An Honest Lingoda German Review (Updated 2024)

lingoda german review
Lingoda German Review

Honest Lingoda German Reviews 2022: Is It Worth It?

In this Lingoda German review, we will talk about Honest Lingoda German reviews and some important topics one should highlight.

Introduction – Lingoda German Review

It’s a fallacy that learning German is difficult. Any language requires dedication and time to learn. The German language is the same way.

Thinking of learning German on Lingoda? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this Lingoda German Review, you’ll get a breakdown of all things German that Lingoda has to offer including pricing, duration, instructors, pros, cons, and more. It’s always best to make an informed decision. Read the complete Lingoda German Review to see if it’s the right choice for you.

An Overview of Lingoda as a Language Learning Platform

Lingoda is a language learning platform on which individuals can learn English, Business English, German, French, and Spanish. This platform offers live, online classes that can be attended one-on-one or in small groups.

The course curriculum and learning material are affiliated with the CEFR, i.e. the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

All of Lingoda’s courses are taught by native speakers of the languages taught. The platform is available 24×7 for classes as well as support. Learners from across the globe can sign up on Lingoda. Having taught over 80,000 students so far, the platform has gained popularity and built a name for itself. This can be seen in the 4.5 rating it has on Trustpilot. 

Along with regular language courses, the platform also offers faster-paced courses called Sprints and Marathons. These allow learners to pick up a language quicker and also have some interesting promotional offers that come along with them.

In this Lingoda German Review, we’re going to be focussing on its German courses. Keep reading to find out more!

Why German?

Did you know that German is the most widely spoken native language in the EU?

As if learning a new language wasn’t beneficial enough already, German takes this to a whole other level. Here are some of the top reasons you should learn German:

  • German is widely spoken. — It’s one of the ten most widely spoken languages in the world. It’s also among the top three languages that people set out to learn. 
  • Open up career & educational opportunities! — Working in Germany or for a German company becomes a lot more achievable if you know the language. Even if you plan to study in Germany, many courses require you to have at least a basic understanding of German, if not more. Since Germany boasts of both good working conditions and a great educational system, we’re sure this one caught your eye. 
  • An easy language to learn — German has a lot of similarities with English. This makes it an easy language to learn for English speakers.

Now that you know why learning German is a good idea, let’s see why you should learn German from Lingoda in this Lingoda German Reviews.

Lingoda German Details & How It Works?

how lingoda german works

Lingoda’s German courses promise to help you both professionally and otherwise. Lessons cover all aspects of German — reading, listening and also provides you with content to watch. The courses encourage learners to travel minus the language problems and make friends irrespective of the languages spoken. 

Lingoda German aligns with CEFR language learning levels. Lingoda offers a free placement test to understand your level. So, you don’t have to worry about that.

These are the CEFR levels:

  1. Absolute Beginner (A1)
  2. Beginner (A2)
  3. Intermediate (B1)
  4. Upper-Intermediate (B2)
  5. Advanced (C1)

We’ll dive deeper into each of these levels later in the article. 

Now, let’s understand more about how Lingoda German works, course durations, etc.!

While enrolling for Lingoda German, you can choose between a monthly subscription, a marathon, and a sprint. Monthly subscriptions allow for flexibility in terms of schedules, whereas Marathons and Sprints have more fixed schedules. The two of these are designed for students who want to learn faster and can commit time regularly. 

As for classes, Lingoda allows you to choose between group or one-on-one classes. This choice completely depends on your learning style and personal preference. Group classes make the process of learning more fun and interactive as you’re learning alongside other people at your level.

However, if you think having peers slows you down, or if you learn better solo, then opt for one-on-one sessions.

Rocket Languages Vs Rosetta Stone 2021: Which Is Best For You?

Also Read: Rocket Languages Vs Rosetta Stone 2021: Which Is Best For You?

What is Lingoda German Sprint? Who should choose it?

