A score of 515 on the MCAT will exceed the applicant mean and increase your chances of medical school acceptance, but should also be supplemented by an impressive GPA and meaningful experiences.
Keep in mind that admissions committees take an holistic approach when reviewing applications. Therefore, when preparing for the MCAT you should think outside of the box.
Scores and Percentiles
At 515 on the MCAT, you are in the top 10% of test takers and could significantly increase your chances of acceptance into medical school (assuming other aspects of your application are also strong).
When the AAMC evaluates an MCAT score, they first calculate how many questions you answered correctly in each of its four sections and then convert that number to a scaled score from 118-132/80 before totalling all your section scores for an overall MCAT score.
Your MCAT results also include a percentile rank for each section, which indicates what proportion of test-takers scored lower than you. For instance, a PSBB score of 126.1 would put you into the 90th percentile — that means 88% of other applicants scored below you!
What is a 515 MCAT Score?
An MCAT score of 515 indicates that you outshone 90% of other test takers, making you highly competitive among top medical schools. When combined with an impressive GPA, such an outstanding MCAT performance will form the basis of your academic career in medicine.
An ideal MCAT score should fall at or above the matriculant average (which measures students who were accepted into medical school), according to data provided by AAMC’s MSAR online resource.
To achieve your desired MCAT score, it is necessary to create a study plan tailored specifically to your strengths and weaknesses. A customizable MCAT study plan makes it simple to adjust according to available time before test day; thus maximizing score potential.
What is a 520 MCAT Score?
A score of 520 on the Medical College Admission Test is in the top half of scores that medical schools consider for admission, meaning you are at least competitive for most MD and DO programs in North America, depending on which school it comes from.
Your score places you in the 97th percentile, meaning that you outperformed 98% of other test-takers! Congratulations – you should feel proud of yourself for such an outstanding achievement!
Be mindful that having an MCAT score that stands out is only part of your application to medical schools; they will also assess your grades, research projects, and experiences as part of their decision process. Therefore, it is important not to place too much emphasis on MCAT scores; focus on building an outstanding application instead. Before retaking the exam again, review AAMC statistics of schools you wish to apply to as well as whether or not there are ways you could increase it from your previous attempt.
What is a 510 MCAT Score?
A score of 510 on your MCAT would put you in the 81st percentile among all test takers; this score puts you in good standing to be competitive for most medical schools if coupled with strong GPA and application essays.
The MCAT contains four sections, and your score in each will depend on how many questions are correctly answered within that section. Although wrong answers won’t count against you, scoring well on all four sections is key to reaching a passing mark on this exam.
Kent emphasizes the significance of performing well on the Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB) section as this indicates knowledge about factors affecting an individual patient’s behaviors. He adds, however, that this section isn’t particularly difficult on the MCAT test.
What is a 520+ MCAT Score?
A 520 MCAT score can be an ideal starting point for medical school applicants, but you must keep in mind the specific medical schools you’re applying to and their respective MCAT requirements before making this determination. Also be mindful of individual section scores to create a balanced overall score.
An impressive score of 520 puts you in the 97th percentile – an accomplishment worthy of celebration! That means you outscored 97% of other aspiring medical students. Congratulations on an accomplishment well deserved!
If you’re thinking about taking another MCAT test, make sure you give yourself ample time and consider all possible advantages and disadvantages carefully before making a decision. Retaking can be expensive and time consuming; before taking it again you will want to ensure you improve your score, as well as take time modifying your study approach in order to address whatever held you back the first time around.