What is a typical MCAT diagnostic score?

There's no single "average" diagnostic score, but most students start in the low 490s to 500 range, as it's a baseline before intensive study, with the overall average MCAT score being around 500-501. A diagnostic test's goal is to identify weaknesses, so a lower score is expected; many see significant improvement, often 10+ points, by test day, with final scores for accepted students averaging much higher (around 511-512).

What is a good score for MCAT diagnostic?

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.

Is 499 a good MCAT diagnostic score?

499 MCAT® Score

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 499 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 49% percentile.

Is a 500 MCAT diagnostic score good?

starting with 500 is very good, many people start well in the low 490 and score over 510+. I wouldn't care about starting point it doesn't mean much :)

Is 512 a good diagnostic score?

When evaluating your diagnostic results, consider percentile rankings too—these provide context about how well you performed compared to other test-takers. For instance, achieving a total score of 512 places you at the 84th percentile among those who took the exam between 2022-2024—a solid position indeed!

Should I Take an MCAT Diagnostic BEFORE I Start my MCAT Prep? Expert Advice for MCAT Studying

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 ).

Is 502 bad on MCAT?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 502 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 60% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

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).

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.
 

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. 

Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 499?

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?

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 is the Harvard MCAT score?

The average MCAT score for students accepted to Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely high, typically around 520-521, with most successful applicants scoring in the 512-528 range, indicating mastery in all sections. While there's no official minimum, competitive scores are well above the 80th percentile (around 512+), reflecting Harvard's highly rigorous and holistic admissions process that values exceptional academic performance alongside experiences and personal attributes.
 

Is 495 a good diagnostic MCAT score?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 495 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 35% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What is the most heavily tested subject on the MCAT?

The biological and biochemical sciences are the most heavily tested subjects on the MCAT. While other subjects like chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology are also important, the biological and biochemical sciences remain consistently prominent and heavily tested on the MCAT.

What's the hardest section of the MCAT?

The hardest MCAT section is subjective, but many test-takers find CARS (Critical Analysis and Reading Skills) the most difficult due to its non-scientific, logic-based nature and need for rapid comprehension, while others struggle with the dense content and complex problem-solving in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys) section, especially physics and organic chemistry concepts, and some find the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section's nuanced theories challenging.
 

What is a realistic MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is one that meets or exceeds the median score of accepted students at your target medical schools—often around 511 or higher.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical 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.

Can I get into Harvard with a 519 MCAT?

For top-tier MD programs like Harvard, Stanford, and NYU Grossman, you're looking at an average MCAT between 519 and 523. That means scoring in the 97th–99th percentile. But don't stop at the number. Those schools expect everything: academic excellence, leadership, service, and a clear sense of purpose.

Is retaking the MCAT a red flag?

Retaking the MCAT isn't an automatic red flag, especially for one or two attempts with significant score improvement, showing upward trajectory; however, multiple retakes (three or more) without substantial gains, or retaking a strong score, can raise concerns about judgment or inability to learn, potentially signaling issues to admissions committees, though schools often focus on the final, highest score if improvement is shown. It's crucial to understand why you need to retake it, fix prior mistakes, and demonstrate meaningful growth, rather than just repeating the same approach. 

Can I get into MD with a 507?

Medical schools have different minimum score requirements for students based on being in-state, out-of-state, in particular programs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more. Considering that a 507 is quite close to the average MCAT score of a 501, it's not very competitive for med-school admission.

What score is 90% correct on the 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. 

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 is a good MCAT score in 2025?

Although the mean total MCAT score among all applicants is 506.5, successful MD applicants typically achieve an MCAT total score at or above the 73rd percentile (i.e., 508+). Moreover, the average (i.e., mean) total MCAT score among successful applicants lands around the 83rd percentile (511.9).