Are MCAT practice tests free?

Yes, several free MCAT practice tests and resources are available, primarily from the AAMC (the official test maker) and test prep companies like Kaplan Test Prep, The Princeton Review, and Khan Academy. These often include a full-length practice exam, question banks, and score reports, though some free offers from companies might be limited trials or include fewer questions.

Are there any free MCAT practice tests?

BluePrint (formally NextStep): you can sign up for a free practice account which includes a full-length practice exam, 7 learning modules, a diagnostic tool to determine your baseline knowledge, a study planner, and question of the day emails.

How bad is a 487 MCAT score?

A 487 MCAT score is generally considered below average and unlikely to be competitive for most U.S. MD programs, placing you around the 11th-14th percentile, well below the average matriculant score of ~501-510+. While some DO programs or specific circumstances might be possible, you'll need a very strong application (GPA, experiences) and should strongly consider a retake to achieve scores in the low 500s (e.g., 500+) for better chances. 

How many free MCAT practice exams are there?

The AAMC offers two free full-length practice exams and five low-cost practice exams. All Practice Exams include explanations for all answer choices in all sections and links to Khan Academy lessons covering the same content and skills.

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).
 

THIS is How You Review MCAT Practice Questions

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

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.
 

Is 2 months enough to study for MCAT?

Yes, 2 months (around 8 weeks) can be enough to study for the MCAT, but it requires intense focus, consistent daily hours (often 30-40+ hrs/week), a strategic plan, and depends heavily on your existing knowledge base, with many recommending 3-6 months for a less rushed approach. A 2-month plan demands prioritizing high-yield topics, frequent practice tests, and efficient content review to cover the vast material, focusing on skills like passage analysis and stamina building. 

Is 480 a bad MCAT score?

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. 

How many questions can I miss on the MCAT to get a 520?

To get a 520 on the MCAT, you generally need to miss very few questions, perhaps only a handful across the entire test, but the exact number isn't fixed because scoring is scaled and depends on the test's overall difficulty and other test-takers' performance, meaning you could miss a few and still score high (around 97th percentile) or need near perfection. You can miss one or two questions per section and still score a perfect 132 on that section, but hitting a 520 (which requires high section scores like 130+) means extreme accuracy, often under 10 errors total for the whole exam. 

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?

Bottom line: If you scored 498 or below, I definitely recommend retaking the MCAT. If you scored 499-505 your first time, you should probably retake the MCAT.

What is the Harvard MCAT score?

The average MCAT score for students accepted to Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely high, typically around 520-521, with most successful applicants scoring in the 512-528 range, indicating mastery in all sections. While there's no official minimum, competitive scores are well above the 80th percentile (around 512+), reflecting Harvard's highly rigorous and holistic admissions process that values exceptional academic performance alongside experiences and personal attributes.
 

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

Yes, the MCAT is widely considered significantly harder than the SAT, as it's much longer (nearly 8 hours vs. ~3 hours), requires extensive, specialized science knowledge (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, sociology), and tests advanced critical thinking in complex, passage-based scientific contexts, unlike the SAT's high school-level content. The MCAT demands hundreds of hours of dedicated study, making it a formidable challenge even for high-achievers who did well on the SAT.
 

Do I need math for the MCAT?

The MCAT is essentially a science test, but you'll still need a solid grasp of math fundamentals to score big —and you cannot use a calculator. Our experts compiled a list of MCAT math topics to prep for along with some tips for doing math calculations by hand.

What are common MCAT mistakes?

Students repeat these two costly mistakes when it comes to flashcards: One, they create their own suboptimal flashcards, and two, they use other students' suboptimal flashcards. The reality is that it's impossible for a student studying for the MCAT to create flashcards at the highest level of quality.

How long should I study for MCAT?

You should plan to study for the MCAT for 2 to 4 months (200-350 hours) if studying full-time, or 4 to 6 months (300-350 hours) if balancing it with other commitments like work or school, focusing on content review and practice, with high-scorers often putting in a full semester's worth of effort. A common approach involves 3-4 months for content and strategy, with 25-40 hours per week, while a longer, part-time plan might be 2-3 hours daily for 5-6 months. 

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.

Can I get into med-school with a 512 MCAT?

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 2022–2023 is between 511 and 512, with an average GPA of 3.75. (Source: AAMC ).

What is the average first time MCAT score?

The average MCAT score is a score of 501, and a “perfect” MCAT score is the maximum score of 528. Competitive medical schools prefer an even distribution of section scores, even if your overall MCAT score is high.

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. 

What month is the easiest MCAT?

Our average examinee score is highest in January (515.5) and lowest in May (511.4). January has been our most popular month (28% of examinees) and August testers achieve the largest ratio of very high scores (28% achieved a 520+). Trying to manage MCAT during the semester is definitely challenging.

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. 

What's the hardest section of the MCAT?

The hardest MCAT section is subjective, but many test-takers find CARS (Critical Analysis and Reading Skills) the most difficult due to its non-scientific, logic-based nature and need for rapid comprehension, while others struggle with the dense content and complex problem-solving in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys) section, especially physics and organic chemistry concepts, and some find the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section's nuanced theories challenging.
 

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 519 or higher.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical school?

Yes, you can get into several medical schools with a 503 MCAT score. Many medical schools accept scores as low as 494, though students with a 503 will likely be more competitive at DO programs than MD programs.