Is a 490 a bad MCAT score?

Yes, a 490 is generally considered a low or below-average MCAT score, placing you around the 17th-20th percentile, significantly below the average for accepted MD students (around 501-508) and even below the average for many DO programs (often in the high 490s to low 500s). While not completely impossible for some niche programs or with extraordinary supporting factors, a 490 makes admission to most US medical schools very unlikely, and a retake is often recommended, especially for MD programs.

Is 490 a good MCAT score?

490 is well below the current US median matriculant MCAT (typically ~510--512). Most MD and competitive DO programs expect scores closer to the 50th percentile or higher. Admissions use MCAT as a screening metric. A 490 will place you in a category that many schools filter out automatically.

Can you get into med-school with 495 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.

Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 499?

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 considered a bad MCAT score?

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. This guide will go over what a good MCAT score is and how medical schools use your score to make their decision.

You Got a Bad MCAT, Now What?

Can I get into med school with a 497 MCAT?

Most competitive medical schools expect 510+, but there are programs with: Lower minimum cutoffs (498–502) Lower average accepted scores (500–505) Special consideration for in-state or mission-driven applicants.

Is a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Yes, a 480 is generally considered a low or below-average MCAT score, falling in the 3rd percentile, significantly below the average of around 501 and the competitive range (511+) for medical school admissions, making it challenging to get into most MD programs without a strong retake or exceptional other application components. However, your specific section scores and overall application (GPA, experiences) matter, and a balanced score (e.g., 120 in each section) is better than a skewed one, with DO or Caribbean schools potentially being more accessible. 

Can I get into med school with a 499 MCAT?

MCAT and GPA are obviously top of the list because those are very easy things to weed someone out. I've seen lots of students get into medical school with a 499. The 3.9 in your SMP is awesome, the 3.2 college GPA, your stats GPA-wise are not holding you back.

Is 491 a bad MCAT score?

Yes, a 491 is generally considered a low MCAT score, placing you in the lower percentiles (around the 20th percentile) and significantly below the average (around 500-501) and competitive scores (511+) for most MD programs, making admission difficult but not impossible, especially for DO or Caribbean schools with lower averages, or if balanced with a stellar GPA/experiences, though a retake is often recommended for better MD chances.
 

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.
 

Is 495 a good MCAT diagnostic score?

A 495 on the MCAT is a below-average score. According to recent AAMC stats: A 495 is 30 percentile rank on the MCAT.

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.

What is the average MCAT score for Stanford?

The average MCAT for Stanford Medical School is 520 with a range of 510 – 528.

Can I get into DO school with a 490?

Scores between 490–500 fall on the lower end for both MD and DO schools. Below 490 is unlikely to be competitive at accredited U.S. or Canadian schools.

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.

Is 481 a bad MCAT score?

Is 481 a bad MCAT® score? 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 481 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 4% percentile.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?

If you score a 500, it's a good idea to retake the MCAT—after you seek tutoring and develop more effective study strategies. However, if you score a 513, you could easily slip down to a 510 on a retake.

Can you get into med school with a 480?

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical school? The lowest MCAT scores accepted by medical schools can vary, but generally, MD programs accept scores starting around the lower 500s, with 500-503 being on the lower end.

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. 

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 492 a bad MCAT score?

Yes, a 492 is generally considered a low MCAT score, falling below the average (around 501) and placing you in the 23rd-26th percentile, but it's not impossible to get into some programs, especially if your other application components are strong or if you're applying to DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) or certain MD schools with lower cutoffs; however, a retake is often recommended for significantly improving your chances for most MD programs. 

Can I get into med-school with a 492?

Medical schools have different cutoffs for students based on being in-state, out-of-state, in particular programs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more. Considering that a 492 is a below-average score, it is improbable to be competitive for med-school admission with that score.

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.
 

Can you get into med-school with 499?

Minimum MCAT Score Accepted Into Med School

Medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada that necessitate the MCAT typically accept scores ranging from 490-495 at the minimum. Scores below 490 are rarely if ever, accepted.