Are CARS all multiple choice?

Yes, the MCAT's CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) section consists entirely of 53 multiple-choice questions based on 9 passages, testing reading comprehension and critical thinking, not scientific knowledge, with all questions being passage-based.

Is CARS multiple-choice MCAT?

CARS is the second section of the MCAT exam (right after the Chem/Phys section). It consists of 9 passages that are often drawn from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each CARS passage is associated with 5-7 multiple choice questions.

Is CARS the hardest MCAT section?

Yes, many students find the CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) section the hardest MCAT section because it tests abstract critical thinking and reading comprehension rather than specific science knowledge, requiring a different skill set from the science sections, often with lower average scores for test-takers. It demands strong analytical skills, efficient reading, and the ability to understand complex humanities and social science passages under strict time constraints (90 minutes for 53 questions).
 

How many questions can I miss on CARS?

In order to get around a 127 on the CARS section, you need to miss no more than 10-13 questions. There will definitely be some variability on how many you can get wrong on MCAT CARS exams administered. But that is usually the average you could get wrong and still get a 127. There are 9 passages on each MCAT CARS exam.

Is the MCAT entirely multiple-choice?

The MCAT is completely multiple-choice. The score range of each of the 4 MCAT sections is 118-132, for a total perfect score of 528. The lowest possible score is 472. Each of the four sections is worth 25% of your final score.

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What would a 70% on the MCAT be?

A 70th percentile on the MCAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in a competitive range for MD medical school admissions, though specific school averages vary. Your actual score might differ slightly as percentiles shift, but this score is strong, showing solid performance above the average (around 500).
 

Is Cars always 9 passages?

Yes, the MCAT's CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) section always has 9 passages, with a total of 53 questions across them, and you have 90 minutes to complete it, averaging about 10 minutes per passage. This structure remains consistent, testing your ability to analyze humanities and social science texts under timed conditions. 

What score is 75% correct in MCAT?

A 75% correct score on the MCAT usually translates to a total scaled score around 509-510, placing you at the 75th percentile, meaning you scored better than 75% of test-takers, though the exact scaled score depends on the difficulty of the specific test administration, with sections like Psych/Soc often requiring higher raw percentages for the same scaled score.
 

Is 83% on CARS good?

An 83% on the MCAT CARS section is generally considered very good, often translating to a score around 127-128, placing you in the 82nd-90th percentile and making you competitive for most medical schools, though top-tier programs might prefer scores above 128 or 131+. It signifies strong reasoning skills, but "good" depends on your target schools, with Canadian programs often requiring 128+.
 

Is a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Yes, a 480 is generally considered a low and below-average MCAT score, placing you in the 3rd percentile, far below the ~500 average and significantly below the 511+ competitive range for most MD programs, making a retake highly recommended to improve your chances for acceptance. While some DO schools or unique circumstances might accept it, it puts you at a major disadvantage against the typical applicant pool, with most scoring under 500 not even applying due to low odds. 

Is a 126 on CARS bad?

MCAT Percentiles for the CARS Section

The average MCAT score for the CARS section was 124.6 in 2025-2026. To land in the 90th percentile, you need a score of 128 or higher.

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT usually translates to a score in the 90th percentile (around 515+ total), meaning you scored better than 90% of test-takers, with scores of 128-130 per section, though exact raw scores vary by section difficulty and test date due to statistical equating. Achieving this means answering most questions correctly, often around 44-48 questions per section, placing you as a very competitive applicant for medical school. 

Why is 472 the lowest MCAT score?

The MCAT score of 472 is the lowest because it's the sum of the minimum possible score (118) in each of the four sections, creating a floor for the 472-528 total score range, which is designed around a 500 average to emphasize the middle performance, meaning 472 represents the bottom of the score distribution (less than 1st percentile), making scores much lower practically nonexistent or statistically irrelevant for medical school admissions. 

Is 3 car passages a day enough?

Generally, most students will benefit from doing a little bit of CARS practice daily. We recommend around 2–3 CARS passages per day. However, more practice never hurts. If CARS is one of your weaker sections, make sure to give it more attention.

Is 3 MCAT attempt 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 50% on CARS?

A 50% on the MCAT CARS section usually translates to a scaled score around 123-124, placing you at the 50th percentile, meaning you scored better than half of test-takers but may need stronger scores in this challenging section for top-tier medical schools, where averages for accepted students are higher (around 127). While it's an average score, aiming for 125+ (70th percentile+) can significantly boost your application's competitiveness, especially for highly selective programs.
 

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally starts around 517-518+, with the highest percentile being the perfect 528, but scores in the low 520s (like 521-522) already put you in the 98th percentile or above, meaning you're scoring better than nearly everyone else and firmly in that elite tier for top medical schools, though a 528 is statistically extremely rare.
 

What percentile is a 130 on CARS?

A 130 reaches the 98th percentile, a rare score that can set your application apart, even if your overall MCAT score isn't perfect.

Is the 99th percentile the top 1%?

Yes, the 99th percentile is effectively the top 1% because it signifies you scored better than 99% of the population, placing you in the highest-scoring group, which is the top one percent. If 100 people are ranked, the person at the 99th percentile is above 99 of them, making them the top performer alongside those in that highest bracket. 

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

A 528 MCAT score is extremely rare, representing the perfect score and achieved by only a tiny fraction of test-takers, with estimates suggesting between 30 to 70 people annually out of hundreds of thousands, putting it in the top 0.021% or less. It requires flawless performance across all sections (132 in each), making it a statistically exceptional feat, though strong scores well below 528 are highly competitive for medical school. 

Is 502 bad on MCAT?

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 502 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 60% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What MCAT score do I need for Harvard?

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely competitive, with recent average MCAT scores for matriculants hovering around 520-521, though there's no official minimum score, and acceptance relies on holistic review. While scores in the 512-528 range are common for accepted students, achieving a 515+ score is generally needed to be competitive for top-tier schools like HMS, reflecting rigorous standards.
 

Is a 128 on CARS good?

Yes, a 128 in the MCAT CARS section is generally considered very good, placing you around the 90th percentile and making you a competitive applicant for most medical schools, though top-tier programs might look for 129-131+. It's a strong score in Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, demonstrating excellent reading comprehension and logic, which is crucial for medical school success. 

Is CARS just reading comprehension?

Contrary to what many testers think, CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) is not a reading comprehension test (much like what you might have seen on the ACT or SAT).

How many questions can you miss on CARS to get a 127?

To get a 127 on the MCAT CARS section (with 53 questions), you generally need to get around 10-13 questions wrong, but this varies because of test scaling; on harder exams, you might miss more, while on easier ones, you might need fewer mistakes, so aiming for roughly 85% accuracy (around 42-45 correct answers) is a good target for this score.