MCAT raw scores (the number of questions you answer correctly) are converted into scaled scores between 118 and 132 per section, using a process called equating. This ensures fairness across different test forms. Your total MCAT score is the sum of the 4 scaled section scores, giving a range of 472 to 528. You can use an MCAT score converter or MCAT score calculator online to estimate your scaled score from a practice raw score.
Why Raw Scores Alone Don’t Tell the Whole Story
When you take an MCAT practice exam, you often see your raw score — how many you got right (or wrong). But on the official MCAT, that raw number is never reported. Instead, AAMC uses a scaled score system.
The reason? Different versions of the MCAT are administered (different sets of questions), and difficulty may vary slightly among test forms. To keep scoring fair, AAMC uses equating and scaling so that a 128 in one test is equivalent to a 128 in another, even if the specific questions differed in difficulty.
In other words, converting MCAT raw score to scaled ensures your score reflects your performance relative to the test’s standard, not just how many you got right.
How the MCAT Exam is Scored (Official Process)
Let’s break down the official process, step by step, as per AAMC:
- Number Correct (Raw Score Calculation)
For each of the four multiple-choice sections, AAMC counts how many questions you answered correctly. Wrong or unanswered questions are scored the same (no penalty for wrong answers). - Convert to Scaled Section Score
That raw correct number is converted, via a predetermined mapping (unique for each test form), into a scaled score between 118 and 132 for that section. - Add Scaled Scores Across Sections
The four scaled section scores are summed to produce your total MCAT scaled score, which ranges between 472 and 528. - Assign Percentile Rank
AAMC also provides percentile ranks for each total and section score, showing how you compare to all test-takers. Percentiles are updated annually (on May 1) using data from the prior 3 years. - Release After Processing
Because scaling, equating, and data reconciliation take time, MCAT scores are typically released 30–35 days after the test date.
AAMC emphasizes: the MCAT is not graded on a curve (i.e., your score is not determined by a competition with the other test-takers that day). Instead, it’s scaled so scores mean the same across administrations.
Key Concepts: Raw Score, Scaled Score, Equating
| Term | Definition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Score | Number of correct answers in a section | It’s what you know directly from your practice test |
| Scaled Score | Score between 118–132 for section | Adjusts raw performance to a standard scale |
| Total Scaled Score | Sum of 4 scaled section scores (472–528) | What medical schools see |
| Equating | Statistical process adjusting raw → scaled | Compensates for difference in test difficulty |
| Percentile Rank | How many others you outperformed | Gives context to your scaled score |
Equating is the statistical method used to align different versions of the test so that performance is comparable across administrations. It shifts cutoffs for scaled score ranges (raw to scaled) slightly depending on how test-takers did on that version.
Why the Mapping is Not Fixed
One common misunderstanding: people expect a single raw-to-scaled conversion chart to apply always (e.g., “45 raw always = 128 scaled”). That’s not true. Because of equating, the mapping changes slightly across test forms. A raw of 45 might map to 128 on one form, but 127 or 129 on another, depending on difficulty.
Hence, tools like an MCAT score converter or MCAT raw to scaled calculator are estimates, not guarantees. But they are still very useful for practice tracking and benchmarking.
Simple “Formula” (Approximation) to Estimate Scaled Score
While AAMC doesn’t publish the exact mapping, you can use a rough estimate formula to get a ballpark figure:
Estimated Scaled = (Raw Correct / Number of Questions in Section) × 14 + 118
- Why 14 + 118? Because the scaled range is 118–132 (span of 14)
- This is only an approximation; actual mapping will vary per form
Example:
If in one section you answered 40 out of 59 correctly:(40 ÷ 59) × 14 + 118 ≈ 127.5 → you might get a scaled ≈ 127 or 128
Use the above only for rough predictions; better to use a dedicated MCAT score calculator online for more precise estimates.
Example Conversion Table (Practice Estimation)
Here’s a sample raw-to-scaled estimate for one section (out of 59 questions):
| Raw Correct | ≈ Scaled Score |
|---|---|
| 59 | 132 |
| 55 | 130 |
| 50 | 128 |
| 45 | 125 |
| 40 | 123 |
| 35 | 120 |
| 30 | 118 |
This is illustrative. The MCAT score conversion chart used by AAMC will differ slightly on each exam.
Using the MCAT Score Converter / Calculator
If you want to convert your practice test raw scores into scaled scores quickly, try a tool like the one below:
👉 MCAT Score Calculator (raw → scaled)
Convert your raw scores now
How to use it:
- Enter your raw correct answers for each section.
- The tool converts them to approximate scaled section scores.
- It sums them to show estimated total MCAT score.
- Optionally shows percentile estimates and comparisons.
Because it uses approximate mappings based on historical data and typical distributions, it’s not perfect — but very useful for tracking progress.
Percentiles & What They Represent
Scaled scores alone are useful, but percentiles show you how you compare to others.
- Percentile rank = percentage of test-takers who scored equal or lower than you.
- A 75th percentile means you scored better than 75% of examinees.
- AAMC updates percentile tables every May 1, using the previous three years’ data.
Here is an example from recent data (for total score) based on AAMC published percentiles:
| Total Scaled Score | Approx Percentile |
|---|---|
| 528 | ~100th |
| 520 | ~98th |
| 515 | ~91–92nd |
| 510 | ~80–85th |
| 505 | ~60–65th |
| 500 | ~48–52nd |
| 495 | ~30–35th |
| 490 | ~18–22nd |
| 480 | ~5th |
Use the MCAT percentile calculator tool or lookup chart to get more precise values for your test year.
Interpreting the Scores — What Is a “Good” MCAT Score?
“Good” is relative — it depends on the schools you plan to apply to and their competitiveness. But here are general benchmarks:
- Average / median: around 500–502 (50th percentile)
- Competitive for many medical schools: 510+
- Highly competitive / top-tier: 515–520+
- Perfect: 528 (132 in all four sections)
If you achieve a 510+, you’re likely above many applicants. A 520+ often puts you among the top few percent.
Limitations & Caveats of Scaling
- You won’t know the exact raw-to-scaled conversion AAMC uses for your test.
- Raw scores near cutoffs (e.g. borderline correct) may map differently on different test forms.
- Practice tests from different test prep companies may not mimic AAMC’s scaling exactly — so their MCAT score converter may deviate.
- Small raw score changes in high performance zones can correspond to bigger jumps in scaled score (marginal gains).
Even though these limitations exist, using a good MCAT raw to scaled calculator and tracking your raw performance over time is extremely useful.
Tips for Using Your Raw-to-Scaled Knowledge to Improve
- Track Section-by-Section Raw Gains
Measure improvement in each test section in raw terms, then use scaled conversion to see real gains. - Understand Marginal Gains
In high-level ranges (e.g., going from 50 to 52 raw), the scaled jump may be small or none — but near cutoffs, small raw gains can shift scaled score +1. - Focus on Weak Sections
If one section’s raw-to-scaled curve is flatter, prioritize improving in that section. - Simulate AAMC Practice
Use full-length AAMC practice tests so your raw scores align more closely to the real scaled mapping. - Don’t Over-rely on Tools
Use MCAT score converter and MCAT percentile calculator tools for estimates, not guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does the MCAT penalize wrong answers?
No. Incorrect and unanswered questions are treated the same — there is no negative penalty. You should always guess if unsure.
Q2: Why don’t we see raw scores in the MCAT report?
AAMC only shows the scaled score and percentiles. They do not report raw correct counts to avoid confusion and to maintain test security and fairness.
Q3: Can two people with the same raw get different scaled scores?
Yes — if they took different forms with different scaling, equating may map identical raw scores to slightly different scaled scores.
Q4: What is the difference between scaling and curving?
Scaling adjusts raw scores to a fixed range to ensure fairness between test forms. Curving ranks students relative to each other (e.g., “top 10% get A”). MCAT uses scaling, not curving.
Q5: How often are percentiles updated?
Every year on May 1, using data from the three most recent years.
Q6: Can the MCAT scaled score conversion change over time?
Yes, for each test form, the conversion mapping may shift slightly due to equating adjustments. But the 118–132 and 472–528 ranges stay constant.
Official & Authoritative References
- AAMC: How the MCAT Exam is Scored Students & Residents
- AAMC: Your Questions Answered: The MCAT Scoring Process Students & Residents
- MedSchoolCoach: How Is the MCAT Scored? MedSchoolCoach
- Med School Insiders: MCAT Raw vs. Scaled Explained Med School Insider