How much is it to sit for the MCAT?

Sitting for the MCAT costs $355 for standard registration, but eligible students can pay $145 through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, with potential extra fees for international testing or rescheduling, plus significant costs for prep materials.

How expensive is it to take the MCAT?

The standard MCAT registration fee is $355 USD, but those eligible for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program pay a reduced rate of $145 USD; additional costs can include rescheduling fees ($95-$160+), international surcharges ($130+), and significant expenses for study materials and courses, which can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the total.
 

Is 470 a good MCAT score?

No, a 470 MCAT score is generally considered low and below average, falling well below the 50th percentile (around 502) and the average for accepted MD students (around 512), significantly reducing chances at most U.S. medical schools, though some DO or international programs might consider it with exceptional other application components. The MCAT score range is 472-528, with 472 being the lowest possible score, and while some programs have lower cutoffs, 470 is well below most competitive thresholds.
 

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the 100th percentile, meaning you scored better than 100% of test-takers in recent years (2022-2024) and are just 3 points shy of a perfect score (528). This score is considered a top-tier score for the most selective medical schools, putting you in a statistically tiny fraction of applicants, as scores above 520 represent the top 1-3%. 

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.
 

5 Things I Wish I Knew About the MCAT

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. 

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. 

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.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 505?

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.

What is the Harvard MCAT score?

For Harvard Medical School (HMS), the average MCAT score for admitted students is extremely high, typically around 520-521, with most successful applicants scoring well above 512, often in the 515-528 range, though Harvard doesn't have a minimum score but expects exceptional academic performance, making scores like 520+ highly competitive. 

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally falls around the 515-520+ range, though the exact score shifts slightly with each testing year's percentiles, with scores like 475-477 often representing the 1st percentile on the total score chart, but a 99th percentile is closer to 520+, requiring near-perfect section scores (131-132) for the highest ranks, with 528 being perfect. 

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.
 

Has anyone gotten into med school with a 490 MCAT?

The lowest MCAT score accepted by most medical schools in the US is 490-495. Scores below 490 are seldom accepted. That said, just meeting the minimum won't make you competitive. According to the AAMC, the median MCAT score for all applicants is 506.1, while the median for matriculants is 511.8.

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. 

Is 2 months enough to study for MCAT?

Yes, 2 months can be enough for the MCAT, but it's very challenging and depends heavily on your starting point, dedication (aim for 200-300+ total hours), and a highly structured, intensive study plan focusing heavily on practice tests and targeted content review, especially if you've recently taken your pre-med courses and remember the material well. For many, 3-6 months is more common, so 2 months requires extreme focus, good foundational knowledge, and avoiding burnout. 

What happens if you fail the MCAT?

Technically, you cannot "fail" the MCAT since it is a scaled test scored between 472 and 528. However, scoring below 500 can make it difficult to be competitive for most MD or DO programs. If your score is lower than you hoped, start by analyzing your AAMC score report.

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 Harvard with a 519 MCAT?

For top-tier MD programs like Harvard, Stanford, and NYU Grossman, you're looking at an average MCAT between 519 and 523. That means scoring in the 97th–99th percentile. But don't stop at the number. Those schools expect everything: academic excellence, leadership, service, and a clear sense of purpose.

Does MCAT outweigh GPA?

For some applicants, a higher MCAT score can help balance out a lower GPA—especially when that GPA reflects earlier academic struggles. In medical school admissions, a strong MCAT shows that you're academically ready for the demands of med school, even if your transcript is less than perfect.

Has anyone gotten 100% on MCAT?

In fact, students who scored 524 or higher on the exam are considered in the 100th percentile, meaning they scored higher than all other test-takers. With all these points considered, getting a perfect MCAT score is challenging but not impossible.

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.

Is retaking 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.
 

What IQ puts you in the 99th percentile?

An IQ score in the 99th percentile means you scored higher than 99% of the population, typically corresponding to an IQ of around 135 or above, indicating exceptional intelligence, though exact numbers can vary slightly by test and standardization, with the 99th percentile representing the top 1% of people.
 

What is the lowest percentile?

Percentile rank is a number between 0 and 100 indicating the percent of cases falling at or below that score. There is no 0 percentile rank - the lowest score is at the first percentile. There is no 100th percentile - the highest score is at the 99th percentile.

Is 200 marks enough for 99 percentile?

While the focus is often on the score, achieving a 99+ percentile typically requires a student to score between 190 and 210 marks, depending on the shift's toughness. This range serves as a benchmark for students aiming for elite performance.