A score of 128 on an MCAT section generally corresponds to approximately 10 questions wrong. This performance indicates a high level of accuracy and places you within a competitive percentile.
Understanding MCAT Section Scores and Wrong Answers
The MCAT is a comprehensive exam with four distinct sections. Each section is scored individually on a scale of 118 to 132. The number of questions answered incorrectly within a section directly influences your score for that section. Achieving a high score like 128 suggests a strong understanding of the content, even with a certain number of errors.
To illustrate the relationship between wrong answers and MCAT section scores, consider the following breakdown:
| Number of Wrong Answers (Approx.) | Accuracy | Section Score Range | Percentile Rank (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 90% | 130 | Top 5% |
| 10 | 83% | 127-128 | Top 25% |
| 15 | 72% | 125 | Top 50% |
As the table demonstrates, a section score within the 127-128 range, such as a 128, is typically achieved by answering around 10 questions incorrectly, representing an accuracy rate of approximately 83%.
What a 128 Section Score Signifies
A 128 on any individual MCAT section (e.g., Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior) is considered an excellent score.
Here's what a 128 section score generally means:
- Strong Content Mastery: This score reflects a solid grasp of the subject matter covered in that particular section, indicating effective preparation and understanding.
- Competitive Standing: Achieving a 128 places you in a highly competitive bracket, typically within the top 25% of test-takers for that section. This significantly bolsters your overall MCAT score and strengthens your application to medical schools.
- Targeted Study Effectiveness: For test-takers aiming for top scores, understanding that a few incorrect answers are expected can help manage test anxiety and focus on maximizing overall performance rather than striving for perfection on every single question.
Factors Influencing Score Calculation
It's important to note that while the numbers above provide a reliable guideline, the MCAT scoring process involves a complex equating system. This system accounts for slight variations in difficulty across different exam versions to ensure fairness. Therefore, the exact number of raw points (or wrong answers) corresponding to a scaled score like 128 might fluctuate minimally between test administrations. However, the approximate number of wrong answers (around 10) for a 128 remains a consistent benchmark for strong performance.
