A 513 puts you in the 86th percentile on the official AAMC percentile table, meaning 86% of all MCAT scores were equal to or lower. By any reasonable standard, that is a strong performance.
Percentile ranks come from the official AAMC percentile table in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, based on all MCAT results from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 testing years combined (N = 305,494).
Where a 513 sits
The national mean is 500.6, and a 513 clears it by 12 points. Scores in this range are competitive for a wide range of programs, though expectations vary by school, and the strongest applications pair the score with a coherent overall story.
As always, the section breakdown matters. A 513 with an even spread across C/P, CARS, B/B, and P/S is the cleanest version of this score. One noticeably low section is worth understanding even if you never retake, because it tells you something about how you test.
Is a retake worth it from here?
Sometimes, but only with a clear reason. Good reasons include a target program whose expectations sit meaningfully above your score, or one section that came in far below the others and dragged an otherwise stronger performance down.
Weaker reasons include a general feeling that you "could have done better." At this level, a retake carries real risk alongside potential benefit: score drops happen, and time spent re-studying is time not spent on the rest of your application. Weigh it like the strategic decision it is.
If you do decide to retake
The project is protection plus precision: keep the sections that worked working, and put focused effort into the one that did not. Broad re-studying is the enemy here, because it dilutes your time and risks the strengths you already proved.
Start with your score report, identify exactly where the points went, and build a plan that touches your strong sections just enough to keep them sharp.
Common questions about a 513
Is a 513 MCAT score good?
A 513 sits in the 86th percentile on the official AAMC percentile table, meaning 86% of MCAT scores were equal to or lower. Whether it is "good" depends on your goals, your target programs, and the rest of your application.
What percentile is a 513 MCAT score?
On the AAMC percentile table in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, a total score of 513 is in the 86th percentile. That means 86% of scores were equal to or lower than 513.
Should I retake the MCAT with a 513?
Only with a specific reason, such as a target program that typically expects higher scores or one section far below the others. A 513 is in the 86th percentile, and a retake from this level carries genuine risk alongside potential benefit. If you cannot name exactly what would change, your application is usually better served elsewhere.
Explore nearby scores and next steps
Score context changes quickly on this part of the scale. Compare: is a 511 good? · is a 512 good? · is a 514 good? · is a 515 good?
For a personalized read on your situation, the free Retaker Calculator is the place to start, and The Retaker Course is the full system when you are ready to build the plan.