What Is a Good MCAT Score in 2026? Percentiles, Averages, and What Top Schools Want
Every pre-med student asks the same question: "What score do I need?" The answer depends on where you want to go — but here's the data that matters.
MCAT Score Basics
The MCAT is scored on a scale of 472 to 528, with each of the four sections scored from 118 to 132. The median score is approximately 500 (50th percentile). Here's what different score ranges actually mean:
| Score Range | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 524-528 | 99-100% | Elite — competitive for any school in the country |
| 520-523 | 96-99% | Excellent — competitive for top-20 schools |
| 515-519 | 89-96% | Very strong — competitive for most MD programs |
| 510-514 | 76-89% | Above average — competitive for many MD programs |
| 505-509 | 60-76% | Average — competitive for DO programs, some MD |
| 500-504 | 45-60% | Below the MD average — consider retaking |
| Below 500 | Below 45% | Retake recommended for most applicants |
What Top Medical Schools Actually Require
Medical schools don't publish strict MCAT cutoffs, but AAMC publishes median scores for matriculants at each school. Here's what the data shows for 2025-2026 entering classes:
- Harvard, Hopkins, Columbia, Stanford: Median 520-524
- Top 20 schools: Median 517-521
- Average MD school: Median 511-514
- DO schools: Median 504-508
But here's what most guides won't tell you: the MCAT is a threshold, not a ranking. Once you're above a school's median, additional points have diminishing returns. A 521 and a 525 are viewed nearly identically by admissions committees. Your GPA, clinical experience, research, and personal statement matter just as much.
The Most Important Score: Your Section Balance
A balanced 515 (129/128/129/129) is viewed more favorably than an unbalanced 515 (132/125/130/128). Why? Because a 125 in CARS signals a potential weakness in critical reasoning that admissions committees worry about.
Most schools have unofficial section score floors:
- Top 20 schools: No section below 127
- Average MD schools: No section below 125
- Canadian schools: CARS is weighted heavily — many require 128+
If you have one section dragging your score down, targeted improvement in that section will help your application more than raising an already-strong section by the same amount.
Should You Retake?
Consider retaking if:
- Your score is more than 3 points below the median for your target schools
- One section is significantly lower than the others (e.g., 125 in a sea of 129s)
- You know you underperformed due to test anxiety, illness, or poor preparation
- You have a clear plan for how to improve (not just "study harder")
Do not retake if you don't have a strategy for improvement. Retaking without changing your approach typically yields only a 1-2 point improvement — not enough to make a difference.