What counts as a good score can vary from there, depending on your target schools and the overall strength of your application, which includes GPA, coursework, and extracurricular activities. Knowing these benchmarks can give you a clear target as you plan your preparation.
Below, I walk you through how MCAT scoring works, how to know if your score matches the program of your choice, and a few tips for achieving your best MCAT score.
In the 2025/26 application cycle, the average MCAT scores were:
Looking at the data from pre-med and accepted students across the United States, a 511-512 is generally considered a good MCAT score. However, what’s “good” depends heavily on the type of program you’re applying to and how the rest of your med school application looks. (Some medical schools don’t require an MCAT at all!)
DO programs often admit students with slightly lower scores, while MD matriculants average closer to 511-512. For top medical schools, averages jump to around 518-520. A strong MCAT score aligns with your target schools and complements your GPA, personal statement, and clinical or research experience.
Your total MCAT score is the sum of four MCAT sections, ranging from 472 to 528, a perfect score. Individual MCAT section scores are scored from 118 to 132:
Your raw score, or the number of correct answers, is converted into a scaled score. This adjusts for small differences in difficulty across exam versions. For example, answering 36 questions correctly might convert to 121 depending on the test form. The AAMC does not release raw scores, but scaling ensures fairness across all MCAT administrations.
Most medical school admissions do not have a minimum MCAT requirement. However, there is usually an unstated threshold below which admission is very difficult. To maximize your options, use test prep courses and practice tests to your advantage to get the highest score possible.
MCAT percentile ranks tell you how well you did compared to all other test-takers from the past three 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 MCAT percentile scores because some schools may have a preference for students at or above a certain threshold.
| Total MCAT Score | MCAT Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| 524-528 | 100 |
| 523 | 99 |
| 522 | 99 |
| 521 | 98 |
| 520 | 97 |
| 519 | 96 |
| 518 | 95 |
| 517 | 94 |
| 516 | 92 |
| 515 | 91 |
| 514 | 89 |
| 513 | 87 |
| 512 | 84 |
| 511 | 82 |
| 510 | 79 |
| 509 | 77 |
| 508 | 74 |
| 507 | 71 |
| 506 | 68 |
| 505 | 65 |
| 504 | 62 |
| 503 | 58 |
| 502 | 55 |
| 501 | 52 |
| 500 | 49 |
| 499 | 46 |
| 498 | 42 |
| 497 | 39 |
| 496 | 36 |
| 495 | 34 |
| 494 | 31 |
| 493 | 28 |
| 492 | 25 |
| 491 | 23 |
| 490 | 21 |
| 489 | 18 |
| 488 | 16 |
| 487 | 14 |
| 486 | 12 |
| 485 | 11 |
| 484 | 9 |
| 483 | 8 |
| 482 | 6 |
| 481 | 5 |
| 480 | 4 |
| 479 | 3 |
| 478-477 | 2 |
| 476-475 | 1 |
| 474-472 | <1 |
| MD Applicants | DO Applicants | MD Matriculants | DO Matriculants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total MCAT | 506.3 | 502.43 | 512.1 | 502.97 |
| CPBS | 126.4 | 125.28 | 128 | 125.41 |
| CARS | 125.8 | 124.9 | 127 | 124.99 |
| BBLS | 126.7 | 125.61 | 128.2 | 125.78 |
| PSBB | 127.5 | 126.64 | 129 | 126.8 |
The max score on the MCAT is 528, which means earning a perfect 132 in each of the four sections. The MCAT score range is between 472 to 528, with the average falling right around 501.
To put things in perspective, a 502 lands you just above the 50th percentile. A high MCAT score of 518 places you around the 95th percentile. That’s a score considered competitive for schools at the top of the med school rankings.
Data from the 2025-2026 cycle reveal patterns by major, race and ethnicity, and home state, but students from all groups and regions matriculate. As you look at these trends, it’s important to remember that no pattern prevents a qualified student from gaining admission into a school of medicine.
Overall, the data shows applicants in quantitative and physical science majors tend to score higher on the MCAT. Applicants majoring in specialized health sciences and social sciences tend to have slightly lower averages.
