What is the lowest score you can get on each section of the MCAT?

Asked by: Braeden Rowe  |  Last update: August 25, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (2 votes)

The number correct score for each section is converted to a scaled score ranging from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest). For example, if your number correct score on one of the sections is between 35 and 37, your converted score might be 123.

What is the lowest MCAT score per section?

Each of the four MCAT sections is scored between 118-132 with an average score of 125. Applicants accepted to allopathic (MD-granting) medical schools for the 2021-2022 year had an average MCAT score of 511.9.

What is the MCAT score range for each section?

Each MCAT section is scored on a scale of 118–132 (highest). Your MCAT total score (whch is the sum of your section scores) ranges from 472–528. Because different versions of the test have varying levels of difficulty, the scale will be slightly different from one MCAT administration to the next.

What is the minimum score on the MCAT?

Each of the MCAT's four sections is scored out of 132. The minimum score for each section is 118, for a total minimum MCAT score of 472.

Is 487 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 487 on the MCAT means you performed in the 13% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 121 (C/P) 121 (CARS) 118 (B/B) 127 (P/S).

How I Studied For The MCAT (98th Percentile In 4 Weeks) | My Study Guide

28 related questions found

What is a failing MCAT score?

There is no pass or fail score for the exam, there are only scores that are acceptable for specific, individual medical schools. Consider consulting specific medical schools, or their websites or the AAMC for past trends. What score do you need for medical school?

What is 50% correct on the MCAT?

Individual section scores will be reported in a range from 118-132 (both the mean and median are expected be ~125). This translates to a total range of achievable scores ranging from 472-528 with the mean centered near 500. Thus, a 500 on the MCAT will represent a score at the 50th percentile.

What is a 60% on the MCAT?

Another big drop occurs between a section score of 127, which puts you in the 71st percentile, and a section score of 126, which puts you in the 60th percentile.

Which MCAT section is hardest?

Each section in the MCAT is important in determining your overall score. The data shows that the CARS section is the most difficult section, corresponding to the lowest average scores.

What is a mediocre MCAT score?

Average MCAT Scores

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average MCAT score was 501.5 for those who took the test between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022. MCAT scores range from 472-528.

What is the easiest section on MCAT?

MCAT CARS is often considered the easiest section of the MCAT since it does not test specific knowledge in any particular subject. However, this does not mean that MCAT CARS does not require preparation.

How many questions can you miss on the MCAT to get a 128?

There are 9 passages on each MCAT CARS exam. If you miss one question for 6 passages and then 2 on the other three, you are looking at a solid 127 or possibly even a 128. I think that's really do-able, especially on the new MCAT CARS section. As you miss more than 13, you gradually go towards the other scores.

How hard is a 528 MCAT?

If you score a 132 on each section, you will achieve the perfect 528 MCAT score. A 528 MCAT score corresponds to the 99.9th percentile of all test takers, along with scores of 524 and above. (Suggested reading: What MCAT Score Do You Need to Get Into Medical School?)

Do med schools look at each section of MCAT?

While medical schools will see all your MCAT scores, admissions committees will use multiple scores in different ways, including: Considering your highest score only. Considering the average of every score.

What is the most heavily tested subject on the MCAT?

On the MCAT, biology (at 65% of the Bio/Biochem section) will be by far the most important of the four “classic” MCAT subjects, followed in importance by general chemistry (30% of the Chem/Phys section); physics (25% of the Chem/Phys section); and finally organic chemistry (15% of the Chem/Phys section).

What does a 490 MCAT score mean?

Attaining a score of 490 on the MCAT means you performed in the 20% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Is 44 on MCAT good?

MCAT Percentiles: The percentile ranks indicate how many other test-takers scored below a specific value. Old MCAT Score: A score between 3 and 45, with the average being 25.6. New MCAT Score: A score between 472 and 528, with the average being 500.

What is a good MCAT score in Canada?

An MCAT score of 515 or greater is within the 90th percentile, making it a competitive score for medical school in Canada. Anything above 517 on the MCAT would be considered an outstanding score at all med schools in Canada.

How many questions can you miss on the MCAT to get a 528?

Another advantage of the scaled score is that you don't need to get every single question correct to score a 528. Some estimates suggest you could get up to eight questions wrong and still score a 528. The MCAT does not penalize you for wrong or unanswered questions, rather you gain points for every correct question.

Why am I scoring so low on MCAT?

Test Day Didn't Go as Planned. Another scenario that can lead to a low MCAT score is test-taking anxiety leading to a test day where you didn't perform at your best. This may be the case if you had consistently high AAMC practice exam scores but received a significantly lower score on your actual MCAT.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

A poor MCAT score is any score that doesn't get you into a medical school, but statistically this would be a score below the overall mean or average, so a score of 506 or less. A poor MCAT score could also be considered anything below the 50th percentile for recent test-takers, which is approximately 501.

Is 499 a bad MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 499 on the MCAT means you performed in the 49% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 125 (C/P) 124 (CARS) 123 (B/B) 127 (P/S).

Is it bad to take the MCAT twice?

That's not the message you want to send to medical schools that you keep making mistakes over and over again. Again, medical schools don't care if you have multiple MCAT tests on your application.