You can retake the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) if you haven’t already retaken it too many times. But should you? That question requires us to answer a few other questions.
The average MCAT score of all test-takers is 500.7. The average score for applicants is between 506 and 507, but the average MCAT score of successful matriculants is 511.9. Therefore, a large percentage of MCAT examinees don’t make it into medical school or don’t even apply because their scores are too low.
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. If you scored 506-511, you may not need to retake the MCAT, but you could if you were certain you’d score much higher (especially if you have your sights set on the Ivy League).
LISTEN: Should I Retake the MCAT? Dr. Ken Tao & Dr. Sahil Mehta Answer Your Questions
Here is how many times prospective doctors can take the MCAT, according to the AAMC, which administers the test:
- In a single testing year: Up to 3 times
- Over two consecutive years: Up to 4 times
- Overall lifetime limit: No more than 7 times
Failure to attend a scheduled examination or voiding your MCAT contributes to your lifetime limit.
I’m Ken Tao, PhD, and as the Director of MCAT at MedSchoolCoach, I help aspiring medical students with the MCAT every single day. MCAT preparation is pivotal on the path to medical school admissions, and understanding how many times you can take the MCAT is essential.
Let me take you through everything you need to know about retaking the MCAT.
Concerned about your score holding you back in medical school applications? Our tutoring students score an average of 12 points higher than their previous MCAT result after working with MedSchoolCoach.
What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Retake the MCAT
All MCAT attempts will be visible on your medical school application. Some admissions officers mainly look at your most recent score, while others take the average of all your attempts. Most schools look unfavorably on you if you don’t improve your score significantly with retakes, so it can work against you if you’re not certain you can make a big improvement (at least 5 points).
Before you decide to retake, know that you’ll have to study hard. When you retake the MCAT, you must be 100% sure you’re going to get a higher score. Scoring about the same or losing a point or two is a sign that you didn’t make a significant improvement to your knowledge before an MCAT retake.
MCAT scores are not everything. Factors such as a weak GPA or no clinical experience can drag your med school application down even more than a 505 on the MCAT. If your personal statement is weak, MCAT prep courses may not be what you need.
I recommend only retaking the MCAT three times maximum. If you’re still not breaking 500 on the third try, it can look bad on your med school application that you tried so many times and couldn’t raise your score above the 50th percentile. Consider other passions you have, even those still connected to healthcare.
Of course, there are rare success stories of people who got their goal MCAT score on their seventh try, and there are rare success stories about people getting into the school of their choice with a 501 MCAT score. But these are exceedingly uncommon. If you want to maximize your chances of acceptance, stick to these guidelines.
Read Next: The Benefits of MCAT Podcast Audio Studying
Ask Yourself These 8 Questions First
You need to ask yourself a few FAQs before deciding to retake the MCAT. Be honest with yourself about each answer.
WATCH WEBINAR: Should You Retake the MCAT? Detailed Answers
1. Can I Improve My Score by 10 Points or More?
If you only improve your MCAT score by a couple points, AdComs may not see that as a good enough improvement to justify an offer of acceptance. Improvement by 4-5 points may justify a retake, but an improvement of 10 points would be a slam dunk.
A target score of 512 is safe for medical school applications, although 516 would greatly increase your chances. The highest score possible is 528, but admissions committees don’t expect med students to get perfect test scores. They’re looking for passionate students who demonstrate comprehension, determination, and growth.
2. Should I Set My Sights on Programs With Lower Requirements?
For instance, if you wanted to go Ivy League but scored a 510, maybe you just need to apply to different places. Consider applying to state schools or those without the Ivy League “brand name.” If your score is lower than a 510, it won’t hurt to add DO and Caribbean medical schools to your list, since these may require lower MCAT scores.
Want to build the perfect medical school list for your AMCAS and AACOMAS applications? We’ve got the tool you need.
