One of the surprises the MCAT has in store for students is the difficulty of the curve. Students expect a 30+ score — but soon find that 30+ scoring MCAT students are actually in the minority. Here’s the data:
The mean MCAT score for 2020 (including all test administrations of applicants) was 506.4. (In 2019, it was 506.1 so there is not a lot of variance). That means that the average MCAT test-taker gets a score that’s significantly lower than the golden 520 that most students aim for (and that most MD programs expect).
For some historical perspective:
- 2018, the average MCAT score of applicants was 505.6
- 2017, the average MCAT score of applicants was 504.7
- 2016, the average MCAT score of applicants was 501.8
Every year we hear from hundreds of students who took the MCAT previously and scored in the low 500s — and think their score was a disaster. That’s not the case — it’s an average MCAT score. Keep in mind that the pool of students taking the MCAT are generally high-achieving students who have made it to Junior year in a challenging pre-medical program. That means this is a massively more qualified pool than the SAT or ACT (or GRE for that matter).
Don’t settle for an average MCAT score! Get a competitive score with Blueprint MCAT! Prep at your own pace with the Blueprint MCAT Online Course or learn from real MCAT experts in the Blueprint MCAT Live Online Course. If you need more one-on-one attention, schedule a free consultation to learn more about private tutoring packages.
Related Post
Search the Blog
Free Consultation
Interested in our Online MCAT Course, One-on-One MCAT Tutoring or Med admissions packages? Set up a free consultation with one of our experienced Senior Student Advisors.
Schedule NowPopular Posts
-
-
MCAT Blog What's on the MCAT? -
-
-
MCAT Blog How to Review MCAT Full Lengths
Free MCAT Practice Account
Need great MCAT practice?Get the most representative MCAT practice possible when you sign up for our free MCAT Account, which includes a half-length diagnostic exam and one of our full-length MCAT practice exams.
Learn More