Score Analysis
Is 526 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 526 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
526 is the 100th percentile. It is held by a tiny fraction of MCAT test-takers nationwide.
What 526 means in the applicant pool
525 to 528 is the 99th to 100th percentile. At this level the MCAT is no longer a meaningful selection signal for any US medical school, because such a small fraction of applicants reach this range. Admissions becomes entirely about narrative coherence, research depth, clinical exposure, and specific mission fit. A 525+ does not increase your chances at a T10 program materially more than a 520, because admissions committees at top programs are not selecting on MCAT above about 518.
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 526, the realistic range is roughly Around 85 to 90 percent with a strong GPA and application. 526 paired with a 3.8+ GPA is the top of the admissions grid. Application strength drives outcomes.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Not a relevant consideration at this score.
MD schools to consider with a 526
Every MD program in the country is numerically realistic. The application strategy is purely about fit and story, not about widening the reach list further.
Schools are grouped by how a 526 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 The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.
Stats-positive MD programs (13)
Your 526 sits above the 75th-percentile MCAT at these programs.
DO schools to consider with a 526
Not a relevant application path unless there is a specific osteopathic narrative.
Canadian MD programs
Universally competitive for every Canadian MD program from a score perspective. As with US T10, the total stops mattering above about 518, and section balance and the non-score application drive outcomes. A strong CARS is still the differentiating subsection for McMaster.
How the 526 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 526 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 526 total
Extremely rare at this total. If present, still interviews everywhere. McMaster the only firm no.
Balanced. Splits do not exist at this total in practice.
Low C/P with a 526 total
Rare. Typically a single-section outlier that no adcom will prioritize.
Balanced vs. split profile
Almost all 525+ totals are balanced. Split 525s are uncommon enough that adcoms will not treat them as concerning.
Should you retake a 526?
526 is above the practical admissions ceiling. No retake scenario adds value.
Never retake. A 525+ is functionally a ceiling for admissions purposes. Moving from a 526 to a 528 changes nothing about your admissions outcome and carries real downside risk.
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 526 a good MCAT score?
526 is the 100th percentile. It is at the 100th percentile. The MCAT is no longer a meaningful admissions differentiator. 526 is the 100th percentile. It is held by a tiny fraction of MCAT test-takers nationwide.
What medical schools can I get into with a 526 MCAT?
For MD, Every MD program in the country is numerically realistic. The application strategy is purely about fit and story, not about widening the reach list further.. For DO, Not a relevant application path unless there is a specific osteopathic narrative.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 526?
Do not retake. 526 is above the practical admissions ceiling. No retake scenario adds value.
What percentile is 526 on the MCAT?
526 is the 100th 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.