How many questions can you get wrong to get a 520 on the MCAT?

To get a 520 on the MCAT (perfect 130 per section), you need to miss very few questions, roughly 5-7 in each science section (Chem/Phys, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc) and around 5-10 in CARS, but the exact number varies because scoring is scaled to test difficulty, not a fixed curve. A 130 (520 total) might mean missing about 7 science questions (e.g., 52/59 correct) and around 5 CARS questions (e.g., 48/53 correct), but this changes with each test version, with more room for error on harder exams, notes Kaplan Test Prep and Magoosh.

How difficult is it to get a 520 on the MCAT?

An MCAT score of 520 is very strong and puts you in the 97th percentile of all MCAT test takers.

What is 70% correct on MCAT?

A 70% correct on the MCAT generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in the 70th percentile, meaning you scored better than 70% of other test-takers, though exact conversion varies by section difficulty and test year. For example, a 507 might be around the 70th percentile, while 508 is often in the 72nd-76th percentile range, showing how a slight score increase significantly boosts your percentile.
 

What score is 80% correct on MCAT?

Scoring 80% correct on the MCAT is very strong, often translating to high section scores (like 127-130+) and a total score around the 80th percentile or higher (511+), which is competitive for most medical schools, but achieving a balanced score across all sections (especially CARS) is crucial, as inconsistent section performance (e.g., very high science, very low CARS) can raise red flags despite a good overall average. While 80% on practice tests like UWorld is excellent for learning, the final AAMC score depends on scaling and test difficulty, so focus on learning from errors, not just the percentage.
 

What score is 75% correct in MCAT?

A score that's 75% correct on the MCAT (meaning you're in the 75th percentile) translates to a total score of approximately 508-509, placing you above average and competitive for many mid-tier medical schools, though specific conversions vary slightly by testing year and section. This means you scored as well as or better than 75% of other test-takers. 

SIMPLE MCAT Study Plan | How I scored a 520 (97th percentile) in less than 7 minutes

What percent correct is 520 on MCAT?

A 520 MCAT score puts you in the 97th percentile of all test takers—outstanding for top-tier medical schools. A 515–519 score range is still exceptional and competitive for medical school applicants.

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.

Is 512 a bad MCAT score?

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. 

What is a realistic MCAT score?

The average MCAT score for all applicants is currently between a 506 and 507. The average MCAT score for matriculants (those who've been accepted and have registered to attend a med school) is between a 511 and a 512.

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

A 528 MCAT score is extremely rare, representing a perfect score achieved by only a handful of students (around 30-70) out of hundreds of thousands who take the test annually, placing them in the 100th percentile, but it's not a necessity for medical school admission as many accepted students score significantly lower. It signifies flawless performance with perfect scores (132) on all four sections (CARS, CP, BB, PS) and is statistically a near-impossible feat, though achievable by dedicated planners. 

Should I retake a 516 MCAT reddit?

Your score is more than good enough and the truth is that even if you improve it by like 5 points pretty much nothing will change. There are very few schools that you wouldn't be competitive for with that score, and the exceptions are incredibly difficult to get into anyway.

How hard is it to get 510 on MCAT?

It is not hard to get a 510 as it is at the 80th percentile. That means 20 percent of test takers score 510 or better, which means it is a very reachable goal. However, it requires a lot of studying to get a high MCAT score. Fortunately, at 510 and up, you'll be a competitive candidate.

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.
 

Should I retake a 520 MCAT?

Assuming a strong GPA and extracurricular profile, scoring a 518 or above will help you be competitive for the highest-tier schools, even if their average matriculant MCAT score is a 520 or 521. With scores at this level, an MCAT retake is not necessary because schools will consider you to be academically elite.

How rare is a 522 MCAT?

Scores of 520 or higher are rare. An overall MCAT score of 520 equaled or surpassed the performance of 97% of test-takers who took the exam between 2022 and 2024, according to AAMC data.

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's the hardest section of the MCAT?

Most test-takers find the CARS (Critical Analysis and Reading Skills) section the hardest MCAT section due to its focus on reasoning, inference, and reading comprehension of dense, non-scientific texts, rather than pure knowledge recall. However, some struggle with the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys) section due to complex content like biochemistry pathways and physics concepts, while Behavioral Sciences (Bio/Psych) also presents unique challenges, making the "hardest" section highly individual.
 

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT isn't a fixed score but roughly translates to a high 120s to low 130s per section, placing you in the 90th percentile (around 515 total score), making you a very strong candidate, though scores vary by section difficulty and question weighting, with 5-10 wrong often being a 128-130 range in practice tests. A 90% accuracy means around 5-10 wrong answers out of ~53 questions in a section, but precise conversions depend on the test's equating. 

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.

How rare is a 520 MCAT score?

A 520 MCAT score is extremely rare and highly competitive, placing you in the 97th percentile, meaning only about 3% of test-takers score that high or higher. It signifies an elite performance, often required for admission to the most selective medical schools, though success also depends on other application factors like GPA and experiences. 

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.

Should I retake the MCAT with a 502?

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. If you scored 506-511, you may not need to retake, but you could if you know you'd score much higher — especially if you're applying to Ivy League schools.

Is retaking the MCAT a red flag?

Retaking the MCAT isn't an automatic red flag, but it warrants careful management; consistent improvement with each retake is positive, showing resilience, while stagnant or declining scores raise concerns, suggesting potential issues with preparation or readiness, requiring a strong explanation in your application. Most schools look at your highest score, but multiple attempts (especially 3+) can draw attention, so demonstrating significant growth, strengthening other application areas (GPA, experience), and having a solid narrative is crucial for success.
 

Can I apply to med-school with a 502?

Chances of Being Accepted to Med School by MCAT Score

510 to 513: About 65% of applicants admitted‍ 506 to 509: 50% of applicants admitted‍ 502 to 505: About 35% of applicants admitted‍ 498 to 501: Over 20% of applicants admitted‍

What's the lowest MCAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22, 2025.