What Is A Good MCAT Score in 2024?

The MCAT is pivotal in the admissions process of medical schools across the United States and Canada, providing a standardized measure to gauge applicants’ preparedness for the challenging curriculum ahead. It allows admissions committees to fairly evaluate candidates from diverse academic backgrounds.

Moreover, the MCAT serves as an indicator of an applicant’s potential success in medical school and beyond. Studies have shown correlations between MCAT scores and medical school performance, including academic achievement and licensure examination outcomes. As such, achieving a competitive MCAT score is often perceived as an essential step towards realizing one’s aspirations of becoming a physician or healthcare professional.

Evolution of MCAT scoring

Since its inception in 1928, the MCAT has undergone several transformations, evolving to reflect the changing landscape of medical education and healthcare practices. Over the years, revisions to the exam have aimed to align its content with advances in biomedical science, technological innovations, and evolving medical practices. Notable changes include introducing new sections, such as the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section in 2015, which underscored the importance of understanding socio-cultural determinants of health.

Similarly, the scoring system of the MCAT has evolved to ensure its relevance and reliability in assessing applicants’ aptitude for medical studies. These changes have aimed to enhance the exam’s predictive validity while maintaining its fairness and standardization.

Purpose of determining a “good” MCAT score

In the competitive landscape of medical school admissions, the notion of a “good” MCAT score holds significant weight for aspiring applicants. While the concept of what constitutes a good score may vary depending on individual circumstances and the preferences of medical schools, it generally refers to a score that aligns with or exceeds the average scores of accepted applicants at desired institutions.

Determining a good MCAT score serves multiple purposes, including:

Providing a benchmark for assessing an applicant’s competitiveness in the admissions process.
Guiding applicants in setting realistic goals and aspirations for their medical school journey.
Assisting admissions committees in identifying candidates who demonstrate the academic proficiency and aptitude necessary for success in medical school.

In essence, the quest for a good MCAT score embodies the aspirations, dedication, and aspirations of countless individuals striving to embark on a fulfilling career in medicine.

Factors Affecting MCAT Score Interpretation

Interpreting an MCAT score involves considering various factors beyond the numerical result itself. Understanding how these factors influence the significance of an MCAT score can provide applicants with valuable insights into their competitiveness in the medical school admissions process.

Medical school admissions criteria

Medical school admissions criteria encompass a wide range of factors beyond MCAT scores alone. While MCAT scores hold considerable weight in the admissions process, admissions committees consider them alongside other components such as undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and extracurricular activities.

Different medical schools may prioritize these factors differently; some emphasize academic metrics like MCAT scores and GPA, while others adopt a more holistic approach, considering factors such as personal attributes, diversity, and community involvement.

Understanding the specific admissions criteria of target medical schools can provide applicants with valuable insights into how their MCAT scores may be evaluated in context.

Applicant demographics

Demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic location can influence the interpretation of MCAT scores. Research has shown disparities in MCAT scores among different demographic groups, which may reflect variations in educational opportunities, access to resources, and socio-cultural factors.

Admissions committees strive to evaluate MCAT scores holistically, taking into account the unique backgrounds and experiences of applicants. Recognizing the influence of demographic factors can help contextualize MCAT scores and facilitate fair and equitable admissions practices.

Special considerations (e.g., GPA, extracurricular activities)

In addition to MCAT scores, admissions committees consider various aspects of an applicant’s academic and non-academic profile. Factors such as undergraduate GPA, course rigor, major, and trend of academic performance provide additional context for interpreting MCAT scores.

Extracurricular activities, volunteer work, research experience, leadership roles, and clinical exposure are also significant considerations in the admissions process. These experiences demonstrate applicants’ commitment to service, leadership potential, and interpersonal skills, which are integral to success in medical school and beyond.

Moreover, special considerations such as extenuating circumstances, hardships, or unique experiences may warrant additional attention from admissions committees. Applicants are encouraged to provide context for any challenges they have faced and highlight their resilience, adaptability, and personal growth.

By considering these factors alongside MCAT scores, admissions committees aim to identify well-rounded individuals who possess the academic ability, personal qualities, and professional attributes necessary for success in medical school and future medical practice. Understanding the holistic nature of the admissions process can empower applicants to present themselves authentically and effectively in their applications.

