How MCAT Scoring Works: Section Scores, Percentiles, and What They Mean

How is the MCAT scored, and what’s considered a good MCAT score in 2025? Whether you’re a first-time test taker or preparing for a retake, understanding the scoring system is critical. Your MCAT score plays a significant role in the medical school admissions process, especially at more competitive programs.

This guide breaks down MCAT section scores, percentiles, scaled scores, and what they really mean for your chances at top medical schools.

Why Understanding the MCAT Scoring System Matters

The MCAT exam (Medical College Admission Test) is not just about getting questions answered correctly. Because it’s scaled and equated, even small differences in section scores can influence how admissions officers interpret your application. The MCAT isn’t curved against other test takers, but it is scaled to ensure consistency across different exam dates.

Understanding how MCAT scoring works helps you set a realistic target score that actually aligns with your goals, not just what you’ve seen on Reddit. It keeps you from over-focusing on raw numbers and instead helps you see the bigger picture: how schools evaluate your score in context, how section imbalances may be viewed, and whether a retake is worth it. Most importantly, it gives you clarity on how your MCAT fits into the broader holistic review process alongside your GPA, experiences, and story.

MCAT Score Range Explained

Total MCAT Score Range: 472–528

Section Score Range: 118–132

Each MCAT test includes four sections:

1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
2. Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
3. Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
4. Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Your total score is the sum of the four section scores, each scaled independently, not averaged. That means scoring high in one section won't necessarily “cancel out” a low one.

For example: 127 (Chem/Phys) + 128 (CARS) + 130 (Bio/Biochem) + 129 (Psych/Soc) = 514 total MCAT score.

Read: Average MCAT Scores of the Top 50 Medical Schools

MCAT Sections Overview

Let’s break down the sections, which assess a mix of scientific knowledge, reasoning, and critical thinking skills:

How Do Medical Schools Use MCAT Scores?

While most medical schools follow a holistic review process, the MCAT score remains one of the most important data points in the medical school admissions decision. It’s often the first filter used to sort applicants, and how schools interpret it can vary widely depending on their mission, resources, and competitiveness.

Here’s how MCAT scores are typically used:

Minimum Score Thresholds

Many schools (especially MD programs) set a minimum MCAT cutoff, often around 500–502, below which applications may not be reviewed, regardless of GPA or extracurriculars. For top-tier schools, that informal threshold can rise to 510–512.

Pro tip: Always check the MSAR or school websites for publicly listed minimums or ranges—and don’t assume they’re flexible.

Section-Specific Emphasis

Some individual medical schools scrutinize section scores more than others, especially:

• CARS - Considered a proxy for critical thinking, ethics, and reading-intensive coursework. Some research-heavy or humanities-integrated programs (e.g., UVA, UCSF) value this highly.
• Psych/Soc - Increasingly relevant due to the emphasis on social determinants of health and patient-centered care.

Even if your total score is strong, a significantly low section (e.g. <124 in CARS) may raise red flags at certain programs.

GPA vs. MCAT: Striking the Right Balance

Admissions committees often use a grid system comparing undergraduate GPA and MCAT scores to assess academic readiness. A high MCAT can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa, but large disparities may require explanation.

For example:

• Low GPA, high MCAT (e.g. 3.3 / 517) → Signals academic growth or underperformance due to outside factors
• High GPA, low MCAT (e.g. 3.9 / 500) → May raise concerns about test-taking ability or foundational content gaps

Context matters, and admissions officers look for patterns across your transcript and score report.

Beyond the Numbers: Mission Fit & Context

Some mission-driven schools prioritize first-generation, rural, or underserved applicants and may de-emphasize MCAT slightly in favor of lived experience, grit, and alignment with their values. But even these programs usually require a baseline score to ensure readiness for medical training.

What’s Considered a Good MCAT Score?

This depends on your goals. But here are general benchmarks for total MCAT scores:

• 500 = National average MCAT score
• 510–514 = Strong for mid-tier MD schools
• 515+ = Competitive for top MCAT programs

Average scores:

• All test takers: ~501.3
• MD applicants: ~506.5
• MD matriculants: ~511.9

Even a low MCAT score in one section can raise questions. We’ll cover how to handle that below.

