A good MCAT score is 511 or higher, which places you at roughly the 82nd percentile of all test takers. But “good” depends entirely on where you’re applying. A 511 is competitive for many MD programs, while a 503 may be enough for DO programs, and elite research universities routinely admit students scoring 518 or above. Understanding where your score falls relative to other applicants and your target schools is what actually matters.
How the MCAT Is Scored
The MCAT has four sections, each scored on a scale from 118 to 132, with a midpoint of 125. Your total score is the sum of all four sections, ranging from 472 to 528. The mean total score is 500.5, so any score above 500 puts you ahead of roughly half of all test takers.
The four sections are Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. Each section has a slightly different score distribution. For example, a 125 in CARS puts you at the 62nd percentile, while a 125 in Psychological/Social Foundations puts you at only the 44th percentile. This means the same numerical score can represent different levels of performance depending on the section.
Score Ranges and What They Mean
Here’s how total scores break down in terms of competitiveness:
- 515 to 528 (top 10%): These are elite scores. A 520 lands at the 97th percentile, meaning you outperformed nearly everyone who took the test. Scores in this range make you competitive at the most selective medical schools in the country.
- 509 to 514 (top 25%): Solidly competitive for most MD programs. A 510 sits at the 79th percentile. Scoring 514 or better correlates with roughly a 71% acceptance rate to medical school, according to AAMC data.
- 501 to 508 (above average): You’re ahead of the majority of test takers, but these scores won’t stand out at highly competitive programs. They can be strong enough for less selective MD schools and very competitive for DO programs.
- 500 or below: Below the overall mean. A 490 is only the 21st percentile, and a 480 drops to the 4th. Scores in this range limit your options significantly for MD programs, though some DO programs admit students near the 500 mark.
Scores for MD vs. DO Programs
The average MCAT score among students who enrolled in MD programs for the 2024-2025 school year was about 512. For students who started DO programs in 2024, the average was about 503. That nine-point gap gives you a practical sense of what each path typically requires.
If you’re aiming for an MD program, scoring below 508 puts you below the average matriculant and makes admissions harder, though not impossible if the rest of your application is strong. For DO programs, a score in the low 500s is right in line with the typical admitted student. Scoring well above these averages gives you more flexibility in where you apply and can offset a lower GPA or other application weaknesses.
What Top Medical Schools Expect
The most competitive medical schools have average admitted-student scores well above the overall mean. Schools like Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Northwestern, and the University of Chicago report averages around 521. Harvard’s average is just above 520. Stanford and Cornell hover near 518. Even schools a tier below these top programs, such as UCSF, Boston University, and UT Southwestern, report averages around 517.
If you’re targeting schools at this level, you generally need a 517 or higher to be in the typical range of admitted students, and a score below 515 would put you noticeably below the class average. Keep in mind these are averages, not hard cutoffs. Some admitted students score lower but bring exceptional research, clinical experience, or other strengths.
Section Scores Matter Too
Your total score isn’t the only number admissions committees look at. A well-balanced score with no section below 127 is generally considered strong. A lopsided score, say a 132 in one section but a 122 in another, can raise concerns even if your total looks fine.
Some schools screen applications by section score, filtering out candidates who fall below a certain threshold in any single section. A particularly low CARS score is a common red flag, since it tests reading comprehension and reasoning skills that schools view as essential for clinical work. If one of your sections is noticeably weaker, it’s worth considering a retake even if your total score seems adequate.
How Schools Use Your Score
Medical schools receive thousands more applications than they have seats, so many use MCAT scores as an initial screening tool. If your score falls below a school’s internal threshold, your application may not receive a full review regardless of your other qualifications. These thresholds aren’t published, but they generally align with the school’s average matriculant scores.
Beyond the initial screen, your MCAT score becomes one factor among many. GPA, clinical experience, research, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and interviews all play a role. A 515 with a strong application tells a different story than a 520 with thin clinical experience. That said, the MCAT is one of the few standardized data points admissions committees can compare across all applicants, which is why it carries so much weight.
Setting Your Target Score
Start by looking up the average MCAT scores for your target schools. The AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database lists median scores for every accredited program. Your goal should be to hit or exceed the median for the schools you’re most interested in.
As a general framework: aim for 511 or higher if you want a competitive shot at MD programs broadly, 515 or higher if you’re targeting well-regarded programs, and 518 or higher if your list includes top-tier research institutions. For DO programs, a score around 503 to 506 puts you in solid territory, with anything above 508 making you a strong candidate.
Take a full-length practice exam early in your preparation to see where you stand, then calculate the gap between your starting point and your target. Most students study for two to four months, and meaningful score improvements of 10 to 15 points are common with consistent, focused preparation.