Is 516 a good score on MCAT?

Yes, a 516 is a very good and highly competitive MCAT score, placing you in roughly the 92nd percentile (scoring better than 92% of test-takers), which makes you a strong applicant for most U.S. medical schools, including many top-tier programs, but success depends on the entire application. While a score of 515+ is often considered excellent, aiming for a 516 means you've opened many doors, though highly selective schools (like Harvard or Johns Hopkins) often see scores closer to 520+ from accepted students.

Is an MCAT score of 516 good?

Attaining a score of 516 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 95% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally 511 or higher, aligning with the average for accepted MD students, but this varies by school, with top programs seeking 518+, while a score of 508+ is competitive for many MD/DO programs, and balanced section scores (127+ per section) are crucial.
 

Is 517 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 517 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 96% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 129 (C/P) 130 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 129 (P/S).

Should I retake MCAT if I got a 513?

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.

3 MCAT CARS Studying Mistakes that are TANKING your score (Tips from a 132 Scorer)

What's the most common MCAT score?

There are four sections, and scores for each one fall between 118 and 132—so the total MCAT score range is 472 to 528. AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) data shows that the average accepted score in the U.S. is around 511–512.

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.
 

What is the average MCAT score to get into medical school?

This makes it essential to perform well across all MCAT sections to achieve a good overall score. With a median score of 125 for each section, the overall MCAT median score is 500, which is generally viewed as the average MCAT score for medical school targeted by test-takers.

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.

What is the average MCAT score for Mayo Clinic?

Applicants should aim for an MCAT around 521. A minimum of 508 is required for secondary application consideration.

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.

What is the average MCAT score for 2025?

The average MCAT score for all medical school applicants in 2025-2026 is 506.1. The average MCAT score for all medical school enrollees was 511.8. As of 2025, the average score for the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section is 125.9, the highest of all sections.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

However, if you want to get accepted into a top medical school, you will probably need to aim for a score significantly higher than this. A great score is 515 to 528 (the maximum possible score), while an average score is 502 to 508. In contrast, a poor score is 501 and below.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT means you scored around the average (median) score, which is approximately a total score of 500-501, placing you at the 50th percentile (or slightly below, depending on the exact date) – better than half of test-takers but below average for successful medical school matriculants, who often score much higher. Each section (118-132) has its own 50th percentile around 125. 

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

What's the hardest section on MCAT?

A majority of examinees say that CARS is the hardest MCAT section. CARS requires precise critical analysis of verbose, lengthy passages that often cover non-medical subjects. Is the MCAT all multiple-choice? The MCAT is made up of 230 entirely multiple-choice questions.

Is the MCAT just 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.

What is the average MCAT score for Albert Einstein?

Einstein Medical School Average MCAT

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

What is a realistic MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127. The MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized exam designed to assess your potential as a medical student and doctor.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into med 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.

What is a good MCAT score for MD schools?

Looking at the data from pre-med and accepted students across the United States, a 511-512 is generally considered a good MCAT score. However, what's “good” depends heavily on the type of program you're applying to and how the rest of your med school application looks.

How does 516 compare to the average MCAT score?

A “good” MCAT score is not universal—it is contextual. For example: A score of 510 may be competitive at many state medical schools where matriculant averages are around 508–510. The same 510 may be below the median at highly selective institutions, where the average is often 516–518.

How many people have gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

0.021% of 273,860 students brings us to our final answer: 58 students. Since this method is not perfect, we'll leave you with a range; between 30 and 70 students every year achieve a perfect 528 MCAT. This is out of the nearly three hundred thousand students who take the exam.