Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 3/14/24
Your MCAT score is a pivotal factor influencing medical school admission outcomes. This guide covers the key score benchmarks, ranges, and targets for a good MCAT score.
An essential component of your primary application for medical school is your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score. You should aim for the perfect score, or at least an average MCAT score to get into medical school; therefore, understanding the MCAT, its importance, format, and usage by medical schools prepares you for the exam itself.
A good MCAT score is 511 or higher with no section below a 127 score. Specifically, 128 out of 132 in any one section represents the 50th percentile nationally for students accepted to US MD programs in recent years.
The chart below shows the most recent MCAT percentiles from the AAMC:
The maximum MCAT score possible is 528 and the minimum MCAT score is 472. The average MCAT score for entering MD students in the US is 500, so your score should not be lower than the average. Familiarizing yourself with these MCAT percentiles can help you set a more precise target score!
Similarly, even if a school sets a minimum MCAT score, students absolutely should have a score above this. For example, Weill Cornell School of Medicine has no cutoffs for MCAT scores.
At the same time, UCSF Medical School requires applicants to be within or above the 75th percentile (a score of 509 or more, according to the MCAT score breakdown) to apply to their institution. As you can see, these are two very different responses to the MCAT. Check with your target medical schools to see if they have other MCAT criteria you must meet.
In the table below, take a look at the percentage of students accepted to med schools based on their MCAT scores according to the AAMC:
While a good score may mean fitting into the middle of the pack, it's recommended to be far above the pack. For an excellent MCAT score that will be competitive at all schools, students should aim to be at least in the 90th percentile, which is around a score of 514.
The MCAT is a key threshold exam in the medical school application process. Applicants must meet their target schools' minimum score requirements to be considered competitive candidates.
While the MCAT is not formally calculated into GPA averages, most medical schools screen out applicants scoring below their median accepted student scores. Marks falling short of thresholds will jeopardize admission chances even if other parts of the application are strong.
Keep in mind, your MCAT scores are only one of many factors that contribute to your acceptance. Your scores are used in conjunction with the following information to determine whether or not you are a good fit for medical school:
So if your GPA isn’t up to par, aim to score higher on the MCAT to compensate. If you have a higher GPA, you may be able to get away with a slightly lower MCAT score. While high MCAT scores do not always guarantee admission into medical school, having a competitive score benefits your application as a whole. Shoot for getting as high of a score as possible.
The highest possible MCAT score is 528, so a good score is 511 or higher. Your total score is the combination of your MCAT section scores. There are four sections in the exam, and each is designed to assess specific skills:
Each section of the MCAT is scored from a range of 118 to 132. To find out what a good score is in each section, take a look at the table below to give you a better idea of the score ranges for each section.
As a general guideline, 125 is the midpoint for MCAT scores in each section. To improve your scores, your best bet is to familiarize yourself with each section of the MCAT and spend an equal amount of time studying for all of them.
To be a competitive applicant at top medical schools, you need very high MCAT scores. For example, the average MCAT scores at top national programs like Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford fall between 518–522 overall.
Here are the median MCAT scores for the top 10 medical schools in the US:
An important consideration is to ignore the “no cut-off” rule at some of these top schools. Having no cut-off for MCAT scores doesn’t mean your score won’t count for anything. The best way to ensure you have a competitive score is to do research on your target schools and figure out what the average score is for their entering class.
To apply based on your MCAT score, compare your most recent score with the average at your target school; this will give you a good indication if you’re considered a competitive applicant. If your score is equal to or above average, you’ll improve your chances of a successful application. If your score is below the average, you may want to consider retaking the MCAT to improve your score.
If you choose to research medical schools before taking the MCAT, you’ll have a better idea of how you should score to be considered at those schools, which is what we recommend. However, some people enter test day feeling pressured to meet an exact MCAT score based on the medical school they wish to attend. That stress can impact your test-taking capabilities.
Your goal is to get the highest score possible, but getting a good score doesn’t necessarily take you out of the running for medical school. Apply to medical school with the idea that your MCAT score is only one of the important factors in your application–not the most important.
By keeping the above information in mind, you have a better chance of achieving a good score and getting accepted into medical school.
You have registered to take the MCAT score but aren’t sure what to do next. There is a lot of material the exam covers, and you want to make sure you do well and are prepared. Here are some helpful tips for getting a perfect MCAT score:
This sounds cliche, but people often don’t do well on the MCAT because they did not study enough or they studied the wrong material. Studying is the best way to get a good score on the MCAT. Create a study plan that works best for you. Keep it rigorous, but allow it to accommodate your daily life. This way, you will walk into the exam prepared and more at ease.
