Whether you are setting a target score before you begin studying, interpreting a practice test result, or evaluating your official score report, the information below gives you the full picture. All score ranges, percentile data, and average score figures on this page are sourced from the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC®) official MCAT score information for the current testing year.
How Is the MCAT® Scored?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT®) is scored using the AAMC's scaled score system. Rather than reporting only your raw score, the system converts the number of questions you answer correctly into a scaled score. This process (called equating) accounts for minor differences in difficulty between exam versions, ensuring that a score of 510 on one version reflects the same level of performance as a 510 on any other version.
MCAT Raw Score
Your raw MCAT score is the total number of questions you answer correctly in a given section. There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the MCAT. Every correct answer adds equally to your raw score, and incorrect answers count the same as unanswered questions. This means strategic guessing is always in your favor. Never leave a question blank.
MCAT Scaled Score and Equating
Once your raw score is calculated, it is converted to a scaled score between 118 and 132 for each section. Equating ensures that 2 students taking the exam on different dates, with potentially different sets of questions, are measured on the same scale. Your total MCAT score is the sum of your 4 section scaled scores.
MCAT Grading Scale
| Section | Score Scale |
|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 118–132 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) | 118–132 |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 118–132 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 118–132 |
| Total MCAT Score | 472–528 |
A score of 500 (125 per section) represents the midpoint and corresponds to approximately the 50th percentile of all MCAT test takers.
To understand what each section tests in depth, see our MCAT sections and subjects guide.
MCAT Score Range
The total MCAT score range is 472 to 528. Each of the 4 sections contributes equally, ranging from 118 to 132. Your total score is not an average, it is the direct sum of all 4 section scores.
What Is the Highest MCAT Score Possible?
The highest possible MCAT score is 528. Achieving a 528 requires a perfect score of 132 in each of the 4 sections. This score is exceptionally rare. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 test takers achieve a perfect 528. For most medical school applicants, a score in the 515 to 520 range is considered highly competitive, even at top-tier programs.
What Is a Perfect MCAT Score?
A perfect MCAT score is 528, the maximum total score on the current MCAT scoring scale. To score a perfect 528, a student must earn a 132 in all 4 sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations, CARS, Biological and Biochemical Foundations, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations. The AAMC reports that fewer than 0.1% of all test takers achieve this score in any given testing year.
What Is the Minimum MCAT Score?
The minimum possible MCAT score is 472, which corresponds to the lowest score (118) in all 4 sections. There is no "minimum passing score" set by the AAMC. Each medical school determines its own competitive thresholds. See the section below on what score is needed for medical school for school-specific context.
What Is a Good MCAT Score?
A good MCAT score is one that makes you a competitive applicant at the schools on your list. Because medical schools set their own admissions standards, “good” is relative to your target programs. That said, the benchmarks below give useful context for most applicants.
MCAT Score Benchmarks
| MCAT Score | Percentile | Competitive Context |
|---|---|---|
| 528 | 100th | Perfect score, exceptionally rare |
| 520–527 | 97th–99th | Top-tier programs (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc.) |
| 515–519 | 91st–96th | Very competitive for most MD programs |
| 510–514 | 79th–89th | Competitive for many allopathic programs |
| 505–509 | 66th–76th | Competitive for many DO programs |
| 500–504 | 48th–62nd | At or near the national average |
| Below 500 | Below 48th | Below average, may limit options significantly |
What Is the Average MCAT Score?
The average MCAT score among all test takers is about 501. Among medical school applicants, the average is between 506 and 507. However, this is not the same as a competitive score for medical school admission. Students who successfully matriculate into allopathic (MD) medical school programs average between 511 and 512. If your goal is admission to an MD program, the matriculant average is the most meaningful benchmark.
What MCAT Score Do I Need for Medical School?
There is no single MCAT score required for all medical schools. Requirements vary widely by program type and selectivity.
