What Is the Average Score on the MCAT?

The average total MCAT score for all test takers is about 500.6, close to the midpoint of the 472 to 528 scale. Applicants to MD programs average about 506, and students who start MD programs average about 512, which is roughly the 84th percentile. This guide explains what those averages mean and how to use them.

Key Takeaways

• All test takers average about 500.6. That's close to the scale's midpoint of 500, and a 500 sits at about the 48th percentile.

• MD applicants average about 506. That's roughly the 67th percentile.

• Students who start MD programs average about 512. That's roughly the 84th percentile, and the figure has moved by less than a point over six application cycles.

• An average is a reference point, not a cutoff. Scores spread out on both sides of every average, so use it to place your score, not to judge it.

What Is the Average Score on the MCAT?

If you're wondering whether your practice score is normal, you're not alone, and the answer starts with the scale. The total score runs from 472 to 528 with a midpoint of 500. Each of the four sections runs from 118 to 132 with a midpoint of 125.

Across all test takers, the average total score is 500.6. That comes from the three most recent testing years combined, which cover 305,494 exam results. The standard deviation, a measure of how spread out scores are, is 11.2.

A 500 is about the 48th percentile and a 501 is about the 52nd, so the average lands near the middle of all scores. The AAMC updates the percentile ranks every year, so check the current table before you rely on one number.

Average MCAT Score by Group

The average changes depending on who you count. People who apply to MD programs score higher than test takers as a whole, and students who actually start MD programs score higher still. Here are the latest figures.

In percentile terms, a 506 is about the 67th percentile and a 512 is about the 84th. Scores spread out around the MD averages too. The standard deviation is 10.0 for applicants and 6.5 for students who start MD programs, so plenty of people land above and below each average.

Average Section Scores

Your total score is the sum of four section scores, so it helps to know the averages for each one. These are the latest averages for MD applicants and for students who start MD programs.

In both groups, the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section has the highest average and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills has the lowest. All four section averages sit above the section midpoint of 125.

Does Your Major Change the Average?

Averages vary a little by primary undergraduate major, but they are closer together among students who start MD programs than among applicants. Here are the latest total score averages.

Among students who start MD programs, every group averages between 511.1 and 515.8. The math and statistics group is small, with 192 students who start MD programs, so don't read too much into its number. These are group averages, and they can't tell you what any one student will score.

How Much Do the Averages Change From Year to Year?

Not much. Over the last six application cycles, the average total score for MD applicants stayed between 505.9 and 506.5. For students who start MD programs, it stayed between 511.5 and 512.1.

That's reassuring if you're planning ahead, because the averages have been steady. Percentile ranks are the part that gets refreshed, since they're recalculated each year from the three most recent testing years.

How to Use the Average When Setting a Target Score

An average tells you where a group sits. It doesn't tell you what score you need. Here's a simple way to use it.

1. Find your starting score. Take a full-length practice exam before you study, ideally in one sitting, so you can see your total and each section.

2. Compare your total with the group averages. Use the table above to see whether you're near the test-taker average, the applicant average, or the average for students who start MD programs.

3. Check your sections. A total can hide an uneven profile, so compare each section with its average too.

4. Look up the schools on your list. A national average is a starting point, and each school has its own range of scores for the students it admits.

5. Match the gap to your calendar. A bigger gap usually needs more weeks or more hours each week. Our guides on how long to study for the MCAT and what counts as a good MCAT score walk through both steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average MCAT score?

The average total score for all test takers is 500.6. MD applicants average 506.3, and students who start MD programs average 512.1.

What is the average MCAT score for medical school?

Students who start MD programs average 512.1, which is roughly the 84th percentile. MD applicants average 506.3, so the group that gets in scores higher than the group that applies.

Is a 500 a good MCAT score?

A 500 is about the 48th percentile, close to the average for all test takers. It's below the average for MD applicants and for students who start MD programs, so whether it's good depends on your goals and your schools.

What is the average score on each MCAT section?

Among MD applicants, section averages range from 125.8 to 127.5. Among students who start MD programs, they range from 127.0 to 129.0. The section on Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior has the highest average in both groups.

Does the average MCAT score change every year?

Very little. Over six application cycles, the MD applicant average stayed between 505.9 and 506.5, and the average for students who start MD programs stayed between 511.5 and 512.1.

Put It Into Practice

Averages are most useful as a reference point for your own plan. A practical place to start is a full-length practice exam: compare your total and section scores with the averages above, and note which sections sit furthest from your target.

If you're planning to take the MCAT and want guidance on turning those results into a study plan, take our qualification quiz. Qualified students can book a free strategy call with one of our MCAT instructors to go over their study goals, timeline, and preparation strategy.

Sources

1. AAMC, Summary of MCAT Total and Section Scores (percentile ranks in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)

2. AAMC, The MCAT Exam Score Scale

3. AAMC, 2025 FACTS Table A-16: MCAT Scores and GPAs for Applicants and Matriculants to U.S. MD-Granting Medical Schools, 2020-2021 through 2025-2026

4. AAMC, 2025 FACTS Table A-17: MCAT and GPAs for Applicants and Matriculants to U.S. MD-Granting Medical Schools by Primary Undergraduate Major, 2025-2026