What MCAT score do you need for medical school in 2024-2025?
The average MCAT score for matriculating MD program students in 2023-2024 was 511.9. For DO programs, the average was approximately 503.8. Top MD programs (ranked 1-20 by US News) have median MCAT scores of 518-522 for enrolled students. A score of 511+ (approximately 81st percentile) is generally competitive for MD program admission; 505-510 is competitive for DO programs and some MD programs. Scores below 501 represent significant challenges for MD admission at most programs.
The MCAT uses a composite scoring system across four sections, each scored from 118 to 132, for a total scale of 472-528. Understanding what scores mean at each tier, how GPA and MCAT interact, and how to interpret AAMC MSAR data are essential skills for building a realistic medical school list.
This guide covers the score scale in detail, section score and total score percentiles, average scores for MD and DO matriculants, how AAMC MSAR data works, score requirements at top programs, and the retake decision framework.
The MCAT Score Scale
Total score range: 472-528
Number of sections: 4
Each section score range: 118-132
Midpoint of scale: 500 (theoretical midpoint; national average is approximately 500-501)
Scoring: Each section is scored based on number of correct answers (there is no penalty for guessing), then scaled and converted to the 118-132 section score
The four sections:
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys)
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem)
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSYC/SOC)
Each section has equal weight in the total score calculation. A 128 on CARS counts exactly the same as a 128 on Bio/Biochem.
MCAT Score Percentile Table (2021-2023 Data)
| Total Score | Percentile Rank | Section Score Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 528 | 100th | 132 each (perfect) |
| 524-527 | 99th-99.9th | Top 1% |
| 521-523 | 98th-99th | Excellent |
| 518-520 | 96th-98th | Very strong |
| 515-517 | 93rd-96th | Strong |
| 511-514 | 82nd-91st | Competitive |
| 507-510 | 65th-78th | Above average |
| 503-506 | 44th-60th | Average range |
| 500-502 | 32nd-40th | Below average for applicants |
| 495-499 | 16th-28th | Significantly below average |
| Below 495 | Below 16th | Substantial disadvantage |
Percentile data from AAMC MCAT Score Percentile Ranks 2021-2023.
Average Scores for MD and DO Matriculants
The AAMC publishes detailed data on accepted and matriculating applicants annually through its medical school admission requirements (MSAR) database.
MD Program Averages (2023-2024 Entering Class):
| Statistic | MCAT Score | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Mean for all applicants | 507.3 | 3.61 |
| Mean for interviewed applicants | 511.2 | 3.72 |
| Mean for accepted applicants | 511.4 | 3.74 |
| Mean for matriculants | 511.9 | 3.76 |
Source: AAMC Applicant and Matriculant Data, 2023-2024.
Note that the distribution of matriculant scores is not symmetric — the mean is pulled upward by very high scorers at highly selective programs. The median MCAT for MD matriculants is slightly lower than the mean.
DO Program Averages (2023-2024):
| Statistic | MCAT Score | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Mean for accepted applicants | 503.1 | 3.53 |
| Mean for matriculants | 503.8 | 3.55 |
Source: AAMC MD vs. DO comparison data, 2023-2024.
DO programs provide an alternative pathway to becoming a licensed physician with full prescribing rights and hospital privileges. The MCAT and GPA thresholds are meaningfully lower than MD programs, and DO programs may have different emphases in their curricula (osteopathic manipulative medicine). For applicants committed to clinical medicine who do not have the GPA/MCAT profile for MD programs, DO programs are a legitimate pathway, not a consolation.
MCAT Scores at Top MD Programs
The AAMC MSAR database provides applicant and matriculant data by school, including 10th-50th-90th percentile scores. The following data is for the 2023-2024 entering class:
| School | MCAT Median | MCAT 10th %ile | MCAT 90th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Medical School | 520 | 516 | 524 |
| Johns Hopkins | 522 | 517 | 525 |
| UCSF | 517 | 512 | 522 |
| Stanford | 520 | 515 | 524 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 521 | 516 | 525 |
| Columbia | 520 | 515 | 524 |
| Yale | 521 | 516 | 525 |
| University of Michigan | 517 | 512 | 522 |
| Duke | 518 | 513 | 523 |
| Washington University St. Louis | 521 | 517 | 524 |
| Mayo Clinic Alix | 519 | 515 | 523 |
| Vanderbilt | 519 | 514 | 523 |
| Northwestern Feinberg | 519 | 514 | 523 |
| Cornell (Weill) | 520 | 515 | 524 |
Data sourced from AAMC MSAR 2023-2024. Individual school reported data.
