What is the New Passing Score for the MCCQE1? (Updated for 2025)

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE1) is a critical milestone for medical licensure in Canada—but what exactly is the passing score in 2025?

The short answer:

You now need a score of 439 or higher (on a new 300–600 scale) to pass the MCCQE1.

But there’s more to the story—especially after the April 2025 format and scoring overhaul. Whether you’re a first-time test taker or a retaker trying to benchmark your performance, here’s everything you need to know.

MCCQE1 Pass Score Facts (2025)

• New pass score (2025 onwards): 439
• New score range: 300 (lowest) to 600 (highest)
• Mean score: 450
• Standard deviation: 30
• Old scale (pre-2025): 100 to 400
• Comparison note: Scores from pre-2025 exams are not comparable to post-2025 scores.

What Does a Passing Score Mean?

The pass/fail decision is based solely on your total scaled score—not how you performed relative to others. If you score 439 or higher, you pass. If you score 438 or lower, you don’t. It’s that simple.

The MCCQE1 is criterion-referenced, not curved. This means your performance is measured against a national standard, not against your peers.

How Is the MCCQE1 Scored in 2025?

The exam has gone through some big changes.

As of April 2025:

• Short-menu and write-in questions have been removed
• The exam now consists entirely of multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
• More time is given per question
• The overall length of the exam day has been shortened

Each MCQ is scored as:

• Correct answer: 1 point
• Incorrect answer: 0 points

But raw scores aren’t the final word. The MCC uses a scaled scoring system that adjusts for question difficulty and test form variation, ensuring fairness across different versions of the exam.

Who Sets the Pass Score—and How?

The Exam Oversight Committee (EOC), a national panel of physicians and medical educators, sets and approves the pass score based on a rigorous standard-setting process.

In July 2025, 23 physicians from across Canada participated in this process. They reviewed exam content, judged difficulty, and helped define what level of performance reflects readiness for supervised clinical practice.

The outcome?

A new pass score of 439 was adopted on the 300–600 scale, and applies to all exams from April 2025 onwards.

How to Interpret Your MCCQE1 Results

Once your exam session ends, your results will typically be released:

• 4 weeks after the last test day (most sessions)
• 5 weeks after the last test day (April sessions only)

You’ll get:

• A Statement of Results (SOR): includes your pass/fail result and total score
• A Supplemental Information Report (SIR): shows how you performed in specific domains like:
  • Assessment & Diagnosis
  • Management
  • Communication
  • Professional Behaviours
    

Your score is never emailed or given by phone—you’ll find it only in your PhysiciansApply.ca account.

Is a Higher Score Better?

Yes—and no. While 439 is enough to pass, a higher score might boost your confidence, help with residency applications, or showcase strong clinical knowledge. However, a pass is a pass—the MCC doesn’t weigh a 580 more heavily than a 441 when determining eligibility for licensure.

2025 MCCQE1 Scoring System at a Glance

Final Thoughts

The MCCQE1 isn’t just a rite of passage—it’s a precise, high-stakes exam designed to ensure that you’re ready for Canadian clinical practice. Thanks to the 2025 updates, the scoring system is more transparent, more standardized, and—thankfully—a little more predictable.

439 is now your magic number.

If you’re preparing for the MCCQE1 and aiming to hit or exceed that mark, make sure your study plan is built around:

• Evidence-based prep
• Realistic practice questions
• Time management and endurance training

And if you need help, MedCognito’s MCCQE1 Prep Course is trusted by IMGs and CMGs alike.