6 Common Questions About When MCAT Scores are Released

You’ve worked very hard for the last few months preparing for the MCAT, have gone through the process of taking the test, have been working on your applications, and now you enter the waiting game of wondering when the MCAT scores are released.

Even though the MCAT is a computer-based test, you won’t get immediate results. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which administers the test, has to scale the test and also address any potential concerns regarding testing conditions. It’s important for the test to be fair for everyone, and this is why there is a wait to get your score. Here are the answers to six common questions about MCAT score releases.

1. When are MCAT scores released?

MCAT scores are released anywhere from 30 to 35 days after the administration of the exam. The AAMC always publishes their score release dates for the year ahead on their website so you will know in advance the date that scores for your exam will be released. For instance, the 2023 January 14 ^th administration has a score release date of February 13 ^th .

On that day, scores may be released at any time before 5 PM Eastern Time. This is also the point at which the schools you have applied to will automatically have access to your score.

You can find the test dates and score release dates for 2023 below:

2. Can you see your scores early?

Unfortunately, there is no way to see your score early. You may have heard about some other standardized tests having a score preview feature (for an additional cost); however, the MCAT does not give test-takers this option. You will have to be patient and wait for scores to be released for everyone.

3. How do you access your scores?

Your scores can be accessed by logging in (with the same credentials you used to register) to the AAMC website and visiting the MCAT Score Reporting System. Alternatively, there’s a button on the AAMC website titled “Get Your Test Scores” that prompts you to enter your credentials to check your score.

The AAMC generally does not email test-takers announcing that scores have been released. You will either need to check on your own during the day or you can follow the AAMC’s Twitter account (@AAMC_MCAT ).

4. What does my score represent?

The MCAT is a 7.5-hour test that consists of four sections, in this order:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 95 minutes, 59 questions
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: 90 minutes, 53 questions
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 95 minutes, 59 questions
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 95 minutes, 59 questions

You will be given a separate score for each of the four sections of the test. These scores will range from 118 to 132. You will also receive a total score, which is calculated by adding the four individual scores, and this score will range from 472 to 528.

Generally, the midpoint for each section is 125, and the midpoint for the test as a whole is 500. These numbers represent a scaled score that reflects your knowledge and application of skills in taking this test. Scores are calculated through the following method:

• The AAMC will first total the number of questions you got correct: this is called your raw score . For instance, you could get 40 questions correct out of 53 in the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section.
• The AAMC will then convert the raw score to a scaled score from 118 to 132. The scale is needed because the AAMC delivers multiple test forms throughout the year with a variety of different questions; the scaled score ensures that slight differences in test difficulty are accounted for. This also means that the raw score will not identically convert to a specific scaled score on every single test form.

You can rest assured that your score can be fairly compared to other people’s scores regardless of the specific date you took the test.

5. What is a good score?

It depends on the school you are applying to, as well as the strength of the rest of your application. Keep in mind that the MCAT is only one part of your application, and schools will consider other factors, such as your:

• GPA
• letters of reference
• research experience and extracurriculars
• personal statement
• undergraduate coursework

For the 2022-2023 academic year :

• the average MCAT score of applicants to medical schools in the US was 507
• the average MCAT score of matriculants to medical schools in the US was 512

This will give you some idea of what a competitive score range would be for your application in most cases, though you should also give consideration to the strength of the other aspects of your application. A strong GPA can offset a slightly lower MCAT score, and vice versa. You can start your search to begin collecting information about the medical schools you are interested in.

6. What should I do while I wait for my score?

It depends on where you are in your application cycle. If you have already applied, you can use this time to relax and catch up with schoolwork and family obligations that you may have found hard to keep up with during your prep. It’s nice to plan something special for yourself as well, as a reward for all of your hard work!

If you are still working on your applications, you can use this time to work on any personal statements or completing your curriculum vitae of your academic, research, and extracurricular activities. Contact your recommenders in time for any needed letters of reference. You may also be interested in having your application or personal statement formally reviewed or you may wish to start preparing for potential interviews, using The Princeton Review’s Medical School Admissions Counselling services.

Finally, consider coming up with a backup plan while you wait for your MCAT scores to be released. Hopefully, you’ve given yourself some breathing room for a potential re-take of the test. While everyone would love to take the test once and be done with it forever, it’s not unusual to have to re-take the MCAT. Given that the average score of matriculants this year was 512, The Princeton Review can help with your prep through one of our course options , including our popular 513+ course .