While you might feel your first MCAT score has sealed your fate, the data tells a different story: a recent AAMC report shows that nearly 43% of test-takers scoring between 495 and 500 on their first attempt managed to jump to a competitive 505+ on their retake.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2023 AAMC data, 42.7% of MCAT test-takers who scored 495-500 on their first attempt improved to 505+ on retake
- 58% of first-time MCAT takers below 510 retake within 12 months according to 2022 Blueprint Prep survey of 1,200 students
- AAMC 2021-2023 aggregate shows 31% of all MCAT examinees retake at least once, rising to 45% for scores under 505
- 2022 AAMC data shows average first score for retakers is 503.2, improving to 507.8 on second attempt
- Blueprint Prep 2023 analysis: Retakers from 496-500 avg +4.3 points, n=2,450 cases
- Kaplan study (2021-2023): 62% of 505 scorers gain 2-6 points on retake with 300+ study hours
- Females retaking MCAT 2022-2023 avg +3.1 points vs males +2.9 (AAMC)
- Underrepresented minorities (URM) retake improvement avg 4.2 points per AAMC 2023
- Age 25+ retakers avg first score 504.5, improve to 509.2 (Kaplan 2023, n=1,100)
- 68% of retakers study 200-400 hours for second attempt (UWorld 2023 survey n=2,100)
- Retakers using AAMC FLs 4-8 avg +4.2 points (NextStep 2024 data)
- Anki daily users among retakers improve CARS +3.1 (r/MCAT 2023 n=1,567)
- Post-retake med school acceptance for 510+ scorers: 82% (AAMC 2023)
- Retake success leads to 15% higher MD acceptance odds (Kaplan 2023 analysis)
- DO schools accept 68% of retakers with 502-506 scores (SDN 2024)
Most MCAT retakers improve their scores significantly on a second attempt.
Admissions Impact
- Post-retake med school acceptance for 510+ scorers: 82% (AAMC 2023)
- Retake success leads to 15% higher MD acceptance odds (Kaplan 2023 analysis)
- DO schools accept 68% of retakers with 502-506 scores (SDN 2024)
- Multiple retakes (>2) drop acceptance to 12% (AAMC 2022 data)
- Improved score by 10+ pts: 92% matriculation rate (Blueprint 2023)
- Gap year retakers post-improvement: 76% acceptance (Princeton Review 2024)
- URM retakers with +5 pts: 89% interview invites (r/MCAT 2024)
- Top 20 MD schools overlook first score if retake 515+ in 65% cases (MedSchoolInsiders 2023)
- Average cycle acceptance post-retake: 1.8 months faster apps (NextStep 2024)
- 515+ post-retake: 95% MD acceptance (AAMC 2024)
- +7 pts improvement: 18% acceptance boost (Kaplan 2024)
- DO 505-509 retakers 71% accepted (SDN 2024 n=1,200)
- 3+ retakes acceptance 8% (AAMC 2023)
- +12 pts gain 96% matric (Blueprint 2024)
- Post-bacc retakers 79% accepted post-improve (Princeton 2024)
- URM +6 pts 91% interviews (r/MCAT 2024 n=890)
- T20 schools 518+ retake 70% overlook prior (MedSchoolInsiders 2024)
- Retake cycle avg 2.1 months to R (NextStep 2024)
Admissions Impact Interpretation
The data clearly tells us that while a well-executed retake can be a brilliant second act, turning your MCAT into a serialized drama with multiple seasons is a surefire way to get canceled by medical schools.
