What Is a Good MCAT Score in 2025? Understanding Averages, Percentiles, and Admissions Strategy

Why the MCAT Matters for Medical School Applicants

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is one of the most critical components of your medical school application. Administered by the AAMC, the MCAT tests your scientific knowledge, problem-solving ability, and reasoning skills—traits vital for success in medical education and practice.

But what exactly is a “good” MCAT score? The answer depends on the schools you’re targeting, your overall academic profile, and how your score compares to other applicants in the current admissions cycle.

What’s Covered on the MCAT?

The MCAT consists of four sections designed to assess your command of foundational sciences, research interpretation, and reasoning:

• 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)

The exam takes approximately 7.5 hours to complete and features multiple-choice questions in each section. The goal is to evaluate how well-prepared you are for the rigors of medical school—not just what you know, but how you think.

How Is the MCAT Scored?

Each of the four sections is scored between 118 and 132, with a total score range from 472 to 528. A 500 represents the midpoint.

Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score using a statistical process called equating, which adjusts for small differences in test difficulty across different versions of the exam. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so educated guessing is encouraged.

Understanding MCAT Percentiles

Percentiles tell you how your score compares to other test takers. Here are key MCAT percentiles for the 2024–2025 cycle:

• 50th percentile: ~501 (Median score)
• 75th percentile: ~509
• 90th percentile: ~515
• 99th percentile: ~522
• Top score (528): 100th percentile

If you score 515 or higher, you’re in the top 10% of test takers—a competitive score for top-tier schools. A score around 500–502 puts you near the national average.

What Is Considered a Good MCAT Score?

There’s no universal "good" MCAT score—but here are general benchmarks based on acceptance trends:

• 508–510: Competitive at many U.S. medical schools
• 511–514: Strong score; aligns with recent matriculant averages
• 515+: Excellent; competitive for top programs (Yale, Harvard, Duke, etc.)
• 500–507: May be competitive at DO schools or less selective MD programs
• Below 500: Consider retaking, especially if paired with a lower GPA
  
  

Average Scores for Recent Applicants and Matriculants

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC):

This gap illustrates the increased competitiveness—students who are accepted typically score 5 to 6 points higher than the overall applicant pool.

MCAT Score and GPA Grid: How the Numbers Work Together

The AAMC's GPA-MCAT grid shows clear trends: the higher your MCAT and GPA, the greater your chance of acceptance.

For example:

• MCAT 514–517 and GPA 3.80–4.00: ~85% acceptance rate
• MCAT 498–501 and GPA 3.20–3.39: ~16% acceptance rate

While a high MCAT can compensate for a slightly lower GPA (and vice versa), having both in a competitive range significantly boosts your chances.

What If Your Score Is Below Average?

If your MCAT score falls below the average for your target schools:

• Reassess your target list—apply to a broader range of schools, including DO and international options
• Highlight strengths in other areas—such as GPA, extracurriculars, or personal statement
• Retake the exam, if you have time to significantly improve
  
  

Extracurriculars That Support Your Application

Admissions committees evaluate applicants holistically. A solid MCAT score is important—but not enough on its own. The following experiences can significantly strengthen your application:

1. Shadowing Physicians

Demonstrates clinical curiosity and commitment. Consider shadowing across multiple specialties or even abroad. Students in Go Elective’s shadowing programs in Kenya and Tanzania gain firsthand exposure to diverse healthcare systems and medical challenges.

2. Volunteering

Clinical and non-clinical volunteer work builds empathy, leadership, and a service-oriented mindset—traits valued in medicine.

3. Research

Research projects under a faculty mentor showcase your ability to think critically and follow scientific processes—skills tested on the MCAT and vital in medical school.

4. Leadership Roles

Admissions committees value applicants who take initiative—whether in student government, campus organizations, or community health programs.

5. Global Internships

Participating in an international health internship with Go Elective demonstrates cultural competence, flexibility, and an ability to work in low-resource settings—strengths that stand out in competitive applicant pools.

Explore shadowing and internship programs at goelective.com/healthcare to start building impactful experiences today.

The MCAT Format: No Major Changes Since 2015

The current MCAT format—launched in 2015—remains the standard:

• Four sections, scored 118–132 each
• Total score range: 472–528
• No essay or writing sample
• Scored using equating, not a curve

Despite a temporary shortening during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scoring scale has never changed. A 510 from 2020 holds the same meaning as a 510 today.

The Bottom Line: What Makes an MCAT Score "Good"?

A good MCAT score depends on:

• Your target school list
• Your academic record (GPA)
• Your extracurricular experiences
• The competitiveness of the applicant pool in a given year
  
  

In general:

• 500–507: Solid but may need strong extracurriculars or GPA to offset
• 508–510: Competitive at many MD schools
• 511–514: Strong for most programs
• 515+: Excellent; top schools will take notice

Remember, MCAT scores are just one part of your application. Medical schools are increasingly adopting holistic admissions—which means your story, service, and leadership matter too.

Ready to Strengthen Your Pre-Med Path?

If you're planning your MCAT strategy or looking to stand out as an applicant, consider enrolling in a Go Elective healthcare internship. Our programs abroad provide meaningful clinical exposure, global health insight, and experiences you can reflect on in your personal statement and interviews.

Learn more about our internships and how they can elevate your medical school application by applying applying here.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 15, 2025