Should I retake a 511 MCAT?

You probably don't need to retake a 511 MCAT, as it's a solid score near the average for accepted students, but you might consider it if your section scores are unbalanced, you're aiming for highly competitive schools (like Ivy Leagues), or you know you can significantly improve with focused strategy, especially if your application's weaker areas need boosting. Retaking is risky if your practice scores were already near 511, but can be beneficial if you're confident in substantial improvement (e.g., to 514+) and have a solid study plan to show resilience, not just repeating the same effort.

Should I retake MCAT with 511?

You are fine with a 511. Don't retake unless you are scoring 515 or 516s in your practice tests. Your breakdown is good too and there isn't any red flags in my opinion. If you apply well, you should get into at least 1 medical school. Congrats on the score, you got this!

Is a MCAT score of 511 good?

A good MCAT score is a score of 511 or higher, which would put you in at least the 82nd percentile rank among all test takers. The average MCAT score is a score of 501, and a “perfect” MCAT score is the maximum score of 528.

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 512 a bad MCAT score?

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. 

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

Can I get into med-school with a 512?

In general, scoring around 511-512 or higher on the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) makes you competitive for most schools of medicine. A 515+ MCAT total score puts you solidly in range for top-tier or Ivy League medical schools.

Does retaking MCAT look bad?

Some admissions committees look unfavorably on your application if you don't improve your score significantly when retaking (at least 5 points). AdComs are most likely to look negatively on your application if you have taken the MCAT 3+ times with no significant improvements.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT means you scored around the average (median) score, which is approximately a total score of 500-501, placing you at the 50th percentile (or slightly below, depending on the exact date) – better than half of test-takers but below average for successful medical school matriculants, who often score much higher. Each section (118-132) has its own 50th percentile around 125. 

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.

Do schools accept lower MCAT scores?

Many osteopathic (DO) schools are known for holistic admissions and lower MCAT cutoffs. Most accept MCAT scores in the 497–504 range.

Should I retake a 513?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 513? You should retake a 513 MCAT score if your score is not balanced among the 4 sections, or if your target med-school(s) require a higher score for you to be competitive.

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.

Can a 510 get you into medical school?

For acceptance at top medical schools in the U.S., MCAT scores typically fall within a highly competitive range. Accepted students often have MCAT scores between 510 and 528, with median scores usually around 518 to 520. These high scores reflect the rigorous standards and competitiveness of top institutions.

Is 6 MCAT practice tests enough?

Three may be the minimum, but it's certainly not the ideal amount of MCAT practice tests to take to prepare for this extensive exam. Since practice makes perfect, you'll want to take several more tests to give yourself the best chance of meeting your target score. The sweet spot tends to be six to ten tests.

What is a 511 MCAT percentile?

1. 474–472. <1. Our medical school admission experts recommend that you aim for a total score of 511 or above. This score places you in the 81 st percentile of MCAT scores, according to AAMC.

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 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.

How do I sure if I should retake MCAT?

You should consider retaking the MCAT if…

1. Your highest overall score is not competitive for your target schools. ...
2. Your section scores are significantly imbalanced. ...
3. You did not sufficiently prepare for the previous attempt(s). ...
4. You were ill or had to navigate another personal difficulty on or around your test date.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally 511 or higher, aligning with the average for accepted MD students, but this varies by school, with top programs seeking 518+, while a score of 508+ is competitive for many MD/DO programs, and balanced section scores (127+ per section) are crucial.
 

Is 512 a competitive MCAT score?

An MCAT of 512 or above makes you a competitive applicant for both allopathic and osteopathic medical schools assuming other aspects of your candidacy are also strong. An MCAT of 515, which will place you in the 91st percentile of all test takers in 2026, or above will make you a much more competitive applicant.

Is AAMC unscored worth it?

The unscored test (called the Sample Test) gives you percentage scores for each section but not your scaled scores (118-132 and 472-528). The unscored/Sample Test is much less useful because it's not as representative of the real test. The CARS section in particular on this test is too easy.

What is the lowest passing MCAT score?

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 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. 

Can med schools see if you retake a class?

The AMCAS program counts grades for all attempts of a repeated course, even if your school does not. Depending on how your school considers them, grades of IF (incomplete failure) or unauthorized, unofficial, or administrative withdrawal may be treated as an F in your AMCAS GPA.

Can you get into med school with a 505 MCAT?

You'll need a minimum score in the 490-495 range to be accepted into any medical school that requires the MCAT.