MCAT scores, score range and MCAT exam dates

MCAT score range

You receive five MCAT scores: one for each section and one total. Each section is scored from 118 to 132 with a midpoint of 125, and the total is the sum of the four, from 472 to 528 with a midpoint of 500.

Your raw score in each section is the number of questions you answer correctly, with no penalty for guessing. Through equating, the AAMC converts raw scores to scaled scores so that small differences in difficulty between test forms do not change what a score means. The AAMC states there is no curve: scores have the same meaning no matter when you test.

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 118 to 132
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: 118 to 132
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 118 to 132
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 118 to 132
• Total: 472 to 528

Source: AAMC — The MCAT Exam Score Scale. Checked 18 October 2026.

Average MCAT score and percentile ranks

The average score on MCAT total, based on all results from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 testing years, is 500.6, with a standard deviation of 11.2. These are the figures behind the percentile ranks in effect from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.

A percentile rank is the percentage of test takers who scored the same or lower. The AAMC updates percentile ranks every May 1 using the most recent three years. Selected total scores and their percentile ranks:

• 528: 100th percentile
• 520: 97th percentile
• 515: 91st percentile
• 510: 79th percentile
• 505: 64th percentile
• 500: 48th percentile
• 495: 33rd percentile
• 490: 20th percentile
• 472: below the 1st percentile

Source: AAMC — Summary of MCAT Total and Section Scores (percentile ranks in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027). Checked 18 October 2026.

What is a good MCAT score?

The AAMC does not define one number. It calls the idea that you need a certain MCAT score to be competitive a myth: scores are used together with everything else in your application, students have historically been accepted with a wide range of MCAT scores, and high scores and GPAs do not assure admission.

So what is a good score on the MCAT for you? It depends on the schools you apply to. The percentile ranks give a neutral reference: a total of 510 is at the 79th percentile and 515 at the 91st. A high MCAT score is one that sits well within the range of the schools on your list, so check each school’s own data rather than a single cut-off.

Schools also treat retakes differently. According to an AAMC survey of admissions officers, some weigh all sets of scores equally, some consider only the most recent, some average them, and some use only the highest set or the highest section scores. Since April 2003 the AAMC reports every score to schools.

Source: AAMC — Top 3 Myths about MCAT Scores Busted. Checked 18 October 2026.

Highest score on MCAT and lowest score

The MCAT highest score is 528 in total, which means 132 in every section. The lowest is 472, or 118 in every section. In the current percentile table, 528 and 525 both sit at the 100th percentile, and 472 is below the 1st.

Source: AAMC — Summary of MCAT Total and Section Scores (percentile ranks in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027). Checked 18 October 2026.

How to calculate MCAT score totals (and why there is no official MCAT score calculator)

To calculate MCAT score totals, add your four section scores. The AAMC’s own example: section scores of 128, 125, 129 and 127 give a total of 509.

The AAMC does not publish a raw-to-scaled conversion table, and we found no official MCAT score calculator on the pages we checked, because conversion is set by equating for each test form. For a realistic estimate, use the AAMC’s Practice Exam One, which reports a scaled score and percentile rank like an actual exam, and its paid Practice Exams 2 to 6, which use questions from previously administered exams.

Source: AAMC — MCAT Exam Scoring. Checked 18 October 2026.

MCAT exam dates and MCAT testing schedule

MCAT test dates 2026 are over: the final dates on the AAMC calendar were September 11 and 12, 2026, with scores released October 13. The standard start time is 8:00 a.m. unless the calendar says otherwise, and scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled release date.

The 2027 MCAT testing schedule runs from January to September. Registration for all 2027 dates opens October 20 to 22, 2026, by testing center location. Dates marked as select-site below are offered only at select U.S. test centers.

• January 15, 16 (scores February 16); January 21 (February 23); January 29, 30 select-site (March 2)
• February 12 (March 16); March 6 (April 6); March 19 (April 20)
• April 9, 10 (May 11); April 16, 17 (May 18)
• May 1 (June 2); May 7, 8 (June 8); May 13, 14 select-site (June 15); May 21 (June 23); May 29 (June 29)
• June 11, 12 (July 13); June 25, 26 (July 27)
• July 9 select-site, July 10 (August 10); July 23 (August 24); July 30 (August 31)
• August 14 (September 14); August 20, 21 (September 21); August 28 select-site (September 28)
• September 2, 3 (October 5); September 10, 11 (October 12)

Source: AAMC — U.S. MCAT Calendar, Scheduling Deadlines, and Score Release Dates. Checked 18 October 2026.

Building your MCAT preparation schedule around a test date

Your MCAT preparation schedule starts from two dates: the test date and the score release date, which is roughly a month later. If a school or application deadline depends on your score, count back from the release date, not the test date.

Leave room for a retake decision too. You may attempt the exam up to three times in a testing year, and voids and no-shows count as attempts. Certsqill’s MCAT question bank helps you check readiness per section before you commit: expert-developed questions, an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per section.

Source: AAMC — MCAT FAQs (Scores). Checked 18 October 2026.

MCAT exam: questions people ask

What is the MCAT score range?

118 to 132 per section and 472 to 528 in total, with midpoints of 125 and 500. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.

What is the average MCAT score?

500.6 for all examinees in the 2023 to 2025 testing years (standard deviation 11.2), used for percentile ranks in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.

What is a good MCAT score?

The AAMC sets no single number and says scores are considered with the whole application. As a reference, 510 is at the 79th percentile and 515 at the 91st. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.

What is the highest score on the MCAT?

528 in total, or 132 in each of the four sections. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.

Is there an official MCAT score calculator?

We found none on the AAMC pages checked on 18 October 2026. Add your four section scores for the total; Practice Exam One gives a scaled score and percentile rank like the real exam.

When are MCAT scores released?

About 30 to 35 days after test day, by 5 p.m. ET on the release date. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.

When does registration for the 2027 MCAT exam dates open?

October 20 to 22, 2026, by testing center location. Source: AAMC, checked 18 October 2026.