HOW IS THE MCAT SCORED?

It’s important to note that there is no “set score” that you receive for answering a given number of questions correct. For example, getting 200/230 correct does not guarantee you’ll receive a certain score. Rather, the test is scored based on the performance of everyone who takes the test the same day as you.

Tips:

• Don’t worry about how it’s scored (it’s complicated), just focus on getting the most questions right.
• There is no penalty for guessing, so if you don’t know the answer make sure to put your best guess.

Here is a breakdown of how the MCAT is scored.

1. Section Scores:

• Each of the four MCAT sections is scored individually, and the scores range from 118 to 132.
• The mean score for each section is around 125
• Thus, a score of 125 represents the 50th percentile, indicating an average performance compared to other test-takers.

2. Total Score:

• The total MCAT score is the sum of the four section scores, ranging from 472 to 528.

3. Score Percentiles:

• In addition to absolute scores, percentile ranks are provided to allow examinees to compare their performance relative to other test-takers.
• Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than a particular individual.
• For example, a score at the 80th percentile means the individual performed better than 80% of all test-takers.
• Use this link to see which total score aligns with which percentile (2023 AAMC DATA)

4. Scoring Equating:

• The MCAT is a standardized test, meaning that scores are equated to ensure fairness and consistency across different test administrations.
• Equating adjusts for variations in the difficulty of different exam forms, ensuring that scores have the same meaning regardless of when the test was taken.
• The AAMC uses sophisticated statistical methods to equate scores, maintaining the validity and reliability of the MCAT.

5. Score Reporting: