Is MCAT curved?

Asked by: Savanna DuBuque I  |  Last update: July 5, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (29 votes)

The MCAT exam is not graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when you test or who tests at the same time you did.

Is it hard to get a 500 on the MCAT?

The MCAT is very hard. A 500 is an average (50th%ile) score. Applicants to Med schools (MD and DO) who score a 500 have almost no chance of admission. To be competitive, a score above the 75th% , preferably higher, is recommended.

How is the MCAT curved Reddit?

AAMC specifically mentions on their website that MCAT is not curved. Rather that it is scaled. @lowlypaste mentioned this in one of his posts: "1)The scale you get is based on how people who got tested on the questions before you did.

Is the MCAT getting harder?

The AAMC essentially does a “curving” against the difficulty of the test from across 20,000 test takers. It's not curved against the 20 kids in the room with you. So, assuming that in any two or three-year period the pool of premeds doesn't change much, it can't get any harder.

What is the hardest section of the MCAT?

The Most Difficult MCAT Test Section

Many students report that the most difficult section is CARS, and the average scores reported by AAMC back that up. The lowest average section scores overall and for matriculants are in CARS.

Is The MCAT Curved? -Jack Westin

22 related questions found

Is 490 a good MCAT score?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 490 on the MCAT means you performed in the 20% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is it hard to get a 510 on the MCAT?

508-510 are all fine, and if you don't get accepted with a score in that range, it's not because of your MCAT score. Anything that's 510 and above will help you. This is going to discourage a lot of people because they may only be getting a 504 or 505.

Is MCAT all multiple choice?

The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is more than just a formality for medical school admissions. It is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized exam that is required for admission to med schools in the United States and Canada.

How big is the MCAT curve?

One of the most important things to note about the scoring process is that the MCAT exam is NOT graded on a curve. Instead, the MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning no matter when you take your exam.

How is the MCAT actually scored?

Each MCAT section is scored on a scale of 118–132 (highest). Your MCAT total score (whch is the sum of your section scores) ranges from 472–528. Because different versions of the test have varying levels of difficulty, the scale will be slightly different from one MCAT administration to the next. Score a 510.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for med school?

Your goal is to get a 3.7 or better.

You want to be right in the middle of the average GPA for matriculants (people who have a 100% success rate of getting in), not just for applicants (who, remember, have a 41% success rate). A 3.7 means getting A's in 70% of your classes (with nothing lower than a B in the rest).

Is 479 a good MCAT score?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 479 on the MCAT means you performed in the 2% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is there calculus on the MCAT?

Any math that is on the MCAT is fundamental: just arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry. There is absolutely no calculus on the MCAT. Math-based problems will appear mostly in the Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems section.

Should I retake a 509 MCAT?

So, a 509 MCAT score will put you a good place to get accepted in one of those schools. Retaking the MCAT likely wouldn't benefit you in this situation. The same goes for other medical school-heavy states, such as California or Texas.

Should I retake a 508 MCAT?

If their scores are below the average of their safety schools, they should usually retake the test. The average MCAT score matriculants in the most recent application cycle was about 510 to 511. Generally, Ken would recommend students who got lower than 508 to retake the test.

Is 506 a good MCAT score?

A low MCAT is an MCAT that does not match the MCAT requirements of the schools you are applying to. More specifically, a score of 506 is considered to be on the lower end of the scale. With a score of 504-506 or lower, you are not going to be a very competitive candidate.

Is 488 a good MCAT score?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 488 on the MCAT means you performed in the 16% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is a 505 A good MCAT score?

There are very important conclusions we can make based on these data. Although the mean total MCAT score among all test takers is 505.9, most successful MD applicants typically achieve an MCAT total score at or above the 65th percentile (i.e., 506+).

Can I get into med school with a 487 MCAT?

To guarantee success in med school, all you need is a 504. There is no meaningful difference in success rates (both in graduation and at the USMLE) of applicants scoring between a 504 MCAT and a 528.

Is 514 a good MCAT score?

To get an excellent MCAT score means to score in the overall 90th percentile, which currently means a score of 515 or greater. Anything above the score of 517 is considered as outstanding.

Is 520 a good MCAT score?

The total maximum score you can get on the MCAT is 528. So, a score of 520 is a very strong score! It puts you in the top 98th percentile of all MCAT test-takers. To put the score into perspective, the median MCAT score for matriculants in the 2019-2020 academic year was 511.5.

What does an MCAT score of 519 mean?

Attaining a score of 519 on the MCAT means you performed in the 98% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

How do you get a 528 on the MCAT?

Each of the four MCAT sections is scored from a 118 to a 132, and when you add these four sections up, you can score anywhere between a 472 and a 528. If you score a 132 on each section, you will achieve the perfect 528 MCAT score.