The score you need on the MCAT is specific to the school you’re applying to. Every medical school has separate requirements and MCAT score expectations.
Take a look at the minimum MCAT requirements of each of your target schools to know the minimum MCAT score you need to achieve. It’s also important to understand how the MCAT scoring system works so you can create the best study plan to reach your target.
Looking at class averages may also give you a better idea of what your dream medical school is expecting from your MCAT scores.
Start studying as early as possible. You don’t want to wait until the week before the MCAT to cram information into your brain. Chances are, the pressure of trying to retain the information will make you forget it more quickly.
Starting early gives you time to cover more material before the exam. You can start studying a year before your exam, or a few months – depending on your baseline level of knowledge. For example, you can give yourself a month to study for each section of the exam, or two months per section, depending on how comfortable you feel about retaining the information.
Do you prefer to study on weekends or weekdays? Do you retain more information when studying in the morning or at night? Some people do better in study groups, while others do better studying alone. Find out what works for you and begin as soon as possible, so there is less stress on you.
Taking full-length practice tests is an essential step to getting a perfect MCAT score. There are resources available to you everywhere. Study guides and booklets give you information about each section of the MCAT and provide you with practice tests to give you an idea of what to expect when taking the real thing.
The AAMC offers full-length practice MCATs for free. These are great because they show you the areas you are doing well and areas you need to study more. You can also time yourself to practice your time management for the real test.
You will have to register for the MCAT on the AAMC website. Schedule a date that you are comfortable with, and be sure to give yourself plenty of time to study. Give yourself at least a few months to review before taking the MCAT.
You want to make sure to learn as much material as possible without waiting until the last minute, so register for a date that gives you a decent amount of time to do so.
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about MCAT scores.
If you didn’t do as well as you wanted, don’t worry! You are allowed to retake the MCAT. Many applicants take the exam more than once; you’re not expected to get a perfect MCAT score on the first try.
Try to give yourself some time, so you have time to study areas where you did and didn’t do well. If you feel that you want to have the option to retake the exam, register for a date earlier in the year; that way, if you don’t do well, you can register for a date later in the year, giving you time to study more.
Note that some medical schools will require all MCAT scores, while others will only ask for your most recent score.
You will receive your official MCAT scores by email from the AAMC approximately 30 days after your exam date. Unofficial scores may become available on your AAMC account within 2 weeks, but the complete official scores take a full month to allow for psychometric and administrative reviews.
Yes, you can still apply. Your MCAT score is an essential component of your medical school application, but it is not the most important. If you have an excellent academic record and GPA, it’s okay for your score to be on the lower side.
However, if your score is below all minimum requirements, you should wait to apply again unless you want to check out medical schools that don’t require the MCAT.
If you do have a score on the lower end, apply to schools where your scores are more competitive. For example, some schools’ matriculants have an average score of 519, while another school’s average is 510.
If you have achieved a 509, it's best to apply to the latter school. As mentioned earlier, your application is reviewed as a whole, not just by one item.
No, there is no curved score option when taking the MCAT. Instead, the exam is scaled so that all scores have the same meaning.
The average first-attempt MCAT score for U.S. and Canadian examinees is around 500 out of the maximum 528. You should set your target above 510 to be a competitive applicant.
The total combined MCAT score, which sums the four sections, ranges from 472 (lowest possible total) to 528 (highest possible total). Each of the four individual MCAT sections is scored on a scale from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest).
The highest total MCAT score possible is 528. However, even the top schools in the country don’t expect a perfect score.
A score of 514 means you scored within the 88th percentile, and it is well above the national average. Whether or not a 514 is competitive depends on the schools you are applying for.
A score of 508 is above the national average and is considered a good score. The importance of achieving a good score depends on which schools you are applying for.
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with trying again! If you have to retake the MCAT to achieve the best score possible, go for it. Retaking the MCAT will only begin to look bad after two or more retakes. Also, ensure that you have a new plan of attack! Only retake the test if you’re sure that you’ll improve your MCAT score.
Yes, a 517 is well above the national average and puts you in the 94th percentile rank!
Scoring above 500 indicates you are performing above the average of all test takers on a diagnostic exam. A diagnostic score at or above 505 shows initial readiness and potential to achieve an ultimately competitive final MCAT score through further preparation.
While just one piece of your application, a good MCAT score unlocks opportunities at your target medical schools. Thorough preparation and strategic timing of the exam build readiness to excel on test day.
Equip yourself with key score benchmarks and school data to set goals. Then craft a dedicated study plan to demonstrate academic excellence when it matters most. With an MCAT score aligned to your aspirations, you clear a vital hurdle for realizing your medical dreams. Stay focused on growth, and let your commitment drive you toward success.
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