Score Analysis
Is 512 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 512 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
512 is the 84th percentile and just above the MD matriculant median. At this score, the MCAT starts to be a small positive rather than a neutral on your application.
What 512 means in the applicant pool
512 to 514 puts you in the 84th to 89th percentile, above the MD matriculant median. The MCAT becomes a clear positive on your application, and the full middle tier of MD programs treats you as academically competitive. Top 20 schools are still reaches, but mid-to-upper-tier MD programs open up, and the rest of your application becomes the primary driver.
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 512, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 55 to 70 percent with a 3.7+ GPA. 512 with a 3.7+ GPA puts MD acceptance odds near 65 percent at matched-median schools. The DO pool is numerically over, and admissions outcomes are driven by the non-score application.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Roughly 80 to 90 percent with a 3.6+ GPA.
MD schools to consider with a 512
Your score matches the medians of a wide middle tier: strong state schools, research-second private schools, and most programs outside the T20. Apply broadly with a 20 to 30 school list targeted to mission fit.
Schools are grouped by how a 512 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 The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.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 (80)
Your 512 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
+ 65 more MD target schools.
Reach schools (28)
Your 512 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
+ 20 more MD reach schools.
Stats-positive MD programs (20)
Your 512 sits above the 75th-percentile MCAT at these programs.
DO schools to consider with a 512
Your score is well above the DO matriculant average, so DO admissions is largely a function of application strength rather than score. The most competitive DO programs are comfortably in play.
Stats-positive DO programs (14)
Canadian MD programs
This is a comfortably competitive range for most Canadian MD programs. Toronto, Queen's, and McMaster (with a CARS of 127+) treat this score well. Western is realistic if each section is 127 or higher, which is a meaningful constraint even at this total. Alberta and Calgary accept with 128+ CARS for non-residents. UBC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Dalhousie are realistic with in-province preference. Ottawa, McGill, Laval, Sherbrooke, and Montreal do not require the MCAT.
Canadian schools mapped to 512
How the 512 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 512 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 512 total
A 512 with 122 CARS still gets interviews at most state MD schools, especially in Texas and the Midwest. It rules out McMaster and seriously hurts at CARS-weighted US schools. If CARS is the only weakness and the rest of your application is strong, many students apply this cycle rather than retake.
A 512 with a 120 CARS closes McMaster and hurts at a handful of CARS-weighted US programs. Most US MD programs with holistic review treat the total comfortably.
Low C/P with a 512 total
Low C/P at 513 often reads as a physics or biochemistry gap. For research-heavy schools and MD-PhD programs, it can matter. For most MD programs, a total of 513 with a 121 C/P is still interviewable, especially at state schools.
Balanced vs. split profile
A balanced 513 (128/128/129/128) is significantly stronger for Canadian applications than a split 513. For US applications, balance still matters but is weighted against holistic factors like story, activities, and mission fit.
Should you retake a 512?
The risk-reward on a retake at 512 is poor except for T20-concentrated target lists. Most applicants benefit more from application polish than a score retake.
Retaking at this range only makes sense if you are targeting T20 programs with 518+ medians. The risk-reward of a retake (1 in 4 retakers score lower) compared to the marginal benefit at mid-tier schools usually favors applying now. If your target list is heavy on research-first T20s, retaking can be justified if you can credibly expect a 3+ point gain.
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 512 a good MCAT score?
512 is the 84th percentile. It sits above the MD matriculant median. The MCAT becomes a small positive on your application, and the full middle tier of MD programs is in play. 512 is the 84th percentile and just above the MD matriculant median. At this score, the MCAT starts to be a small positive rather than a neutral on your application.
What medical schools can I get into with a 512 MCAT?
For MD, Your score matches the medians of a wide middle tier: strong state schools, research-second private schools, and most programs outside the T20. Apply broadly with a 20 to 30 school list targeted to mission fit.. For DO, Your score is well above the DO matriculant average, so DO admissions is largely a function of application strength rather than score. The most competitive DO programs are comfortably in play.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 512?
Do not retake. The risk-reward on a retake at 512 is poor except for T20-concentrated target lists. Most applicants benefit more from application polish than a score retake.
What percentile is 512 on the MCAT?
512 is the 84th 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.