- Allopathic (MD) programs: Most competitive programs expect scores of 511 or higher. Top-ranked schools often see matriculant averages of 517 to 522.
- Osteopathic (DO) programs: Average matriculant scores typically fall between 504 and 508.
- Podiatric (DPM) programs: These generally accept scores starting around 500.
The best approach is to research the median MCAT score of accepted students at each school on your list, then set your target at or above that median. Check each school's publicly reported data through the AAMC's Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) tool.
Is There a Passing Score on the MCAT?
There is no official passing score on the MCAT. The AAMC does not designate any score as a passing threshold. Each medical school independently sets its own minimum score cutoffs and competitive expectations for applicants. A score that is competitive at one program may be below the cutoff at another.
MCAT Score Percentiles
MCAT percentile ranks show how your score compares to all other test takers during the most recent 3-year period. A percentile rank of 80 means you scored higher than 80% of test takers. Percentile data is updated annually by the AAMC. The table below reflects the most recently published data.
| Total Score | Percentile Rank | Total Score | Percentile Rank | Total Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 472 | <1 | 491 | 22 | 510 | 79 |
| 473 | <1 | 492 | 25 | 511 | 82 |
| 474 | <1 | 493 | 27 | 512 | 84 |
| 475 | 1 | 494 | 30 | 513 | 87 |
| 476 | 1 | 495 | 33 | 514 | 89 |
| 477 | 2 | 496 | 36 | 515 | 91 |
| 478 | 2 | 497 | 39 | 516 | 92 |
| 479 | 3 | 498 | 42 | 517 | 94 |
| 480 | 4 | 499 | 45 | 518 | 95 |
| 481 | 5 | 500 | 48 | 519 | 96 |
| 482 | 6 | 501 | 51 | 520 | 97 |
| 483 | 7 | 502 | 54 | 521 | 98 |
| 484 | 9 | 503 | 58 | 522 | 99 |
| 485 | 10 | 504 | 61 | 523 | 99 |
| 486 | 12 | 505 | 64 | 524 | 100 |
| 487 | 14 | 506 | 67 | 525 | 100 |
| 488 | 16 | 507 | 70 | 526 | 100 |
| 489 | 18 | 508 | 73 | 527 | 100 |
| 490 | 20 | 509 | 76 | 528 | 100 |
MCAT Score Distribution
MCAT scores follow a roughly normal distribution centered around 500. Scores at the extremes (below 480 or above 520) represent a very small percentage of all test takers. Understanding where your score falls in this distribution helps you assess your competitive position accurately.
MCAT Score Report
When your MCAT scores are released, you will receive an official score report through the AAMC's Testing Services portal. Your score report includes:
- Your total scaled score (472–528)
- Scaled scores for each of the 4 sections (118–132)
- Confidence intervals for each section score
- Your percentile rank for total and section scores
- Score verification options if you believe an error occurred
Score reports are available through the AAMC website on or after your official release date. For details on when scores are released and how to access your report, see our MCAT test dates and score release dates page.
How Long Are MCAT Scores Valid?
MCAT scores do not expire in the sense that they disappear from your record, but most medical schools have validity windows for the scores they will consider in an application.
MCAT Score Validity by School Type
- Most allopathic (MD) programs: Accept scores up to 3 years old
- Some programs: Accept scores up to 5 years old
- Osteopathic (DO) programs: Policies vary; most accept scores within 3 years
Score validity is determined by each individual school, not the AAMC. Always check the admissions requirements of each school on your list to confirm how recent your score must be. If your score is approaching the validity limit for your target schools and you believe you can improve, a retake may be worth considering.
When Do MCAT Scores Expire?
MCAT scores do not have a universal expiration date set by the AAMC. The scores remain in your AAMC record indefinitely. However, whether a school will accept your score depends on how long ago you took the exam. For most applicants, scores older than 3 years are unlikely to be accepted by competitive allopathic programs. Plan your test date accordingly relative to your intended application year.
