Understanding Your
MCAT® Score Report
Everything you need to know about MCAT® scores, percentile ranks, confidence bands, score profiles, and how medical schools use your results.
Understanding Your MCAT Score Report
Students receive five MCAT® scores: one for each test section and one combined total score. The four areas are scored from a low of 118 to a high of 132, with a midpoint of 125. Therefore, the total score is the sum of each section, ranging from 472 to 528, with a mean of 500.
Medical schools in the United States and Canada often have cutoff MCAT® scores that you must exceed before being considered for acceptance into their programs. For this reason, students should aim for the highest possible MCAT® score range to increase their chances of being accepted to top medical schools.
Percentile ranks show how your scores compare to other examinees who took the new version of the MCAT® as you. You will receive percentile ranks for each section and overall total score.
Confidence bands show the accuracy of your section and total scores. Similar to the past version of the MCAT® exam and other standardized tests, scores from the MCAT® exam will not be precise. Scores can be affected or influenced by many factors.
Confidence bands mark the ranges where your “true score” likely lies. They help signal the inaccuracy of test scores and are intended to discourage distinctions between applicants with similar scores.
Score profiles are included to show your strengths and weaknesses across all four exam sections. This section of the score report can help you determine areas to focus on should you retake the exam.
Scores are released approximately 30–35 days after each test day by 5 p.m. EST.
According to a survey of medical school admissions officers, schools use multiple sets of MCAT scores in several ways:
- Some schools weigh all sets of scores equally and note improvements.
- Other schools consider only the most recent set of scores.
- Still, others take an average of all sets of scores.
- Some schools use only the highest set of scores or the highest individual section scores.
- How you score on the MCAT® exam is not reflective of the particular exam you took — including the time of day, the test date, or the time of year — since any difference in difficulty level is accounted for when calculating your scale scores.
Since April 2015, there are now new limits on how many attempts you have to take the MCAT® exam. Remember that you can only be registered for one seat at a time and that no-shows and voids count as attempts.
Medical schools usually accept scores dating back two or three years. If you have taken the exam before, we recommend that you consult the AAMC to check the application policies of each school to which you intend to apply.
Schedule Your Free MCAT
Consultation with Dr. Donnelly
Dr. Stuart Donnelly’s tutoring methodology focuses on quality over quantity. After the initial complimentary assessment, each lesson becomes increasingly individualised to adapt to your particular MCAT® prep need.
Over the years, Dr. Donnelly has developed several unique proprietary strategies that help his students master the background topics in each of the 4 sections of the MCAT:
- Section 1: MCAT Biological Sciences Section
- Section 2: MCAT Physical Sciences Section
- Section 3: MCAT Behavioral Sciences Section
- Section 4: MCAT CARS Section
Contact Dr. Stuart Donnelly today to schedule your complimentary MCAT® consultation which will help determine the number of hours of tutoring you will probably need to reach your target score.
Ready to Boost Your
MCAT® Score?
A personalised plan starts with one free conversation. Dr. Donnelly will assess your needs and outline a clear path to your target score.