Old MCAT to New MCAT Score Conversion & MCAT Score Percentiles (2020-2021) (2024)

MCAT Scoring System:

The old MCAT was scored on a scale from 3-45 with an average MCAT score of 25.2.

On each section you could earn 1 to 15 points.

The new MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528 with a mean score of 500.

On each section you can earn 118 to 132 points.

Believe it or not, there are many people who still aren’t sure how to interpret MCAT total scores and section scores and are more comfortable with “old scores.” Therefore, many people, including admissions officers, seek out how to interpret new scores according to the old model. Keep in mind that if you are applying to medical school, most medical schools will consider MCAT scores that are two years old. Some will entertain scores that are three years old as well. Therefore, old MCAT scores will not be considered by the vast majority of US medical schools.

Old MCAT to New MCAT Score Conversion & MCAT Score Percentiles (2020-2021) (1)

Old MCAT to New MCAT Score Conversion & MCAT Score Percentiles (2020-2021) (2024)

FAQs

Old MCAT to New MCAT Score Conversion & MCAT Score Percentiles (2020-2021)? ›

The old MCAT was scored on a scale from 3-45 with an average MCAT score of 25.2. On each section you could earn 1 to 15 points. The new MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528 with a mean score of 500. On each section you can earn 118 to 132 points.

What is the conversion from old to new MCAT scores? ›

The old MCAT was scored on a scale from 3-45 with an average MCAT score of 25.2. On each section you could earn 1 to 15 points. The new MCAT is scored on a scale from 472-528 with a mean score of 500. On each section you can earn 118 to 132 points.

What was a good MCAT score from the old system? ›

Old MCAT Scoring System: Range between 3-45. A 50th percentile score approximated 25. New MCAT Scoring System: Range between 472-528. A 50th percentile score approximates 500.

Has the MCAT changed since 2015? ›

It might seem like nothing has changed since the MCAT updated its format in 2015. And on a surface level, that's true. From 2015-2020, the MCAT's sections, presentation, time limit, passage style, and scoring have all remained the same.

What percentile is a 525 on the MCAT? ›

Attaining a score of 525 on the MCAT means you performed in the 100% percentile.

How does the old MCAT compare to the new MCAT score? ›

First administered in 1928, the old MCAT evolved substantially and the most recent version—the new MCAT—was introduced in April 2015. The new MCAT is scored on a scale of 472–528, with a mean score of 501. The old MCAT was scored on a scale of 3–45, with a mean score of approximately 25.

Should I retake a 511 MCAT? ›

According to recent AAMC stats, a 511 on the MCAT is not a bad score because it's an above-average MCAT score, and it is competitive for med-school admission: A 511 is 82 percentile rank on the MCAT. * The current average MCAT score is at the 501 mark, and a 511 is 10 points ahead of that score.

What score is 80% correct on MCAT? ›

Note: A score of 80% correct for each of the 4 exam subsections translates to an MCAT scaled score of 127, which further underlines the fact that the relationship between percent correct and scaled scores is not straightforward and the changes are not consistent across exam sections (there is a correlation, but they ...

Is 493 a bad MCAT score? ›

Attaining a score of 493 on the MCAT means you performed in the 29% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What is a bad first MCAT score? ›

So, technically speaking, a bad MCAT score would be anything below 500. However, in order to be a competitive applicant, you should aim to score much higher than 500. A good MCAT score largely depends on the schools you are applying to.

What was the average MCAT score in 2015? ›

The average total score for 2015 examinees was 500, and there was wide variability in the score distribution. The graph in Figure 4 uses box-and-whisker plots to report median (50th percentile) scores for students from different sociodemographic groups, along with 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentile scores.

Has anyone gotten a 45 on the MCAT? ›

Seven and a half hours later, Wehmeyer became one of the few examinees to receive a perfect 45 on the MCAT. But the road to this perfect score was not easy. It began during Wehmeyer's childhood. He was always interested in sciences, especially biology, and was raised in a strongly academic family.

What percentile is a 505 on the MCAT? ›

If you scored a 505 on the MCAT, this means you performed in the 64th percentile according to most recent AAMC statistics, and are 6 points away from a competitive 511.

What percentile is 491 on the MCAT? ›

Is 491 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 491 on the MCAT means you performed in the 23% percentile.

How many people get 528 on MCAT? ›

While test designers make it difficult, it is possible to achieve a so-called “perfect score” on the MCAT. According to the AAMC, out of the approximately two hundred thousand students who take the exam each year, between 30 and 70 achieve the highest score of 528 on the MCAT.

Is 507 a bad MCAT score? ›

Is 507 a Bad MCAT Score? A 507 on the MCAT is an above-average MCAT score. According to recent AAMC stats: A 507 is 70 percentile rank on the MCAT.

What is a 75% on the MCAT? ›

75th percentile – total score: 509/510; score for each section: between 126-128.

What is a score of 492 on the MCAT? ›

Attaining a score of 492 on the MCAT means you performed in the 26% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 513? ›

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 513? You should retake a 513 MCAT score if your score is not balanced among the 4 sections, or if your target med-school(s) require a higher score for you to be competitive.

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