What score is 60th percentile on MCAT?

A 60th percentile MCAT score typically falls around 503-504, meaning you scored better than 60% of test-takers, considered above average but often below the average for accepted students at many medical schools, especially top-tier programs. This score is often competitive for DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) programs or lower-ranked MD programs but might need boosting for highly selective MD schools, where scores in the 510+ range (78th percentile and higher) are more common, according to a Reddit post and other sources.

What is the 60th percentile MCAT score?

Scoring approximately 70% correct on the MCAT typically translates to a total score between 500 and 505, placing you around the 50th to 60th percentile.

Is scoring in the 60th percentile good?

The score they use to determine if a student is above average is the National Percentile Rank. A percentile rank score of 60 or above is considered above average.

What MCAT score is 50th percentile?

Your MCAT total score will range between 472 and 528, with 501.5 marking the mean, or 50th percentile. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored between 118 and 132, with the 50th percentile coming in around 125 for each section, though it does vary slightly from section to section.

What score is 60% on CARS?

CARS is scored on the same scale as every other section and range from 118 to 132. What makes the CAS scores different are the percentile that corresponds to an individual section score. For example, a 125 in chemistry and physics section is 53rd percentile while a 125 in CARS is 60th percentile.

5 Tips to Achieve a 99.9th Percentile MCAT Score

How do med schools view a 516 MCAT score?

According to recent AAMC stats, a 516 on the MCAT is not a bad score because it's an above-average MCAT score, and it is competitive for med-school admission: A 516 is 93 percentile rank on the MCAT. * The current average MCAT score is at the 501 mark, and a 516 is 15 points ahead of that score.

Should I retake a 516 MCAT?

Bottom line: If you scored 498 or below, I definitely recommend retaking the MCAT. 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. 

Is the 60th percentile big?

If your child is in the 60th percentile, they're slightly above average—bigger than 60% of babies and smaller than about 40%. This is well within the range of typical growth.

How to determine the 60th percentile?

Simple Steps to Calculate the Kth Percentile

1. Sort the Data: Arrange all the numbers in your dataset in ascending order (smallest to largest).
2. Count the Numbers: Find out how many numbers are in your dataset. ...
3. Calculate k/100: Divide your desired percentile (k) by 100. ...
4. Find the Index: Multiply the result from Step 3 by n.

What percentile is a 1470 SAT score?

It places you in the 97th to 99th percentile, meaning you performed better than almost all test takers nationwide. For context, the national average SAT score is roughly 1050, and most students fall within a wide midrange of 900 to 1200.

What is the average MCAT score 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.

How important are MCAT percentiles vs GPA?

A 3.5/30 will make you relevant at most medical schools, but you may need 3.5/33 to be competitive. A high MCAT score can bring up a lower GPA – and vice versa – but only to a certain extent. A low score on either will draw red flags, making you unlikely to be accepted.

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 getting a 510 on the MCAT hard?

It is not hard to get a 510 as it is at the 80th percentile. That means 20 percent of test takers score 510 or better, which means it is a very reachable goal. However, it requires a lot of studying to get a high MCAT score. Fortunately, at 510 and up, you'll be a competitive candidate.

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 the lowest MCAT score accepted into med 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.

How does a 516 MCAT score affect admissions?

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. A score over 517, the 94th percentile in 2026, should nearly guarantee admission.

What is the average MCAT score for Mayo Clinic?

Applicants should aim for an MCAT around 521. A minimum of 508 is required for secondary application consideration.

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).

Does it look bad to retake MCAT 3 times?

Is It Bad To Retake the MCAT More Than Once? Retaking the MCAT multiple times isn't necessarily bad as long as your score improves each time. If your score worsens with each attempt or stays the same, it won't strengthen your med school application.