
If you’re thinking about applying to medical school, you probably know all about the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test).
All medical schools around the United States and Canada require students to take this test when applying to DO and MD programs.
In 2015, the MCAT exam was modified to best reflect the current state of medical education.
With newly added sections and a large focus on biochemistry, the MCAT score scale was also altered.
In this article, we’re going to let you in on everything there is to know about the MCAT score conversion for all 4 categories.
These MCAT score conversion charts will be handy if you want to know how your old scores translate to new, or vice versa.
2015's New MCAT Changes Summary
- The MCAT was modified in 2015, and new sections were added.
- Today, MCAT has 4 sections.
- You can score between 472-528 on the MCAT with the average being 500.
- All four section scores are also shown in percentiles.
New MCAT: an Overview

The MCAT is a standardized exam taken when applying to medical schools all around the USA and Canada. This multi-choice exam is administered by the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges).
The MCAT has gone through various changes with both the content and how the scores are analyzed throughout the years.
However, in 2015, the biggest overhaul took place, replacing the 3 existing categories with 4 sections:
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Old MCAT Scores vs the New MCAT Scores

Along with the changes seen within the medical school admissions exam, the MCAT score range also had a huge overhaul. Before we get into the scaled scores, here are some terms you should know:
MCAT Raw Score: The raw score refers to all correct answers. Since there are 230 questions on the new MCAT, it will be out of 230.
MCAT Percentiles: The percentile ranks show how many other test-takers scored below a specific value.
Old MCAT Score: A score between 3-45, with the average being 25.6.
New MCAT Score: A score between 472-528, with the average being 500.
“The MCAT exam is scaled and equated so that scores have the same meaning, no matter when an examinee tests or who tests at the same time they did.”
- Ilana Kowarski
U.S News
Before the new MCAT scoring system came along in 2015, previous test-takers received an MCAT score of 1-15 for each of the 3 categories. The old average MCAT score was around 25.6.
If you were to take the MCAT to attend American medical colleges these days, you’d find a scaled score of 472-528, earning 118-132 on each section. Unlike the old MCAT, the mean total is around 500.
When it comes to interpreting raw scores or figuring out the new scoring system, many people struggle.
Many test-takers and medical school admissions committees feel more comfortable with the old MCAT score system. Therefore, many seek out ways to translate the old MCAT scaled score to new.
When applying to medical school, most committees will not consider MCAT scores that are over two years old.
Some will consider the medical college admission test after 3 years. But it’s safe to say the old MCAT scores will not be considered valid for most, if not all, medical schools [1].
Total Score Conversion Chart

The following chart can be used for the new MCAT score conversion. This is the overall result for the entire MCAT exam.
*The MCAT percentile is based on all scores from 2018-2020, updated every 1st of May [2].
Old MCAT Score | New MCAT Score | Percentile* |
45 | 528 | 100 |
44-43 | 527 | 100 |
42-41 | 526 | 100 |
40 | 525 | 100 |
39 | 524 | 100 |
38 | 522 | 99 |
37 | 520 | 98 |
36 | 519 | 97 |
35 | 518 | 96 |
34 | 517 | 94 |
33 | 515 | 91 |
32 | 513 | 88 |
31 | 511 | 83 |
30 | 510 | 79 |
29 | 508 | 73 |
28 | 506 | 67 |
27 | 504 | 61 |
26 | 502 | 55 |
25 | 500 | 47 |
24 | 499 | 43 |
23 | 497 | 37 |
22 | 295 | 32 |
21 | 494 | 27 |
20 | 492 | 23 |
19 | 491 | 19 |
18 | 489 | 15 |
17 | 487 | 12 |
16 | 486 | 10 |
15 | 485 | 8 |
14 | 483 | 6 |
13 | 482 | 5 |
12-11 | 479 | 2 |
10 | 478 | 2 |
9 | 477 | 1 |
8 | 476 | 1 |
7-6 | 475 | 0 |
5 | 474 | 0 |
4 | 473 | 0 |
3 | 472 | 0 |
Physiological Sciences Conversion Chart

The following table is the old MCAT to new MCAT score conversion table for Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems.
*The MCAT percentile is based on all scores from 2018-2020, updated every 1st of May.
Old MCAT | New MCAT | Percentile* |
15 | 132 | 100 |
14 | 132 | 100 |
13 | 130 | 97 |
12 | 129 | 95 |
11 | 128 | 89 |
10 | 127 | 79 |
9 | 126 | 67 |
8 | 125 | 55 |
7 | 123 | 40 |
6 | 122 | 23 |
5 | 120 | 11 |
4 | 119 | 5 |
3 | 118 | 2 |
2 | 118 | 0 |
1 | 118 | 0 |
Recommended Article: How Much Ochem Is On The MCAT?
Critical Analysis and Reading Skills Conversion Chart

The following table is the old MCAT to the new MCAT conversion table for the CARS portion of the test.
*The MCAT percentiles are based on all MCAT scores from 2018-2020, updated every 1st of May.
Old MCAT | New MCAT | Percentile |
15 | 132 | 100 |
14 | 132 | 100 |
13 | 132 | 100 |
12 | 120 | 98 |
11 | 129 | 95 |
10 | 127 | 84 |
9 | 125 | 67 |
8 | 124 | 52 |
7 | 123 | 37 |
6 | 122 | 27 |
5 | 121 | 15 |
4 | 120 | 10 |
3 | 119 | 4 |
2 | 119 | 2 |
1 | 118 | 1 |
Biological Sciences Conversion Chart

The following table is the old MCAT to new MCAT conversion for the Biological Systems Section.
*The MCAT percentiles are based on all scores from 2018-2020, updated every 1st of May.
Old MCAT | New MCAT | Percentile |
15 | 132 | 100 |
14 | 131 | 99 |
13 | 131 | 98 |
12 | 130 | 95 |
11 | 128 | 88 |
10 | 127 | 76 |
9 | 125 | 56 |
8 | 124 | 41 |
7 | 122 | 25 |
6 | 121 | 18 |
5 | 120 | 10 |
4 | 120 | 6 |
3 | 118 | 3 |
2 | 118 | 1 |
1 | 118 | 1 |
How Do the Scores Compare?
As you can see, the Medical School Admissions process has changed greatly over the years.
Since new categories have been added and the average score has changed since 2015, all medical schools will require you to take the new MCAT.
A higher MCAT score is also required to reach the same average as other test takers from 2018 - 2020.
Now that you know how the old and new scores compare start with the MCAT prep on time so you can ace the new MCAT.
Related Articles:
References:
- https://students-residents.aamc.org/mcat-scores/top-3-myths-about-mcat-scores-busted
- https://students-residents.aamc.org/media/8356/download
About the author
Add Comment