How the MCAT Score Calculator Works

The MCAT has four sections, each scored from 118 to 132. Your total score is the sum of all four section scores.

Each section has a midpoint of 125, which corresponds to roughly the 50th percentile for that section. The total score midpoint is 500. This tool maps your total score to a national percentile using AAMC’s published score data, and compares your scores against typical applicant pools for different tiers of US and Canadian medical schools.

What the Four MCAT Sections Test

Chemical and Physical Foundations (Chem/Phys)

Tests foundational concepts in biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics as they relate to living systems. This section is approximately 59 questions and takes 95 minutes. It tests both content knowledge and the ability to apply scientific concepts to novel scenarios.

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

Tests the ability to comprehend and evaluate complex passages from the humanities and social sciences. No outside content knowledge is required; all answers are based on the passage itself. CARS is the most consistently differentiating section across medical school applicants and the hardest section for many students who are stronger in science than in verbal reasoning. Medical schools, particularly DO-oriented schools and schools with strong research programs, pay close attention to CARS scores.

Biological and Biochemical Foundations (Bio/Biochem)

Tests biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and genetics as they relate to living systems and medicine. Approximately 59 questions in 95 minutes. This is the section most closely aligned with traditional pre-med coursework and tends to be where strong science students score highest.

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations (Psych/Soc)

Tests psychology, sociology, and biology related to the practice of medicine and understanding patient behavior and healthcare systems. Introduced with the current MCAT in 2015. Students with social science backgrounds often find this section more accessible than Chem/Phys or Bio/Biochem.

Table of Truth: MCAT Score Reference

MCAT and Medical School Admissions by Country

United States

The MCAT is required by virtually all US allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools. The AAMC reports that the average MCAT score for applicants accepted to US MD programs is approximately 511 to 512, with an average GPA of 3.7 to 3.75. The acceptance rate for applicants with MCAT 517 to 528 and GPA 3.8+ is approximately 75 to 80 percent. Below a score of 504, the overall acceptance rate drops below 20 percent.

Canada

Canadian medical schools that use the MCAT (including University of Toronto, McGill, and UBC) typically require scores comparable to their US counterparts. The University of Toronto looks at all four sections, while some Canadian schools only evaluate three sections and do not use CARS. Check each school’s stated section requirements. Average MCAT scores for accepted applicants at Canadian schools typically range from 508 to 518 depending on the institution.

United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland

UK, Australian, and Irish medical schools do not use the MCAT. UK medical schools use the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) for undergraduate medicine entry. Australian and Irish medical graduate programs use the GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test). These are entirely separate assessments with different formats, content, and scoring systems.

Common MCAT Mistakes

Mistake 1: Underestimating CARS preparation. Most pre-med students spend the majority of their MCAT prep time on content-heavy sections (Chem/Phys, Bio/Biochem) and relatively little time on CARS. CARS does not have content to memorize; it requires the ability to understand and analyze complex arguments under time pressure. This skill requires months of deliberate practice, not a content review.

Mistake 2: Taking the real test before you are consistently scoring your target on practice tests. Your real MCAT score is almost always within a few points of your recent full-length practice test average. If your practice scores are 6 to 10 points below your target, you are not ready. Delay the test rather than sit with an underprepared score on your permanent record.

Mistake 3: Ignoring section score variability when comparing to medical school averages. A 512 total with balanced sections (128/127/128/129) is a different application than a 512 with extreme variability (122/130/130/130). Schools look at section scores individually. A very low score in any one section can raise flags regardless of the total.

Mistake 4: Not accounting for MCAT score expiry. MCAT scores are valid for three years for most medical school applications. If you took the MCAT more than three years before you plan to apply, you will need to retake it. Plan your test timing with your application cycle in mind.

Mistake 5: Assuming a perfect retake is guaranteed. Many students who score in the 510 to 514 range retake hoping to reach 518 to 520. Research consistently shows that retakers improve by an average of only 1 to 2 points. The biggest improvements come from those who started with a significant weakness (under 124 in one section); average improvements for those already in the 510 to 515 range are modest. Weigh the retake decision carefully against the rest of your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 510 MCAT score good enough for medical school?

Yes, for many schools. A 510 is approximately the 80th percentile and makes you a competitive applicant at a wide range of US MD programs. It is above the average accepted score at the majority of US MD-granting institutions. For top-20 programs, a 510 is below most schools’ median accepted score (typically 516 to 520), so you would need strong other parts of your application to compensate. For DO programs, a 510 is excellent.

How long is the MCAT valid for medical school applications?

MCAT scores are valid for three years for most US medical school applications, and two to three years for Canadian medical schools depending on the institution. If you are planning a gap year or deferred application, factor this into when you schedule your test.

Do medical schools see all MCAT attempts?

Yes. Unlike the GRE or SAT, you cannot choose which MCAT scores to send. All attempts are automatically reported. Most schools say they focus on the most recent or highest score, but policies vary. Some schools average scores across attempts. A significantly lower first attempt followed by a strong second attempt is generally not penalized heavily, but multiple attempts with little improvement can raise concerns.

What MCAT score do I need for a full scholarship?

Most merit-based medical school scholarships and full-ride programs consider MCAT as one factor alongside GPA, research, service, and interview performance. Schools with named full-scholarship programs (like Cleveland Clinic Lerner and some state school honors programs) typically look for applicants scoring 517 or above. However, scholarship decisions are holistic and an exceptional overall application with a 513 can outcompete a weaker application with a 519.

What is the average MCAT score for accepted MD students?

The AAMC reports that the mean MCAT score for applicants accepted to MD-granting programs is approximately 511 to 512 (roughly 82nd to 83rd percentile). This includes all US allopathic schools. At the most selective programs (top-10), the mean is typically 521 to 524. At the least selective programs, the mean may be 505 to 508.

Percentile data is based on AAMC published MCAT score distributions. School median scores are approximate and based on publicly available AAMC data and Common Data Set information. Always verify current program statistics on AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database. SabiCalculator is not affiliated with AAMC or any medical school.