The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) uses a scaled score system ranging from 200 to 600, with a mean score of approximately 400 and a standard deviation of about 25 points. Understanding where your score falls within this range is essential for graduate school admissions decisions.
Percentile rankings tell the real story: a score of 450 or above places you in roughly the top 10% of test-takers, while the middle 50% of examinees score between 375 and 425. Programs vary widely in their minimum requirements — competitive doctoral programs often expect scores above 420, while many master's programs accept scores in the 380–410 range.
This guide breaks down every score tier, explains what percentile your score represents, and shows exactly what graduate programs are looking for — so you can set a clear target before test day.
Scores in this range fall below the 16th percentile. Most accredited graduate programs will not consider applicants in this tier without exceptional supporting materials. If you score here, focused study and a retake are strongly recommended before applying.
This range covers approximately the 16th–40th percentile. Some master's programs with broader admissions criteria accept scores in the mid-to-upper portion of this band, particularly when GPA and letters of recommendation are strong. Score of 375 is roughly the 25th percentile.
The most common score range for test-takers, covering approximately the 40th–60th percentile. A score of 400 is exactly the mean. Many state university master's programs consider this competitive, especially for education, social work, and counseling programs.
Scores here represent roughly the 60th–84th percentile. This range is competitive for most master's and many doctoral programs. Education-focused programs often list 410–420 as their target admission score. A 420 places you around the 75th–80th percentile.
This tier covers the 84th–90th percentile range. Scores of 430+ are competitive for highly selective doctoral programs in psychology, education, and the humanities. Many PhD programs in counselor education list 430 as their preferred minimum.
A score of 450 or above places you in approximately the top 10% of all MAT examinees nationally. Scores at 460+ approach the top 5%. This range is competitive for elite doctoral programs and fellowship applications. The ceiling of 600 is theoretically achievable but extremely rare.
The MAT is scored on a scaled score system, not a raw percentage. Your raw score (the number of questions answered correctly out of 120) is converted to a scaled score between 200 and 600 using Pearson's equating process. This conversion accounts for minor difficulty variations across different test forms, so a 400 on one form is equivalent to a 400 on another.
Your score report includes three key numbers:
Programs receive both your scaled score and your percentile rank. The percentile rank is often more meaningful to admissions committees than the raw scaled score number, since it provides direct context about your performance relative to peers applying to similar programs.
Learn more about the miller analogies test scores reporting system and how programs interpret your results.
A "good" MAT score is program-specific. There is no universal cutoff — what matters is how your score compares to other applicants at your target school. That said, here are general benchmarks drawn from published program requirements:
Always check your specific program's published requirements. Some programs list a minimum score; others use the MAT holistically alongside GPA and recommendations. Review miller analogies test scores guidelines before setting your target.
The table below shows approximate scaled score to percentile conversions based on the standard MAT normal distribution (mean 400, SD 25). These are estimates — Pearson publishes exact norms in official score reports.
| Scaled Score | Approximate Percentile | Performance Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 460+ | Top 5% | Exceptional |
| 450 | ~90th | Excellent |
| 440 | ~84th | Very Strong |
| 430 | ~78th | Strong |
| 420 | ~71st | Above Average |
| 410 | ~65th | Above Average |
| 400 | ~50th (Mean) | Average |
| 390 | ~40th | Low Average |
| 380 | ~27th | Below Average |
| 370 | ~16th | Well Below Average |
| 360 and below | Bottom 10% | Needs Significant Improvement |
Use this chart as a planning tool when setting your study goals. If your mat practice exam scores are consistently in a given range, your actual test score will likely land nearby — though official scaled scores may differ slightly from practice estimates.
MAT scores are valid for five years from the test date. If your score is older than five years, you will need to retake the exam for it to be accepted by graduate programs. There is no limit on the number of times you can take the MAT, but most programs will see all scores reported — not just your highest.
Pearson's score-reporting policy sends your full score history to programs you designate. This means a dramatically lower score on a second attempt could raise questions — though a meaningfully higher score (10+ points) generally reflects positively. Most admissions committees take the highest score.
If you are retaking the MAT, structured mat test prep focused on analogy categories you missed is the most efficient path to improvement. The MAT tests a finite set of analogy types — mastering each type systematically is more effective than general reviewing. Start with a full MAT practice test to establish a baseline before diving into targeted prep.
Understanding the MAT score scale is the first step — but consistent practice is what moves the needle. The analogy format of the MAT is learnable, and the more you expose yourself to the question patterns, the more natural the reasoning process becomes.
Use the MAT practice resources on PracticeTestGeeks to work through full-length simulations and category-specific miller analogies test practice sets. Each session builds the vocabulary depth and pattern recognition that the MAT rewards. Set a score target based on your program's requirements, track your progress across practice sessions, and adjust your study plan based on which analogy types give you the most trouble.
Ready to start? Take a free mat practice exam now and get a baseline score to work from.