MCAT Registration and 2027 Test Dates

MCAT registration takes place through the AAMC’s online registration system, where you provide your information, choose an available test date and location and submit payment. Before registering, confirm that you are eligible, decide when you will be ready and identify alternate dates in case your first choice is unavailable.

Your test date affects your study schedule, score release timing and application plans. The calendar and registration details below cover the 2027 U.S. testing year, while the fee information reflects the latest testing year for which fees have been supplied. Canadian examinees should consult the calendar and assistance information that applies to Canada.

MCAT Registration at a Glance

• Registration for the 2027 testing year opens by testing center location from Oct. 20 through Oct. 22, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET. The registration system remains open afterward.
• The 2027 U.S. calendar runs from January through September and identifies each test date, its 10-day scheduling deadline and its score release date.
• The 10-day deadline is the final opportunity to schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment or edit registration information. Changes are not allowed inside that period.
• Choose a date based on your readiness, preparation time, score release needs and other commitments rather than selecting a date simply because it is available.

When Does MCAT Registration Open for 2027?

The AAMC opens MCAT registration for the entire 2027 testing year over three regional days based on testing center location. According to the AAMC, the opening dates are Tuesday, Oct. 20, Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, with scheduling beginning at 12 p.m. ET on the applicable day.

The AAMC assigns testing locations to an opening day, so confirm which day covers the location where you intend to test. If you are considering more than one location, review the applicable regional opening information before registration begins. Registration covers all 2027 exam dates rather than only the first part of the testing year.

You do not have to schedule on opening day. The MCAT Registration System remains open after the regional opening period, although your preferred date or location may not remain available. IMA’s guide on when to take the MCAT can help you settle on the dates you want before opening day.

The AAMC also holds an MCAT Testing Year Update webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. The webinar addresses changes to the 2027 testing year and registration process. Reviewing that update before the regional opening can help you identify any details that affect your plan.

2027 MCAT Test Dates and Score Release Dates

The MCAT is offered multiple times from January through September at hundreds of testing sites in the United States, Canada and other countries. The calendar in this section is specifically for U.S. testing centers. Canadian testing centers use their own calendar, so do not apply a U.S. deadline to a Canadian appointment.

The standard exam start time is 8:00 a.m. unless the AAMC states otherwise. Four dates in 2027, Jan. 30, May 14, July 9 and Aug. 28, are available only at select U.S. testing centers in listed metropolitan areas. Check location availability carefully if one of those dates is part of your plan.

The following AAMC U.S. MCAT calendar, retrieved Sept. 14, 2026, shows the 2027 U.S. test dates, 10-day deadlines and score release dates.

The first 2027 U.S. exam is Jan. 15, with a Jan. 5 scheduling deadline and a Feb. 16 score release date. The final exam is Sept. 11, with a Sept. 1 deadline and an Oct. 12 score release date. Use the calendar above for the exact row that applies to your appointment rather than estimating a deadline or release date.

Scores are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on the listed release date. The 2026 U.S. testing year concluded with exams on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 2026, followed by score release on Oct. 13, 2026. Students looking for 2026 dates should use that final information as historical context and plan current registration with the 2027 calendar.

Scheduling Deadlines and the MCAT 10-Day Deadline

According to the AAMC, the MCAT 10-day deadline is the final date when you can schedule an exam, reschedule or cancel an existing reservation and edit registration details. Those editable details include your name, address and consents. The AAMC does not allow these changes less than 10 days before the exam.

The AAMC sets every scheduling deadline at 11:59 p.m. in the local time zone of the testing center. This distinction matters if you live in a different time zone from the location where you will test. Use the testing center’s local time rather than your home time when deciding how much time remains.

The calendar above gives the 10-day deadline associated with each 2027 test date. Treat that listed date as a firm cutoff, not as a suggested date for beginning a change. A full location or a payment issue could prevent you from completing a late request even if you begin before 11:59 p.m.

Who Can Register for the MCAT?

You can register for the MCAT if you intend to apply to a health professions school that accepts MCAT results. Eligible paths include MD, DO, podiatric, veterinary and other health-related programs that use the exam to satisfy an admissions testing requirement. During registration, you agree to a statement confirming that intention.

If you do not intend to apply to a health professions program, you must request special permission by emailing [email protected]. A currently enrolled medical student outside an MBBS program also needs special permission. The MCAT office tries to respond to these requests within five business days, so request permission before the date when you hope to register.

Students currently enrolled in an MBBS program, graduates of an MBBS program and people with an equivalent degree may register without special permission. International examinees do not face additional MCAT eligibility requirements solely because they are international.

You do not have to complete specified courses before registering for or taking the exam, although the MCAT tests introductory-level content. Reviewing the MCAT sections can help you judge whether your coursework and independent study have covered the tested subject areas.

