Average MCAT Score By Year, Enrollees, School & More

Thousands of pre-med students take their MCAT to get into medical school every year. We’ll help you break down what MCAT score you should aim for based on your target med schools and the specialty you’ll be pursuing.

Taking your MCAT is just one piece of applying to medical school. The admissions process for your medical school application also includes listing extracurriculars, gathering letters of recommendation, and putting together a personal statement that stands out. 

Test takers who have higher than average scores start MCAT prep 3-6 months before the MCAT exam.

Acceptance rates will vary based on the school of medicine you apply to. Generally, getting lower scores on your MCAT test will also lower your chances of getting accepted to the school of medicine of your choice.

Schedule a meeting with the enrollment team with our friends at MedSchoolCoach to see how we can help you boost your MCAT score.

MCAT Score Quick Facts

There are 4 MCAT sections that are combined for the total MCAT score. Here are the most up-to-date facts about MCAT scores:

What is the average MCAT score? According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 501.3 was the average MCAT score for the 2022-23 AMCAS application cycle (tests taken between May 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023). MCAT scores range from 472-528.

• The average MCAT score for those who applied to an MD-granting medical school was 506.5 in 2022-23.
• The average MCAT score for those who enrolled in an MD-granting medical school was 511.9 in 2022-23. 
• The highest MCAT score possible is 528.
• The lowest score you can get on the MCAT is 472.
• The average MCAT score for DO program applicants is 502.8.
• The average MCAT score for DO program matriculants is 504.6.
• The average MCAT score for Ivy League medical students is 520.

What are the conclusions we can draw from these facts?

• The definition of a good MCAT score depends on many factors, from your GPA in specific coursework to a compelling application. However, a good MCAT score for the typical medical school applicant is around 511.
• The average score differs by several points between anyone who takes the MCAT, those who apply to med school, and those who are accepted. Last application cycle, there was a 5.4-point spread between the test scores of those who filled out a med school application to MD programs compared to those who were actually accepted by medical school admissions committees at those programs. That spread expands to 10.6 points between all test takers and those accepted to at least one MD program.
• While all medical schools are competitive, DO programs accept matriculants with slightly lower average MCAT scores. This might mean DO schools might be more appropriate for applicants with moderately lower MCAT scores or average GPAs.
• To be accepted into an Ivy League college of medicine, you’ll need to seriously expand your definition of what’s a good MCAT score for you. The spread of all accepted applicants versus those accepted into an Ivy League is over 8 points on this standardized test.

Average MCAT Scores By Year

Since the adjustment of the scoring system in 2015, the average MCAT score has increased by 1.3 points, rising from 500 to 501.3. However, this is just an average, with acceptance varying for scores above and below. A higher MCAT score generally compensates for lower GPAs. 

Average Total MCAT Score (April 2015 – April 2023)

Average MCAT Score For The Chemical And Physical Foundations Of Biological Systems Section (April 2015 – April 2023)

Average MCAT Score For The Critical Analysis And Reasoning Skills Section (April 2015 – April 2023)

Average MCAT Score For The Biological And Biochemical Foundations Of Living Systems Section (April 2015 – April 2023)

Average MCAT Score For The Psychological, Social, And Biological Foundations Of Behavior Section (April 2015 – April 2023)

Getting ready to take your MCAT? Try the free MCAT practice exam from our friends at MedSchoolCoach.

Average MCAT Scores Of Matriculants vs. All Applicants

The following table displays the average MCAT scores for medical school applicants to MD-schools and those who successfully enroll. Analyzing these figures can provide a clearer understanding of the score range that would enhance your chances of securing admission.

Average MCAT Score For MD vs. DO Program Enrollees

• The average MCAT score for DO program applicants is 502.8.
• The average MCAT score for DO program matriculants is 504.6.

The mean MCAT score of MD matriculants in the last application cycle was 511.9. DO matriculants had an average MCAT score of 504.6. Together, this means there was a 7.3-point spread between DO and MD enrollees.

MD and DO programs both demand a strong MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) score for admission. Keep in mind that these numbers fluctuate slightly every year.

Average MCAT Score By School

The table below shows the top medical schools and their average MCAT scores for enrollees. 

Overall, Grossman (NYU) and Perelman (UPenn) matriculants have the highest average MCAT scores of the top 10 ranked medical schools in the United States, followed by Harvard Medical and Johns Hopkins.

Don’t see your target school on the list? Here’s a full list of MCAT scores and GPAs for students accepted to medical programs in the United States.

Use the Medical School Chance Predictor to learn your odds of being accepted to the school of your choice. 

MCAT Percentile Ranks [2023-24]

To understand how your MCAT score compares to other medical school applicants, it’s often helpful to see where it fits in the percentile rankings of all MCAT scores. As with any standardized test, scores on the MCAT create a bell curve.

Scores between 500-512 cover the bulk of medical school applicants (49th to 86th percentile). A score of 520 or higher puts you in the 97th percentile or above, while a 497 or below puts you at the 36th percentile or lower.

How is the MCAT scored?

The 4 MCAT sections are scored separately to sum up your total score. The sections are:

• 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 (CARS)

MCAT results are calculated based on the number of correct answers in each of the 4 sections, with wrong and unanswered questions counting the same. Since there’s no penalty for incorrect answers, it’s best to guess instead of leaving questions blank.

Raw scores are converted to scaled scores, with each section score ranging from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest), using the MCAT score scale. This conversion, done through a process called equating, compensates for small difficulty variations among different versions of the test to ensure fairness.

We recommend the earliest you should take the MCAT is the end of your sophomore year or the summer between your sophomore and junior year. This gives you enough time to take some of the most important classes you’ll need before the test, while also allowing for a retake if you aren’t happy with your score.

Your MCAT score is valid for 3 years, so this would also let you use that original MCAT score to apply to medical school even if you took a gap year following your undergraduate education.

Read Next: PA vs MD: Differences Between Physician Assistants and Doctors

How To Get a Great MCAT Score

Your MCAT score isn’t the only thing that matters, but your score may be the difference between receiving a secondary application from your top schools of choice or an automatic rejection. To ace your MCAT, follow these tips:

• Spread out your study schedule over at least 3 months (6, if possible).
• Take the right classes before the MCAT — don’t wait until senior year to take classes directly related to MCAT topics.
• Give yourself time for a do-over.
• Know how to void your exam in case you have a difficult time on test day.
• Take full-length practice tests ahead of time.
• Manage your stress — a ton of stress right before test day is a recipe for a less-than-ideal score.
• Trust yourself! You’re applying to medical school because you have a passion for medicine — if you’ve done the work to learn and study, try not to second-guess yourself.

Want the BEST chance at a high MCAT score? 100% of students who prepare with MedSchoolCoach improve their score!