3. Is This the Right Career Path for Me?
If you scored under 500 and feel like you really did your best, an MD may not be the right thing for you. Retaking is probably not worth it. Consider other healthcare jobs, or think about other passions you have.
4. Was Your Actual MCAT Score Reflective of Your Ability?
If you were averaging 510-512 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.
5. What Can You Do Differently to Perform Better?
If you are going to retake the MCAT, you need to use a different strategy. Obviously, the strategy you used before did not work. The change could be as simple as giving yourself enough time to prepare before the test date, or you may need to completely change your study schedule.
Consider working with an MCAT tutor. Don’t expect to magically improve your score without making any proper adjustments.
6. Do You Have a Balanced Sub Score?
Not all MCAT scores are created equal. If your initial score is a 131 Chem/Phys, 123 CARS, 129 Bio/Biochem, and 130 Psych/Soc, that is very different from a 128 Chem/Phys, 128 CARS, 129 Bio/Biochem, and 128 Psych/Soc. While both scores are a 513, the applicant with the second score has an advantage in admissions.
Medical schools could screen out the applicant with the first score due to a poor CARS score. Many schools even have specific MCAT section cut offs for their applicants. If any of your section scores are below 124, especially CARS, consider retaking the MCAT.
7. How Badly Do You Want to Become a Doctor?
In a sense, the MCAT is supposed to “weed out” less committed applicants during the admissions process. Thus, the MCAT tests whether you’re willing to go the extra mile, if you’re ready to make the necessary sacrifices, if you’re honest with yourself.
Read Next: How Do I Know I Want To Become A Doctor?
8. How Much Does It Cost to Retake the MCAT?
Standard MCAT registration is $335, while the Fee Assistance Program Registration lowers the MCAT cost to $140. There is an additional $120 fee for examinees testing outside the United States and Canada.
There are rescheduling and cancellation fees, but this is different from retaking the test. If you’re simply retaking the MCAT, standard registration fees apply. And it’s not just the cost of retaking the MCAT to consider — applying to medical school is likely to cost thousands of dollars.
It all comes down to your future prospects. If you’re confident that a new strategy, possibly including a tutor, can help you gain enough points to make the difference between medical school or not, it’s worth the money to go in that direction.
How to Prepare for a Retake
If you’re retaking the MCAT, proper test prep is paramount. Below are my top tips to help you retake the MCAT and raise your score:
- Take practice tests. Full-length practice exams before test day can identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus your efforts effectively. I wouldn’t retake the MCAT until you’re scoring higher on practice exams than you did on your first attempt.
- Focus on high-yield topics. Concentrate your study plan on the subjects and areas that will have the biggest impact on your score. Learn the best study plans from 99th-percentile MCAT experts here.
- Use MCAT Go and the MCAT Prep app. These valuable and convenient study aids provide insights that efficiently increase your preparedness for the MCAT exam.
- Don’t waste time on the wrong study resources. Use reputable resources that align with the MCAT’s proper format. Consider seeking guidance from experienced mentors or tutors.
- Review CARS everyday. The hardest MCAT section for most test takers is Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS). This unique section requires interpreting passages critically. Don’t get overwhelmed. Try going over a few CARS passages each day, and you should see improvement in no time. If you need extra help, check out CARS Mastery.
- Review strategies for MCAT math. You won’t get a calculator, so go over the shortcuts and formulas you’ll need for the MCAT.
- Get tutoring from MedSchoolCoach. Improve your MCAT by 12 points or more! If you’re struggling with the MCAT, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. Our team at MedSchoolCoach offers expert tutoring services designed to help you maximize your MCAT performance. Many of our students have improved their MCAT scores by more than 12 points — a great sign of growth on an application.
Improve Your Score by 12+ Points on Average
Retaking the MCAT is a big commitment. You don’t want to retake the MCAT if you don’t have to.
Our 99th-percentile tutors have helped thousands of students like you improve their MCAT scores by an average of 12 points! Use their experience to your advantage.
