What professions need the MCAT?

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is primarily required for MD (Allopathic) and DO (Osteopathic) medical schools in the US and Canada, but it's also accepted or required by other health professions programs, including Podiatric Medicine (DPM), certain Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs, and some graduate programs like Medical Sciences (SMPs), serving as a key indicator for readiness for rigorous medical studies.

What professions require the MCAT?

General

• M.D.-granting programs.
• D.O.-granting programs.
• Podiatric (D.P.M).
• Veterinary medicine (D.V.M).
• Any other health-related program that will accept MCAT exam results to satisfy a test score admissions requirement.

What profession is the MCAT for?

The MCAT exam tests examinees on the skills and knowledge that medical educators, physicians, medical students, and residents have identified as key prerequisites for success in medical school and practicing medicine.

What programs need MCAT?

Most MD-granting and DO-granting programs require you to take the MCAT in order to apply. A high MCAT score (at least 506-511) improves your chances of getting accepted into medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) administers this test about 30 times from January to September each year.

Is MCAT harder than 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.
 

5 Things I Wish I Knew About the MCAT

Did Mark Zuckerberg score 1600 on SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often around the average or slightly below for highly selective MD programs, but strong enough for many schools, especially with an upward trend and a good MCAT score. A 3.7 combined with a strong BCPM (Science) GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) and compelling extracurriculars makes you a viable applicant, though lower GPAs might need more exceptional scores or experiences to compensate. 

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. 

Is 2 months enough to study for MCAT?

Yes, 2 months (around 8 weeks) can be enough to study for the MCAT, but it requires intense focus, consistent daily hours (often 30-40+ hrs/week), a strategic plan, and depends heavily on your existing knowledge base, with many recommending 3-6 months for a less rushed approach. A 2-month plan demands prioritizing high-yield topics, frequent practice tests, and efficient content review to cover the vast material, focusing on skills like passage analysis and stamina building. 

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 are the 7 MCAT subjects?

The MCAT not only measures your content knowledge in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology, it also tests your critical analysis and reasoning skills. Scoring well on the MCAT can greatly increase your chances of getting into your target medical school.

How long is the MCAT valid for?

When do MCAT scores expire? Most schools will accept a score taken within three years of expected matriculation. If you are applying for 2025 matriculation, your MCAT can be as old as 2022. A fair number of schools will accept a score that's four years old.

Is the MCAT for nurses?

Healthcare teams and nurses do not take the MCAT. Future doctors take the MCAT, an admissions test to medical school. Vocational nurses would only take the MCAT if they wanted to attend medical school to become doctors. Those who wish to enter nursing school must take the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills).

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

What's the lowest MCAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22, 2025.

What majors DO best on the MCAT?

First, students majoring in humanities, math, and physical sciences dominated multiple MCAT sections and had the highest medical school acceptance rates by a significant margin. Second, students majoring in health sciences, social sciences, and other majors scored lower on the MCAT and had the lowest acceptance rates.

What would a 70% on the MCAT be?

A 70th percentile on the MCAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in a competitive range for MD medical school admissions, though specific school averages vary. Your actual score might differ slightly as percentiles shift, but this score is strong, showing solid performance above the average (around 500).
 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.
 

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. 

Can I get into NYU med school with a 3.7 GPA?

Entrance Metrics

NYU's competitive candidates for allopathic (MD) medical schools traditionally earn a 3.6–3.7 GPA overall and in the sciences and score above the 88th percentile on the MCAT entrance exam.

What is a realistic GPA for medical school?

What is a competitive GPA for medical school? A competitive GPA for medical school is generally 3.6 or higher. On average, successful matriculants — students who are accepted and enroll — have higher GPAs than other applicants.