Choosing the right MCAT test date is an important part of your preparation. Knowing when you’ll be taking the exam will allow you to work backward and plan an effective study schedule.
Read on to see the full list of dates.
MCAT Test Dates
Here’s a full list of MCAT test dates as well as score releases. We will keep this updated each year.
| MCAT Test Date | Score Release Date |
| January 15 | February 2 |
| January 16 | February 2 |
| January 21 | February 9 |
| January 25 | February 9 |
| March 13 | April 13 |
| March 26 | April 27 |
| April 10 | May 11 |
| April 23 | May 25 |
| April 30 | June 1 |
| May 1 | June 1 |
| May 14 | June 15 |
| May 15 | June 15 |
| May 20 | June 22 |
| May 28 | June 29 |
| June 4 | July 7 |
| June 18 | July 20 |
| June 19 | July 20 |
| June 26 | July 27 |
| June 30 | July 30 |
| July 17 | August 17 |
| July 22 | August 24 |
| July 30 | August 31 |
| August 7 | September 8 |
| August 13 | September 14 |
| August 21 | September 21 |
| August 26 | September 28 |
| August 27 | September 28 |
| September 2 | October 5 |
| September 3 | October 5 |
| September 10 | October 12 |
| September 11 | October 12 |
Picking The Right Test Date
There’s no denying that the MCAT is one of the biggest hurdles you have to overcome on your journey to medical school. This exam is nothing short of a monster in its own right, resulting in a months-long preparation cycle for most test-takers.
Picking the right MCAT test date is about more than just convenience. The entire medical school application process is time-consuming and draining. On top of getting all of the necessary pieces in place, you’re likely finishing off your undergraduate studies while trying to maintain your personal life!
Picking the right MCAT test date is about planning and giving yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Study Time
The first thing to think about is how much time you want to study. Ideally, you should start studying for the MCAT three to six months in advance (at least). While you might be tempted to get things over with quickly, it’s far better to lean more towards the six-month timeline when possible.
The last thing you want is to feel rushed or stressed around test time. The MCAT is hard enough already, and you don’t need any other factors to potentially affect your performance.
Deadlines
The next element to consider is when you need to start sending in applications and supporting documents. All schools have distinct cutoffs and deadlines. Do some research and familiarize yourself with all of those details.
Consider creating a schedule with all of those dates. That way, you can better visualize how the application cycle will go.
Generally, advisors recommend that you complete the MCAT before you start working on application material. Many budding medical school students find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of documents you have to submit. It’s not just a simple application.
Most schools require things like personal statements, transcript documents, letters of recommendation, and more. That’s on top of the secondary applications. It’s a lot to go through!
It’s much easier to concentrate on the MCAT when you’re not trying to juggle a million things at once. Figure out when your chosen application systems open up. Then, aim to take the MCAT several weeks beforehand to give yourself all the time you need.
Available Testing Dates
Finally, there’s the factor of availability. The AAMC administers the MCAT at testing centers all over the country. Many international locations outside of the United States exist as well.
Most testing centers are in heavily populated areas. While they are conveniently located for some, others will have to travel to take the MCAT. Planning for that added element is paramount!
Research testing locations and dates to figure out which is easiest for you. While convenience shouldn’t be the only factor you consider, it’s certainly something you can’t ignore.
Ultimately, you should only take the MCAT when you feel 100-percent ready for the challenge. However, don’t wait until the last second to choose a test date! Plan early, do research, and choose an MCAT date that fits.
Can You Reschedule?
It is possible to reschedule your exam date after initial registration.
Most advisors would tell you that you should only reschedule when it’s vital. Getting nervous before a test of this magnitude is entirely normal, and shouldn’t be used as an excuse to reschedule. As long as you feel ready, stick to your original test date.
The AAMC will accommodate those who genuinely need to reschedule. Things happen all the time. Whether it’s a personal illness, family emergency, or any other unavoidable issue, don’t be afraid to reschedule if need be.
Keep in mind, however, that you may encounter issues during the rescheduling process. Dates go fast, so you’ll likely have limited options. You may have to travel farther to find openings on a day that works for you.
Rescheduling also comes with additional fees. Historically, the cost would depend on how close to the exam date you make changes. However, the AAMC charges a flat fee for all date and location changes for the 2021-2022 application cycle.
If you want to change the date, you’ll have to pay an administrative fee of $95. Read our guide to find out more details on how much the MCAT costs.
How Quickly Do MCAT Test Dates Get Filled?
MCAT test dates get filled a lot faster than most realize.
To put things into perspective, the AAMC estimates that approximately 70,000 students take the MCAT every year. Those tests occur throughout roughly 31 test dates.
Space is limited. As you can imagine, dates become unavailable pretty quickly.
Don’t procrastinate when choosing a date. It’s better to figure things out early and register for the exam as soon as testing dates are available. The longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have.
Not only will you have fewer dates at your disposal, but you may also run into problems with locations. Testing centers in big cities tend to fill up the fastest. Wait too long, and you might have to drive pretty far to take the MCAT!
How Early Can You Register?
MCAT registration occurs on the AAMC website. The AAMC opens registration on a rolling schedule based on the determined testing dates. Generally, you can register several months in advance.
For testing dates in January, February, and March, you can start signing up as early as November.
Registration opens in February for MCAT testing dates in April, May, and June.
Finally, registration for the last set of dates in July, August, and September opens in May.
