What Is A Good MCAT Score?

How MCAT Scores Are Calculated

Your raw score for each section is converted to a scaled score ranging from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest).

For instance, if you got 36 out of 59 questions correct in a section, 36 would be your raw score for that section. Depending on the difficulty of your particular exam, a raw score of 36 would then convert to a certain scaled score — say, 121 out of 132.

The AAMC does not share raw scores with MCAT test-takers, though students are shown their scaled score for each section (as well as their total scaled score) in their MCAT score report. According to the AAMC, the purpose of converting raw scores to scaled scores is to account “for small variations in difficulty” between different exam versions. That way, everyone’s MCAT score provides a stable measure of performance, regardless of which test form they received.

To get your total MCAT score, the scaled scores of all four MCAT sections (Chem/Physical, CARS, Bio/BioChem, and Psych/Soc) are added together. The highest MCAT score possible is 524, while the lowest is 472. Low GPA, high MCAT? Here’s what to do.

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MCAT Percentiles (2024/25 Cycle)

An MCAT percentile tells you how well you did compared to all other test-takers from the past 3 years.

For example, if you scored in the 52nd percentile, you scored the same as or above 52% of test-takers. If you scored in the 97th percentile, you scored the same as or above 97% of the other test-takers.

It’s important to know and understand your percentile because some schools may have a preference for students at or above a certain percentile threshold.

Average MCAT Scores (2024/25 Cycle)

These are the average MCAT scores through the 2024/25 application cycle provided by the AAMC and AACOMAS. Averages are split between MD and DO applicants and matriculants (students accepted and enrolled) in those program types.

What Is a Good MCAT Score?

A good MCAT score is 511 or higher — this score will help you stand out as an applicant to allopathic schools. If you have a lower GPA (below 3.75), you need a higher MCAT score to be a competitive medical school applicant.

Here’s a breakdown of good MCAT scores based on where you’re applying:

• DO program (osteopathic) applicants: 506+
• MD program (allopathic) applicants: 512+
• Ivy League (Harvard, Columbia, etc.) applicants: 520+

Most US medical schools do not have a “minimum MCAT score requirement” for prospective students. However, they typically have an unstated MCAT score threshold, below which it is extremely difficult to gain acceptance.

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To maximize your options for medical school, shoot for the highest MCAT score possible without neglecting other parts of your application. If you have a solid application, you can get away with a lower MCAT score. If your application is weak, however, you’ll need a better score to make up for it.

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