Is Canada removing the MCAT?

No, Canada isn't universally removing the MCAT, but some schools are making it optional or dropping it due to equity concerns, language laws (like in Quebec), or a shift in admissions focus, with schools like McGill and the University of Manitoba considering or implementing changes, though most Canadian med schools still use it as a significant factor, making it a mixed and evolving landscape.

Is the MCAT no longer required?

Yes, there are technically 3 ways to get into medical school without taking the MCAT: Apply for baccalaureate-MD programs (BS/MD, BA/MD, or BFA/MD) that don't require the MCAT, Take part in an early assurance program (EAP), or.

Does Canada take the MCAT?

Do you need to take the MCAT to get into medical school in Canada? Applicants must take the MCAT within five years of their Canadian medical school application for it to be considered. Your MCAT score matters — McMaster University's medical school, for example, has specific requirements.

Do any Canadian med schools not require MCAT?

In Canada, the situation is slightly different and there are actually traditional allopathic 3- and 4-year medical schools in Canada that do not require the MCAT: University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. Northern Ontario School of Medicine. McGill University Faculty of Medicine.

Does MCAT expire in Canada?

Your MCAT Scores will be valid for most medical schools in the United States and Canada for two to three years. While your score does not technically expire on AAMC, individual medical schools have their own specific policies regarding the validity of MCAT scores.

The MCAT is hard and the MCAT is important #medstudent #medschool #mcat #MD

Is the MCAT changing in 2025?

For 2025, the MCAT mainly saw interface improvements (zoom, background colors) and a shift in question style towards integrated reasoning (less pure recall, more passage application) within the same format, while medical school policies started showing trends towards test-optional approaches, but the core structure (sections, times) remained consistent. The biggest shift is a greater emphasis on applying knowledge with passage context, particularly in Psychology & Sociology (P/S) and content areas like biochemistry, reflecting changes in medical education.
 

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered strong and competitive for medical school, but it's not a guarantee and becomes much stronger when paired with a high MCAT score and a robust science GPA. While MD school matriculant averages hover around 3.8+, a 3.7 is above the applicant average, especially if you show an upward trend in your grades, but a lower science GPA (BCPM) could raise concerns. 

Does Queen look at MCAT competitively?

MCAT Requirements

The Queen's medical school MCAT requirement has evolved in recent years. Currently, all applicants must submit valid MCAT scores. While there is no minimum MCAT cutoff, competitive applicants typically achieve scores above 510, with higher percentiles in the CARS and science sections.

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. 

Is the MCAT hard in Canada?

The truth is, it's hard—but not impossible. The difficulty comes from the exam's scope, length, and the level of reasoning it demands. Unlike other tests you may have taken in college, the MCAT isn't just about memorizing facts; it's about applying knowledge in complex, time-pressured scenarios.

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.
 

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 515 a good MCAT score in Canada?

Attaining a score of 515 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 94% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 128 (C/P) 129 (CARS) 129 (B/B) 129 (P/S).

Is MCAT harder than 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.
 

How bad is a 487 MCAT score?

A 487 MCAT score is generally considered below average and not competitive for most US MD programs, falling around the 11th-14th percentile, well below the ~501 average and ~512 matriculant average; however, it might be considered for some DO programs or if coupled with exceptional other application components, though retaking is often recommended for better odds.
 

Has anyone ever gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

Yes, people have achieved a perfect score of 528 on the MCAT, the highest possible score, though it is extremely rare and represents the 100th percentile, making the test-taker a highly competitive applicant for any medical school. Many individuals who have scored a 528 share their strategies online, emphasizing rigorous study schedules, extensive practice with AAMC materials, building strong content knowledge, and developing critical thinking skills through tutoring or teaching. 

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 a 517 MCAT too low?

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).

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. 

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 hardest med school to get into Canada?

Queen's University has the lowest acceptance rate of any Canadian med school, but the University of Toronto probably has the toughest admissions requirements: a minimum 3.6 GPA and two unique personal essays.

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.

Can I get into Harvard Med with a 3.8 GPA?

Yes, you can get into Harvard Medical School (HMS) with a 3.8 GPA, as it's within the range of successful applicants (average ~3.9), but it's not a guarantee; your extremely high MCAT score (aim for 520+), exceptional research, clinical experience, volunteering, strong essays, and stellar recommendations are crucial to stand out against other high-achievers. A 3.8 is strong, but HMS is highly competitive, so you need a truly outstanding application beyond just grades to show you're visionary, compassionate, and self-motivated.