Is the new MCAT harder?

The current MCAT (post-2015) is widely considered more challenging regarding endurance and reasoning-based questions compared to older versions. It is significantly longer (over 6 hours) and focuses heavily on critical analysis, biochemistry, and psychology/sociology, rather than just rote memorization. While the difficulty is generally consistent, it is viewed as a better, yet more rigorous, measure of readiness for modern medical school.

Is the MCAT harder now?

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is not getting harder over time.

What is the difference between the old and new MCAT?

The old MCAT was scored on a scale from 3-45 with an average MCAT score of 25.2. On each section you could earn 1 to 15 points. The new MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528 with a mean score of 500. On each section you can earn 118 to 132 points.

How is the MCAT changing in 2026?

Exam 6 is the first truly new AAMC full length in years. It confirms a shift away from pure recall and toward integrated, passage heavy reasoning. Here is what that actually means for how you study.

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. 

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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.
 

How hard is the 2025 MCAT?

MCAT Score Tiers for 2025

506–510 (Competitive): Good chances across broad MD/DO school ranges. 511–513 (Strong): Highly competitive for most medical schools. 514–518 (Very Strong): Competitive for top-tier programs. 519+ (Elite): Exceptional scores, top 5% of all test takers; highly competitive for elite institutions.

Has anyone ever gotten a 528 on the MCAT?

Yes, people have achieved a perfect 528 MCAT score, the highest possible score, though it is extremely rare and signifies exceptional performance across all sections (132 in each). Several individuals have shared their experiences and strategies on platforms like Reddit and in interviews, detailing rigorous study plans, extensive practice, and deep content mastery to reach this peak achievement.
 

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.

Are MCAT scores curved?

There is no curve associated with the MCAT® exam. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test.

Why is MCAT out of 528?

Each MCAT section is scored on a scale of 118–132 (highest). Your MCAT total score (whch is the sum of your section scores) ranges from 472–528. Because different versions of the test have varying levels of difficulty, the scale will be slightly different from one MCAT administration to the next.

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.

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World [Updated List 2026]

• List of Top 10 Toughest Examinations in the World.
• 1) Gaokao Exam of China.
• 2) IIT-JEE Advanced Examination of India.
• 3) UPSC Exams of India.
• 4) ICAI CA/CMA Exams of India.
• 5) Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of India.
• 6) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

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. 

Who took the MCAT 7 times?

Andy took the MCAT exam seven times and applied to medical school twice before getting one interview and acceptance. He reminds premeds to have faith in themselves and that perseverance and grit are important for a career in medicine.

How hard is it to get a 510 on MCAT?

Currently, a score of 510 on the MCAT places you in the 80th percentile, which will require you to score in the top 20% of test takers. As such, getting a score of 510 or better is not easy, and will require some very hard work. This is particularly true given the caliber of students that you are going up against.

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. 

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. 

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 495 MCAT?

In general: MCAT scores below 502 are considered below-average. 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's the 99th percentile IQ?

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).
 

What is the lowest percentile?

Percentile rank is a number between 0 and 100 indicating the percent of cases falling at or below that score. There is no 0 percentile rank - the lowest score is at the first percentile. There is no 100th percentile - the highest score is at the 99th percentile.

Is 1500 the 99th percentile?

Understanding Percentiles

1200 = 74th percentile (better than 74% of students) 1400 = 94th percentile. 1500 = 98th percentile. 1550+ = 99th percentile.