What P/S actually tests
P/S covers psychology, sociology, and the biological bases of behavior. It has the largest vocabulary of any section: hundreds of named terms, theories, and thinkers, tested through research-style passages.
The classic P/S miss is choosing a term that is close but not exact. The section rewards precise definitions and the ability to match a study description to the concept it illustrates.
Reading a 131 honestly
A 131 in P/S is in the 97th percentile on the official AAMC section table, in the upper part of the 118 to 132 scale. This is a strong section score, and on a retake the first job is protecting it.
If you are retaking for other sections, keep this one warm with light, regular practice rather than heavy re-study. Strong sections drop when they get ignored for months, not when they get maintained.
How Retakers move this section
P/S improvement on a retake is often the most direct of the four sections: close the vocabulary gaps with spaced repetition, then drill official passages so the terms connect to how the AAMC actually tests them.
Precision matters more than coverage. Reviewing why a near-miss term was wrong teaches more than another pass through a 300-page content review.
Common questions
Is a 131 P/S score good?
A 131 in P/S is in the 97th percentile on the official AAMC section table, meaning 97% of section scores were equal to or lower. Whether it is strong enough depends on your total score, your section balance, and your target programs.
What percentile is a 131 in P/S?
On the AAMC section percentile table in effect May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027, a 131 in P/S is in the 97th percentile.
How do Retakers improve P/S?
P/S improvement on a retake is often the most direct of the four sections: close the vocabulary gaps with spaced repetition, then drill official passages so the terms connect to how the AAMC actually tests them.
See the fuller picture
Section scores only mean something in context. For scale, a 131 across all four sections would land near a 524 total. Compare nearby P/S scores: a 130 in P/S and a 132 in P/S, or see how a 131 reads in the other sections: C/P · CARS · B/B.
For a personalized read on your whole score report, start with the free Retaker Calculator, and when you are ready to build the plan, The Retaker Course schedules your P/S work for you.