Score Analysis
Is 506 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 506 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
506 is the 68th percentile and matches the matriculant medians at several mission-driven MD programs including the University of Houston, East Tennessee State, and Howard.
What 506 means in the applicant pool
505 to 507 sits in the 65th to 72nd percentile, below the MD matriculant median of 511 to 512 but above the DO matriculant average of 503. MD admissions becomes genuinely possible here at low-median state schools and mission-driven private programs, especially with a 3.7+ GPA. For DO, this is at or above the typical DO matriculant average, which makes DO admissions solidly competitive rather than a stretch.
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 506, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 25 to 40 percent with a 3.7+ GPA. 506 with a 3.7 GPA puts MD acceptance around 40 percent at matched-median schools. DO with the same GPA is broadly competitive.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Roughly 60 to 75 percent with a 3.6+ GPA.
MD schools to consider with a 506
The realistic MD list widens to around 15 to 25 programs, dominated by public medical schools with in-state preference and a handful of mission-driven privates. Focus energy on schools with matriculant medians within 2 points of your score.
Schools are grouped by how a 506 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 The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.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 (23)
Your 506 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
+ 8 more MD target schools.
Reach schools (43)
Your 506 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
+ 35 more MD reach schools.
Stats-positive MD programs (1)
Your 506 sits above the 75th-percentile MCAT at these programs.
DO schools to consider with a 506
The DO list at this range is broad. Most applicants with a 3.6+ GPA applying to 15 or more programs submit successfully. Competitive DO programs become realistic.
Target DO schools (47)
+ 32 more DO target schools.
Canadian MD programs
A 506 meets the Toronto cutoff and, if CARS is 127 or higher, is realistic at McMaster where CARS is the only MCAT component weighted. Western still expects higher section scores (127 C/P, 127 CARS, 127 B/B, 126 P/S minimums), so it remains unlikely. Alberta and Calgary require 128+ in CARS for non-residents. UBC, Dalhousie, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba remain difficult at this total. McGill and the Quebec schools (Laval, Sherbrooke, Montreal) do not require the MCAT.
Canadian schools mapped to 506
How the 506 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 506 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 506 total
A 505 with a 122 CARS is a specific, well-studied pattern. CARS-heavy US schools (Georgetown, Ohio State) may pass, and McMaster closes entirely. Most DO programs remain fine. The retake question hinges on whether a targeted CARS-only retake approach is feasible.
A balanced 506 is a comfortable application for the DO pool and many state MD schools. A split 506 with a weak CARS signals to some adcoms and closes McMaster.
Low C/P with a 506 total
Low C/P at 506 (like 127/127/127/125 on the surface, but actually 121 C/P with compensating sections elsewhere) is uncommon and usually reflects a specific physics gap rather than a global problem. Targeted physics and gen chem review can move C/P 3 to 5 points.
Balanced vs. split profile
Balanced 505s and 506s (e.g., 126/126/127/127) are the most common pattern and read cleanly. A 507 with 132 in one section and 121 in another looks like a red flag to some MD adcoms who prefer consistency over peaks.
Should you retake a 506?
If your MD target list is dominated by schools with matriculant medians at or below 510, a 506 is competitive and retaking is lower priority. If you are targeting schools with medians above 512, retaking is worth serious consideration.
The retake calculus depends entirely on your target school list. If you need MD admission at schools with medians above 511, a retake is worth considering if you can show a clear reason to expect 3+ points of improvement. If DO is your target or your MD list is limited to schools with sub-510 medians, applying now is the stronger move.
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 506 a good MCAT score?
506 is the 68th percentile. It sits at the boundary between DO-competitive and MD-possible. A well-built application with this score can target DO broadly and a limited MD list. 506 is the 68th percentile and matches the matriculant medians at several mission-driven MD programs including the University of Houston, East Tennessee State, and Howard.
What medical schools can I get into with a 506 MCAT?
For MD, The realistic MD list widens to around 15 to 25 programs, dominated by public medical schools with in-state preference and a handful of mission-driven privates. Focus energy on schools with matriculant medians within 2 points of your score.. For DO, The DO list at this range is broad. Most applicants with a 3.6+ GPA applying to 15 or more programs submit successfully. Competitive DO programs become realistic.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 506?
Conditional. If your MD target list is dominated by schools with matriculant medians at or below 510, a 506 is competitive and retaking is lower priority. If you are targeting schools with medians above 512, retaking is worth serious consideration.
What percentile is 506 on the MCAT?
506 is the 68th 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.