The Lingoda German Sprint is essentially a challenge extended by Lingoda to language learners. It’s a fast-paced course. Choose between a Sprint or Super Sprint. The Sprint involves 15 classes a month, scheduled on alternate days. The German Super Sprint involves 30 classes with one class every day. Both of these are for a set duration of three months. 

The most striking feature of Sprint is the cashback offer. If you attend all classes on time, have a stable network connection, and meet all requirements, you can get your fees back. For the Super Sprint, you can win back 100% of the amount paid, and for the Sprint, 50%. 

Enroll for the Lingoda German Sprint if:

  • You can commit to all of your scheduled classes and know that you can attend them for sure. 
  • You are looking to learn German over a shorter timeline. 
  • You’re ready for a fast-paced course. 

The Lingoda German Marathon, on the other hand, offers a little more flexibility. You can choose between 3, 6, and 12-month plans for Marathons. There are fewer classes to attend each month, and the rules are more relaxed. You must attend 90% of your classes to earn up to €400 cashback. 

If you’re looking to learn German at your own pace over a long period, opt for Lingoda’s monthly subscriptions instead.

Also Read: Pimsleur French Review

Features Of Lingoda’s German Course

Let’s talk about all that Lingoda has to offer German language learners!

  • Group and private sessions — Lingoda offers classes either as group sessions or one-on-one between learner and tutor. Group sessions involve a small group of learners (3-5) attending a class together. Private classes are for those who want to get dedicated classes with Lingoda instructors. 
  • 24×7 accessibility — Students can access the platform and schedule classes 24×7, making it accessible globally. 
  • Quality of instructors — All instructors on Lingoda are qualified, native-speakers who also have experience in language training. 
  • Free Placement Test — Gauge your current skill level using the placement test. So, you can opt for the appropriate level. 
  • Free Trial — Lingoda offers a free 7-day trial to all learners. With this trial, students can enroll in up to three group lessons or one private lesson. 
  • Classes on Zoom — All Lingoda classes are online and interactive. These are instructor-led classes that happen on Zoom.

Let’s get into more details like Lingoda Instructors, Pricing, Pros and Cons in this Lingoda German Review.

Lingoda German Instructors

The quality of teaching that Lingoda offers makes it stand out. The platform has over 1500 native speakers on board as instructors across all the languages it offers. When you want to learn a language, it is best to learn it from native speakers. The quality of most teachers is top-notch. They are professional, experienced and they know their subject.

The German instructors make sure to answer all your queries to their best ability. They also create an interactive session rather than a one-sided lecture. They encourage students to participate, answer questions, speak in German, and practice their new skills. 

Another point to note here is the rotation of teachers. You will not be learning from a single instructor. Your instructors will keep changing, and you do not have a choice. A problem faced here is that some teachers are not quite as impressive as the rest. Meaning the overall quality of learning comes down.

Lingoda says the reason for the rotation is to expose students to different accents, dialects, and phrases used in a language. They believe it results in a more rounded learning experience.

Also Read: DataCamp Machine Learning Review 2021: Is It Worth It?

Pricing Structure

The pricing of your Lingoda German monthly subscription depends on two major factors:

  1. The number of classes you can commit to in a week.
  2. Whether you’d like group or private lessons.

There are a few plans that Lingoda offers in terms of class frequency:

  1. Maintain — 1 class a week.
  2. Improve — 3 classes a week.
  3. Improve a lot — 5 classes a week. 
  4. Immersion — 10 classes a week.

Your Lingoda German monthly subscription can range from $68/month for the Maintain plan with group lessons to $880/month for the Immersion plan with private lessons.

As for German Sprint and Marathon, the pricing varies.

  • With the German Sprint, you have to choose between the Sprint or Super Sprint. Accordingly, you will be eligible for 50% or 100% cashback if you meet all the requirements. 
  • With the Marathon, the pricing changes from 3, 6, and 12-month plans. Plus, you can be eligible to win back 50% of the amount paid. 

