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Medicine is always a promising field of work, where they always need professionals. These may be completely different professions, but everyone involved in medicine should know a lot and be prepared for various stressful situations (especially when it comes to people’s lives).
If you have chosen this path for yourself, you are ready for the challenges that can await you in medical school. But before that – MCAT. This is the ticket to your cherished profession. But which MCAT scores are considered good? How are they calculated?
Table of Contents:
What is a good MCAT score?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam required for admission to most medical schools in the United States and Canada. It is an important exam that requires thorough preparation.
The results of this test are valid for 3 years. It’s also vital to remember that you can retake it up to three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive years, and seven times in a lifetime.
This exam consists of 4 parts:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Emphasizes understanding of the psychological and socio-cultural factors that influence behavior.)
A good MCAT score is the sum of these four parts. Hence, you should prepare yourself to take maximum from everywhere as the competition in medical schools is very high.
How to apply for MCAT?
To apply for the exam, you should first visit the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website and create an account there. And then there are these steps:
- Choose a Test Date and Location: The MCAT is offered multiple times throughout the year at various locations. Check the AAMC website for available dates and testing centers.
- Register Early: Seats can fill up quickly, especially in popular locations. It’s advisable to register several months in advance.
- Fee: As of 2024, the registration fee for the MCAT is around $330, with additional fees for late registration or changes. Fee assistance is available for eligible applicants through the AAMC Fee Assistance Program.
- Prepare Required Documents: Ensure you have valid identification and other required documents for registration and on test day.
How long does the exam take?
The MCAT is a long and fairly rigorous test that takes you a total of 7.5 hours (including breaks). Here’s a breakdown of the time allocation:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 95 minutes
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 90 minutes
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 95 minutes
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 95 minutes
The duration of the exam itself is approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. During this time you will have to solve 230 questions. There are no penalties for getting a wrong answer on this test, so even if you’re unsure, it’s worth trying to see if you can get a good MCAT score range through luck.
There are also breaks between exam sections, as well as a longer lunch break. This brings the MCAT total time up to 7.5 hours
Types of questions
There is only one type of question in the MCAT: multiple choice. Each question has several options from which you need to choose the most appropriate option.
AAMC MCAT score report
You can find out how well you did on the test on the official AAMC page. Results are usually available 30-35 days after the test. What kind of result do you get?
The official score report from the Association of American Medical Colleges includes:
- Total Score: The combined score of all four sections.
- Section Scores: Individual scores for Chemical and Physical Foundations, CARS, Biological and Biochemical Foundations, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations.
- Confidence Bands: Ranges indicating the likely true score for each section.
- Percentile Ranks: Percentiles showing how your scores compare to other test-takers.
- Score Profile: A graphical representation of your performance across different sections.
What is a good MCAT score?
A good MCAT score depends on the medical schools you are aiming for. Generally, the highest MCAT score ranges between 511 and 528 and is considered very good and competitive for top medical schools.
Scores between 503 and 510 are above average and acceptable for many medical schools. Scores between 486 and 502 are average, and while still considered, they may be less competitive. Those below 486 are the lowest MCAT scores and may make getting into most medical schools harder.
Also remember that if you have a low GPA, you will have to score higher on the test to compensate for this deficiency.
You can see data on the acceptance rates of different universities on their websites. Besides, we strongly recommend comparing your grades to your medical school stats. It may allow you to assess your capabilities better.
What else does my med school need?
A good average MCAT score is not the only thing medical school will require of you. To apply to medical school, you need:
- Your GPA
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Extracurricular activities
- Previous volunteer or research activities
Upon admission to the medical college, It’s important to consider all factors, because the admissions committee looks at the big picture: they care not only about your grades, but they also want to learn about you as a person.
But EssayEdge‘s professional team of editors can help you with your medical school essay and help you truly unleash your potential. They may also give you some tips for the personal statement. They won’t write the texts for you – instead, they will gently guide you in the right direction. They are the ones who can reveal something unique in you that may surprise and catch the eye of the admission committee.
Conclusion
The MCAT is a test that can make up for your poor GPA and make you a successful candidate for medical school. That’s why you should prepare well for this test (230 questions!). Perseverance can certainly help you with this since memorizing such a volume of information is not easy.
