What is the MCAT score range?

The MCAT score range is 472 to 528. Each of the 4 sections (Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys, Psych/Soc, CARS) is scored from 118 to 132. The 4 section scores are summed to produce the composite score. A score of 500 represents the 50th percentile (national average). The scale was introduced in 2015 when the MCAT was redesigned; scores from the previous version (3–45 scale) are not comparable and are generally not accepted by medical schools for current applications.

What is a good MCAT score?

A good MCAT score depends on your target programs. For most MD programs, a score of 510+ is competitive. For top-10 MD programs, 518+ is the realistic minimum. For DO programs, 500+ is generally adequate. The national average for MD applicants who are accepted is approximately 511–512. A score of 500 (the national average of all test-takers) is below average among applicants who actually gain admission to MD programs. Always compare your score to the published average MCAT of admitted students at your specific target schools using the AAMC MSAR database.

What percentile is a 510 MCAT score?

A 510 MCAT score is approximately the 80th percentile — meaning you scored higher than about 80% of all MCAT test-takers in the 3-year reference pool. A 510 is a competitive score for many MD programs and strong for DO programs. It falls within the middle 50% range of accepted students at many strong state flagship medical schools. For top-20 MD programs, a 510 is slightly below average for admitted students (who typically average 515–520), but other application components (GPA, research, interviews) can compensate.

Can you get into medical school with a low MCAT score?

Yes, in some circumstances. A score below 500 severely limits options for MD programs (very few accredited MD programs accept below 500), but many DO programs consider applicants with scores in the 495–500 range with strong GPA and clinical experience. Some Caribbean medical schools accept lower scores, though residency match rates and licensing outcomes vary. For applicants with a low MCAT, a retake after targeted preparation is almost always the better path before applying. Apply broadly if you submit with a score below your target school's average.

How many times can you take the MCAT?

AAMC policy allows the MCAT to be taken up to 3 times in a single testing year, up to 4 times over 2 consecutive years, and up to 7 times total over a lifetime (though this lifetime limit applies primarily to scores taken before 2017). All MCAT scores — including all retakes — are reported to every medical school you apply to through AMCAS. There is no score choice. Most schools consider the highest score, but some average scores or note multiple attempts in holistic review. Taking the exam more than 3 times is generally viewed negatively without clear improvement.

What is the average MCAT score for accepted medical students?

The average MCAT score among students accepted to allopathic (MD) medical programs is approximately 511–512. For osteopathic (DO) programs, the average is approximately 504–505. The national average for all MCAT test-takers (including those who do not apply or are not accepted) is approximately 500–501. The gap between all test-takers and accepted students reflects that many people who sit for the MCAT do not ultimately apply to medical school or do not meet the admissions threshold. Accepted student averages are published annually by AAMC.

MCAT Score Range 2026–2026 — Scoring Scale, Percentiles, and Good Score Benchmarks

MCAT score range 2026–2026: the 472–528 scoring scale, section score ranges, percentile rankings, average MCAT scores, and what scores are competitive for medical school admissions.

MCAT - Medical College Admission TestApr 24, 20268 min read

MCAT Score Range 2026–2026 — Scoring Scale, Percentiles, and Good Score Benchmarks

MCAT Score Range — The 472–528 Scale

The MCAT is scored on a scale of 472 to 528. This is not a percentage-based score — it is a scaled score derived from your raw score (number of correct answers) converted through a process that accounts for slight differences in difficulty between test versions. A score of 500 represents the 50th percentile, meaning exactly half of all test-takers score 500 or lower.

The 528 scale was introduced in 2015 when the MCAT was redesigned. The previous version (before 2015) was scored 3–45. If you see reference to "45T" as a perfect score, that is the legacy scale.

Why the score range starts at 472: No test-taker can receive a score below 472 or above 528, even if they answer every question correctly or incorrectly. The scale is anchored so that the midpoint (500) consistently represents the 50th percentile across all test administrations — ensuring comparability between test dates.

National average MCAT score: The national average for all MCAT test-takers is approximately 500 to 501. However, the average MCAT score among students who were accepted to medical school is significantly higher — approximately 511 to 512 for MD programs and approximately 504 to 505 for DO programs. This gap matters: the relevant benchmark is not the national average of all test-takers but the average of admitted applicants at your target schools.