So, these plans could make your course either free of cost or incredibly affordable. However, even if you don’t meet all the requirements for the cashback, Lingoda is priced pretty reasonably. 

Lingoda also offers a free 7-day trial to all students. Try the platform and German courses out before committing. With this free trial, you can join up to 3 group lessons or one private lesson.

Course Duration

The duration of your Lingoda German course depends on the number of classes you opt for weekly. If you were to opt for 1 lesson a week, you could complete the A1 level in a year. On the other hand, if you opt for five classes/week, you could complete the course in about two and a half months. 

If you opt for faster-paced plans like the Marathon or Sprint, you can finish these even sooner.

Levels Of Lingoda German

Lingoda offers German lessons across all CEFR levels from Absolute Beginner (A1) to Advanced (C1). Let’s dive a little deeper into these levels:

  • Absolute Beginner (A1) — This level prepares learners to engage in simple conversation, using everyday phrases. Learners will be able to communicate at a minimal level and slow pace.
  • Beginner (A2) — You’ll be able to take conversations in German a step further. Describing your background and description and conversing about your routine will be easy. However, taking the conversation beyond that will be tough.
  • Intermediate (B1) — When you complete your German B1 level, carrying on a simple conversation will be a breeze. You’ll also be able to write simple sentences about topics you’re comfortable with.
  • Upper-Intermediate (B2) — Understanding and writing complex sentences becomes easier. Your vocabulary begins to widen, and interacting with native speakers gets more comfortable.
  • Advanced (C1) — After this level, you will be comfortable in reading, writing, and speaking in German fluently. Your language level will be suitable for social and academic situations.

Also Read: Lingoda vs Italki 2021: Which Is A Better Language Learning Platform?

Pros of Lingoda German

Let’s get down to the positives of learning German on Lingoda:

  • Most of the instructors are great. All of them are native speakers of German. 
  • CEFR aligned courses.
  • Based on your budget and schedule, you have several course structures to choose from.
  • The curriculum offered is excellent. The courses cover reading, writing, and speaking skills. 
  • The pricing is reasonable and competitive. 
  • Classes are interactive. Depending on the level of interaction you want, you can choose between group and private lessons.

Cons of Lingoda German

Now, it’s time to look at the cons!

  • A few instructors are not up to the mark and can bring down your overall learning experience. 
  • The cashback promotion for Sprint and Marathon has some tough rules that bring down your chances quite a bit. 
  • You can’t choose your teachers, and the platform rotates teachers. This reduces the consistency of your learning experience and can throw you off.

Conclusion

In this Lingoda German review, we covered all aspects of German learning on the platform. So, what’s the verdict? Do we recommend Lingoda German? 

Yes, Lingoda is an excellent option for anyone looking to learn German. The two top reasons being the quality of teachers and the quality of the curriculum. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the platform offers different learning plans and paces suited for varying goals and schedules. 

German is a relatively easy language to learn, but it benefits your career and overall life. It makes all the difference when you can learn from native speakers through plenty of practice.

FAQs

We have tried to cover most of the topics in this Lingoda German Review. Here are some of the Frequently asked questions.

Will I get access to any learning materials other than classes?

Yes! You will be able to access class materials, and exercises to take your learning a step ahead. All of these are aligned with CEFR and complement what you learn in live classes.

Will I receive a certificate at the end of the course?

Yes! Upon completion of each level of the Lingoda German course, you will receive a certificate. Lingoda certificates are globally accepted and are issued in alignment with CEFR. Note: You must attend 90% of your classes to be eligible for this certificate.

How will I know what level I need to opt for?

Lingoda offers a free placement test that will help you gauge your current German level.

Are there any requirements to attend Lingoda German classes?

All you need is a computer with the Zoom software installed, and a stable network connection.

Can I do these courses while working or studying?

Lingoda classes and support are available 24×7. You don’t have to compromise on anything in your daily schedule or routine. Find a time that works for you, since Lingoda offers flexibility.

 

 How To Become A Financial Analyst With No Experience?- H1 Heading

how-to-become-a-financial-analyst-with-no-experience

Who Am I?

