With the end of spring semester (and finals) quickly approaching, you may already be thinking about your next hurdle: studying for the Medical College Admission Test, more commonly known as the MCAT. This standardized, multiple-choice assessment is required by nearly all U.S. medical schools in order to apply. Specifically, it includes four sections that test the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills you’ll need to have as a future medical student. But before you start making an intensive, all-day study schedule to achieve the perfect score, it’s important to break down how exactly you’re going to be assessed through the MCAT score range and MCAT score percentiles.

Remember, if you’re in an undergraduate pre-med program, a BS/MD program or an early assurance medical program, you’re already inherently prepared knowledge-wise! The key is knowing the format of the exam before you take the real one. Most importantly, you must understand what the MCAT score range is and how it translates to MCAT score percentiles.

MCAT Total Score Percentiles

If you’ve already cracked open an MCAT practice test book, pay attention to what year it was published. Here’s a little history lesson for you: the scoring system (both MCAT score range and MCAT percentiles) was completely revamped in 2015! Previously, there were three multiple-choice sections, each with a possible raw score of 1-15. In addition, there was a fourth section dedicated to a writing sample, but a committee formed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which administers the MCAT, found the writing section to have a low value in medical school admissions.

Now, there are four multiple sections (no writing section required) with a total of 230 questions, and each section has a possible scaled score of 118-132. Logically, the total MCAT score range is 472-528. In the 2022-23 testing cycle, the average total score was 506.5. Your scaled score is then converted into a percentile rank, which theoretically ranges from less than one percent to 100 percent. You’ll notice that multiple scores sit on the extreme ends of the MCAT score percentiles – these really act as placeholders to understand the placement of your score amid the marker percentiles (e.g., 25th, 50th and 75th).

What is a “Good” MCAT Percentile?

This truly depends on where you’re applying to medical school. If you do your research, you’ll realize most programs (especially the top ones) don’t have a minimum MCAT score requirement. However, the average score typically falls around the 80th percentile, which equates to a scaled score around 511. It is important to note that MCAT score percentiles can change slightly from year to year, so the 80th percentile may be a different score in years past if you’re looking at historical trends. For more information on the MCAT score range, check out this extensive list of average MCAT scores and GPAs at top U.S. medical schools.

Total Score Percentile Rank
472 <1
473 <1
474 <1
475 <1
476 1
477 1
478 2
479 2
480 3
481 4
482 5
483 6
484 7
485 8
486 10
487 11
488 13
489 15
490 17
491 19
492 21
493 24
494 26
495 29
496 32
497 35
498 38
499 41
500 45
501 48
502 51
503 55
504 58
505 61
506 65
507 68
508 71
509 74
510 77
511 80
512 83
513 86
514 88
515 90
516 92
517 94
518 95
519 96
520 97
521 98
522 99
523 99
524 100
525 100
526 100
527 100
528 100

MCAT Section Score Percentiles

Now that you understand the overall MCAT score range, we can look at each of the four sections you’ll be tested on and how they compare with respect to scaled score and percentile. Overall, the exam contains 230 multiple-choice questions across four parts. Sections one, three and four have 59 questions each, while section two is just 53 questions. Wrong answers aren’t penalized, so the final score of each section is just the number of correct answers added up (which is then scaled to a score between 118 and 132).

Every section tests a different set of skills and knowledge, from straightforward biology to critical reading comprehension. It is designed to cover a wide range of topics that you need to know heading into medical school after you graduate. Since the scoring system was redesigned in 2015, the MCAT’s questions and passages are more relevant to what you’ve studied in school kas well as in preparation for the exam.

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

First, this section is 59 passage-based and discrete questions that you’ll have 95 minutes to answer. In the 2022-23 testing cycle, the average MCAT score for this section was 125.2, which translates to an MCAT percentile of 52. In particular, this section tests your retention of human body functions, including the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of tissues, organs, and organ systems. It covers introductory-level biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and physics concepts.

Section Score Percentile Rank
118 1
119 3
120 7
121 13
122 21
123 30
124 42
125 52
126 64
127 75
128 84
129 91
130 96
131 99
132 100

MCAT Score Range (Continued)

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Second, this section is 53 passage-based questions that you’ll have 90 minutes to answer. In the 2022-23 testing cycle, the average MCAT score for this section was 124.8, which is almost the 60th MCAT percentile. This section tests your comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills by presenting passages from a diverse range of topics including ethics, philosophy, studies of diverse cultures, population health, social sciences, and humanities disciplines. All of the information needed to answer the questions can be found in the passages and the questions themselves.

Section Score Percentile Rank
118 1
119 3
120 7
121 13
122 23
123 35
124 48
125 60
126 72
127 82
128 90
129 95
130 98
131 99
132 100

 Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

Third, this section is 59 passage-based and discrete questions that you’ll have 95 minutes to answer. In the 2022-23 testing cycle, the average MCAT score for this section was 125.5, which is between the 48th and 60th MCAT percentiles. Specifically, this section tests your knowledge of processes unique to living organisms, like growing and reproducing, maintaining a constant internal environment, acquiring materials and energy, sensing and responding to environmental changes, and adapting. It covers introductory-level biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as basic research methods and statistical concepts.

Section Score Percentile Rank
118 1
119 3
120 6
121 11
122 18
123 27
124 37
125 48
126 60
127 71
128 82
129 89
130 95
131 98
132 100

MCAT Score Range (Continued)

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

Finally, this section is 59 passage-based and discrete questions that you’ll have 95 minutes to answer. In the 2022-23 testing cycle, the average MCAT score for this section was 126.1, which is the 52nd MCAT percentile. This section tests your understanding of the psychological, social, and biological factors that influence perceptions of and reactions to the world; behavior and behavior change; what people think about themselves and others; the cultural and social differences that impact well-being; and other topics. It covers psychology, sociology, and biology concepts, as well as basic research methods and statistical concepts.

Section Score Percentile Rank
118 1
119 2
120 5
121 9
122 15
123 22
124 31
125 41
126 52
127 64
128 75
129 84
130 93
131 97
132 100

Why are MCAT Score Percentiles Useful?

As you’re preparing for the exam over several months, referencing the MCAT score range for both total and section scores can help you uncover your weaknesses and track progress. If you’re consistently scoring below the 50th percentile for Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems but above the 75th percentile for the other three, then you know it’s time to devote extra time to reviewing your human biology functions facts.

It can also help you compare your progress nationally. Rather than just knowing your score, you can see how your MCAT test score compares to others who are applying to the same medical schools. However, make sure to use it as a positive motivation; negative comparison can distract you from focusing on your exam preparation – your primary goal!

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Emily is currently a professional writer in the healthcare industry. As a former journalist, her work focused on climate change, health disparities, and education. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish from Stanford University, and a master’s in journalism from Arizona State University. Her first published novel debuted in 2020, and she hopes to finish her second novel by the end of this year.