Is Med school harder than the MCAT?
Asked by: Prof. Verner Eichmann | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (52 votes)
Most agree medical school is objectively harder and more demanding over its four years, involving deeper clinical application, high stakes, and continuous assessment (like USMLEs), while the MCAT is a single, grueling, broad, content-heavy test under intense pressure that serves as the gateway to medical school, making it stressful but a different kind of challenge. The MCAT tests breadth of basic sciences and critical thinking, whereas medical school (and later boards like Step 1) requires immense depth, application, and clinical reasoning.
What would a 70% on the MCAT be?
A 70th percentile MCAT score means you scored better than 70% of other test-takers, translating roughly to a scaled score of 507-508, which is considered a competitive score for MD programs, falling above the average for all test-takers (~500) and often within range for MD school matriculants (average ~512). While not a guaranteed acceptance, it positions you well, especially when applying broadly.
How bad is a 487 MCAT score?
A 487 MCAT score is considered below average (around the 11th-14th percentile), making it challenging for most U.S. medical school admissions, as competitive scores are typically above 511; however, acceptance is possible at some DO or less competitive MD programs, especially with strong extracurriculars, a good GPA, or an even score distribution (e.g., 122/122/122/121), but a retake is often recommended for broader opportunities, focusing on improving weaker sections.
What is the hardest test to become a doctor?
USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
Most U.S. medical students spend six to twelve months preparing for each step with extensive study resources and practice questions. The exam tests a wide array of content, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical problem-solving.
Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?
No, a 3.7 GPA is generally not bad for medical school; it's considered quite competitive, though not a guarantee, especially for top-tier MD programs where averages hover around 3.8, but it's strong for many schools and can be excellent with a strong MCAT and holistic application. Your Science GPA (BCPM) and upward grade trends are crucial, as a 3.7 cumulative with a lower science GPA (e.g., 3.3) might be a red flag, while a strong science GPA with it is very positive.
The 6 Levels of Competitiveness Every Premed MUST Accomplish
What are the odds of getting into med school?
Chances of getting into medical school are competitive, with overall MD acceptance rates around 41-44%, meaning roughly half of applicants get in, but strong candidates with high GPAs (around 3.7+), strong MCAT scores (511+), extensive clinical/research experience, and compelling essays have much better odds, sometimes exceeding 60% for top applicants, while many schools accept less than 10% of applicants, with in-state status often helping at public schools.
Will a 3.3 GPA get me into med school?
The typical cutoff for DO programs is around a 3.4 GPA, while most MD programs require at least a 3.7 GPA.
What is the easiest med school?
There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average stats, often including regional schools or those focusing on primary care, like the University of North Dakota, Mississippi School of Medicine, East Carolina (Brody), Mercer University, UMKC, Meharry Medical College, and Ponce Health Sciences University. These schools often prioritize in-state applicants, underserved populations, or rural medicine, so your location, mission alignment, GPA/MCAT, experiences, and personal narrative are crucial, even at these schools.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
How rare is a 525 MCAT?
A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the 100th percentile, meaning you scored better than 100% of test-takers from the last three years (2022-2024). While the highest score is 528, a 525 is just three points shy, demonstrating mastery that makes applicants highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools, though a strong overall application (GPA, extracurriculars, etc.) is still crucial.
What is a top 1% MCAT score?
A top 1% MCAT score generally starts around 517-518+, with the highest percentile being the perfect 528, but scores in the low 520s (like 521-522) already put you in the 98th percentile or above, meaning you're scoring better than nearly everyone else and firmly in that elite tier for top medical schools, though a 528 is statistically extremely rare.
Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 500?
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.
What is the Harvard MCAT score?
The average MCAT score for students accepted to Harvard Medical School (HMS) is extremely high, typically around 520-521, with most successful applicants scoring in the 512-528 range, indicating mastery in all sections. While there's no official minimum, competitive scores are well above the 80th percentile (around 512+), reflecting Harvard's highly rigorous and holistic admissions process that values exceptional academic performance alongside experiences and personal attributes.
Is the MCAT all multiple-choice?
The MCAT is completely multiple-choice. The score range of each of the 4 MCAT sections is 118-132, for a total perfect score of 528. The lowest possible score is 472. Each of the four sections is worth 25% of your final score.
Has the MCAT gotten harder over the years?
The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is not getting harder over time. The MCAT changed in 2016, and some people say it is harder, but it remains relatively consistent. Even so, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) normalizes scores based on the scores of a particular MCAT.
Which is the hardest exam for doctors?
Ans- INI-CET and INI-SS are the toughest medical entrance exams in India. This is because of fewer seats and tougher competition.
In which country is education toughest?
Here's a list of contries with the toughest education system. 1-China 2-Russia 3-Korea 4-India 5-Singapore 6-Hongkong 8-Italy 9-Poland 10-Czech Do you think this list is incomplete?
Who is the easiest exam in the world?
List of Easiest Exams in the World
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
- National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Exams.
- Cambridge English: Key (KET)
- SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam.
- IELTS General Training Test.
- Gaokao Mock Test.
What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?
The "32-hour rule" in medical school admissions refers to a policy where some medical schools focus on an applicant's GPA from their most recent 32 credit hours of coursework (around the last one or two semesters), rather than their entire undergraduate transcript, which can help students with a poor start but strong recent performance. This rule allows for a fresh start, often benefiting those who excel in post-baccalaureate or graduate studies and demonstrating recent academic capability, with schools like Wayne State, Michigan State, Boston University, and LSU-New Orleans noted for using similar policies.
What is the easiest doctor to be?
Least Competitive Medical Specialties
- Family Medicine. Average Step 1 Score: 216.1. ...
- Psychiatry. Average Step 1 Score: 223.1. ...
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Average Step 1 Score: 224.2. ...
- Pediatrics. Average Step 1 Score: 226.4. ...
- Emergency Medicine. Average Step 1 Score: 231.1. ...
- Internal Medicine (Categorical) ...
- Anesthesiology.
How many people are rejected from med school?
But here's the truth: medical school rejection isn't the end of your path to becoming a doctor. In fact, it can be the beginning of a new, even more rewarding journey. Every year, approximately 60% of applicants to U.S. medical schools are turned away.
What's the lowest GPA med schools will accept?
The lowest GPA for medical school varies, but a sub-3.0 GPA is a significant hurdle, while most accepted students average around 3.7+, with strong science GPAs also crucial; however, holistic reviews mean exceptional MCAT scores, post-bacc success, compelling experiences, and mission-driven schools can sometimes accommodate lower GPAs, though improving your record via post-baccalaureate programs is often necessary.
Can a 3.3 GPA get into Harvard?
Getting into Harvard with a 3.3 GPA is highly improbable but technically possible, as Harvard uses holistic admissions, but successful applicants usually have GPAs around 3.9-4.0, requiring you to have an extraordinary profile in other areas (extracurriculars, essays, unique talents, or exceptional standardized test scores) to overcome the low GPA, with very few admitted students falling significantly below the average.
Can I get AB and still go to med school?
Even with lower GPAs, applicants can still get into medical school, experts say. "A high MCAT score, which is the great equalizer and the only way med schools can objectively compare applicants, can certainly offset a lower GPA," Freedman says.