Joseph Ugwu, FMVA & CFI Graduate Surveillance and Investigations Analyst with cognate years of experience in capital market regulation, financial compliance, and stock market analysis, monitoring, and investigation.

I’ve been CFI and FMVA learner for quite a while.

Now, Let’ Get Started

Who Is A Financial Analyst?

There are myriads of descriptions for a financial analyst. Still, one which is encompassing, yet very simple, is the definition by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): The CFI defines a financial analyst as a professional who is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting financial data, as well as preparing reports, models, presentations, and recommendations for leaders of a business or clients.

Financial analysts facilitate smart financial decisions for both individuals and businesses. To identify the finest chances and suggestions for their clients and employers, they research markets and financial data.

A financial analyst can work in any professional niche/sector within the financial industry and work in non-finance sectors such as hospitals, oil and gas, the government, and law firms that may need the services of financial analysts.

The job of a financial analyst is a highly coveted one. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for financial analysts is tremendously positive.

The field is expected to grow by 5 percent on average between 2019 and 2029, faster than the average for all other careers, with a median pay of $83,660 per annum. And besides the huge salary benefit, a financial analyst sees to gain.

It is a job role that has become a mainstay because the entire financial industry and even the government would collapse without the skills and knowledge of financial analysts.

As long as the government collects taxes, as long as individuals seek investment opportunities, and businesses continue to seek capabilities to make their fiscal activities all the more strategic, streamlined, and forward-thinking, financial analysts will continue to stay relevant.

We will discuss more on how to become a financial analyst with no experience in this article.

Who Can Become A Financial Analyst?

As businesses and the financial markets continue to experience significant growth and complexities, employers’ interest in highly skilled and qualified individuals who can perform financial analysis for their businesses and their clients has been rising.

An individual with zero experience who intends to become a financial analyst in such a complex industry but is unsure of what it entails should ensure that they have the required credentials such as a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business finance, banking and finance, economics, and actuarial sciences like mathematics and statistics.

Although it is recommended to start with a minimum of any of these degrees, it provides a stronger foundation for analyzing the workings of financial statements.

Most entry-level roles in the financial services industry accept individuals from other backgrounds such as engineering, sciences, and even legal, but with transferable skills such as numeracy, strong data-gathering, technological, problem-solving, quantitative, excellent communication, and analytical skills.

In addition to these, acquiring relevant training, certifications and licenses may be optional but equally highly recommended. Below are the necessary steps to take to become a financial analyst:

Steps To Become A Financial Analyst With No Experience:

Overview:

Suppose helping businesses and investors raise capital and make sound financial and investment decisions via analyzing and modeling their financial statements, providing advisory services, valuing their stocks and bonds, and forecasting economic trends and strategies. In that case, a career as a financial analyst is your best bet.

While you can take different directions and paths to kick-start a financial analyst career in investment banking, trading, financial regulation, investment management, hedge funds, or in a rating agency, there are a few general steps expected of a typical analyst with zero experience.

Regardless of which route you want to take, below are the significant, necessary steps we recommend you take to become a financial analyst successfully:

1.Required Skills And Education A Financial Analyst Need:

I have already stated before this section the educational requirement to become a financial analyst, which includes but is not limited to having a minimum B.Sc degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, statistics, mathematics, and most science courses.

When recruiters and employees seek to align the required skills of their idle candidates intending to land jobs as financial analysts, they usually look for professionals with these traits/abilities:

Expert-level analytical and financial modeling skills:

  • Strategic thinking
  • Impeccable accounting skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Great presentation skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to influence and persuade
  • Practical knowledge of Microsoft office suite, especially Excel skills and related technologies
  • Excellent leadership, time management, and organizational ability
  • Ability to multitask and meet constant deadlines
  • Willingness to work long hours, when necessary

2.Certification and Exams To Take For Beginners:

CFI FMVA Certification
My Designation

If you’re considering a career as a financial analyst in the financial services industry regardless of the specific field, besides the requisite skills and education, having a professional certification, in addition, can significantly increase your earning power, boost your credentials and reputation, and ability to deliver high-quality financial analysis.