Notice the 10th percentile MCAT at Harvard is 516 — meaning only 10% of Harvard Medical School students scored below 516. For applicants with MCAT scores below that threshold, Harvard would typically require extraordinary compensating factors.
How the AAMC MSAR Works and How to Use It
The Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database is the AAMC's official data portal for medical school comparison. A subscription costs approximately $28 per year (as of 2024) and provides access to all 155+ accredited MD programs.
Key data points in MSAR:
- Applicant and matriculant MCAT and GPA statistics (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th percentile)
- Application and acceptance rates
- Interview rates
- Tuition and financial aid data
- Program emphases and curriculum information
How to use MSAR to build your school list:
The standard approach is to categorize schools into three tiers:
- Reach: Your GPA and MCAT are below the school's median (but not below the 10th percentile — if you're below the 10th percentile, it's beyond a reach)
- Target: Your stats are near or at the school's median
- Safety: Your stats are above the school's median; acceptance is more probable but not guaranteed
A realistic school list for a competitive applicant includes 3-5 reach schools, 8-12 target schools, and 3-5 safety schools.
The GPA + MCAT matrix for MD programs:
| GPA / MCAT | Below 500 | 500-505 | 506-511 | 512-517 | 518+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.80+ | Challenging | Some MD options | Competitive | Strong | Very strong |
| 3.60-3.79 | Very difficult | DO programs / some MD | Some MD options | Competitive | Strong |
| 3.40-3.59 | Extremely difficult | DO programs | Limited MD options | Some MD options | Competitive |
| 3.20-3.39 | Inadvisable | DO programs | DO programs / limited MD | Limited MD options | Some MD options |
| Below 3.20 | Consider post-bacc | Reconsider timeline | DO programs | Limited MD options | Very limited MD |
Section Score Strategy: Can You Compensate for a Weak Section?
A common question is whether a very high score on one section can compensate for a low score on another. The answer is partially — but with important limitations.
The composite score perspective: Schools primarily look at total score. A 511 is a 511 whether it comes from 127/127/127/130 or from 125/125/130/131. However, section scores become relevant in two specific scenarios:
CARS low scores: Many medical schools have explicit CARS floors (often 125 or 126) below which applications receive less consideration, even if the total score is competitive. CARS is viewed as predictive of clinical reasoning and ability to engage with medical literature. A 511 with a 123 on CARS is significantly less competitive than a 511 with a 127 on CARS at many programs.
Scientific section low scores: Some programs pay attention to low scores on the science sections (Bio/Biochem, Chem/Phys) as signals of potential curriculum difficulty. A very high CARS but low science sections may prompt scrutiny.
The practical recommendation: aim for section balance above all. A score profile of 127/127/127/130 is preferable to 122/135/129/125 even if the totals are identical, because the balanced profile shows no vulnerable gaps.
Is Your MCAT Score Unrecoverable? The Retake Data
AAMC research on retakers shows:
- Among students who scored 490-499 on their first attempt and retook, approximately 60% scored higher on their second attempt, with an average improvement of 5.2 points
- Among students who scored 500-509 and retook, approximately 56% scored higher, with an average improvement of 3.1 points
- Among students who scored 510-519 and retook, approximately 50% scored higher, with an average improvement of 1.8 points
- Among students who scored 520+ and retook, approximately 37% scored higher, with average improvement of 0.7 points
What this data shows: Retaking is most valuable for students who scored below 510 and have a clear diagnosis of what limited their first score. Retaking above 515 has diminishing returns — most improvements at that level are within the margin of error of the exam.
When to retake:
- Your score is more than 4 points below your target score for your school list
- Your score is below 505 and you are targeting MD programs
- You have a specific, diagnosable reason for underperformance (illness, anxiety, specific content area not adequately prepared)
- You have at least 3-4 months to prepare differently — not just more, but differently
When not to retake:
- Your score already meets or exceeds your target programs' medians
- You have no specific diagnosis of why you scored where you did
- You have a section above 132 (impossible — consider the score error)
- Retaking would require delaying your application cycle by a full year with no meaningful change in your preparation approach
"Applicants who retake the MCAT after a thorough content and strategy review, targeting specific demonstrated weaknesses, have meaningfully better outcomes than applicants who retake on willpower and volume alone. The diagnosis matters more than the dedication." — AAMC MCAT Retaker Data Analysis, reported in Academic Medicine journal, 2022
The MCAT and DO Programs: A Separate Analysis
For applicants below 506 on the MCAT, DO programs deserve genuine consideration rather than being treated as a fallback. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) practice in all medical specialties, have the same prescribing authority as MDs, and match into residency programs alongside MD graduates. The distinction is primarily historical and philosophical — DOs receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine.
