What percentage of students take the MCAT more than once?

Asked by: Teagan Simonis  |  Last update: June 27, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (19 votes)

DATA ON RETAKING THE MCAT EXAM
Since this exam's introduction in 2015, the vast majority of examinees (just under 95%) have tested at most once or twice. About 5% have tested three times. Only about 1% of examinees have tested more than three times.

How many times does the average person take the MCAT?

No matter which score holds the most weight, the admissions panel will see all of your attempts. Whether it's intentional or not, the number of attempts you make could have an effect on the admissions decision. Generally, medical schools prefer that students take the MCAT no more than three times.

Does it look bad to take the MCAT twice?

Does retaking the MCAT look bad? Like reapplying to medical school, retaking the MCAT does not inherently look bad. That said, you should strive to take the MCAT as few times as possible.

How many times do students take the MCAT?

The MCAT exam can be taken up to three times. Two consecutive-year period: The MCAT exam can be taken up to four times.

Is taking the MCAT three times bad?

No. All MCAT scores matter, but your highest score matters most by far. Some students see that and think, "Sweet, I'll plan to take it 3 times!"…which would, for most students, be a mistake.

5 Tips to Achieve a 99.9th Percentile MCAT Score

33 related questions found

Should I retake a 512 MCAT?

If you were averaging 510-512s on your practice AAMC exam but scored much lower on test day, this is a good reason to retake the MCAT. The lower score is more likely due to nerves, pressure, lack of sleep, or sickness than lack of knowledge and ability.

Should I retake MCAT if I got a 511?

In most cases, the previous year's matriculants set the standard. So, if the matriculants of your school of choice had the average MCAT of 511, you should aim to achieve a score of no less than 511. It's important to achieve not only a high overall score, but consistently high scores in each section.

How many times is too many times to take the MCAT?

Basically, you should take the MCAT no more than three times. It's not that students have not been accepted after taking the exam four or five times. Instead, it's that your chances of admissions just start to drop considerably after taking the exam more than three times.

Can medical schools see voided MCAT?

Voiding your exam

You will be given two options, one that will say “I wish to have my MCAT exam scored,” and one that will say “I wish to VOID my MCAT exam.” If you void your MCAT exam, you will not get a score and medical schools will not see it on your record. It is as if you have never taken the test.

Is the 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.

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.

Should I retake a 514 MCAT?

If you've scored a 514 or above you should probably not retest. If your score is in the middle of these two extremes, your GPA may be the deciding factor. As the table shows, a score below 498 corresponds to an 18% chance of acceptance, even with a fantastic GPA of 3.79 or higher.

Is 510 a good MCAT score?

A "good" MCAT score is one that puts you near or above the average percentile for matriculants at your target medical schools. For comparison, the average MCAT score for students admitted to an MD program in the United States in 2017–2018 is between 510 and 511, with an average GPA of 3.71.

Is a 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.

Is a 500 MCAT score good?

The average score to put you in the 50th percentile is about 500, or 125 on each section. But even then, being in the 50th percentile is considered to be quite low. In general, anything below a cumulative MCAT score of 510 is considered to be a borderline score.

Can you choose which MCAT score to send?

No. All scores from every time you've taken the MCAT are reported and sent to the colleges you designate. The only exception is that if you tested prior to April 2003, you can select which of those pre-April 2003 scores to send to colleges.

Why do people void the MCAT?

Many test writers decide to void the MCAT when they feel they did not perform well, but the reality is, most people feel really bad after finishing the MCAT but still end up with competitive scores. ... Most schools will only look at your highest MCAT score, however, a minority may consider your most recent attempt.

Does rescheduling MCAT count as an attempt?

Keep in mind that if you cancel your MCAT registration in time, it will not count as an attempt. A no-show, however, will go towards the maximum amount of times you can take the MCAT. Learn more about how many times you can take the MCAT.

Can you use your phone during MCAT breaks?

Use Your Breaks Smartly

On the actual MCAT exam day, you are not allowed to use your cellphone or any electronic device. You can't access any academic material or course notes and can't leave the testing center.

How much does the MCAT cost Canada?

To register for the MCAT at a US or Canadian center, you pay USD $320. International registration fees include an additional $120 charge on top of the $320. Keep in mind that international and Canadian students may also have to pay local taxes as applicable in addition to the above costs. 2.

How long should you study for the MCAT?

So, where should you start? Most people need 10–15 hours per week to study for the MCAT over a period of at least four to six months . In total, you should aim for at least 200 to 300 hours of MCAT study time.

Is MCAT pass fail?

First, the good news: You can't actually fail the MCAT. You might have received a very low score, but the MCAT score report does not include a “pass/fail” designation.

What percentile is 505 on MCAT?

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

How many times can you write the MCAT in Canada?

The MCAT exam is offered at various centres in Canada from the end of January to early September. An individual can only register for one test session and can take the exam a maximum of three times a year. Students are recommended to register at least 60 days prior to their preferred exam date.

What happens if you do worse on your second MCAT?

Taking the MCAT more than once will not necessarily hurt your application – unless you receive a lower score on the later exam than your previous exam(s).