One of the significant challenges career starters in the financial industry face in this regard is knowing the exact certification to take that will be of utmost benefit to their field, but the capability of funding most of the top finance certifications.

Below are some of the certifications and designations for any professional looking to advance their career as a certified financial analyst

  1. Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst: Knowing the core skills and competencies employers require from financial analysts, it is evident that the FMVA program has been built by financial experts who know the exact skills employers are looking for.

And this is why their curriculum is not only engaging and robust but highly streamlined to enhance the learning process required to become an outstanding financial analyst. In addition, it is highly affordable. Go through this FMVA Review by graduate to get a better idea.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® banner with discount. Get 10% off with code MYFMVA10. Become a world-class, Wall Street ready analyst (at your own pace) with CFI's online certification programs. Click to learn more!

2. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification: The CFA designation is awarded by the CFA Institute and is regarded as one of the most valued and highly sought-after certifications by finance professionals worldwide. It consists of three levels and takes about 2 to 4 years on average to complete all 3 levels.

Completing this certification and earning your designation requires a minimum of three years’ hands-on experience, and it demonstrates a certain level of intelligence and a strong work ethic.

While it will make your application attractive to most employers, the challenges in being a CFA charter holder are the difficulty in earning it and the cost implication, especially for beginners.

The CFA costs about $3,500 to $5,000 on average (passing all levels at once). But the good news is that the CFA Institute has its CFA Institute Investment Foundations Program, which is free.

The CFA Institute Investment Foundations Program covers the essentials of finance, ethics, and investment roles, providing a clear understanding of the global investment industry.

This online learning experience is designed for institutions, including regulators and universities, with staff or students who wish to enter, advance in, or understand the investment management industry.

3. Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification: Certified financial planners are well-versed in topics across the economic field. They assess their clients’ entire financial portfolio and then provide personalized financial plans.

To become a CFP, a professional must complete a set of courses, then pass a seven-hour test. The CFP Board administers the test. The pass rate is below 70%. If you work with financial planners with a CFP, you know they know their stuff!

Also read: FPWM vs. CFP: Why You Badly Need Both!

4. Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA designations is also one of the top certifications in the financial services industry in the world. Accountants with the CPA designation can perform various tasks while earning a high income, preparing taxes, and representing clients who must report to the IFRS.

This certification is administered by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It requires 150 hours of coursework and then passing a rigorous exam. A CPA can be helpful for those looking for financial advice regarding reducing taxes and organizing investments.

There is a popular saying that “Investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” I believe this is true for the CFI FMVA certification because the program is worth every single cent paid and every second spent gaining this certification. It is indeed a program for students who want to be world-class financial analysts.

You can also go through this Corporate finance institute review written by a graduate

In conclusion, it is essential to understand and consider your specialization of interest, your budget, and seek your employer’s advice on the same certification to go for that will be more relevant to your job role boost your chances of landing your first job.

Besides the paid certifications listed above, many online learning platforms and course providers like CourseraUdemy, and edX can leverage to boost one’s knowledge and skills in finance and earn free certifications.

In the next topic of how to become a financial analyst with no experience, we will discuss job opportunities that will open.

Related:
CFI Vs Wall Street Prep
FMVA Vs CFA

Job Opportunities After Course and Types of FMVA Positions:

How To Become A Financial Analyst With No Experience Job Opportunities

Financial analysts without experience but with additional relevant certifications or with the FMVA certification have higher chances of kick-starting their careers in different financial industries. Again, this list is not exhaustive, but it at least captures most of the sectors:

  1. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
  2. Investment Banking.
  3. Private Equity.
  4. Corporate Development.
  5. Commercial and Mortgage Banks
  6. Pension funds
  7. Insurance companies
  8. Equity Research.
  9. Treasury.
  10. And Others.