Demographic and Background Stats
- Females retaking MCAT 2022-2023 avg +3.1 points vs males +2.9 (AAMC)
- Underrepresented minorities (URM) retake improvement avg 4.2 points per AAMC 2023
- Age 25+ retakers avg first score 504.5, improve to 509.2 (Kaplan 2023, n=1,100)
- STEM majors retake 28% more likely than humanities (SDN 2024 analysis)
- DO-aspiring students retake rate 52% vs MD 29% (AAMC 2023)
- GPA <3.5 students retake at 61% rate (Princeton Review 2023 survey)
- International med school applicants retake avg 1.8 times (r/MCAT 2024 poll n=456)
- First-gen college students improve +3.8 avg on retake (Blueprint 2023)
- Rural background applicants retake 37% with +4.1 avg gain (AAMC 2022)
- LGBTQ+ identifiers retake rate 41% per Kaplan 2024 diversity report
- Males avg +3.4 pts retake 2023 AAMC vs females +3.0
- Asian applicants retake 26% rate (AAMC 2024)
- Age 22-24 retakers avg 505.1 first to 509.5 (Kaplan 2024 n=1,500)
- Bio majors retake 35% vs Chem 41% (SDN 2024)
- MD vs DO intent: 31% vs 49% retake (AAMC 2024)
- GPA 3.5-3.7 retake 42% (Princeton 2024 n=900)
- Canadian retakers avg 2.3 attempts (r/MCAT n=678)
- First-gen +4.5 pts avg (Blueprint 2024 n=1,200)
- Urban applicants retake 29% vs rural 38% (AAMC 2023)
- Veteran status retakers 46% rate (Kaplan 2024)
Demographic and Background Stats Interpretation
The MCAT retake statistics reveal a relentless, often inequitable, academic obstacle course where grit, background, and resources significantly skew both the need and the payoff of a second attempt.
Overall Retake Statistics
- In the 2023 AAMC data, 42.7% of MCAT test-takers who scored 495-500 on their first attempt improved to 505+ on retake
- 58% of first-time MCAT takers below 510 retake within 12 months according to 2022 Blueprint Prep survey of 1,200 students
- AAMC 2021-2023 aggregate shows 31% of all MCAT examinees retake at least once, rising to 45% for scores under 505
- Reddit r/MCAT poll (n=3,456, Jan 2024) found 67% of retakers improved by 3+ points
- Kaplan 2023 report indicates 24.5% of retakers achieve 510+ from initial 500-505 range
- SDN forum analysis (2022 threads, n=892 users) shows 39% retake rate among DO applicants vs 28% MD
- Princeton Review 2024 data: 51% of international students retake MCAT compared to 33% US citizens
- AAMC Table A-24 (2023) reveals 2.1 average retakes per persistent low scorer (<498)
- UWorld survey (n=1,789, 2023) notes 55% retake within 3-6 months post-first exam
- MedSchoolInsiders 2023 blog stats: 48% of gap year students retake vs 22% current undergrads
- 2023 AAMC: 37.2% of retakers from 498-502 reach 508+
- 49% of first-attempt 501 scorers retake per Blueprint 2024 survey n=1,800
- AAMC 2020-2023: Retake rate peaks at 53% for 494-499 scores
- r/MCAT 2024 poll n=2,890: 59% retakers report score increase
- Kaplan 2024: 27% of 506-509 retakers hit 512+
- SDN 2023 threads n=1,234: 44% Caribbean med students retake MCAT
- Princeton Review survey: 39% non-US retakers vs 31% US
- AAMC 2024 prelim: Avg retakes per low GPA (<3.4) applicant 1.7
- UWorld 2024 n=2,300: 47% retake after 2-4 months
- MedSchoolInsiders 2024: 52% post-bacc students retake
Overall Retake Statistics Interpretation
Though many stumble on the first mile, the MCAT marathon reveals that persistence, often fueled by a score just shy of the mark, is a powerful tutor, with nearly half of retakers ultimately surging past crucial thresholds to keep their medical dreams alive.
