schools will not continue the review of your application if you do not demonstrate a strong academic history via your GPA and MCAT.
MCAT scores range
When you add the scaled scores of each section, the total MCAT score range is from the lowest score of 472 to the highest MCAT score of 528, with a midpoint of 500.
Does retaking the MCAT look bad? Like reapplying to medical school, retaking the MCAT does not inherently look bad. That said, you should strive to take the MCAT as few times as possible.
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. But the road to this perfect score was not easy.
- Not Allocating Enough Time to Prepare for the MCAT.
- It's Not All About Reading! ...
- Don't Just Memorize the Definition of the Topics.
- Get Ready for an Intense Exam Day.
- Not Focusing on Your Weak Points.
- Not Preparing for MCAT CARS.
- Spending Too Much Time on Extracurriculars.
What is a failing MCAT score?
There's No Passing MCAT Score. I'm Good To Go, Right? Even though there is a no set passing MCAT score, the average MCAT score for matriculants is 509, while the average score for all test takers is 504. In addition, each medical school has it's own average MCAT score.