Working Hard On Financial Skills And Networking:

Despite the age-old argument about the idea that landing your first entry-level job offer or even landing a new job offer (for the experienced candidates) in the finance industry is mostly a factor of how relevant and attractive your credentials, skills, knowledge, and competencies are, and much less about who you know.

networking will always have a significant role to play for entry-level job seekers. While it is highly pertinent to build and improve one’s skills and credentials, it is interesting to know that a survey carried out by The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics in 2020 concludes that about 85 percent of jobs are filled by networking.

So, if you are looking for a spot on the client roster, remember the tip that many positions are filled before or correct when they are posted; and that’s because of networking.

The fact is that the financial sector is filled with brilliant talent, making it a highly competitive job market beyond skills. Sometimes, and maybe most times, it isn’t what you know; it’s who you know.

Having stated that, the ultimate question now would be how best can intending financial analysts go about their networking business? To that end, I have put together a few tips and clues dedicated specifically to effective and efficient networking in the financial industry:

  • Meet and engage with other professionals or intending analysts who may become your peers or mentors by joining relevant organizations and associations and attending graduate school events, industry-related events, and even organized by other industries.

This variety of events is a great way to build useful relations that will expose you to potential clients, employers, and future colleagues who may be willing to offer you that golden opportunity. Or it may even be as simple as just learning new things and staying up to date on industry trends.

  • Leverage the power of social media. As the world gets more digitalized, and as the interconnectedness of the world gains traction due to the power of social media, it is criminal not to build quality networks online.

Popular career sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Meetup, Community Forums, etc., are excellent for connecting with like-minded individuals, especially when it comes to online networking.

It’s an easy way of literally and actively “connecting and engaging” with anyone you are interested in knowing. It helps you stay up to date on events and participate in the conversations online surrounding your industry.

  • Leverage your relationships. Sometimes, the golden opportunity we may be waiting or looking for does not have to come from a distance. Personal relationships with friends and family are also great opportunities to secure a job or interview, or at least, they can help us contact the right people.
  • Send those well-crafted cold mails and make those intelligent cold calls. This is a dicey one for most fresh graduates, especially those who do not have great communication skills and email etiquette.

While I must advise that one should ensure they send powerful emails that will stand out from the hundreds and thousands of mails most C-suit executives in the financial sector receive daily, attempting does not mean that attempting does not have to be highly skilled or perfect at sending cold emails.

Nevertheless, you must craft well-written emails and practice your telephone communication skills, as this will improve your chances of getting positive feedback.

  • Always remember to follow up. You never can tell what a kind reminder would do for you.

How is FMVA Program BY CFI?

It is important to note that there are myriad learning opportunities out there that one can maximize to boost one’s credentials and career prospects in the financial services industry to become a world-class financial analyst and close the skill gap between theoretical and practical knowledge.

But it is almost impossible to find any relevant professional certificate or a certifying body as convenient, comprehensive, reputable, affordable, and highly practical as the CFI’s FMVA certification.

The CFI FMVA certification comes highly recommended, and I must say that it is a perfect certification for intending financial analysts without experience.

I recommend this program to any finance/accounting student and other graduates without a finance or accounting background who wish to become a world-class financial analyst and gain incredible financial modeling and valuation knowledge.

The FMVA is recommended for intending financial analysts and finance professional who is conscious about efficiency and effectiveness in their continuous professional development journey.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® banner with discount. Get 10% off with code MYFMVA10. Become a world-class, Wall Street ready analyst (at your own pace) with CFI's online certification programs. Click to learn more!

Final Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is important to take a holistic approach when implementing the recommendations on how to become a financial analyst with no experience.

But one salient point to note is that actively seeking internship positions before gaining a full-time entry-level job would be immensely beneficial.

Future analysts should also consider the CFI’s Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® certification program. This will give them the practical Excel, strategic, finance, and accounting skills they will need to get hired full-time.

FaQs:

 How much time does it take to complete the courses?

