Score Analysis
Is 500 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 500 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
500 is the exact MCAT midpoint and the 49th percentile. It is the score most often described as 'average' but sits slightly below the DO matriculant average of 503.
What 500 means in the applicant pool
This range straddles the 40th to 52nd percentiles and sits at or slightly below the DO matriculant average of 503. AAMC Table A-23 puts MD acceptance below 15 percent at most GPA levels here, but DO matriculation is realistic, especially with a 3.6+ GPA and osteopathic shadowing. Many successful DO matriculants come from this range. For MD, this is usually a retake-if-you-can range, because the 3 to 5 point jump that typically comes with a second attempt changes which schools are realistic.
MD acceptance odds at this score
AAMC Table A-23 aggregates three application cycles of real MD applicant data to map MCAT and GPA combinations to acceptance rates. At 500, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 10 to 20 percent with a 3.7+ GPA, sharply lower below that. 500 with a 3.8 GPA gives MD acceptance odds around 30 percent per AAMC A-23. DO with the same GPA is realistic with a broad list.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Around 35 to 50 percent at mid-range DO programs with a 3.6+ GPA.
MD schools to consider with a 500
A limited list of mission-driven MD programs and some in-state public schools remain in play, but none of them are reaches that a strong GPA and narrative can easily compensate for.
Schools are grouped by how a 500 compares to their matriculant interquartile range. Target schools place your score inside the middle 50% of admitted students (roughly 25th-75th percentile). Reach and safety are sorted by the gap. The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.
Target schools (1)
Your 500 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
Reach schools (6)
Your 500 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
DO schools to consider with a 500
The DO path is genuinely realistic in this range and is what most successful applicants with these scores pursue. Expect to apply to 15+ programs and submit early.
Target DO schools (10)
Reach DO schools (31)
Canadian MD programs
The MCAT portion of most Canadian MD applications is not competitive at this range. Ottawa and McGill do not require the MCAT, and all four Quebec medical schools (Laval, Sherbrooke, Montreal, McGill) accept applications without the MCAT for most applicants. Toronto, McMaster (CARS-only), Western, Queen's, Alberta, Calgary, and UBC remain out of reach.
How the 500 realistic school list compares
The section-split edge cases
The MCAT total tells only part of the story. Adcoms also look at section balance, and two applicants with the same 500 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 500 total
A low CARS (120 or below) in this band narrows the DO list too, because a few DO programs screen out outlier subsections. It also closes off McMaster and Western in Canada entirely.
A balanced 500 (125/125/125/125) reads cleanly to most adcoms. A 500 with a 120 in one section often costs more interviews than its total would suggest.
Low C/P with a 500 total
Low C/P in this range often points to general chemistry gaps. Retake-prep built around Henderson-Hasselbalch, stoichiometry, and basic kinetics tends to recover this section fastest.
Balanced vs. split profile
Balanced sections (all around 125) read better than a split at this total. Adcoms discount a 120 outlier section more heavily here than at higher totals, because the floor is already close to the cutoff.
Should you retake a 500?
A retake is usually worth it at 500 because the jump from 500 to 504 materially changes the realistic DO list. For MD applicants, the case for retaking is even stronger.
A retake is worth strong consideration if you can commit to a meaningfully different prep plan. Data suggests 3 to 5 point gains are realistic with 3+ months of changed approach, and the jump from this band into the 505 to 509 band genuinely opens up more DO programs and a handful of MD options.
Before registering for a retake, run the numbers. Our MCAT Retake Calculator uses AAMC retake score-change data to estimate your realistic retake outcome based on your current score, practice average, and study time. It is free and takes under two minutes.
For a deeper framework on the retake decision, see the full Should You Retake the MCAT guide, and if your score is below your practice average, the MCAT Score Not Improving guide walks through the four error types that drive most plateaus.
Frequently asked questions
Is 500 a good MCAT score?
500 is the 49th percentile. It sits below the DO matriculant average of 503 and well below the MD median of 511 to 512. DO admissions is realistic; MD is a narrow, mission-driven list. 500 is the exact MCAT midpoint and the 49th percentile. It is the score most often described as 'average' but sits slightly below the DO matriculant average of 503.
What medical schools can I get into with a 500 MCAT?
For MD, A limited list of mission-driven MD programs and some in-state public schools remain in play, but none of them are reaches that a strong GPA and narrative can easily compensate for.. For DO, The DO path is genuinely realistic in this range and is what most successful applicants with these scores pursue. Expect to apply to 15+ programs and submit early.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 500?
Retake recommended. A retake is usually worth it at 500 because the jump from 500 to 504 materially changes the realistic DO list. For MD applicants, the case for retaking is even stronger.
What percentile is 500 on the MCAT?
500 is the 49th percentile according to AAMC data in effect May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
Related scores
See all score-by-score guides in the full MCAT Score Guide, or check the complete MCAT percentile chart.