The Mean Total MCAT Score among All Individuals Applying to and Entering Medical Schools

Academic Year	Medical School Applicants	Medical School Matriculants
2016–2017	501.8	508.7
2017–2018	504.7	510.4
2018–2019	505.6	511.2
2019–2020	506.1	511.5
2020–2021	506.4	511.5
2021–2022	505.9	511.9
2022–2023	506.5	511.9
2023–2024	506.3	511.7

Acceptance Rates for Medical Schools in the United States from the Academic Years 2021-2022 to 2023-2024

	Total MCAT Score
Total GPA	472–485	486–489	490–493	494–497	498–501	502–505	506–509	510–513	514–517	518–528	All Applicants
3.80–4.00	4.30%	3.10%	6.60%	18.50%	28.90%	40.20%	52.40%	66.70%	75.30%	82.90%	60.9%
3.60–3.79	1.50%	1.50%	4.70%	13.30%	21.50%	32.00%	40.40%	56.70%	65.40%	72.40%	41.9%
3.40–3.59	0.70%	0.90%	3.30%	11.10%	18.80%	27.90%	33.70%	45.30%	56.30%	61.40%	30.0%
3.20–3.39	0.70%	1.00%	2.60%	9.20%	16.90%	26.20%	31.70%	41.00%	47.80%	56.50%	22.%
3.00–3.19	0.30%	1.30%	2.50%	7.40%	16.30%	21.90%	28.50%	34.20%	42.40%	42.60%	16.9%
2.80–2.99	0.40%	1.70%	2.20%	4.90%	12.50%	22.50%	26.80%	32.70%	37.30%	32.30%	12.4%
2.60–2.79	0.20%	1.10%	2.00%	5.00%	10.60%	21.50%	19.90%	23.50%	35.30%	38.50%	8.7%
2.40–2.59	0.20%	0.00%	1.30%	2.00%	7.60%	15.30%	25.00%	22.00%	25.00%	27.80%	5.1%
2.20–2.39	0.00%	1.00%	1.50%	8.20%	13.60%	10.00%	24.00%	20.00%	–	–	4.0%
2.00–2.19	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.10%	17.60%	–	–	–	–	2.6%
0.00–1.99	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	0.%
All Applicants	0.7%	1.3%	3.6%	11.6%	20.9%	31.9%	41.7%	57.1%	68.%	78.1%	41.9%

MCAT Percentile Rankings for both Overall and Individual Section Scores

MCAT Percentiles	MCAT Total Score	MCAT Bio/Biochem	MCAT Chem/Phys	MCAT CARS	MCAT Psych/Soc
100	524–528	132	132	132	132
99	522–523		131	131
98	521	131		130
97	520				131
96	519		130
95	518	130		129
94	517
93
92	516				130
91			129
90	515	129		128
89
88	514
87
86	513
85			128
84					129
83	512
82		128		127
81	511
80
79
78	510
77
76
75	509		127		128
74
73
72	508	127		126
71
70
69	507
68
67
66	506
65			126
64					127
63
62	505
61		126
60				125
59	504
58
57
56	503
55
54			125
53
52	502				126
51
50		125
49	501
48				124
47
46	500
45
44
43	499		124
42
41					125
40
39	498	124
38
37
36	497
35				123
34
33	496
32			123		124
31	495
30
29		123
28	494
27
26
25	493
24				122
23	492				123
22			122
21
20	491	122
19
18	490
17
16	489
15					122
14	488		121	121
13		121
12	487
11	486
10
9	485				121
8	484		120
7		120		120
6	483
5	482				120
4	481		119
3	479-480	119		119
2	478		118		119
1	475–477	118		118	118
<1	472–474

Determining a Good MCAT Score in 2024

Aspiring medical students often grapple with what constitutes a good MCAT score in 2024. Several factors come into play when assessing the adequacy of an MCAT score, including individual aspirations, the competitiveness of medical school admissions, and the specific requirements of different medical programs.

Benchmarking against medical school admissions data

One approach to determining a good MCAT score is to benchmark against medical school admissions data. Many medical schools publish statistics on the average MCAT scores of accepted applicants, providing a valuable reference point for prospective students. By comparing their MCAT scores to these averages, applicants can gauge their competitiveness and assess their chances of admission to specific institutions.

Considerations for different types of medical schools (e.g., MD vs. DO)

The definition of a good MCAT score may vary depending on the type of medical school an applicant applies to. For instance, allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical schools have different admissions criteria and expectations. While both types of programs value strong academic performance and MCAT scores, DO programs may place greater emphasis on holistic and osteopathic principles, such as a commitment to primary care and hands-on patient care experiences.

