Miller Analogies Test Scores 2026 | MAT Score Ranges Percentiles

Miller Analogies Test Scores 2026 — Score Ranges & Percentiles

Understanding your MAT scores is essential for evaluating your graduate school prospects and choosing programs where you are competitive. The Miller Analogies Test, administered by Pearson, produces a scaled score between 200 and 600, with a mean of approximately 400 — but the real story is how your number maps to a national percentile and what admissions committees actually look for when reviewing your results.

🔴 Score Scale – 200-600

Pearson

Scale range: 200 to 600 (scaled)
Mean score: ~400 (50th percentile)
Standard deviation: ~25 points
Score equating: Applied across administrations

🟠 Percentile Bands – 400 = 50th

500+: ~99th percentile
450: ~93rd percentile
425: ~75th percentile
400: ~50th percentile (median)
375: ~25th percentile

🟡 Score Report – 10-15 Days

Contents: Scaled score + national percentile
Field percentile: Comparison to field-specific group
Confidence interval: Included in report
Release time: 10–15 business days after test

🟢 Program Requirements – Varies

Typical floor: 380–400 for most master's programs
Selective doctoral: 430+ often expected
Score validity: 5 years from test date
Score sending: 4 score reports included

How Graduate Programs Use MAT Scores

Graduate admissions committees do not use MAT scores in a vacuum. Most programs consider the score as one element within a holistic review that also weighs GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant experience. That said, MAT scores serve several specific functions in the admissions process:

Minimum eligibility screening: Many programs publish a minimum scaled score — often in the 380–400 range — below which applications are not reviewed further. Exceeding this floor is a prerequisite, not a distinction.
Fellowship and funding decisions: Strong MAT scores (typically 440+) can make applicants more competitive for merit-based assistantships, particularly in education, psychology, and social sciences programs where the MAT is the preferred admissions exam.
Benchmark for conditional admission: Some programs admit borderline applicants conditionally, requiring them to achieve a specific GPA in their first semester. A MAT score near but below the competitive range may trigger this conditional pathway rather than outright rejection.
Comparison within an applicant pool: When two applicants have similar GPAs and recommendations, a meaningful difference in MAT percentile ranks — say, 75th vs 40th — can tip the decision.
Substitute for the GRE: An increasing number of programs accept the MAT in lieu of the GRE. In these cases, committees typically consult a concordance table to convert MAT percentiles to approximate GRE equivalents, making percentile rank the most portable metric.

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MAT Score Questions and Answers

What is a good MAT score for graduate school?

A good MAT score depends on your target programs, but a scaled score of 400 or higher — the approximate median — is a reasonable baseline for most master's programs. For competitive programs or doctoral admissions, aim for 420 or above (roughly the 65th–70th percentile). Highly selective programs may expect scores of 440 or higher, placing applicants near the 85th to 90th percentile. Always check the score expectations published by each specific program, as requirements vary substantially by institution and field.

How long are MAT scores valid?

MAT scores are valid for five years from the date you took the exam. After five years, Pearson will no longer report those scores to institutions, and you must retake the test if you need current scores for an application. All scores earned within the five-year window remain on file, and programs may request a full score history or only your most recent result depending on their policy.

Can I cancel my MAT score after seeing it?

Unlike some other standardized tests, the MAT does not offer a score cancellation option at the testing center. Once you complete the exam, your score is recorded. Unofficial scores are displayed on-screen immediately after testing. If you are dissatisfied with your performance, your practical option is to retake the exam; Pearson allows multiple attempts, though programs may request your full testing history.

How does Pearson calculate MAT percentile ranks?

Pearson calculates MAT percentile ranks using a national comparison group composed of all individuals who have taken the MAT over a rolling multi-year period. Because this group consists entirely of graduate school applicants — an academically selective population — percentile ranks reflect your standing among a competitive peer group, not the general public. Pearson also reports a field-specific percentile rank comparing your score to other applicants who listed the same intended graduate major, which can be especially informative when your field percentile differs meaningfully from your national percentile.

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