Pro Tip: Use AAMC’s MSAR tool to check school-specific score ranges before you apply.

MCAT Percentiles: What They Mean

The AAMC updates MCAT percentiles every year based on a rolling sample of all test takers from the previous three testing years. These rankings show how your score compares to other test takers, not just students admitted to medical school.

For example, a 515 places you in the 91st percentile, meaning you scored better than 91% of examinees.

Admissions committees use this data to contextualize your score relative to the applicant pool, especially in highly competitive cycles.

Raw Score vs. Scaled Score

The MCAT is scored in two steps: raw → scaled → total.

Raw Score - The number of questions you answered correctly in each section. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so always guess if you're unsure.

Scaled Score - Your raw score is converted to a scaled MCAT score (ranging from 118 to 132 per section) using a statistical process called equating. This ensures fairness across different versions of the test, so scores mean the same thing regardless of when you test.

Total Score - Your total MCAT score is the sum of your four scaled section scores, ranging from 472 to 528.

This process avoids rewarding luck or penalizing test takers who receive slightly harder questions. It also prevents score inflation, keeping the test fair across thousands of test forms and exam dates.

What If You Score Low in One Section?

A lopsided score—like 130 / 130 / 124 / 131—can raise questions during the review process, especially if the low section is CARS (critical thinking) or Psych/Soc (behavioral science), which some schools weigh more heavily.

But it’s not an automatic rejection. Here’s how to think about it and what to do next:

How to Mitigate a Low Section Score

• Offset it with academic or experiential strength. A strong undergraduate GPA, upward academic trend, or research background in that content area (e.g. psychology for a low Psych/Soc) can signal readiness despite the dip.
• Use your personal statement (or secondaries) to provide context. If there were testing accommodations, illness, or major life events during prep, and the low section isn't consistent with your academic history, you can briefly explain this without making excuses.
• Tailor your school list. Some medical schools publish minimum section score cutoffs, often 124–125 per section. Prioritize schools that view the MCAT holistically and don’t have rigid section thresholds.
• Consider how the section aligns with your intended specialty. For example, a low Bio/Biochem score may matter more for research-heavy MD/PhD programs than for clinically-focused DO schools.

When to Retake the MCAT

A retake is worth considering if:

• Your total MCAT score is below 505 for MD (or below 500 for DO). You’re consistently scoring 4+ points higher on full-length practice tests
• Your low section score drops you below school cutoffs, or the confidence band overlap obscures your true potential
• You didn’t take full-length timed exams before test day, or had major prep gaps

When to Skip a Retake

A retake may not be necessary if:

• You’re applying to DO programs, post-baccs, or linkage programs with lower average MCAT requirements
• Your score is within your target schools’ 10th–90th percentile range
• You have a strong GPA, compelling personal story, and competitive extracurriculars or clinical exposure
• You’re unlikely to gain ≥ 3–4 points with additional prep (MCAT score increases after a retake are often modest)

Expert Tip: Many admissions officers care more about your overall readiness and academic consistency than one imperfect section. If the rest of your application is strong and you’re applying strategically, a single low section isn’t a dealbreaker.

Tips for MCAT Prep

Here’s how top scorers and the students who gain the most ground approach their prep strategically.

Start with Full-Length Practice Tests

If you’re not regularly taking full-length, timed exams under realistic conditions, you’re not preparing for the real MCAT. Period. Full-length practice tests (especially AAMC exams) simulate the mental fatigue, pacing, and passage complexity of test day better than any other tool. Aim for at least five, ideally spaced out across your final 6–8 weeks of prep. Use each one to fine-tune timing, identify consistent weak spots, and get comfortable sitting for a 7.5-hour exam.

Identify and Triage Your Weak Sections

Not all MCAT sections demand the same approach. Struggling with biological foundations might mean you need more active recall and pathway mapping. Falling behind in CARS or reasoning skills likely means you need to read differently, not just more. The key is to isolate section-specific weaknesses, not just overall content gaps. Diagnose what’s really holding you back: timing, comprehension, stamina, or conceptual understanding, and build your study plan around those needs, not generic advice.

Time Your Test Strategically

Your exam date should match your readiness, not just your application timeline. That usually means giving yourself 3–4 focused months of prep (longer if you’re balancing school or work), and choosing a date that ensures your score release falls before primary application deadlines. A rushed test date can sabotage months of prep. Be honest about your progress, especially if you’re plateauing below your target range.

Don’t Go It Alone, Work With an Expert

There’s a reason why many top scorers work with coaches. An experienced MCAT tutor doesn’t just explain content; they help you think like the test. They’ll analyze your raw scores, identify your blind spots, and build a study structure that’s realistic for your life. They’ll also hold you accountable on the days when motivation dips (and it will). If you’re aiming for a competitive jump, say from 501 to 510+, this kind of guidance can be the difference between a good plan and actual score movement.

Leland has dozens of coaches who’ve scored in the 98th–100th percentile and helped hundreds of students break through plateaus. Whether you’re just starting or deciding if you’re ready for test day, browse top MCAT coaches and find one who fits your goals, background, and schedule.

[top MCAT coaches]

Making Sense of Your MCAT Score

Your MCAT score range spans from 472 to 528, with section scores between 118 and 132. They’re scaled using a process called equating, which ensures fairness across test dates and forms. That means your score reflects more than just how many questions you got right; it shows how you performed in context.

Percentile rank, not just the number, shapes how medical schools interpret your performance. And while one low section might raise questions, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you. What matters is how the rest of your application supports your readiness and how well you’ve matched your score to your school list.

Above all, remember this: a strong MCAT score is achievable—even if you're starting from behind. With the right timeline, strategy, and support, we've seen students jump 10+ points and land at top programs. You don’t have to do this alone.

Work With an MCAT Tutor Today

If you’re feeling stuck, second-guessing your prep strategy, or just trying to figure out how to hit your goal score, you’re not alone. The MCAT is tough, but with the right coach, it becomes strategic, focused, and actually doable.

Leland’s MCAT tutors include 520+ scorers, former admissions readers, and med students who’ve helped hundreds of students boost their scores, some by 10+ points. Whether you're aiming for a retake, targeting a 515+, or just starting to study, we’ll help you build the plan and momentum to get there.

• Browse top-rated MCAT tutors
• Book a free call with an advisor to get matched
• Read real student reviews
• Join a free MCAT strategy event

The sooner you get started, the more strategic your prep becomes and the faster your score starts to move.

Read these next:

• The Best 50+ Free Resources for the MCAT Exam
• MCAT Study Schedules: Comparing 1, 3, and 6-Month Plans
• MCAT High Yield Topics: Everything You Need to Know
• How Many Times You Can Take the MCAT – (& When to Take It)
• The Best MCAT Prep Course for Your Success

MCAT Scoring FAQs

How do percentiles work for MCAT?

• The percentile ranks provided on your applicants' MCAT score reports show the percentages of test takers who received the same scores or lower scores on the exam. They show how the scores of your applicants compare to the scores of everyone who took the exam.

How is the MCAT scored for each section?

• The number correct score for each section is converted to a scaled score ranging from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest). For example, if your number correct score on one of the sections is between 35 and 37, your converted score might be 123.

What's the hardest section on MCAT?

• Because CARS requires speedy reading and covers often non-medical subjects, a majority of test-takers say that CARS is the hardest MCAT section.

Is MCAT math heavy?

• Although the current MCAT has very few heavy calculations, there are many questions that require you to demonstrate your ability to manipulate some math. This guide covers the essential math concepts, tips, and strategies you need for success.

What is a perfect score on an MCAT section?

• The highest total MCAT score is 528, and the highest MCAT score per section is 132. In terms of percentile rankings, the highest percentile is 99+, which means you scored better than 99% of test-takers.