Generally, it takes 4-5 months [100-200 hours] to complete the course

Is there any work experience needed?

In some courses yes, but not in FMVA

Which is the best academy to become financial
analyst?

According to me, CFI is the best and affordable to learn financial modeling

What’s the average exam pass rate of the financial analyst

The average pass rate is 50%.

MCAT Score Percentiles: Complete Guide-H1

mcat-score-percentiles

Your performance in the Medical College Admission Test will determine whether you get into med school. Having the required GPA is not enough. You’ll need to rank high enough on the MCAT score percentiles to get to your dream school.

Understanding how these percentiles work will help you know what numbers you need to hit by accurately comparing your results with those of other test-takers.

In this post, we’ll provide details of everything you should know about MCAT score percentiles, including the latest ranking chart. We’ll also reveal the score you may need to get into medical school in the US.

What are MCAT Score Percentiles?

An MCAT score percentile is a rank that represents how high your total score is compared to other people who took the test in the last three years.

The metric shows what percentage of test-takers’ scores were equal to or less than the specific score on a result.

For example, using the latest percentile rankings, a total MCAT score of 503 falls in the 52nd percentile. This means 52% of the overall test-takers in the previous three years scored equal to or below 503.

Percentile rank ranges from below 1% to 100%. The higher your percentile, the better you performed and the greater your chances of getting accepted into medical school.

Using data from multiple years instead of a single year ensures the standard for ranking MCAT scores doesn’t over-fluctuate. So, while the percentiles are updated on the 1st of May every year, you can use the previous rankings to determine what scores you need to get for the next exam.

How MCAT Percentile Ranking Works

It’s impossible to create your own percentile ranking because you don’t have access to the data of other exam takers. Thankfully, the Association of American Medical Colleges has done all that legwork on the back end.

According to the AAMC, over 85,000 participants take the exam each year. That means the latest MCAT score percentile rankings use data from 255,000+ test-takers (85k X 3).

Your only job is to understand how MCAT scoring works and how they came about these numbers. Below are the building blocks of MCAT percentiles.

MCAT Section Scores:

The exam has four sections:

  1. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
  2. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  3. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
  4. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

The number of questions you answer correctly in each section will form your raw score.

MCAT Scaled Scores:

The MCAT is a scaled exam, which means all questions don’t carry the same weight. Some will give you more value than others. Your scaled score for each section will determine where you fall within the score range of 118 to 132.

NOTE:

You’ll get four scaled scores – one for each of the four sections of the exam.

MCAT Total Score

Your final score, which will reflect prominently in your result, is the sum of all four of your scaled section scores.

This means it has a MCAT score range of 472 to 528.

Total Score Percentile

For every possible score within the 472-528 range, the association examiners will determine the percentage of people who scored up to or less than that number in the last three years by using a formula similar to this:

(Number of Test-Takers Scoring Equal to or Less Than / Total Number of Test-Takers) X 100%

Since US educational institutions have limited resources that allow them to only admit a specific number of students, your percentile rank is more crucial than your actual score.

This is not to say that the total score is useless. It can be an indicator of how well you need to perform to surpass the majority of other test-takers. Since the rankings change annually, you can only estimate where you’ll fall.

Section Score Percentile

The exam organizers also provide percentile rankings for each section. Although all medical schools will consider your total score, most of them will have a minimum acceptable percentile for each section.

Your section score percentile works in the same way as the total score percentile. The calculation formula is also the same.

Latest MCAT Score Percentile Rankings

Below is a chart that displays a compact version of the latest MCAT total score percentile rankings, which was released on the 1st of May, 2021. It uses data from every MCAT exam in the years 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Total ScorePercentile
472-475Less than 1
476-4861-9
487-49111-19
492-49521-29
496-49832-38
499-50142-48
502-50452-58
505-50762-69
508-51072-78
511-51481-88
515-52390-99
524-528100

If you have practice questions from past exams, the above chart will be double in value. You can answer the questions as a mock test and then compare your final score with the percentile rankings. This will reveal your current level of preparation. Be sure to make adjustments where needed.

