MCAT Percentiles vs. Raw Scores: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve looked at your MCAT practice results, you’ve probably noticed two different numbers: a raw score and a percentile rank. On the surface, it can feel unclear which number matters more — and what admissions committees actually care about.

This confusion is totally normal. After all, the MCAT isn’t like your college chemistry exam, where you’re graded on a straightforward percentage. Instead, the MCAT uses scaled scores and percentiles to give schools a clearer picture of your performance compared to other test-takers.

What Is a Raw Score on the MCAT?

Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly in a given section. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so your raw score reflects your total correct responses out of the possible questions.

For example:

• If you answer 50 out of 59 questions correctly in the Chem/Phys section, your raw score is 50.
  
• Each section has its own raw score, which then gets converted into a scaled score ranging from 118 to 132.
  

The scaled score helps account for slight differences in difficulty across test versions, ensuring fairness.

What Are MCAT Percentiles?

MCAT percentiles show how your scaled score compares to everyone else who took the test in recent years. They tell admissions committees where you stand relative to the national pool of applicants.

For example:

• A 510 typically falls around the 80th percentile, meaning you scored better than 80% of test-takers.
  
• A 500 sits near the 50th percentile, which is average performance.
  
• A 520 lands around the 97th percentile, making you more competitive for top-tier programs.
  

Percentiles shift slightly from year to year as the AAMC updates the data, but the concept stays the same: they show schools how you rank.

Why Does the MCAT Use Percentiles Instead of Just Raw Scores?

Medical schools need a way to fairly compare students from different backgrounds, schools, and grading systems. That’s where percentiles come in.

Here’s why they matter:

• Level Playing Field → Percentiles show how you compare to the entire applicant pool.
  
• Contextual Performance → A raw score of 50/59 in Chem/Phys means little on its own, but a percentile ranking makes it clear how strong that score really is.
  
• Admissions Benchmark → Schools know roughly what percentile their accepted students fall into, so they use percentiles as a quick gauge of competitiveness.
  

Which Matters More: MCAT Percentiles or Raw Scores?

The short answer: percentiles matter more for admissions, raw scores matter more for prep.

• For studying: Raw scores help you track progress. If you’re improving from 35/59 to 45/59 on Chem/Phys passages, you know your prep is working.
  
• For applications: Percentiles tell admissions committees how you stack up against others. A 510 means more when they see it’s in the 80th percentile.
  

Think of it this way: raw scores are your practice tool, percentiles are your performance report.

How Can You Use This Info to Study Smarter?

Once you understand the relationship between raw scores and percentiles, you can adjust your prep strategy:

• Track Raw Scores During Practice → Focus on the number of questions you’re consistently getting right to see if your knowledge is improving.
  
• Aim for Target Percentiles → Research the schools you’re applying to and see what MCAT percentiles their accepted students usually fall into.
  
• Don’t Panic Over Small Fluctuations → A one-point difference in scaled score may not change your percentile much. Focus on long-term trends.
  
• Simulate Real Testing → Use full-length practice exams to see both your raw scores and predicted percentiles.
  

How Med School Bro Can Help You Hit Your Target Percentile

At Med School Bro, we know the MCAT isn’t just about memorizing — it’s about mastering how to think and apply knowledge the way the exam demands. That’s why our resources are built to help you close the gap between raw scores and percentiles.

• High-Yield Study Guides: Break down complex sciences into visual, easy-to-digest frameworks.
  
• Practice Resources: Train with materials that mimic how the MCAT presents information.
  
• Proven Strategies: Learn smarter review methods to steadily raise your raw scores — and move into higher percentiles.
  

Thousands of students have already boosted their performance using our integrated approach.

Ready to Boost Your MCAT Percentile?

The MCAT exam isn’t just asking you to memorize — it’s testing how you think, apply, and analyze across disciplines. By tracking your raw scores while keeping an eye on your percentile goals, you’ll study more effectively and position yourself for success.

Use the Complete MCAT Bundle to study smarter, track your progress, and move into the percentile range your dream schools expect.