Average MCAT by section (approximate national averages):

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem): ~125
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys): ~124
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc): ~126
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): ~125

Mcat Score Range — the 472–528 Scale - MCAT - Medical College Admission Test certification study resource

MCAT Score Range at a Glance

Score Scale472–528

Composite range: 472 (lowest) to 528 (perfect)
Per section range: 118 to 132 per section
Midpoint (50th %ile): 500 composite

National Averages~500

All test-takers: ~500–501 composite
MD acceptees: ~511–512 composite
DO acceptees: ~504–505 composite

Top 10%515+

90th percentile: ~515 composite
95th percentile: ~517–518 composite
99th percentile: 524–528 composite

Score Validity3 Years

Score validity: Most schools accept scores up to 3 years old
Retakes allowed: 3 times per year, 4 lifetime max (AAMC)
Score choice: All scores sent to medical schools (no score choice)

MCAT Section Score Ranges Explained

The MCAT consists of 4 sections, each scored 118–132. Section scores are simply added to produce your total composite (4 sections × midpoint 125 = 500 composite).

Biological and Biochemical Foundations (Bio/Biochem): 59 questions, 95 minutes. Tests biochemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and physiology as they relate to biological systems. This section is chemistry-heavy — amino acid structures, enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, and DNA/RNA mechanics are frequently tested. Average score: approximately 125.

Chemical and Physical Foundations (Chem/Phys): 59 questions, 95 minutes. Tests general chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Often the most difficult section for biology-focused students — physics content (optics, circuits, thermodynamics) is regularly tested. Average score: approximately 124 — the lowest section average, reflecting difficulty.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc): 59 questions, 95 minutes. Tests psychology, sociology, and basic biology as they relate to human behavior and health disparities. This section is the most studyable with flashcard review — key theories, researchers, and terminology form the bulk of testable content. Average score: approximately 126 — the highest section average.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): 53 questions, 90 minutes. Reading comprehension of dense humanities and social science passages. No content knowledge is tested — only reasoning and inference skills. This section cannot be crammed; it requires sustained practice reading complex texts. Average score: approximately 125.

Practice all 4 sections with our MCAT practice test to assess your baseline score range before registration.

MCAT Score Percentiles — What Your Score Really Means

MCAT percentile rankings are published by AAMC annually and indicate what percentage of test-takers scored at or below your score. Percentiles are calculated from all MCAT scores over a 3-year rolling period — not just the current year.

Key MCAT percentile benchmarks (approximate):

528: 100th percentile (perfect score)
524–527: 99th percentile
520–523: 97–98th percentile
517–519: 94–96th percentile
514–516: 89–93rd percentile

511–513:

507–510: 66–77th percentile
503–506: 50–61st percentile
500–502: 43–50th percentile
495–499: 28–40th percentile
490–494: 17–26th percentile
480–489: 5–14th percentile
472–479: Below 5th percentile

Section-level percentiles also matter — a 125 in CARS is more competitive than a 130 in Bio/Biochem because CARS is the hardest section to improve. Admissions committees examine section profiles, not just composite scores.

What MCAT Score Is Competitive? — By Medical School Tier

The MCAT score you need depends on the schools you are applying to. AAMC publishes the average MCAT of accepted students for every MD program — always research your target school's published data (available in Medical School Admissions Requirements, MSAR).

Top 10 MD programs (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, Columbia, etc.): Average accepted MCAT approximately 521–524. A score below 517 is unlikely to be competitive. These schools receive thousands of applications and use MCAT as an initial filter.

Top 25–50 MD programs: Average accepted MCAT approximately 515–520. A 513+ is generally competitive; 518+ is strong. GPA and research experience weigh heavily alongside MCAT at this tier.

Mid-tier MD programs (state schools, community-focused): Average accepted MCAT approximately 508–514. A 507+ is often competitive. Many state schools give strong preference to in-state residents — even with a 505, in-state status significantly helps at flagship state programs.

DO programs (osteopathic medical schools): Average accepted MCAT approximately 503–506. DO programs use a separate application (AACOMAS). A 500+ is generally adequate for many DO schools; 505+ is competitive for top DO programs.

Caribbean and international programs: Minimum MCAT requirements vary — some programs accept 490+. Match rates for residency vary significantly; research program-specific outcomes carefully.

Should You Retake the MCAT?

AAMC allows test-takers to attempt the MCAT up to 3 times per calendar year and up to 4 times total (7 lifetime if the first 4 were taken before 2017). All scores are reported to every school you apply to — there is no score choice. Medical schools vary in how they handle multiple attempts: some average all scores, some take the highest, some look at the most recent attempt with context.

Retaking is generally worth it if: your score is below the average for your target programs, your practice test scores consistently predict a higher result, and you can identify specific content weaknesses to address. It is less worth it if: you have taken the exam 3+ times already (multiple attempts can raise red flags), your score is within 3 points of your target school's average, or your application cycle timeline does not allow adequate prep time before the retake.

Review our MCAT practice tests and the full MCAT practice test exam to benchmark your current level before deciding on a retake strategy.

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