Is it better to take MCAT on Friday or Saturday?

It's generally not better to take the MCAT on Friday versus Saturday because the AAMC uses scaling to ensure scores are equivalent, making the actual day of the week less important than your readiness, preparation, and personal fit. While some test-takers speculate about slight differences in test difficulty or test-taker pools (e.g., weekend takers vs. weekday takers), these are minor, and focusing on when you're most prepared, have your final full-length practice test aligned with the actual date, and can minimize stress is the best strategy.

Are Friday mcats easier than Saturday?

You might be wondering if there's any strategy to picking one test date over another: are some test dates “easier” than others? The answer is no—scores are normalized to the group of examinees on your test date.

What is the best day to take the MCAT?

You should plan to take the MCAT for the final time between January and April of your application year. For instance, if you'd like to enroll in medical school in August 2026, you'll want to take your MCAT during the first four months of 2025—that is, no later than April 2025.

Is the MCAT on Friday or Saturday?

There are 31 official MCAT test dates in 2026 and 30 MCAT test dates in 2025, scheduled between January and September. Test dates are typically on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate a variety of schedules.

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT usually translates to a score in the 90th percentile (around 515+ total), meaning you scored better than 90% of test-takers, with scores of 128-130 per section, though exact raw scores vary by section difficulty and test date due to statistical equating. Achieving this means answering most questions correctly, often around 44-48 questions per section, placing you as a very competitive applicant for medical school. 

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

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. 

Is 491 a bad MCAT score?

Yes, a 491 on the MCAT is generally considered a low or below-average score, placing you in the lower percentiles (around the 20th percentile), far from the average score of 501 and the competitive range of 511+, making admission to most MD programs very difficult, though it might be considered for some DO programs or with extraordinary supporting qualifications like a high GPA or extensive research, and it's often a strong signal to retake the exam for most applicants.
 

Is 2 months enough to study for MCAT?

Yes, 2 months (around 8 weeks) can be enough to study for the MCAT, but it requires intense focus, consistent daily hours (often 30-40+ hrs/week), a strategic plan, and depends heavily on your existing knowledge base, with many recommending 3-6 months for a less rushed approach. A 2-month plan demands prioritizing high-yield topics, frequent practice tests, and efficient content review to cover the vast material, focusing on skills like passage analysis and stamina building. 

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

What month is the easiest MCAT?

Our average examinee score is highest in January (515.5) and lowest in May (511.4). January has been our most popular month (28% of examinees) and August testers achieve the largest ratio of very high scores (28% achieved a 520+). Trying to manage MCAT during the semester is definitely challenging.

What time to sleep before MCAT?

You should aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your MCAT exam. If you have trouble sleeping, you may try meditation or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and anxiety. Review your plan for the day. Having a plan for the day of your MCAT exam is essential.

What are the most difficult MCAT topics?

Hardest MCAT Questions and How to Tackle Them

• Biology & Biochemistry: Mechanisms of Enzyme Action.
• Physics: Forces and Motion.
• Psychology/Sociology: Social Theories and Behavior.
• Chemistry: Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle.
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

What score is 70% on MCAT?

A 70th percentile on the MCAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in a competitive range for MD medical school admissions, though specific school averages vary. Your actual score might differ slightly as percentiles shift, but this score is strong, showing solid performance above the average (around 500).
 

How bad is a 487 MCAT score?

A 487 MCAT score is generally considered below average and unlikely to be competitive for most U.S. MD programs, placing you around the 11th-14th percentile, well below the average matriculant score of ~501-510+. While some DO programs or specific circumstances might be possible, you'll need a very strong application (GPA, experiences) and should strongly consider a retake to achieve scores in the low 500s (e.g., 500+) for better chances. 

Why is 472 the lowest MCAT score?

The MCAT score of 472 is the lowest because it's the sum of the minimum possible score (118) in each of the four sections, creating a floor for the 472-528 total score range, which is designed around a 500 average to emphasize the middle performance, meaning 472 represents the bottom of the score distribution (less than 1st percentile), making scores much lower practically nonexistent or statistically irrelevant for medical school admissions. 

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. 

How rare is a 528 MCAT?

A 528 MCAT score is extremely rare, representing the perfect score and achieved by only a tiny fraction of test-takers, with estimates suggesting between 30 to 70 people annually out of hundreds of thousands, putting it in the top 0.021% or less. It requires flawless performance across all sections (132 in each), making it a statistically exceptional feat, though strong scores well below 528 are highly competitive for medical school. 

Is it hard to get a 510 on the MCAT?

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 a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally starts around 517-518+, with the highest percentile being the perfect 528, but scores in the low 520s (like 521-522) already put you in the 98th percentile or above, meaning you're scoring better than nearly everyone else and firmly in that elite tier for top medical schools, though a 528 is statistically extremely rare.
 

Should I retake a 502 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. 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.

Can I get into med school with a 503 MCAT?

All medical schools require an MCAT score of 494 or higher. A 490 places you well below this minimum threshold for consideration. You should consider retaking the exam or applying to the few schools that don't require the MCAT at all.

What IQ puts you in the 99th percentile?

An IQ score in the 99th percentile means you scored higher than 99% of people, with the score typically around 135 or higher, indicating exceptionally high intelligence, often classified as "Gifted" or "Very Advanced," though exact scores can vary slightly by test and definition. This places individuals in the top 1% of the population, a level that qualifies for high-IQ societies like Mensa (around 130) and Intertel (around 135).
 

Is it better to be in a higher percentile or lower?

Key Points:

Percentile gives a relative position within the full distribution. A high percentile means top performance.

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.