Aligning score goals with individual aspirations and strengths

Ultimately, the definition of a good MCAT score is highly individualized and should align with an applicant’s aspirations, strengths, and career goals. While some applicants may aim for competitive scores to maximize their chances of acceptance to top-tier medical schools, others may prioritize achieving scores that reflect their personal best and demonstrate their readiness for medical education.

Applicants should take into account their academic background, study habits, test-taking skills, and other commitments when setting score goals. It’s essential to balance striving for excellence and maintaining a realistic understanding of one’s abilities and limitations.

Moreover, applicants should recognize that a good MCAT score is just one aspect of their journey to becoming physicians. Building a well-rounded application portfolio that showcases academic achievement, clinical experiences, research endeavors, leadership roles, and personal qualities is equally important in the competitive landscape of medical school admissions.

MCAT Scoring: How It Works?

The MCAT scoring system is designed to provide a standardized evaluation of test-takers’ aptitude for medical school. Here’s how MCAT scoring works:

Scoring Scale: The MCAT is scored on a scale ranging from 472 to 528, with a median score of 500. Each of the four sections is scored individually, and these section scores are combined to produce a total score.
Section Scores: The four sections of the MCAT are Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFLS), Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBFS), Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB), and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS). Each section is scored from a low of 118 to a high of 132.
Total Score: The total MCAT score is the sum of the four section scores, ranging from 472 to 528. For example, if an individual scores 125 on each section, their total MCAT score would be 500.
Scoring Percentiles: In addition to the scaled scores, test-takers receive percentile ranks for each section and their total score. These percentiles indicate the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than they did. For instance, a total score in the 80th percentile means the individual scored higher than 80% of test-takers.
Scaled Scores: Raw scores on the MCAT (the number of questions answered correctly) are converted to scaled scores to adjust for variations in test difficulty across different administrations. This ensures that scores from different test dates are comparable.
Balancing of Scores: Medical schools typically consider both the total MCAT score and the distribution of scores across the sections. While a high overall score is desirable, a more balanced performance across all sections may also be important. For example, a candidate with a high score in one section (but lower scores in others) may be viewed differently than a candidate with more consistent scores across all sections.

A Complete Breakdown of MCAT Score Range

Here’s a breakdown of the MCAT score range:

Section Scores:
- Each of the four sections of the MCAT is scored on a scale from 118 to 132.
- The sections are:
  - Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBFLS)
  - Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBFS)
  - Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB)
  - Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Total Score:
- The total MCAT score is the sum of the four section scores.
- The total score ranges from 472 to 528.
Percentile Ranks:
- Test-takers receive percentile ranks for each section and their total score.
- Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than they did.
- Percentile ranks range from the 1st percentile (lowest) to the 100th percentile (highest).

Here’s a summary of the complete MCAT score range:

Section Scores: 118 to 132 for each of the four sections (BBFLS, CPBFS, PSBB, CARS)
Total Score: 472 to 528
Percentile Ranks: 1st percentile to 100th percentile for each section and total score

This breakdown provides a comprehensive understanding of the range of scores that test-takers can achieve on the MCAT, allowing them to assess their performance relative to other examinees and medical school admissions standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the quest for a good MCAT score in 2024 is multifaceted and dynamic, influenced by various factors such as medical school admissions criteria, individual aspirations, and the evolving landscape of medical education. Aspiring medical students must navigate these complexities with careful consideration, aiming to achieve scores that reflect their academic proficiency, readiness for medical school, and alignment with the expectations of their target programs.

While benchmarking against average scores and percentile ranks can provide valuable insights, it’s essential to recognize the holistic nature of the admissions process and the importance of presenting a well-rounded application that showcases academic achievements, personal qualities, and diverse experiences. Setting realistic score goals, seeking guidance from advisors, and approaching the MCAT preparation process with diligence and determination are key steps in pursuing success on this critical exam.

Ultimately, a good MCAT score in 2024 is not merely a numerical threshold but a reflection of an individual’s dedication, perseverance, and commitment to pursuing a career in medicine. By embracing this journey with enthusiasm and resilience, aspiring medical students can position themselves for success and embark on a fulfilling path toward realizing their dreams of becoming healthcare professionals. You can always contact Jack Westin’s team of academic consultants for more tailor-made advice during your MCAT prep journey. Make sure to check out our website for affordable MCAT online courses, tutoring options, free weekly sessions, practice questions, and more!