How the MCAT Score Calculator works
The MCAT total is the simple sum of four section scores, each scaled from 118 to 132 with a median near 125: Chemical and Physical Foundations, Critical Analysis (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations, and Psychological and Social Foundations. Totals run 472 to 528 with a median near 500 to 502.
Total = C/P + CARS + B/B + P/S, each 118 to 132
Percentiles compress sharply at the top: 511 sits near the 77th percentile, 515 near the 89th, and 518+ in the mid 90s. Admissions committees also read section balance, since a low outlier section (especially CARS at some schools) can draw attention even with a strong total.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good MCAT score?
The median is about 500 to 502. Matriculants to US MD programs have averaged around 511 to 512 in recent cycles, so 510+ is broadly competitive and 515+ is strong nearly everywhere alongside a solid GPA.
How are MCAT sections scored?
Each section converts your raw correct answers to a 118 to 132 scale centered near 125, equated so scores mean the same thing across test dates. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
Does section balance matter?
Often yes. Two applicants with the same total can read differently if one has a 122 outlier. Many schools screen CARS specifically, so balanced sections are safer than a spiky profile at the same total.
Are these percentiles exact?
They are close approximations of recent AAMC percentile tables, which shift slightly each year as the tested population changes. Your official percentile comes with your score report.