Despite the growing popularity of alternative exams for medical school admissions, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) remains one of the most critical tests for aspiring medical professionals.
The MCAT is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and has been the benchmark of pre-collegiate scientific aptitude for almost 100 years.
A strong MCAT score supports your application and opens doors to numerous educational and professional opportunities. So, we researched MCAT scores to show you how yours may compare.
If want to learn how to determine and reach your target MCAT score, this article is for you!
Here is a quick breakdown of what we will discuss in this article:
- MCAT Score Facts
- How is the MCAT Scored?
- Average MCAT Score by Major
- Average MCAT Score by Year
- MCAT Score Distribution in 2024
- What is a Good MCAT Score for Prestigious Schools?
- How to Improve a Low MCAT Score?
MCAT Score Facts
- Applicants with a Math and Statistics undergraduate major have the highest average MCAT scores.
- Applicants whose undergraduate major is Specialized Health Sciences consistently receive the lowest average MCAT scores.
- Each section is graded on a scale of 118 to 132, and your total MCAT score is the sum of all section scores.
- The average total MCAT score in 2024 is 506.3, matching that of 2021.
- The global average MCAT score is 520.42.
How is the MCAT Scored?
The total MCAT score ranges from 472 to 528, whereas the individual section scores range from 118 to 132.
This exam contains four multiple-choice sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBLS), as well as Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB).
The following table shows the topics, number of questions, and duration for each section:
MCAT Section | Number of questions | Time Allotted | Subjects Evaluated |
MCAT CPBS | 59 | 95 minutes |
|
MCAT CARS | 53 | 90 minutes |
|
MCAT BBLS | 59 | 95 minutes |
|
MCAT PSBB | 59 | 95 minutes |
|
Source: AAMC
MCAT scoring begins with a number correct score, which refers to the number of questions you got right during the exam.
The number correct score is then converted to a scaled score for each section. The scaled score grades you based on the difficulty of each question you got right.
Average MCAT Score by Major
Your undergraduate major can significantly affect your MCAT score. So, we evaluated the average total MCAT scores for 2024 medical school applicants based on their undergraduate majors.
Students who majored in Math and Statistics achieved the highest average score at 511.9, whereas those in Specialized Health Sciences had the lowest average score at 503.3.
The graph below shows the average total MCAT scores reported in 2024:
MCAT Total Score Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
The highest average score (127.4) was observed in the MCAT PSBB section, followed by BBLS at 126.6, CPBS at 126.4, and CARS at 125.8.
Math and Statistics majors consistently score the highest in all MCAT sections, whereas applicants in Specialized Health Sciences obtain the lowest average scores.
The following illustrations show the average MCAT Scores reported for each section in 2024:
MCAT BBLS Score Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Despite the likely familiarity with the subjects evaluated in this section, applications with Specialized Health Sciences undergraduate majors reported the lowest average MCAT BBLS scores in 2024.
MCAT CARS Score Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Contrary to the Specialized Health Sciences major, applicants who majored in the Humanities scored the highest in the MCAT CARS section, which evaluates their subjects of specialization. These applicants shared the highest average score with Math and Statistics majors at 127.1.
MCAT CPBS Score Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
The average MCAT CPBS scores of applicants with Physical Science undergraduate majors reached 127.7 in 2024.
The table below shows the average MCAT PSBB scores in applicants with different undergraduate majors:
MCAT PSBB Score Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Average MCAT Score by Year
Average MCAT scores have consistently increased in the past four years, particularly between 2021 and 2024.
The following graph shows the average MCAT scores for applicants in the past six years:
MCAT Scores by Year Applicant 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
The highest section scores were consistently in the PSBB section, with 127.5 as the highest recorded score. In contrast, the lowest scores were in the CARS section, ranging from 125.8 to 125.9.
The total MCAT scores have slightly increased from 505.9 in 2021-2022 to 506.3 in 2023-2024.
MCAT Score Distribution in 2024
The worldwide average mean MCAT score of all applicants in 2024 was 506.3, whereas that of matriculants was 511.7.
The illustration below shows the percentile ranks of total MCAT scores between 2024 and 2025:
Percentile Rank MCAT Graph 2024 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
A total MCAT score of 506 fell in the 70th percentile, meaning that 30% of MCAT test-takers in the world scored higher. Moreover, scores of 518 and above fell in the 91st percentile or higher.
The highest scores, 524 to 528, correspond to the 100th percentile, representing the top-performing test-takers.
What is a Good MCAT Score for Prestigious Schools?
Global average scores and score distributions, also known as percentile scores, often provide an accurate picture of the ideal MCAT score relative to your competition.
Application to some of the prestigious medical schools around the United States will require a total MCAT score of 520 or higher. However, your target MCAT score will ultimately depend on how competitive the pool of applicants is at your prospective schools.
You can find this information through the MCAT score requirements in the admissions section of your target school.
The table below shows the current score requirements for some of the most prestigious medical schools in the United States:
UNIVERSITY | MCAT SCORE |
520 | |
522 | |
521 | |
508–528 | |
521.8 | |
512 | |
509 |
How to Improve a Low MCAT Score?
Although a low MCAT score can be disheartening, it is not set in stone. With the correct prep, you can significantly improve your score.
Take a Practice Test
The initial step in boosting your MCAT score is an official practice test. A practice test will reveal your baseline score so that you know your areas of improvement.
It is essential to simulate exact test conditions during practice tests. Find a quiet area, follow the time limits, and take only the allotted breaks.
How far you are from your target MCAT score will determine how rigorous your prep needs to be.
Identify Areas of Improvement
The practice test will help you identify your weaknesses and strengths. This step will help you understand how much prep time to allocate for each topic.
For example, if you scored low in the PSBB section during practice, you could focus more on this area. Subjects with which you’re familiar will require less rigorous preparation.
Use MCAT Prep Resources
Working with the right MCAT prep resources, including books, online courses, and private coaches, can help improve your score. From my first-hand review of MCAT prep courses, I recommend The Princeton Review's MCAT course.
Stick to a Study Schedule
Creating and adhering to a study schedule is equally important.
Exposing yourself to scientific and analytical content, especially in a format similar to the MCAT, will familiarize you with the subject matter. This preparation will help your test-taking experience go more smoothly than your previous attempt.
It is important to remember that while high MCAT scores can set you apart from the competition, they are just one part of your application. Other factors, such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and personal statements, also play a substantial role in medical school admissions.
I wish you the best of luck in your MCAT prep!
