Is a 511 a good MCAT score?

Yes, a 511 is a very good MCAT score, placing you above average (around the 80th percentile) and making you competitive for many medical school programs, though top-tier or Ivy League schools often see averages in the 515+ range, so your overall application strength (GPA, experiences) matters significantly.

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. 

Can I get into med school with a 512 MCAT?

A "good" MCAT score is one that puts you near or above the average percentile for matriculants at your target medical schools. For comparison, the average MCAT score for students admitted to an MD program in the United States in 2022–2023 is between 511 and 512, with an average GPA of 3.75. (Source: AAMC ).

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?

Definitely retake it. Honestly if you're scoring in that range you're missing some content, it's not because you're not smart. People do get in to DO schools with scores in that range but the odds are significantly better for DO schools with 505+ especially as it gets more competitive with each consecutive cycle.

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.

Should You Retake the MCAT? | 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Is 511 a high 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.

Can I get into med school with 500 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 percent of people get a 512 on the MCAT?

While the national average MCAT score is 500.5 for the 2025-2026 academic year, prospective students need to score 512 — closer to the 85th percentile — to have a real shot at getting into medical school.

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.

Is getting a 510 on the MCAT hard?

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.

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 a 512 MCAT reddit?

Don't retake a 512 unless you're scoring 518s in practice tests. A 512 is not closing many doors at all. The average MCAT for allopathic matriculants is at a 512 and a 512 is enough to get into the majority of medical schools, both allopathic and osteopathic, in this country.

Is 512GB enough for medical school?

512GB is enough for school programs and files. If you wish to store personal videos, load video games, or lots of pictures and music you will need a larger hard drive. A solid-state drive (SSD) is important for the speed and performance of your software.

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.

Is taking the MCAT 3 times bad?

How Many MCAT Retakes Are Too Many? Retaking the MCAT three or more times can raise questions for certain admissions committees. Ideally, you should aim to demonstrate significant score improvement with each retake.

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 score is considered failing the MCAT?

There is no definitive pass or fail score for the MCAT; rather, each medical school sets its own criteria for acceptable scores. To determine the score needed for a particular medical school, it's best to consult the specific school's requirements or visit their website.

Which Ivy League is best for pre-med?

There's no single "best" Ivy for pre-med, as it depends on your needs, but Harvard, UPenn, and Brown are consistently top-tier for their strong advising, research access, and high med school placement rates, with Brown offering unique programs like PLME. Other strong contenders include Yale (flexibility) and Dartmouth (early assurance), while Princeton offers rigor but with potential grade deflation. The ideal choice aligns with your learning style, goals (like BS/MD), and desired campus environment. 

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.
 

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.

Should I retake a 500 MCAT?

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.

Can a high MCAT help a low GPA?

A high MCAT score can help offset a low GPA. You know you are ready for the MCAT when you are earning competitive scores on full-length practice tests. Raise your undergraduate GPA to at least 3.0. This is the minimum GPA for admission to many medical schools.

Why do schools accept lower MCAT scores?

This approach allows schools to evaluate not just academic achievement but also a candidate's character, passion for medicine, and ability to contribute to the medical community. In some cases, applicants with slightly lower MCAT scores may still be admitted if their overall application is particularly strong.