MCAT Scores 2026 - How to Calculate, Range, Percentile & Good Score

How MCAT Scores are Determined?

These are the ways by which MCAT scores are determined.

• Scaled Scoring: The number of right answers in a section will be to a scaled score of 118-132 range.
• Normal Distribution: With this, a normal curve for scores is created that accounts for difference in the level of test difficulty between two different exam dates.
• Percentile Ranks: Students also get a percentile rank to understand how they have performed as compared to other examinees.

MCAT Score Dates 2026

MCAT exams are offered multiple times throughout the year. The specific dates vary depending on the calendar year. The MCAT exam score dates for 2026 is given in the table below.

MCAT Score Release Date Calendar for 2026:

How and When to Access MCAT Scores?

AAMC MCAT scores are released around 30-35 days after the exam. The 2026 MCAT exam scores will be available for viewing by 5:00 pm ET on the day of the release. It must be noted that the MCAT score will not be provided over the phone or via email. However, candidates get an email notification from the AAMC once the scores for MCAT exam are available.

The candidate must sign in to the MCAT Score Reporting System to view their respective MCAT scores. Candidates can log in to the MCAT Score Reporting System using the AAMC ID and password. On the official website, a detailed section wise 2026 MCAT score report will be reflected with percentiles for each section. Download and save the score report for future reference.

How to check the MCAT score?

MCAT scores are released on the official website of the AAMC around 30-35 days after the conduct of the exam. Aspiring students can follow the below-mentioned steps to Check MCAT scores 2026:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of AAMC.

• Step 2: Click on ‘students and residents’ from the top menu bar of the homepage

• Step 3: Click on the link ‘Taking the MCAT exam’

• Step 4: Click on the tab ‘get your test scores’.

• Step 5: Sign in to the AAMC account using username and password.

• Step 6: Click on ‘Print Score Report’ under ‘My Reports’

What is a Good MCAT Score?

A good MCAT score for 2026 depends on several factors, including the target schools, desired speciality, and overall application strength. For reference, some of the MCAT score statistics are provided for test takers:

• Average MCAT score for test-takers and medical school applicants for the 2023–2024 academic year was 506.3.
• Average MCAT score for applicants with successful admission to medical schools was 511.7.
• Psychological, social, and biological foundations of behaviour section: average score was 125.9.
• Critical analysis and reasoning skills section: average score was 124.6.

A score of 518 or higher puts the candidates in the 80th percentile, which is considered competitive for most medical schools. Students scoring the 90th percentile or 523 are considered among the “excellent” candidate group increasing their chances of acceptance at top-tier programmes.

Students are advised to research the average MCAT scores of accepted students at their target schools to fix their target scores for the MCAT 2026.

MCAT Score Range

MCAT comprises four sections. Each section of the MCAT exam 2026 is represented in a score range of 118(lowest) to 132marks (highest). The midpoint of these scores is 125 marks. The MCAT total score 2026 is the sum of scores from all sections and is represented in a score range of 472-528. The midpoint of the scores is 500. The MCAT max score is 528.

MCAT Score Range

How are MCAT Scores Calculated?

To make an MCAT scores report, the raw score of the candidate is calculated for each section. The raw scores are simply the number of questions answered correctly by the candidate. No penalty will be applicable for incorrectly answered questions. Therefore, candidates are advised to attempt all the questions.

The raw score of each section is then converted to a score range of 118 (lowest) - 132 (highest). To convert the raw score of the MCAT into the score range, the process of equating is followed which considers several factors such as the small variations in difficulty between sets of questions. This ensures the fairness of the MCAT scores irrespective of the test dates.

The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to produce a total score ranging from 472 (lowest) to 528 (highest). MCAT scores are valid for three years for admission to medical schools after the test date.

Why are raw scores converted to scaled scores?

Conversion of MCAT raw scores ensures that the candidate’s result is accurately evaluated. It promotes fairness of the results. There are multiple reasons to convert raw scores to scaled scores. These are:

• 1. Raw MCAT scores are not subjected to direct comparison.
• 2. MCAT is conducted multiple times a year. Conversion can help to ensure fair comparisons across MCAT testing dates.
• 3. Conversion scores can be used as standarised score range to understand a candidate’s performance.
• 4. The impact of random guessing is reduced.
• 5. Maintain Score Confidentiality.

MCAT Score 2026 Calculator

To convert these raw MCAT test scores into scale scores and percentile scores, the MCAT score calculator tool is available online. Candidate can simply insert their number of right answers for each section which then showcases the MCAT results in the form of MCAT scaled scores.

MCAT Scores - Voiding the MCAT Exam

After the exam, the candidate will have the option to avoid the MCAT exam. If the candidate does not want his/her test to be scored, he/she can click on the void option to cancel the test. In such cases, the score of the voided exam will not be reported to the medical colleges nor will the attempt be counted under testing limits. No refund will be issued to the student if the exam is being voided.

MCAT Score 2026 validity

MCAT scores are valid for 3 years from the date of the exam. Candidates can send their MCAT score report to various business schools for up to 3 years from the date of the exam. Students who wish to get admission to business schools after the 3-year duration might required to retake the exam by logging into their official MCAT account. Students are recommended to apply to their preferred business schools early to ensure their scores are valid throughout the entire cycle.

How to Report 2026 MCAT scores?

There are two methods of reporting the MCAT scores. The details of the two methods are mentioned below.

MCAT score report: American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

If the candidate is applying under the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), the score will be reported automatically. No extra steps must be taken to add the scores to the application form.

However, it should be noted that AAMC follows a full disclosure policy which means all MCAT tests taken by the candidate from April 2003 will be made available to the medical colleges. The candidate cannot withhold the current or any prior score from the AMCAS application.

MCAT Scores Reporting System

To send the MCAT scores to medical schools not participating in the AMCAS services, candidates can use the MCAT Score Reporting System to send their MCAT scores. Further, the candidates can take the printout of the score, so they use it for reporting purposes. There are no additional fees for reporting the MCAT score.

MCAT Scores: The Rescoring Option

If the candidate believes there is some error in the MCAT scores, he/she can request rescoring the answers by hand. Candidates can request an MCAT rescore through the MCAT registration system within 30 days of the release of the MCAT scores. Students will need to pay 65 USD for making the rescore request.

AAMC responds to the MCAT rescore request within 3 weeks and updates the scores only if the request is genuine and correct. However, AAMC does not guarantee any score change. As per the latest reports, about 1% of rescored exams result in a change of 1 point or more.

How to request a rescore?

Candidates who want to apply for a rescoring option for 2026 MCAT scores, can apply for the same by following the below-mentioned steps:

• STEP 1: Log in to the MCAT Registration System.

• STEP 2: Go to the "MCAT Document Holder."

• STEP 3: Click on "Request a Rescore."

• STEP 4: Follow the instructions and pay the fee.

Importance of MCAT Scores

Why are MCAT scores important? It is because MCAT test scores ca be used for the following:

• Medical School Admissions: Students who want admission in medical schools require to submit MCAT scores.
• Competitive Admissions: A lot of medical schools worldwide release the average scores that they accept, and having good MCAT score can help increase the chances of admission.