What is the best resource for MCAT prep?

The best MCAT study resources include AAMC materials (essential practice tests/questions), UWorld (top-tier question bank), and content review books from Kaplan, Blueprint (NextStep), or Princeton Review, supplemented by Anki (spaced repetition) and Khan Academy videos (especially for P/S), with specific Anki decks like MilesDown or Aidan being popular for content retention and review. For comprehensive packages, Blueprint excels for visual learners, while Kaplan offers strong live instruction.

What is the best resource for the MCAT?

Khan Academy and Sketchy MCAT

Khan Academy is well known for having exceptional free videos and practice questions. This holds true for the MCAT, as well. Sketchy is another visual learning company well-loved by medical students that more recently launched an MCAT learning library as well.

Which MCAT prep is most effective?

The best MCAT prep depends on your learning style, but Kaplan is often rated #1 overall for comprehensive support and live classes, Blueprint excels in video lessons for visual learners, and UWorld is top-tier for practice questions and realistic AAMC-style Qbanks, with Magoosh offering great value. The essential tool is the official AAMC Question Bank and practice exams, supplemented by these popular providers, with Princeton Review also strong for books and content review. 

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the 100th percentile, meaning you scored better than 100% of test-takers in recent years (2022-2024) and are just 3 points shy of a perfect score (528). This score is considered a top-tier score for the most selective medical schools, putting you in a statistically tiny fraction of applicants, as scores above 520 represent the top 1-3%. 

What is the best way to prep for the MCAT?

HOW TO STUDY FOR THE MCAT

1. Understand the MCAT. The first step is to understand what the MCAT is, says Sierra. ...
2. Be thoughtful about your undergraduate course selection. ...
3. Start your MCAT test prep early. ...
4. Find a study schedule and routine that works for you. ...
5. Take MCAT practice tests often.

SIMPLE MCAT Study Plan | How I scored a 520 (97th percentile) in less than 7 minutes

What score is 75% on MCAT?

A 75th percentile MCAT score means you scored better than 75% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 508-509, placing you in a competitive range for many medical schools, with specific scores varying slightly by year and data source. While not elite, it's a strong indicator of preparedness, often requiring section scores in the 127-129 range, and makes you a solid candidate for many programs, especially when combined with a strong GPA and other application elements. 

Is UWorld MCAT harder than AAMC?

The same is not true of most third-party CARS, but it is true—or at least more true—of UWorld. Because UWorld questions are significantly more difficult than the AAMC, you will likely score much worse on them.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 505?

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Which part of MCAT is hardest?

Most test-takers find the CARS (Critical Analysis and Reading Skills) section the hardest MCAT section due to its focus on reasoning, inference, and reading comprehension of dense, non-scientific texts, rather than pure knowledge recall. However, some struggle with the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys) section due to complex content like biochemistry pathways and physics concepts, while Behavioral Sciences (Bio/Psych) also presents unique challenges, making the "hardest" section highly individual.
 

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. 

Which MCAT prep is the best?

The best MCAT prep depends on your learning style, but Kaplan is often rated #1 overall for comprehensive support and live classes, Blueprint excels in video lessons for visual learners, and UWorld is top-tier for practice questions and realistic AAMC-style Qbanks, with Magoosh offering great value. The essential tool is the official AAMC Question Bank and practice exams, supplemented by these popular providers, with Princeton Review also strong for books and content review. 

Is Kaplan or Khan Academy better for MCAT?

Khan Academy is the gold standard because the AAMC paid Khan Academy to make the only official prep videos. Khan Academy, therefore, had insider access to all the AAMC material.

Are there any free MCAT resources?

Free MCAT Materials

Khan Academy: With more than 1,100 FREE videos and 3,000 review questions, the Khan Academy MCAT Collection has collaborated with the AAMC to cover all of the content that is tested on the MCAT exam.

How many questions can you miss on the MCAT to get a 520?

To get a 520 on the MCAT, you generally need to miss very few questions, often only a handful in total, aiming for around 128-130 per section (out of 132), which means getting maybe 1-3 wrong in some sections and a few more in others, as scoring is percentile-based and depends on test difficulty, but you must be in the top few percentiles overall. While a perfect score (528) might allow for a few missed questions, a 520 requires near perfection, potentially missing only 5-10 questions across the entire exam, or even just a couple per section on easier tests, say Reddit users. 

What MCAT score do I need for Harvard?

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely competitive, with recent average MCAT scores for matriculants hovering around 520-521, though there's no official minimum score, and acceptance relies on holistic review. While scores in the 512-528 range are common for accepted students, achieving a 515+ score is generally needed to be competitive for top-tier schools like HMS, reflecting rigorous standards.
 

Can I get into med school with a 507 MCAT?

Whilst it's certainly possible to get into a medical school with a 507 or below (and there have been cases of students accepted with sub-500 scores), it's unlikely – especially if you're applying for a more competitive college. In general, it's difficult to get accepted with an MCAT score below 500.

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 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.

Can I get into MD school with a 505 MCAT?

Assuming a good cumulative GPA (i.e., 3.5+) and well-written application essays, we suggest the following rough program breakdowns depending on your MCAT total score: 511+: 100% MD programs; 0% DO programs. 506–510: 75% MD programs, 25% DO programs. 500–505: 25–50% MD programs; 50–75% DO programs.

Is 70% on UWorld bad?

No, 70% on UWorld is generally not bad; it's considered a solid, above-average score, especially on a first pass, indicating you're in good shape for exams like the NCLEX, where averages around this mark often predict high pass rates, though the key is learning from mistakes, not just the score itself.
 

Is UWorld alone enough for MCAT?

UWorld is amazing for practice questions, but you'll need other resources for content review. Use AAMC's official practice tests and materials for a well-rounded approach. UWorld helps with practice, but you need content review to round out your prep.

How many hours should I study for the MCAT?

Depending on your baseline score on a diagnostic test, you should plan on studying for 300-500 hours to be prepared for the MCAT. These study hours can occur over a small number of long days or spread over the course of a 6-month MCAT study schedule.