We’ve guided countless students through their MCAT preparation, adapting to changes in the exam along the way. This experience has given us unique insights into the strategies and techniques that consistently deliver the most significant score improvements. So, if you’re trying to break into the MCAT 520 percentile, here are the top five things you can do to make those score jumps.
How To Increase Your MCAT Score From 500 to 520
1. Do as Many MCAT Practice Questions as You Possibly Can
No matter how you choose to study for the MCAT, the most effective way to get your highest MCAT score and break into the MCAT 520 percentile is to complete practice questions. This means taking actual full-length practice MCAT exams or completing questions from an MCAT qbank.
The best part about MCAT practice questions is that you can start early, even before you complete all your content review. Doing a large volume of practice questions will help you see the patterns that strong MCAT test takers often see, such as what the questions are really asking for.
2. Ask For Help Early
That may sound like a no-brainer, but this applies both to your science courses and your MCAT studies. Some of the highest MCAT scorers we know had strong self-awareness and knew their limits. When they encountered a topic where they really struggled, they asked for help, be it from their peers, an MCAT tutor, their academic support center, upperclassmen, etc.
By attacking the topics head-on that they were struggling with (instead of avoiding the discomfort), they were able to make rapid progress, ensure that they had a stronger foundation of their science knowledge, and ultimately set themselves up for greater success on the MCAT.
Regarding the CARS section, it’s normal to struggle because it’s out of the norm of what you would see in a typical science classroom. However, the good news is that CARS is essentially testing your testing abilities. Investing in learning the CARS section will also help you tackle questions in every other area of the exam.
3. Make An MCAT Study Plan
Again, this may sound like another no-brainer, but we cannot emphasize this enough. The majority of students who just wing their MCAT prep often do not rise to their fullest potential on the MCAT. Why? For a couple of different reasons:
Underestimating the MCAT
If you’ve taken most or all of the required science courses for the MCAT and done decently well, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of underestimating the breadth of the MCAT itself and how it’ll test your knowledge. Students who embarked on their studies without structure have often lamented that it wasn’t until they were more than halfway through that they realized just how much they had yet to cover.
MCAT Resource Overload
It feels like there are a bajillion MCAT resources out there. It can be all too easy to jump from resource to resource, slowly burying yourself alive under growing piles of books in an attempt to “do it all.” Good news: That’s not necessary. We usually recommend students use the AAMC materials (non-negotiable) and another primary resource that feels like the best fit for them.
💡 Pro Tip: Blueprint MCAT have access to the most representative MCAT practice exams and prep courses designed to fit every learning style. Find the one that works for you here!
4. Study Efficiently, But Also Allow Yourself Plenty of Time Where Necessary
MCAT prep looks different for every student. Some students have stronger foundations of knowledge and/or are stronger standardized exam takers. However, when it comes to your reading skills for the CARS section, make sure you give yourself enough time—perhaps more than you think you actually need.
We can’t tell you how many students have come to us lamenting their CARS score. Start early. Do CARS practice questions like it’s your job. Celebrate your progress. And if you get bored with CARS practice questions, mix it up by reading dense publications like the Economist, medical journals, or the New Yorker.
For the science sections, don’t try to skip over your areas of weakness. Keep a lessons learned or wrong answer journal to track the type of questions you continue to get wrong and how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
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5. Mindset Is Key
Another differentiating factor that has stood out among the highest and 520 percentile MCAT scorers is their ability to stay positive and motivated. Few people actually like standardized exams, but just because you hate taking these tests does not mean it has to be miserable.
Try to adapt a winning mindset. Tell yourself you can and will do it, no matter how long it takes. Stay positive. Celebrate your progress and your consistent effort along the way! Remember that you are not alone on this path. Countless other premeds are striving alongside you.
Final Thoughts
Medical school is an incredible journey, and you will ultimately benefit in ways you can’t yet imagine if you start to cultivate your mental resilience, stamina, and agility now. This is a difficult and rewarding path to take, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can thrive in medical school and beyond.
No matter where you are in the premed journey, Blueprint MCAT is here to support you every step of the way with expert MCAT prep and admissions consulting.
Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course, or the 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, we have the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!
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