MCAT Test Dates
All MCAT test dates for 2025 and 2026. See exam dates, registration deadlines, and score release schedule. Plan your medical school application timeline.
🩺 MCAT Exam: Complete guide to Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) test dates. See schedules for all available years, registration deadlines, and key dates. Administered by AAMC.
Click a year above to see the complete MCAT schedule with exam dates, registration deadlines, and countdown timers.
About the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Pre-med students applying to US/Canadian medical schools. About 85,000 take the MCAT each year. Required for nearly all MD and DO programs.
The MCAT is a 7.5-hour beast. Four sections: Chemical/Physical Foundations (95 min, 59 questions), CARS (90 min, 53 questions), Biological/Biochemical Foundations (95 min, 59 questions), Psychological/Social/Biological (95 min, 59 questions). Total: 230 questions across roughly 6 hours of test time plus breaks.
MCATscoring & score release
Scoring: Each section scores 118-132; total range 472-528. Median is around 500. Top-tier MD programs typically expect 515+; competitive applicants for any MD program score 510+.
Score release: Scores release approximately 30-35 days after the test. AAMC publishes the exact score release calendar at the start of each cycle.
How to register for the MCAT
Register through the AAMC MCAT Registration System. Test dates are offered roughly 25 times per year, January through September. Spots fill quickly — register 2-3 months in advance.
Recent MCAT changes
AAMC has been gradually adjusting question types and scenarios to emphasize integration across disciplines (e.g. biochem questions now test psych concepts). The format itself has been stable since 2015.
MCAT preparation timeline
Most pre-meds prepare 3-6 months full-time, or 6-12 months alongside coursework. 300-400 hours of study is typical for a meaningful score increase. Common prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, AAMC official practice exams.
MCAT Test Dates
All MCAT test dates for 2025 and 2026. See exam dates, registration deadlines, and score release schedule. Plan your medical school application timeline.
Related
MCAT FAQ
When is the next MCAT test date?
The schedule above shows all MCAT dates with live countdowns. Past dates are grayed out; the days-until badges show the next available date. AAMC typically announces dates 6-12 months ahead.
How long is the MCAT exam?
The MCAT is a 7.5-hour beast. Four sections: Chemical/Physical Foundations (95 min, 59 questions), CARS (90 min, 53 questions), Biological/Biochemical Foundations (95 min, 59 questions), Psychological/Social/Biological (95 min, 59 questions). Total: 230 questions across roughly 6 hours of test time plus breaks.
What is a good MCAT score?
Each section scores 118-132; total range 472-528. Median is around 500. Top-tier MD programs typically expect 515+; competitive applicants for any MD program score 510+.
How much does the MCAT cost?
$345 (early registration) to $390 (late registration) in 2025. Register through AAMC at students-residents.aamc.org/mcat.
How long should I prepare for the MCAT?
Most pre-meds prepare 3-6 months full-time, or 6-12 months alongside coursework. 300-400 hours of study is typical for a meaningful score increase. Common prep: Kaplan, Princeton Review, AAMC official practice exams.
Can I reschedule my MCAT test date after registering?
Most testing organizations allow date changes for a fee, with deadlines 1-4 weeks before the test. Check AAMC's policy at students-residents.aamc.org/mcat.