What's a Good MCAT Score? Breakdown by Medical School Tier (2025)
Wondering what a good MCAT score is? Learn what a good MCAT score looks like in 2025, how it impacts admissions, and how to boost your chances of getting in.
Posted March 28, 2025
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For any prospective medical student, one of the biggest hurdles between you and medical school is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This standardized test is designed to measure the skills and knowledge that medical schools care about most: critical thinking, scientific understanding, and verbal reasoning.
But what exactly qualifies as a good MCAT score? How do your section scores, percentile rank, and total MCAT score impact your application? And how do you know whether you need to retake the test? This guide breaks everything down — from average MCAT scores and MCAT score range to study strategies and how to address lower MCAT scores — so you can make informed decisions and improve your odds of acceptance.
Why MCAT Scores Matter in Medical School Admissions
The MCAT plays a central role in the medical school admissions process. Medical school admissions committees and officers use it as an objective metric to compare applicants across the country.
A strong MCAT performance shows admissions teams that you're prepared to handle the academic intensity of medical school. While schools evaluate your undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and extracurriculars, your MCAT scores carry substantial weight — especially at more selective programs.
But while a good MCAT score can elevate your application, the flip side is also true. Lower MCAT scores can make it harder to secure interviews, even if other parts of your application are strong. It is not uncommon to retake the MCAT several times if you’re shooting for more competitive programs.
Test scores can also play an important role if your other quantifiable stats, specifically GPA, are lower. If your GPA is below the average of your target programs, an MCAT score that’s above the average can help balance it out.
What Is a Good MCAT Score in 2025?
To understand what a good MCAT score is, we need to look at the data and your goals. The MCAT exam scores range between 472 and 528, with a total score of 500 considered the median. But medical schools don’t just want average — they want scores that stand out.
MCAT Scores of Admitted Students by Tier
Here’s a breakdown of what MCAT score you need to get, depending on the tier of school you want to attend.
| School Tier | Average Acceptance Rate | Example Programs | Average MCAT Score | Average Score by MCAT Section | MCAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Top 20) | ~1-4% | Harvard, Stanford, NYU | 520-523 | CPBS: 130 CARS: 128 BBLS: 130 PSBB: 130 | 98-100th |
| Tier 2 (Ranks 21–50) | ~6-8% | University of Michigan, UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill | 515-519 | CPBS: 128 CARS: 127 BBLS: 128 PSBB: 128 | 90th-95th |
| Tier 3 (Ranks 51–100) | ~9-12% | Drexel, Tulane, Medical College of Wisconsin | 510-514 | CPBS: 127 CARS: 126 BBLS: 127 PSBB: 127 | 80th-89th |
| Tier 4 (Unranked/Newer) | ~12-15%+ | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University | 502-509 | CPBS: 125 CARS: 125 BBLS: 125 PSBB: 126 | 50th-79th |
Average MCAT Score
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average MCAT score for all applicants in recent years was 506.5, while the average for admits was 511.7. This shows how important it is to exceed the average if you're aiming for admission to any medical school.
Read: Average MCAT Scores of the Top 50 Medical Schools
MCAT Score Range and Sections
The MCAT score breakdown includes four sections, each scored from 118 to 132. Together, they add up to your total MCAT score (472–528). Here's what’s tested:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Each section contributes equally to your overall MCAT score. Some schools even look closely at MCAT section scores, especially in critical analysis or biological foundations.
The scaled score you receive is not simply a reflection of how many questions you got right — it's adjusted to account for slight differences in test difficulty across administrations. Your raw score is converted into a scaled score using AAMC’s proprietary formula.
What Is the Highest Possible MCAT Score?
The MCAT is scored on a scale from 472 to 528, with each of the four sections scored between 118 and 132. That means the highest possible score – a perfect 528 – requires earning 132 on every section.
Getting a 528 is an incredibly rare achievement and scoring this high requires not just strong content knowledge but also mastery of test-taking strategies, consistent practice, and near-perfect execution under pressure. While it’s not necessary to aim for perfection, knowing the upper end of the MCAT score range helps set the context for what’s competitive.
How to Reach a Good MCAT Score
Start with a strategic study timeline.
Reaching your target MCAT score starts with very intentional planning. Most successful applicants begin studying at least three to six months before their test date. This window allows enough time to cover content comprehensively, identify weak areas, and complete multiple review cycles. Spreading your prep over several months also prevents burnout and makes it easier to balance MCAT prep with other responsibilities like classes, work, or volunteering.
Read: How to Create an Effective MCAT Study Schedule
Make practice tests the core of your preparation.
Nothing prepares you for the MCAT exam like full-length, timed practice tests. These tests help you simulate real test-day conditions, build mental endurance, and develop familiarity with the pacing of each section. Completing at least five to seven practice exams under timed conditions is ideal, and analyzing your performance after each one is just as important as taking the test itself.
When reviewing your results, don't just focus on what you got wrong. Ask yourself why you made each mistake. Were you rushing? Did you misread the question? Was it a knowledge gap or a reasoning flaw? This level of analysis helps you sharpen your critical thinking and refine your strategy across all four MCAT sections.
Focus on section-specific weaknesses.
The MCAT is a multi-disciplinary exam. It assesses your understanding of content areas like biological and biochemical foundations, chemical and physical foundations, critical analysis, and psychological, social, and biological foundations. If you consistently score lower in one section, tailor your study plan to address that weakness head-on. That might mean revisiting biochemistry content, working through more critical analysis and reasoning skills passages, or practicing with physics question banks.