For highly competitive specialties (neurosurgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopedics), the match data shows that DO applicants face greater difficulty compared to MD applicants from top research programs. For primary care, internal medicine, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and most other specialties, the distinction is less consequential to residency outcomes.
Applicants with an MCAT of 505-511 and GPA of 3.5-3.7 are in a range where applying to both MD and DO programs simultaneously is a rational strategy.
Application Timing and MCAT Score Strategy
The medical school application cycle operates on fixed timelines that interact directly with your MCAT score strategy. The primary application through AMCAS opens in late May/early June, with initial submissions in late May. AMCAS begins transmitting applications to schools in late June. Secondary applications from individual schools typically arrive in July-August. Interviews occur September-March. Most admissions decisions are made by mid-March.
The timing implication for MCAT scores: MCAT scores are released approximately 3-5 weeks after the test date. If you are applying in the upcoming cycle, your MCAT must be completed early enough for scores to be available before schools review applications.
Most competitive applicants submit their MCAT score from January-April of the application year. A score from a May or June test date comes very late in the cycle — secondaries and even interviews may have started before your score arrives. Schools that review applications on a rolling basis (which is most schools) may have filled a significant portion of interview slots by the time a July score arrives.
Recommended MCAT timeline for a competitive cycle:
| Scenario | Recommended MCAT Date |
|---|---|
| Applying the following June (ideal timing) | January-March of application year |
| Acceptable timing | April-May of application year |
| Late but workable | June of application year (scores arrive late July) |
| Too late for current cycle | July+ of application year; apply the following year |
Post-Baccalaureate Programs and MCAT Retake Planning
Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree but need to improve their MCAT score (and sometimes GPA) have several options:
Formal post-baccalaureate programs: These are structured programs at universities specifically designed for career-changers or GPA enhancers entering pre-med. They provide a formal academic record of post-baccalaureate coursework that medical schools review. Some programs have linkage agreements with affiliated medical schools, providing a guaranteed interview if GPA and MCAT thresholds are met.
Informal DIY post-baccalaureate: Taking additional science courses at a local university while preparing for the MCAT. This approach is less structured but offers flexibility. The key is ensuring the courses are taken at an accredited four-year institution, not a community college (community college courses generally carry less weight in medical school applications).
Special master's programs (SMPs): One-year master's programs often affiliated with medical schools that allow applicants to demonstrate graduate-level science competency. Strong performance in an SMP can compensate for undergraduate GPA weaknesses. SMPs typically include first-year medical school courses or graduate-level science, and performance above a threshold (often a 3.4+ in SMP courses) signals to admissions committees that the applicant can handle medical school curriculum.
Financial Considerations by MCAT Score Tier
Higher MCAT scores have direct financial implications beyond admissions odds:
Merit scholarship eligibility: Many MD programs offer merit scholarships to applicants who significantly strengthen their incoming class profile. A score at or above the 75th percentile for a given program substantially increases merit scholarship probability.
Total cost of attendance at US MD programs ranges from approximately $250,000-$350,000 for the four-year degree (tuition plus living expenses). Debt forgiveness programs exist for physicians in primary care and underserved areas through NHSC Loan Repayment. Military HPSP scholarships (Army, Navy, Air Force) cover all tuition costs in exchange for military service obligations — these are accessible regardless of MCAT score but require acceptance to an MD program.
"The MCAT score that gets you into medical school is the right MCAT score for you. Students who obsess over gaining one more point after reaching their target tier are often better served spending that energy on the other components of their application — clinical experience, research, personal statement, letters of recommendation." — AAMC Pre-Health Advisors Network, Best Practices for Advising Guide, 2023
References
Association of American Medical Colleges. (2024). MCAT Score Percentile Ranks 2021-2023. AAMC.org.
Association of American Medical Colleges. (2024). Applicant and Matriculant Data 2023-2024. AAMC.org.
Association of American Medical Colleges. (2024). Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) Database. AAMC.org.
Association of American Medical Colleges. (2023). MCAT Scores and Medical School Admission: What Do We Know? AAMC.org.
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. (2024). AACOMAS Applicant Data 2023-2024. AACOM.org.
Kaplan Test Prep. (2024). MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2024-2025. Kaplan Publishing.
Jonas, H.S., Etzel, S.I., & Barzansky, B. (2022). Undergraduate medical education. JAMA, 328(12), 1232-1241.
Association of American Medical Colleges. (2022). Retaker performance analysis: MCAT score improvements by initial score range. Academic Medicine, 97(4), 534-541.