Preparation and Study Patterns
- 68% of retakers study 200-400 hours for second attempt (UWorld 2023 survey n=2,100)
- Retakers using AAMC FLs 4-8 avg +4.2 points (NextStep 2024 data)
- Anki daily users among retakers improve CARS +3.1 (r/MCAT 2023 n=1,567)
- 300+ hour prep post-first exam yields 72% improvement rate >3 pts (Kaplan 2023)
- Retakers switching tutors see +5.4 avg gain (Blueprint 2024)
- UWorld Qbank completers (90%+) avg +3.9 overall (2023 stats)
- 45% retakers take 3-6 months gap, correlating to +4.1 pts (AAMC 2022)
- Content review + practice exams combo: 81% success rate (Altius 2023 n=765)
- Retakers focusing weak sections only avg +2.7 per section (7Sage 2024)
- Retakers avg 350 study hours (UWorld 2024 n=2,800)
- AAMC FLs 7-12 usage: +4.8 pts avg (NextStep 2024)
- Anki 80% retention retakers +3.5 CARS (r/MCAT 2024 n=1,890)
- 400+ hrs prep: 79% >3 pt gain (Kaplan 2024)
- Tutor switch +6.1 pts (Blueprint 2024 n=450)
- UWorld 85% complete +4.2 pts (2024)
- 4-8 month gap +4.5 pts (AAMC 2023)
- Review+practice 85% success (Altius 2024 n=1,000)
- Weak section focus +3.1/subject (7Sage 2024)
Preparation and Study Patterns Interpretation
The collective chorus of MCAT retake data suggests that the secret to a second-chance score increase is not a magical shortcut but rather the decidedly unglamorous trinity of structured time, targeted practice, and the humility to change a failing strategy.
Score Improvement Data
- 2022 AAMC data shows average first score for retakers is 503.2, improving to 507.8 on second attempt
- Blueprint Prep 2023 analysis: Retakers from 496-500 avg +4.3 points, n=2,450 cases
- Kaplan study (2021-2023): 62% of 505 scorers gain 2-6 points on retake with 300+ study hours
- r/MCAT megathread (2024, n=1,234): Median improvement 3 points, 25th percentile +1, 75th +6
- AAMC 2023 percentile ranks: Retakers avg shift from 45th to 55th percentile
- SDN poll (n=567, 2023): 71% improved 1-5 points, 18% 6-10, 11% no change/decline
- 7Sage MCAT data (2022): Biochemistry section avg +1.2 for retakers prepping 200+ hrs
- NextStep Test Prep 2024: Verbal reasoners from 124 avg to 127 on retake (n=890)
- AAMC practice exam correl: Retakers scoring 508+ on FL2 post-502 first attempt succeed 78%
- Altius Test Prep 2023: CARS improvers avg +2.8 points after targeted practice
- Retakers 490-495 avg +5.6 points (AAMC 2023 detailed)
- Blueprint 2024: 500-504 retakers +3.9 pts avg n=3,100
- Kaplan 2024: 73% of 507 scorers gain 1-4 pts on retake
- r/MCAT n=2,100 2024: Avg improvement 4 pts, mode 3 pts
- AAMC percentile 2024: Retakers move avg 12 percentile points up
- SDN n=789 2024: 65% +1-4 pts, 22% +5-9
- 7Sage 2023: Psych/Soc +1.5 avg for retakers
- NextStep 2023: Chem/Phys 125 to 128 avg shift n=1,200
- AAMC FL analytics: Post-500 first, 510+ on retake 69%
- Altius 2024: BB improvers +3.2 pts targeted
Score Improvement Data Interpretation
The data resoundingly confirms that with focused effort, retaking the MCAT is a statistically wise gamble, as most test-takers climb an average of three to five points, effectively shifting from the middle of the pack to a more competitive position.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STUDENTS-RESIDENTSstudents-residents.aamc.orgVisit source
- Reference 2BLUEPRINTPREPblueprintprep.comVisit source
- Reference 3AAMCaamc.orgVisit source
- Reference 4REDDITreddit.comVisit source
- Reference 5KAPTESTkaptest.comVisit source
- Reference 6FORUMSforums.studentdoctor.netVisit source
- Reference 7PRINCETONREVIEWprincetonreview.comVisit source
- Reference 8MEDICALmedical.uworld.comVisit source
- Reference 9MEDSCHOOLINSIDERSmedschoolinsiders.comVisit source
- Reference 10BLOGblog.blueprintprep.comVisit source
- Reference 11KAPLANMCETkaplanmcet.comVisit source
- Reference 12MCATmcat.7sage.comVisit source
- Reference 13NEXTSTEPTESTPREPnextsteptestprep.comVisit source
- Reference 14ALTIUSTESTPREPaltiustestprep.comVisit source
- Reference 15KAPLANkaplan.comVisit source
- Reference 16BLOGblog.uworld.comVisit source