Remember that many medical school admissions committees review your MCAT section scores individually. Even if your total score is strong, a significantly low section score can raise questions. Balanced performance across all sections is ideal.
Use the official resources from AAMC.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers the most representative practice materials available. Their question packs, section banks, and full-length exams are built using the same style, logic, and difficulty level as the real test. Integrating these resources into your prep ensures you’re practicing with material that mirrors the real exam — a critical edge over relying solely on third-party tools.
Train your stamina and mental focus.
The MCAT exam lasts about seven and a half hours. It's as much a test of endurance as it is of knowledge. One of the most overlooked aspects of preparation is training yourself to stay sharp over an entire day of testing. If your energy dips halfway through a practice test, it's a sign you need to build stamina. Practice sitting through full exams without long breaks. On test day, your ability to maintain focus will be just as important as your academic preparation.
Read: How to Study for the MCAT: Effective Tips and Strategies
Stick to a consistent routine.
Consistency is key to improvement. Make MCAT prep part of your daily schedule and treat it like a job. Whether you're studying before work, after classes, or on weekends, developing a routine helps you retain information and build momentum. Over time, small daily efforts add up to major gains in your scaled score and confidence.
MCAT Score Release Dates and Application Timing
Your exam date and score release dates can affect your application cycle. It typically takes 30-35 days to receive your MCAT scores, so plan your test well in advance of the AMCAS or AACOMAS deadlines. If you delay too long, you may miss out on interview slots at your target medical schools.
Read: When Should You Take the MCAT? An Ideal Timeline for Taking the Test
When Should You Take the MCAT?
Most students take the MCAT in the spring or summer of their junior year of college, allowing them to apply at the end of that academic year. This timing ensures that scores are ready for submission early in the application cycle, giving you the best shot at rolling admissions and interview invites. If you're taking a gap year, you might opt to test later, but always aim to have your score ready before submitting your primary application.
Should You Retake the MCAT?
If you have multiple MCAT scores, schools may:
- Consider only the highest score
- Use the combined score from different sittings
- Evaluate the same MCAT score if repeated
Retaking can make sense if your initial score is below the average score at your target schools. But prepare differently the second time — use different resources, increase your practice test volume, and seek feedback from tutors or mentors.
How to Address a Low MCAT Score
If you received a lower MCAT score than expected, don’t panic. You can still present a compelling case for admission by:
- Emphasizing a strong undergraduate GPA
- Highlighting clinical experience, leadership, or research
- Showing growth between test attempts
- Demonstrating excellence in critical analysis or writing in your personal statement
Many medical students have been admitted with less-than-stellar scores because they convinced committees of their potential in other ways.
Read: The Best 50+ Free Resources for the MCAT Exam
MCAT Alternatives and Special Cases
For the vast majority of U.S. medical schools, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a non-negotiable part of the application process. However, there are a few notable exceptions and special pathways where MCAT scores may not be required.
Some BS/MD and early assurance programs, such as the FlexMed Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, allow students to apply without taking the MCAT. These programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduates who commit to medical school early and often emphasize nontraditional or interdisciplinary academic backgrounds.
Additionally, a few combined degree programs, like MD/PhD tracks or certain international programs, may waive the MCAT in favor of other assessments or internal admissions criteria. However, even in these cases, the MCAT is strongly encouraged and often expected unless a formal waiver is offered.
It’s important not to confuse MCAT-optional programs with dental or optometry school paths. Programs like the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and OAT (Optometry Admission Test) are required for those professional schools, not for MD or DO programs. The GRE may be accepted for non-medical health professions programs (like PA or MPH), but it is not a valid substitute for the MCAT in traditional med school admissions.
How Top Medical School Coaches Give You an Edge
Top medical school coaches help you think like a medical school admissions officer — identifying your ideal MCAT score range, refining your study strategy, and timing your exam date for maximum impact.
They also guide you in addressing lower MCAT scores, strengthening your personal statement, and highlighting key experiences. With expert insight and a tailored plan, you’ll build a standout application that goes beyond the numbers — and move one step closer to becoming a medical student.
[top medical school coaches]
Read next:
- Medical Schools Without MCAT: Your Options and How to Apply
- AAMC Core Competencies for Pre-Med: What to Know in 2025
- UCLA Average MCAT: What You Need to Know Before Applying
FAQs
What is considered a competitive MCAT score for out-of-state applicants?
- Many applicants wonder if they need a higher MCAT score when applying to public schools as out-of-state candidates.
Do medical schools prefer one MCAT attempt or multiple with improvement?
- There's often confusion about whether retaking the MCAT helps or hurts, especially if the score improves.
How much does a strong MCAT score offset a low GPA?
- Applicants want to know how far a high MCAT can compensate for academic weaknesses.
Do medical schools see all your MCAT scores?
- Candidates often ask whether schools will see each attempt or just the best score.
How do medical schools interpret MCAT score trends over multiple tests?
- Some applicants take the MCAT multiple times — upward trends can matter.
How long is an MCAT score valid?
- Many schools have cutoffs for how old your MCAT score can be (usually 2–3 years).
How important is the CARS section compared to the science sections?
- Students often underestimate the importance of Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), but some schools weigh it heavily.
How much do DO schools care about MCAT scores?
- Applicants targeting osteopathic schools want to know how MCAT scores factor in.
Do Canadian medical schools have different MCAT requirements?
- MCAT expectations and even required sections can differ significantly in Canada.
What MCAT score do I need for a scholarship?
- Some schools offer merit-based scholarships tied directly to total MCAT score ranges.
