What Is a Good MCAT Score in 2027?
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A good MCAT score is one that makes you competitive at the medical schools you want to attend. For U.S. MD programs, 512 is a useful starting benchmark: the average score of students who enrolled in medical school was 512.1 in the AAMC data cited below. But your own target may be higher or lower depending on your school list, your section scores, and the rest of your application.
If you’re applying to Canadian medical schools, be especially careful with U.S. averages. Canadian schools set their own MCAT requirements, and some give particular weight to sections such as CARS. Let’s look at the scores and percentiles first, then how to choose a target that makes sense for you.
What is a good MCAT score in 2026?
MCAT scores range from 472 to 528, with 500 at the midpoint of the scale. Scoring above 500 tells you how you performed relative to other test takers, but it doesn’t tell you whether your score is strong enough for a particular medical school.
For context, the average MCAT score was 506.3 for U.S. medical school applicants and 512.1 for students who enrolled, according to the AAMC data used in this article. That gap is a useful reference point: a score around 512 is in line with the average U.S. MD matriculant, while a higher score may be helpful at schools with higher entering-class averages. Neither number is an admissions cutoff or a guarantee.
The most useful definition of a “good” score is one that fits your target schools. Check each school’s published MCAT data and minimum requirements, including any section-specific rules. Then consider your GPA and the rest of your application before deciding whether to apply with your score or aim for a retake.
Balanced MCAT Section Scores
It’s not just about total score. Medical schools look much more favourably on balanced section scores than on lopsided section scores. For example, a 508 comprised of 127/127/127/127 is more competitive than a 508 comprised 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. The Score Report even includes a Score Profile graph that displays the pattern of your section scores in relation to the midpoint of 125. In the example below, the CARS score on the second row is conspicuously low and might be a red flag for some admissions committees.
Know Your Target Schools
Before even beginning to prep for the MCAT, you should thoroughly research medical schools and select your targets for application. The best sources of information are the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) and the section of each medical school’s website that provides information for applicants. For each of your target medical schools, construct a profile of its admission criteria including:
- What are the average MCAT scores and GPA of accepted students?
- Are there any GPA adjustments (e.g., worst year dropped)?
- What is the average MCAT scores of accepted students with your GPA?
- Are there cut-offs (minimum for consideration) for MCAT scores?
- Is more weight given to any MCAT section(s) (e.g., CARS)?
- Are MCAT scores used assess who to consider, who to interview and who to accept?
- What non-academic credentials are assessed?
- Are there different admission standards for state/provincial residents than for everyone else?
Do I have to get every question correct get a good MCAT score?
No. Perfection is NOT required to obtain a competitive score in any MCAT section. In fact, striving to get the correct answer for every question is counter-productive. Perfectionists get repeatedly bogged down by difficult questions and run out of time. Top-scoring MCAT test-takers are not perfectionists. They are adroit tacticians who recognize when to make an educated guess and move on to the easier questions.
In the Science sections with 59 questions, you can usually get:
- 5 wrong answers (92% accuracy) and score 130-131 (top 5%)
- 10 wrong answers (83% accuracy) and score 129-130 (top 10%)
- 15 wrong answers (75% accuracy) and score 126-128 (126 = top 50%, 127-128 = top 25%)
In the CARS section with 53 questions, you can usually get:
- 5 wrong answers (90% accuracy) and score 130 (top 5%)
- 10 wrong answers (83% accuracy) and score 127-128 (top 25%)
- 15 wrong answers (72% accuracy) and score 125 (top 50%)
Note the emphasis on “usually”. Variations in difficulty between test versions make it tricky to say anything definitive about raw scores. On the other hand, the AAMC says the variations are slight. And we are using raw scores only to make the general point that you shouldn’t aim for perfection to accomplish competitive scores.
Of course, earning a good MCAT score is not just about what you know. It is also about being prepared for the structure and pressure of test day. Understanding the check-in process, break schedule, security rules, and what happens after the exam can help you avoid unnecessary stress and stay focused when it matters. For a full breakdown, read our guide on what to expect on MCAT test day.
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