Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored between 118 and 132, with the median at 125. This
means the total score ranges from 472 to 528, with the median at 500. Why such peculiar numbers?
The AAMC stresses that this scale emphasizes the importance of the central portion of the score
distribution, where most students score (around 125 per section, or 500 total), rather than putting
undue focus on the high end of the scale.
Note that there is no wrong answer penalty on the MCAT, so you should select an answer for every
question—even if it is only a guess.
The AAMC has released the 2016-2017 correlation between scaled score and percentile, as shown on
the following page. It should be noted that the percentile scale is adjusted and renormalized over
time and thus can shift slightly from year to year.
Total Score Percentile Total Score Percentile
528 >99 499 49
527 >99 498 45
526 >99 497 42
525 >99 496 39
524 >99 495 35
523 >99 494 32
522 99 493 29
521 99 492 26
520 98 491 23
519 98 490 20
518 97 489 18
517 96 488 16
516 95 487 13
515 94 486 12
514 92 485 10
513 90 484 8
512 88 483 7