What's considered a bad MCAT score?

A bad MCAT score is generally considered anything below 500, as the average is around 501, but what's "bad" depends on your target schools, with competitive programs often expecting 510+. Scores below 498 are often seen as needing a retake, while even 499-505 might warrant retaking for top-tier schools, though some programs accept lower scores.

What is considered a bad MCAT score?

A great score is 515 to 528 (the maximum possible score), while an average score is 502 to 508. In contrast, a poor score is 501 and below. This guide will go over what a good MCAT score is and how medical schools use your score to make their decision.

Is 470 a good MCAT score?

No, a 470 MCAT score is generally considered low and below average, falling well below the 50th percentile (around 502) and the average for accepted MD students (around 512), significantly reducing chances at most U.S. medical schools, though some DO or international programs might consider it with exceptional other application components. The MCAT score range is 472-528, with 472 being the lowest possible score, and while some programs have lower cutoffs, 470 is well below most competitive thresholds.
 

Is a 505 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 505 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 70% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is a 480 on the MCAT good?

Attaining a score of 480 on the MCAT® means you performed in the 3% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 120 (C/P) 120 (CARS) 120 (B/B) 120 (P/S).

You Got a Bad MCAT, Now What?

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.

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 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.

Should I retake a 518 MCAT?

You scored a 518 or higher.

With scores at this level, an MCAT retake is not necessary because schools will consider you to be academically elite.

Can I get into med school with a 490 MCAT?

All medical schools require an MCAT score of 494 or higher. A 490 places you well below this minimum threshold for consideration. You should consider retaking the exam or applying to the few schools that don't require the MCAT at all.

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.

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'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 the lowest MCAT score accepted to MD?

What is the Lowest Score Accepted by Medical Schools? You'll need a minimum score in the 490-495 range to be accepted into any medical school that requires the MCAT. Anything lower than 490 is very unlikely to be acceptable. It should be noted, though, that very few test-takers score in this range.

Can you get into med school with a 480 MCAT?

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted into medical school? The lowest MCAT scores accepted by medical schools can vary, but generally, MD programs accept scores starting around the lower 500s, with 500-503 being on the lower end.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted for Harvard?

While Harvard Medical School (HMS) doesn't publish a minimum MCAT score, accepted students typically have scores in the low 500s or higher, with averages around 520, but exceptional extracurriculars, research, and personal narratives can allow admission with lower scores, like a 515, especially with a high GPA, though even lower scores (like the 511 range for MD-PhD) are seen but are rare for MD-only. 

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.
 

Can a high MCAT help a low GPA?

A high MCAT score can help offset a low GPA. You know you are ready for the MCAT when you are earning competitive scores on full-length practice tests. Raise your undergraduate GPA to at least 3.0. This is the minimum GPA for admission to many medical schools.

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. 

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).
 

How many lifetime attempts for MCAT?

MCAT examinees can test up to three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. An examinee cannot take the exam more than seven times in their lifetime.

What is the lowest GPA a med school will accept?

The lowest GPA for medical school is generally around 3.0, but anything below a 3.5-3.7 is considered low for MD programs, with DO (Osteopathic) schools often accepting slightly lower averages (around 3.2-3.4). While a low GPA (below 3.0) is a major hurdle, exceptional factors like a high MCAT score, significant upward trends in post-background studies (like SMPs or post-baccs), and compelling clinical/extracurricular experiences can sometimes overcome it, but it's challenging.
 

Is a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Yes, a 480 is generally considered a low and below-average MCAT score, placing you in the 3rd percentile, far below the ~500 average and significantly below the 511+ competitive range for most MD programs, making a retake highly recommended to improve your chances for acceptance. While some DO schools or unique circumstances might accept it, it puts you at a major disadvantage against the typical applicant pool, with most scoring under 500 not even applying due to low odds. 

Can a high GPA offset a low MCAT?

Many medical schools consider both metrics in context; this means that one can often offset the other. For example, a high GPA may allow for a slightly lower MCAT score, while a strong MCAT can compensate for a lower GPA.