Understanding the Components of the MCAT Score Report

Understanding the information on your MCAT Score Report will help you decide whether to apply or start preparing for another MCAT attempt. While the total scaled score dominates most conversations about MCAT scores, the Score Report includes other data points that are essential for  this decision.

Your Score Report will include your performance in each test section and the test as a whole reported in the form of:

• Scaled scores
• Confidence bands
• Percentile ranks
• Score profile

Your raw score is the number of questions you answer correctly in each section. It is out of 59 in the science sections and 53 in the CARS section. It is not included on the Score Report. 

Raw scores are converted into scaled scores using a statistical procedure called equating that adjusts for variations in difficulty between different test versions. This levels the playing field. Regardless of whether your test was more or less difficult than other versions, scaled scores ensure everyone’s results are comparable and that. Your score reflects your ability, not the difficulty of your test questions? 

Scaled scores range from 118 (lowest) to 132 (highest), with a median score of about 125, in each section. Scores for the four sections are combined to create a scaled total score ranging from 472 (lowest) to 528 (highest), with a median score of about 500.

In addition to ensuring your total score is competitive, it’s important to verify that your section scores are reasonably balanced (no red flags!) and all surpass the minimums for consideration, if any, at your target medical schools.

The MCAT is divided into four sections, each designed to test different scientific knowledge and similar reasoning skills:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Physical Sciences) 
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Biological Sciences) 
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Behavioural Sciences) 

Each section is scored individually and the four sections are equally weighted. Your total score is the sum of the four section scores.

It’s not just about your total score. Medical schools look much more favorably on balanced section scores than on lopsided section scores. For example, a 508 that’s composed of 127/127/127/127 is more competitive than a 508 that’s composed of 131/123/130/124 – especially if a low section score is on the wrong side of a cut-off and eliminates you from consideration. 

Also, some medical schools do not treat the four test sections equally. A number of Canadian medical schools, for example, assign more weight to (or only consider!) the CARS score because it best exemplifies your intellectual dexterity.

Percentile ranks display the percentages of test takers who received the same scores or lower scores than you did. They show how your scores stack up against the scores of other test-takers in each section and on the test as a whole.

 It’s a snapshot of where you stand in the broader competitive landscape?.

Percentile ranks are recalibrated every year on May 1 using data from the most recent three years. The current percentile ranks here are based on scores in 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

The average score of accepted students has been creeping up in recent years – 511.2 in 2018-19 to 511.7 in 2023-24 (source) – so comparing your percentile ranks to accepted students may shed more light on your competitiveness than relying solely on scores.

Confidence bands are provided to illustrate the imprecision of MCAT total and section scores . Like other standardized tests, MCAT scores are not perfectly precise and can be influenced by many transient factors that impact your performance on test day. Confidence  bands show what the test developers describe as the best estimate of your “true scores” – that is, the range of scores you would achieve if you took the exam again and again with the same level of preparation.

Total scores are reported with a confidence band of plus or minus two points. Section scores are reported with confidence bands of plus or minus one point. The figure below shows a total score of 501 and its confidence band from 499 to 503.

The AAMC encourages admissions committees to consider the overlap between confidence bands when comparing scores from different applicants. The greater the overlap in confidence bands, the less meaning should be attributed to the difference between scores.This can help medical schools to avoid overreacting to minor score differences in their deliberations?.

The MCAT Score Report also includes a Score Profile which displays your section scores – but not the test as a whole – in confidence bands and provides a concise depiction of patterns among your section scores. The Score Profile shows your strengths and weaknesses across all four sections and it can be especially helpful to identify areas to focus on if you decide to retake the exam.

A balanced profile, where scores are fairly consistent across sections, is a definite plus. If your total score is competitive but one of your section scores is below the minimum for consideration at your target school or stands out as a red flag, a retake may be necessary. This most commonly happens with a low CARS score because this section is such unfamiliar territory for most test-takers. In the example below, the CARS score on the second row is conspicuously low and might be a red flag for some admissions committees.

Your MCAT performance is sometimes only as strong as your weakest section score.

Apply with Confidence

A good MCAT score is a critical piece of your medical school application. By comparing your scores to the averages of students accepted at your target schools using the MSAR, you can gauge your competitiveness. If your scores are on par or better, you’re in a strong position. If they’re lower, you might need to weigh the benefits of a retake or strengthen other parts of your application?.

The Impact of MCAT Scores on Admission

MCAT scores are one of the key factors in medical school admission. They not only reflect your science knowledge and reasoning  skills but also show your potential to handle the rigorous medical school curriculum. 

High scores can set you apart in competitive applicant pools, while scores that fall below the median may require bolstering through other strengths in your application, such as research experience, extracurricular involvement, or a compelling personal statement. 

It’s crucial to understand how each medical school uses MCAT scores in their admission process—some might use a holistic review where other strong credentials can offset a lower score, while others may have strict cutoffs where your application is dead if your score does not exceed a specified minimum for consideration.

Strategic Application Planning

When applying, it’s smart to play to your strengths. Highlight your best section scores, especially if they align with a program’s focus. Address any lower scores openly in your application, showing self-awareness and a proactive attitude toward improvement. This strategic approach can make your application more compelling, even if your scores aren’t competitive across the board??.

Deciding Whether to Retake the MCAT

Consider retaking the MCAT if your scores significantly lag behind those accepted by your target schools, or if your score profile is unbalanced. It’s a big decision, involving both time and effort, so weigh it carefully. Focus your study on weak areas for the most substantial potential score improvement on a retake

Average MCAT Scores for the 2023-24 Application Cycle:

• All test takers: 501.3
• Applicants to medical school: 506.3
• Accepted to medical school: 511.7

Use these averages to assess where you stand. Remember, a single MCAT score isn’t the end of your medical career journey; it’s just one part of a larger picture. Each step, even a retake, is a move towards your dream school.