How is the MCAT scored?

The MCAT has four sections, each scored 118–132. The four section scores sum to a total between 472 and 528, with 500 set as the scaled midpoint. Percentiles come from AAMC's multi-year examinee pool.

What is a good MCAT score?

The MCAT median is around 501–502 (about the 50th percentile). A 510 sits near the 80th percentile, and 515+ is roughly the 90th percentile and above — competitive for most MD programs.

Should I enter total or section scores?

Either works. If you enter four valid section scores (118–132 each) the tool sums them to your total. If you enter a total directly it uses that. The percentile is based on the total.

Are these percentiles official?

They closely approximate AAMC's published percentile ranks, which are based on a rolling multi-year window of examinees and updated annually. Confirm against the current official AAMC table for applications.

How much does the MCAT matter for admissions?

The MCAT and GPA are the two primary screening metrics. A strong MCAT can offset a weaker GPA and is critical for clearing program cutoffs, though clinical experience, research, and essays also weigh heavily.

MCAT Score Percentile Calculator

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Convert your MCAT score to a percentile

The MCAT total ranges from 472 to 528, built from four sections each scored 118 to 132. Admissions committees think in percentiles, not raw points, so this tool converts your total — entered directly or summed from section scores — into its approximate AAMC percentile rank and shows where it lands relative to typical medical school medians.

How it works

The four MCAT sections (Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc) each contribute 118–132 points. Their sum is the total:

total = section1 + section2 + section3 + section4   (472–528)
midpoint = 500

The percentile uses a lookup table that mirrors AAMC’s published percentile ranks, interpolating linearly between anchor totals:

total 528 ≈ 100th percentile
total 520 ≈ 98th percentile
total 515 ≈ 92nd percentile
total 510 ≈ 80th percentile
total 501 ≈ 50th percentile (median)
total 490 ≈ 16th percentile
total 472 ≈ 0th percentile

Tips and notes

A balanced score profile across sections is often viewed more favorably than a lopsided one with the same total, because some programs screen on individual section minimums. Use the median reference to set realistic targets: clearing the 50th percentile keeps you in the applicant pool, but competitive MD programs usually expect 510+ (roughly the 80th percentile and above). These bands track AAMC data but update yearly — verify against the current official table before relying on them for application decisions.