What percent of MCAT takers get a 520?

About 3% of MCAT test-takers score a 520 or higher, placing them in the 97th percentile, meaning they scored better than or equal to 97% of other test-takers. This is considered a very high, top-tier score, but it's important to note that even higher scores (like 522+) are needed to be above the median at the most elite medical schools, according to Med School Insiders.

How rare is a 520 on the MCAT?

A 520 MCAT score is extremely rare and highly competitive, placing you in the top 3-4% of test-takers, generally the 97th percentile, meaning only a few thousand out of hundreds of thousands score that high annually. It's considered an elite score, excellent for highly selective medical schools, but achieving it requires exceptional performance across all sections, ideally with balanced scores.
 

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.
 

What percent of MCAT test takers get a 528?

A 528 MCAT score corresponds to the 99.9th percentile of all test takers, along with scores of 524 and above.

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. 

Rejected From 38 Medical Schools With a 520 MCAT. What Went Wrong? | Application Renovation (S3 E16)

What MCAT score is 95th percentile?

A 95th percentile MCAT score is typically a total score of 518, meaning you scored better than 95% of test-takers, placing you in a highly competitive range for medical school admissions, though this can shift slightly annually with new data. Scores around this range (e.g., 518-521) are excellent, indicating strong performance, with the highest percentile (100th) achieved at scores of 524-528. 

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.
 

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, perhaps only a handful across the entire test, but the exact number isn't fixed because scoring is scaled and depends on the test's overall difficulty and other test-takers' performance, meaning you could miss a few and still score high (around 97th percentile) or need near perfection. You can miss one or two questions per section and still score a perfect 132 on that section, but hitting a 520 (which requires high section scores like 130+) means extreme accuracy, often under 10 errors total for the whole exam. 

How hard is the MCAT realistically?

Yes, the MCAT is widely considered an extremely difficult, long, and challenging standardized test, often cited as one of the toughest graduate entrance exams, requiring deep conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and endurance over its ~7.5 hours, but it is manageable with diligent, smart, and consistent preparation over several months. 

What is a realistic MCAT score?

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.

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.
 

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. 

Should I retake a 520 MCAT?

Assuming a strong GPA and extracurricular profile, scoring a 518 or above will help you be competitive for the highest-tier schools, even if their average matriculant MCAT score is a 520 or 521. With scores at this level, an MCAT retake is not necessary because schools will consider you to be academically elite.

What is the most common MCAT score?

MCAT Self-Paced

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 ).

How good is a 520 MCAT score?

Yes, a 520 on the MCAT is an exceptional score, placing you in the 97th percentile or higher, making you a top contender for even the most selective medical schools like the Ivy League and top-tier programs, though a perfectly balanced score across sections is preferred for peak competitiveness. It signifies academic elite status, though holistic review means other factors like GPA, extracurriculars, and interviews also matter significantly.
 

What is the average MCAT score for Albert Einstein?

Accepted students at Einstein have an average MCAT score of 516. The 10th-90th percentile range is 511-520.

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.
 

How many hours to study for MCAT to get 520?

In general, you should spend at least 300–350 total hours studying for the MCAT, and up to 500 hours. This includes content review, taking practice tests, reviewing the practice tests, and studying what you miss.

What is the average MCAT score for 2025?

The average MCAT score for all medical school applicants in 2025-2026 is 506.1. The average MCAT score for all medical school enrollees was 511.8. As of 2025, the average score for the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section is 125.9, the highest of all sections.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT usually means a total score around 500-502, placing you at the 50th percentile (the average), meaning you scored better than roughly half of all test-takers, though this can fluctuate slightly with test years, with recent averages often being around 500.5. It's considered an average score, not necessarily competitive for top-tier schools but often meeting minimums for many programs, with scores above 508 being in the 75th percentile (good) and above 515 in the 90th percentile (excellent).
 

What's the hardest section on 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.
 

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 many questions are wrong to get a 520 MCAT?

To get a 520 on the MCAT, you generally need to miss very few questions, perhaps only a handful across the entire test, but the exact number isn't fixed because scoring is scaled and depends on the test's overall difficulty and other test-takers' performance, meaning you could miss a few and still score high (around 97th percentile) or need near perfection. You can miss one or two questions per section and still score a perfect 132 on that section, but hitting a 520 (which requires high section scores like 130+) means extreme accuracy, often under 10 errors total for the whole exam.