Among matriculants, the trend is similar. Students from math, statistics, and physical sciences continue to achieve the highest MCAT scores, although students from other majors still successfully matriculate with solid scores.
For 2025-2026, MCAT scores and GPAs varied across racial and ethnic groups. Among applicants, Asian students had the highest mean total MCAT score (508.8), while Black or African American (498.1) and American Indian/Alaska Native (500.7) students had lower averages.
Among matriculants, averages rose, with Asian students at 514.3 and Black or African American students at 507.2. Science and total GPAs were strong across all groups.
Important note: In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that colleges and medical schools cannot use race as a direct factor in admissions. Holistic review of applicants’ experiences and backgrounds remains allowed and is the standard used by admissions committees.
Regional differences in MCAT scores and GPAs are noticeable among applicants, but relatively modest in terms of admissions processes. Top-performing states, like California, Massachusetts, and New York, post average total MCAT scores around 507-508 with GPAs near 3.7-3.8.
At the other end, Puerto Rico is an outlier with total MCAT scores around 493. States like Mississippi and West Virginia score slightly below average, with MCAT scores in the low-500s and mid-3.5 GPAs.
Among matriculants, the pattern is similar, but overall numbers are higher. Students from Northeast and West Coast states matriculate with MCAT scores above 513 and GPAs around 3.8. Those from Puerto Rico and lower-scoring states, such as Mississippi and West Virginia, enter with scores near 506-507.
GPAs remain strong across the board, showing that while some regions produce higher test scores, admitted medical students come from every corner of the country.
| 2026 Test Date | Score Release Date | Start Test Prep by: |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Feb. 10 | Oct 9, 2025 |
| January 10 | Feb. 10 | Oct 10, 2025 |
| January 15 | Feb. 17 | Oct 15, 2025 |
| January 23 | Feb. 24 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| February 13 | March 17 | Nov 13, 2025 |
| March 7 | Apr. 7 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| March 20 | Apr. 21 | Dec 20, 2025 |
| April 10 | May. 12 | Jan 10, 2026 |
| April 11 | May. 12 | Jan 11, 2026 |
| April 24 | May. 27 | Jan 24, 2026 |
| April 25 | May. 27 | Jan 25, 2026 |
| May 2 | Jun. 2 | Feb 2, 2026 |
| May 8 | Jun. 9 | Feb 8, 2026 |
| May 9 | Jun. 9 | Feb 9, 2026 |
| May 14 | Jun. 16 | Feb 14, 2026 |
| May 22 | Jun. 23 | Feb 22, 2026 |
| May 30 | Jun. 30 | Feb 28, 2026 |
| June 12 | Jul. 14 | Mar 12, 2026 |
| June 13 | Jul. 14 | Mar 13, 2026 |
| June 26 | Jul. 28 | Mar 26, 2026 |
| June 27 | Jul. 28 | Mar 27, 2026 |
| July 11 | Aug. 11 | Apr 11, 2026 |
| July 24 | Aug. 25 | Apr 24, 2026 |
| July 31 | Sept. 2 | Apr 30, 2026 |
| August 15 | Sept. 15 | May 15, 2026 |
| August 21 | Sept. 22 | May 21, 2026 |
| August 22 | Sept. 22 | May 22, 2026 |
| September 3 | Oct. 6 | Jun 3, 2026 |
| September 4 | Oct. 6 | Jun 4, 2026 |
| September 11 | Oct. 13 | Jun 11, 2026 |
| September 12 | Oct. 13 | Jun 12, 2026 |
Check out our full guide to MCAT test day and release dates, including tips for when to select a date and how to register.
Access and view your MCAT scores on the AAMC website here. You will have to sign in.
MCAT scores are released 30-35 days after the test date, typically at 5:00 PM ET. Generally, AAMC does not email you about score updates.
Pro tip: Follow the AAMC’s X account and turn on notifications.
Prepping for your MCAT exam? We’ve got you covered. Check out these resources from our 99th-percentile tutors:
The medical school application process is highly competitive, and a strong MCAT score can make a big difference. Pair your GPA, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars with expert guidance to maximize your chances.