Do medical schools look at the highest MCAT?

Yes, many medical schools look at your highest MCAT score, but policies vary: some consider only the highest, some your most recent, some average all scores, and some might even "superscore" (highest sections across tests), so all scores are visible and interpreted uniquely by each admissions committee, often focusing on trends or the best performance.

Do medical schools look at your highest MCAT score?

Some schools consider an applicant's highest MCAT score if they've taken the test more than once, while others might consider the most recent or even an average of all scores.

Do med schools look at all MCAT attempts?

All MCAT attempts will be visible on your med school application. Here are the potential ways that admissions committees can interpret multiple MCAT scores: Admissions officers may focus on your most recent score only. Other AdComs may take the average of all your MCAT attempts as your “real” score.

Has anyone ever gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

Yes, people have achieved a perfect 528 MCAT score, the highest possible score, though it is extremely rare and signifies exceptional performance across all sections (132 in each). Several individuals have shared their experiences and strategies on platforms like Reddit and in interviews, detailing rigorous study plans, extensive practice, and deep content mastery to reach this peak achievement.
 

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.
 

How Do Medical Schools View Multiple MCAT Scores? | Applying With More Than 1 MCAT Score

Is 512 MCAT too low?

No, a 512 MCAT score is not bad; it's a strong, competitive score, generally around the 84th percentile, meaning you scored better than most test-takers and are competitive for many MD programs, with averages often around 511-512 for admitted students, though higher scores (515+) boost chances for top-tier schools. It's a solid score that allows for broad applications, but consider your overall profile (GPA, experiences) and target schools, as very selective programs may prefer scores above 515. 

Who took the MCAT 7 times?

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.

What score is 95% on MCAT?

A 95th percentile score on the MCAT typically corresponds to a total score of 518, meaning you scored higher than 95% of test-takers, placing you in a highly competitive range for medical school admissions. This score reflects excellent performance, with higher percentiles like the 96th percentile often being a 519, and a perfect 528 representing the 100th percentile.
 

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.
 

Is retaking the MCAT a red flag?

Retaking the MCAT isn't an automatic red flag, especially for one or two attempts with significant score improvement, showing upward trajectory; however, multiple retakes (three or more) without substantial gains, or retaking a strong score, can raise concerns about judgment or inability to learn, potentially signaling issues to admissions committees, though schools often focus on the final, highest score if improvement is shown. It's crucial to understand why you need to retake it, fix prior mistakes, and demonstrate meaningful growth, rather than just repeating the same approach. 

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. 

How common is it to fail med school?

Those entering medical schools who are committed to completing the program are 81.7 percent to 84.1 percent. So, what is the dropout rate for medical school? In a standard, single four-year program, that would put the medical school dropout rate at between 15.7 percent and 18.4 percent, confirms the AAMC.

What is the average MCAT score for Albert Einstein?

Accepted students at Einstein have an average MCAT score of 516. The 10th-90th percentile range is 511-520.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted for Harvard?

While Harvard Medical School (HMS) doesn't publish a minimum MCAT score, accepted students typically have scores in the low 500s or higher, with averages around 520, but exceptional extracurriculars, research, and personal narratives can allow admission with lower scores, like a 515, especially with a high GPA, though even lower scores (like the 511 range for MD-PhD) are seen but are rare for MD-only. 

Should I retake a 518 MCAT?

You scored a 518 or higher.

With scores at this level, an MCAT retake is not necessary because schools will consider you to be academically elite.

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. 

What is a respectable MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally considered 510 or above, making you competitive for many programs, while scores of 515+ are strong for top-tier schools, and anything above 518 is exceptional, but a score around 501-508 (50th percentile) is average, with scores varying by school selectivity. Aim for a score at or above the average of accepted students at your target schools, as a strong score opens doors but a holistic application (GPA, experiences) matters most. 

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the MCAT?

You cannot. The MCAT is scored from 472 to 528. About 1% of MCAT-takers score above 523.

How rare is a 520 on the MCAT?

A 520 MCAT score is extremely rare and highly competitive, placing you in the top 3-4% of test-takers, generally the 97th percentile, meaning only a few thousand out of hundreds of thousands score that high annually. It's considered an elite score, excellent for highly selective medical schools, but achieving it requires exceptional performance across all sections, ideally with balanced scores.
 

Does it look bad to retake MCAT 3 times?

Is It Bad To Retake the MCAT More Than Once? Retaking the MCAT multiple times isn't necessarily bad as long as your score improves each time. If your score worsens with each attempt or stays the same, it won't strengthen your med school application.

Is the MCAT all memorization?

If acing the MCAT is your goal, you're well aware of the importance of memory. Beyond memorizing facts, the exam demands a deep understanding of complex concepts and the ability to recall and apply that knowledge under pressure.

Do med-schools care if you retake MCAT?

Again, medical schools don't care if you have multiple MCAT tests on your application. Just make sure that if you screw up the first time, know why so you can prove the next time.

What's a good MCAT score in 2025?

MCAT Score Tiers for 2025

506–510 (Competitive): Good chances across broad MD/DO school ranges. 511–513 (Strong): Highly competitive for most medical schools. 514–518 (Very Strong): Competitive for top-tier programs. 519+ (Elite): Exceptional scores, top 5% of all test takers; highly competitive for elite institutions.

Can you get into MD with 507?

Considering that a 507 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission. With a 507, 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.