Another way to use this chart is if you already have an idea of the lowest MCAT score accepted by your dream school. By comparing their cut-off scores with the percentile ranks, you can tell what percentage of students were unable to meet those criteria in previous years.

The lower the cut-off percentile, the better your chances of getting in.

What is a Good Percentile for MCAT?

The MCAT has no pass score, and whether or not a result is good depends on the admitting educational institution.

Currently, a good MCAT percentile score would be 81 or higher. This percentile corresponds with a 511 total score, according to the latest rankings. Test-takers who scored equal to or higher than 511 gained admission into various medical schools in the United States.

So, if you can reach or surpass the 81st percentile, you have a great chance to make it into most medical schools. The next section will reveal more about acceptance rates and MCAT scores.

In essence, what constitutes a good score for a medical school is highly subjective. For some, average MCAT scores are sufficient.

The average MCAT score in the US is 501 (the 50th percentile). Few medical schools will accept this score, but enough of them would, thereby allowing you to kickstart your career in medicine.

What if you plan to attend an Ivy League med school? Would a “good” score be enough? Probably, but to maximize your chances, you need higher MCAT scores.

Getting a high MCAT score would mean hitting 518 (the 95th percentile). This is 10 points shy of the highest MCAT score possible, but it will set anyone apart from most of the other test-takers. If you can achieve such a feat, it will be extremely unlikely that any top medical school will reject you.

Medical School Acceptance Rates

Please note that your MCAT scores are not the only criteria med schools will consider before offering you admission. There are several other points of deliberation, especially the following:

  • GPA:

Your grade point average is just as important as your MCAT score, if not more. Schools like to focus on both sets of grading to get a better sense of your academic capabilities.

  • Undergrad Courses:

You already know that med schools require you to earn a degree. However, your coursework has to meet the prerequisites of your school of choice. Each school has its own set of prerequisites, but common courses include Biology, English, and Chemistry.

  • Recommendations:

The validity and content of your letters of recommendation also matter. If your sources are reputable medical professionals who list enough impressive achievements, you stand a better chance of admission.

  • Medical Practice Experience:

It also helps if you have some experience in the medical field, such as volunteer work.

  • Personal Claims:

Your personal statements in your application and during your interview could impact your chances. For instance, if you overcame some real adversity, the board may look kindly on your MCAT scores and GPA even when they’re lower than the requirement.

  • Extracurricular Activities:

What you can do outside medicine will show that you have more value to offer the University. Hence, being an athlete in sports like soccer, basketball, football, and track and field can only strengthen your case.

  • Interview:

Your performance in the interview could swing things your way if the school was on the fence about whether to grant you admission.

Bearing in mind that a high GPA and MCAT score is no guarantee of admission into any American school, here is a list of their average acceptance rates (in percent) based on total scores on the MCAT:

MCAT ScoreAcceptance (%)
472-4860.5
486-4891.1
490-4933.2
494-49710
498-50120
502-50532
506-50946.4
510-51361.4
514-51772.8
518-52882.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 513 a good MCAT score?

Yes, 513 is a good score on your MCAT. It places you in the 86th percentile, which is more than enough to get you into most universities.

Can I get into med school with a 508 MCAT?

You can get into medical school with a 508 on your MCAT. 46.4% of people who score between 506 and 509 gain admission into American med schools.

What is a 100th percentile MCAT?

A 100th percentile score indicates that nearly nobody in the last three years scored more than that number. 100% of over 255,000 participants got an equal or lower MCAT score than that number, which is typically 524 to 528.

Conclusion

Your GPA and MCAT score percentile are vital to your venture into medical school. Create a list of med schools you would like to attend and find the MCAT and GPA requirements for each. If your GPA falls short, you may need to score higher on your MCAT to make up for the deficit. 

Ashu Vikhe

Author at OnlineCourseing

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