Is a 512 MCAT good enough to secure a spot in medical school? You probably spent months staring at organic chemistry structures and drinking enough coffee to power a small city.
Now you have your score, and you are wondering if it opens the door to an acceptance letter. Let us look at the exact numbers and facts to see where a 512 stands in the grand scheme of admissions.
We will break down the percentiles, the average accepted student scores, and the exact steps you should take next.
What Does a 512 MCAT Score Mean for Your Percentile?
The Association of American Medical Colleges releases official percentile ranks every year to help students understand their standing. A 512 MCAT score typically lands you right around the 80th to 85th percentile.
This means you scored higher than roughly 80 to 85 percent of all test takers over the last few testing years.
Scoring in the 80th percentile puts you in the top fifth of all examinees. You have clearly mastered the material and put in the necessary study hours.
| Total Score | Approximate Percentile | Meaning for Your Application |
|---|---|---|
| 508 | 74th | A solid score for many state schools |
| 510 | 79th | Competitive for most allopathic programs |
| 512 | 83rd | Very strong position for medical school |
| 514 | 88th | Highly competitive for top-tier programs |
How Does a 512 Compare to Average Medical School Matriculants?
You need to compare your number against the students who actually get accepted, not just the people who take the test. U.S. News & World Report tracks these averages annually for both MD and DO programs. The average MCAT score for students entering allopathic medical schools usually sits around 511 or 512.
This means your score is right on par with the national average for accepted students. You are in a very solid position to receive interview invitations from many different programs.
Public state schools might look for residents with this score, while private institutions might weigh it alongside your research experience. Osteopathic medical schools also view this score very favorably, as their average matriculant score usually hovers around 504 to 506.
Why Your Section Breakdown Matters Just as Much
Admissions committees look at your individual section scores, not just the total number at the top of the page.
A 512 with a 125 in the reading comprehension section tells a very different story than a 512 with a 132 in that same section. Medical schools want to know you can read a dense research paper without falling asleep during your clinical rotations.
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations: Shows your basic science knowledge and lab skills.
- Chemical and Physical Foundations: Proves you understand the physics and chemistry of the human body.
- Psychological and Social Foundations: Demonstrates your grasp of patient behavior and societal health factors.
- Reading Comprehension: Confirms you can analyze complex arguments and extract main ideas quickly.
The official score report from the testing body breaks down your performance by specific content categories. This helps you see exactly which biology or physics topics need more review.
A balanced score across all four sections looks much better than a lopsided one. Try to keep all your section scores within three or four points of each other.
Deciding If You Should Retake the Exam
If your 512 includes a very low section score, you might want to try again. Schools often flag applications with a section score below 124, even if the total score is high. If your overall undergraduate GPA is on the lower side, a higher MCAT can help balance your academic record.
The MedSchoolCoach admissions team often advises students to retake the exam if their practice tests consistently show they can score a 516 or higher. If your actual score matches your practice test averages, you have likely reached your testing ceiling.
Finding the Right Study Resources to Boost Your Score
If you decide to study again, you need good materials to push your score higher. You can get up to 53% off Kaplan courses to access top-tier practice exams, detailed video lessons, and personalized study plans. These comprehensive packages include massive question banks that mimic the actual testing environment.
Many students wonder how much Kaplan costs. The final price depends on whether you want self-paced videos or live instruction with a real teacher. Both options provide excellent resources for improving your section scores.
Final Thoughts on Your 512 MCAT Score
A 512 is a very respectable score that puts you in the running for many medical schools across the country.
Focus on writing strong personal statements and gathering solid letters of recommendation from your professors. Your hard work has already paid off, and now it is time to let your entire application shine.