What Is a Good MCAT Score for Med School?

If you’ve been obsessively Googling MCAT score ranges and comparing yourself to Reddit threads, you’re not alone. Every pre-med wants to know: what MCAT score actually counts as good enough for med school? The truth is, it depends — on your goals, your school list, and your overall application. Let’s break it down.

Why Do MCAT Scores Matter So Much?

The MCAT isn’t just another standardized test. It’s designed to measure how ready you are for the academic rigor of med school. Admissions committees use it as a comparable benchmark across applicants, since GPAs can vary depending on schools and professors.

• High scores can offset a lower GPA.
  
• Average scores might still get you in with strong extracurriculars, clinical hours, and letters of recommendation.
  
• Very low scores? They can limit your options, no matter how good the rest of your application is.
  

So yes — your MCAT score matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters.

What Is Considered a “Good” MCAT Score?

A “good” MCAT score is one that makes you competitive for the schools you want to apply to. Since the MCAT is scored from 472 to 528, with 500 as the median, here’s how ranges usually break down:

• 510+ → Competitive at many MD programs
  
• 515–520 → Strong score for top-tier schools
  
• 520+ → Exceptional, very competitive nationwide
  

Remember: the average matriculant score at U.S. MD programs hovers around 511–512. So if you’re hitting above that range, you’re putting yourself in a strong position.

Should You Retake the MCAT If Your Score Isn’t “Good Enough”?

It depends. A retake can be worth it if:

• Your score is below 500, and your dream schools average much higher
  
• You know you didn’t prep effectively the first time
  
• You realistically have time to improve your score by 5–7+ points
  

But if you’re sitting at a 510–512, and the rest of your application is solid, a retake might not be necessary — especially if your target schools’ averages are in that range.

How Can You Actually Land That “Good” Score?

Here’s where prep strategy matters: the MCAT tests your mastery and reasoning, not just memorization. You need creative, high-yield, structured resources—not scattershot notes, review videos, or question dumps.

That’s exactly why Med School Bro created the Complete MCAT Bundle, designed to help you study smarter:

• Covers all 4 MCAT sections—Chemistry & Physics, Biology & Biochemistry, Psychology & Sociology, and CARS—with targeted summary sheets for high-yield clarity
  
• Comes as a spiral-bound guide plus interactive eBook format: annotate, highlight, and carry it anywhere. Includes a 1-year license to the online eBook, complete MCAT question bank, and access to the MedSchoolBro AI Assistant
  
• Packed with custom illustrations, creative visuals, and thought-triggering layouts that simplify complex concepts and make them stick
  
• Embeds hundreds of AAMC-style questions within the guide itself—practice while you read, think like the test maker, and build active recall habits in real time
  
• Trusted by thousands of students who’ve credited the guide with improving their scores, especially in tough sections like CARS, Psych/Soc, and Bio/Biochem

Ready to Aim for Your Best MCAT Score Yet?

A “good” MCAT score isn’t one magic number — it’s the score that gets you into the med schools on your list. With the right prep, you can get there.

→ Check out the Complete MCAT Bundle — your all-in-one resource to study efficiently, retain more, and score higher.