What's the lowest score you can get on the MCAT?

The lowest possible score on the MCAT is 472, which occurs when a test-taker scores the minimum of 118 on each of the four sections (Chemical & Physical, CARS, Biological & Biochemical, Psychological & Social Foundations); while 472 is the absolute floor, most medical schools consider scores much higher, typically in the 490-500+ range, with 500 being the average score.

What is the lowest MCAT score to be accepted?

The lowest MCAT score accepted by most medical schools in the US is 490-495. Scores below 490 are seldom accepted. That said, just meeting the minimum won't make you competitive.

Is a 490 a good MCAT score?

490 is well below the current US median matriculant MCAT (typically ~510--512). Most MD and competitive DO programs expect scores closer to the 50th percentile or higher. Admissions use MCAT as a screening metric. A 490 will place you in a category that many schools filter out automatically.

Is a 500 a bad MCAT score?

A 500 MCAT score is average (50th percentile) but generally considered low for competitive MD programs, where accepted averages are closer to 511+, but it can be acceptable for DO or lower-ranked MD programs, especially with a strong GPA and experiences, though many advisors suggest aiming higher or retaking for better chances at most schools.
 

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.

Low MCAT Score? These 8 Medical Schools Still Want You

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 the MCAT if I got a 500?

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.

Can I get into med school with a 495 MCAT?

In general: MCAT scores below 502 are considered below-average. 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.

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 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 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.
 

Should I retake a 516 MCAT reddit?

Your score is more than good enough and the truth is that even if you improve it by like 5 points pretty much nothing will change. There are very few schools that you wouldn't be competitive for with that score, and the exceptions are incredibly difficult to get into anyway.

Can you go to med school without MCAT?

The answer is yes! There are several baccalaureate-MD programs, such as BA/MD, BS/MD, and BFA/MD that do not require you to take the MCAT. In addition, there are early assurance and guaranteed admission programs, where you do not have to take the MCAT.

What is the lowest MCAT score 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 the average MCAT score for Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt Medical School Admissions Statistics

Average MCAT: 521 (with a median of 521.2) Applications received: 6,873. Acceptance rate: ~1.5%

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 a 480 bad on the MCAT?

Yes, a 480 is generally considered a low or below-average MCAT score, falling in the 3rd percentile, significantly below the average of around 501 and the competitive range (511+) for medical school admissions, making it challenging to get into most MD programs without a strong retake or exceptional other application components. However, your specific section scores and overall application (GPA, experiences) matter, and a balanced score (e.g., 120 in each section) is better than a skewed one, with DO or Caribbean schools potentially being more accessible. 

DO med schools average MCAT attempts?

Medical schools will see all of your MCAT scores via your AMCAS application. How they weigh those scores varies: Some schools use only your highest overall score. Others average all attempts.

Does MCAT outweigh GPA?

For some applicants, a higher MCAT score can help balance out a lower GPA—especially when that GPA reflects earlier academic struggles. In medical school admissions, a strong MCAT shows that you're academically ready for the demands of med school, even if your transcript is less than perfect.

What score is 50% correct on MCAT?

A 50% on the MCAT means you scored around the average (median) score, which is approximately a total score of 500-501, placing you at the 50th percentile (or slightly below, depending on the exact date) – better than half of test-takers but below average for successful medical school matriculants, who often score much higher. Each section (118-132) has its own 50th percentile around 125. 

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.

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 is the lowest GPA a med school will accept?

The lowest GPA for medical school is highly variable, but generally, U.S. MD programs often filter for GPAs below 3.0, with averages closer to 3.6-3.8; however, exceptional MCAT scores, strong post-baccalaureate work (like SMPs), or unique experiences can sometimes allow admission with GPAs in the low 3s, while DO schools might be slightly more lenient, sometimes accepting averages around 3.5.
 

How hard is the MCAT?

It all depends on your skills and knowledge levels.

Some will find it very tough, while others might be able to breeze through it. Depending on one's skills, knowledge, and level of preparation, the MCAT can prove to be very hard or manageable. Only a few will dare say that it's easy, however.