How to Register for the MCAT

To register for the MCAT, first confirm that you meet the eligibility rules above. Then prepare your account, identification, preferred appointments and payment information before opening the registration system.

Use Your Existing AAMC Account

You need an AAMC account to register. If you already received an AAMC ID through another AAMC service, sign in with that account rather than creating a second one. Resolving an account-access problem before your opening day can reduce delays when you are ready to select an appointment.

Read the MCAT Essentials

The MCAT Essentials is required reading, and registration asks you to agree to its terms. Read it before selecting your date rather than accepting terms you have not reviewed. It contains policies that govern registration and the exam.

Match Your Registration to Your Identification

Keep your MCAT-accepted identification beside you while entering your personal information. Your registration must match the accepted ID exactly, particularly your first and last name. Checking the information against the physical document is safer than relying on memory.

Prepare Preferred and Alternate Appointments

Choose your preferred test date and location, then identify several acceptable alternatives. Alternate dates let you respond deliberately if your first choice is unavailable. They should still provide enough study time and an appropriate score release date.

Enter Payment Information Carefully

The AAMC accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. It does not recommend using browser autofill for registration or payment fields. Registration is processed immediately when you submit payment, and the process cannot be reversed after it begins. Review the appointment and entered information before submitting.

Sales tax, value-added tax or similar taxes may apply based on where you test and are collected during scheduling. If you plan to use fee assistance, check the Fee Assistance Program eligibility section below before you register.

MCAT Registration Fees, Rescheduling and Cancellation

The AAMC lists MCAT fees by testing year, and the supplied fee schedule applies to 2026 testing dates. Standard registration is $355, while registration with approved Fee Assistance Program benefits is $145. Confirm the fees that apply to 2027 when registration opens rather than assuming the 2026 amounts will remain unchanged.

Examinees testing outside the United States, Canada or U.S. territories pay an additional $130 international fee. That additional fee is not refunded if the appointment is canceled.

The following AAMC MCAT scheduling fees page shows the rescheduling fees and cancellation refunds listed on Sept. 14, 2026, for the 2026 testing year.

The fee table above shows why an earlier change generally costs less than a later one. Cancellation refunds also depend on timing and fall to zero in the 10-to-29-day window.

Registration charges are only part of what you may spend while preparing and traveling. IMA’s guide to MCAT cost provides a broader planning framework and explains Fee Assistance Program benefits beyond the base registration amount.

Changing Your MCAT Date After Registration

According to the AAMC, you can review other available MCAT appointments without immediately giving up your current seat. When you return to the registration system, your existing appointment remains yours until you submit payment for a replacement appointment. The applicable rescheduling fee still applies.

Do not cancel your current reservation merely to search for another date. You can reschedule directly from your existing exam into an available appointment until the 10-day deadline. Because availability can change and later fee windows cost more, the AAMC encourages examinees to make changes as early as possible.

The AAMC allows only one MCAT seat at a time. If the date and location you want are unavailable, an MCAT Appointment Notification Request can email you if that combination becomes available. A notification tells you about an opening, but you still need to enter the system and complete the change.

If an unexpected circumstance prevents you from attending less than 10 days before the exam, you may submit an Emergency Refund Request through the MCAT Registration System. This process is different from an ordinary cancellation within the standard scheduling windows.

If your change relates to a possible second attempt, review the rules for retaking the MCAT.

Scheduling the MCAT With Accommodations

According to the AAMC, scheduling an MCAT appointment with approved accommodations requires two separate steps. First, complete your registration information in the MCAT Registration System. You can complete that information before applying for accommodations. After approval, call Pearson VUE to make the accommodated scheduling request.

The AAMC requires that your accommodations be approved and your request reach Pearson VUE at least 15 days before the exam. This requirement is earlier than the general 10-day scheduling cutoff, so plan around the accommodation deadline rather than relying only on the calendar’s standard deadline.

The AAMC notes that booking a standard appointment online before contacting Pearson VUE does not guarantee that the appointment can support your approved accommodations. Pearson VUE may need to change the location or test date to arrange them. A standard seat’s availability does not establish that the same center can provide a particular accommodated administration.

The AAMC says that after Pearson VUE schedules an appointment with approved accommodations, you cannot cancel or reschedule it online. Contact Pearson VUE for changes. Standard scheduling deadlines and fees apply unless you have Fee Assistance Program benefits.

How to Choose an MCAT Test Date

The AAMC advises choosing an MCAT date when you expect to be ready and when the resulting score release date fits your application plan. Students often take the exam in the same year they apply to medical school, but that pattern does not mean every applicant should choose the same month. Your coursework, preparation progress and other responsibilities affect the practical choice.

Start with your application timeline, then compare your planned application activities with the score release column in the calendar. If you are applying outside AMCAS, confirm how and when the relevant programs expect to receive scores.

Assess readiness before committing to an appointment. A full-length practice test can show how your preparation holds up across the exam, while the required MCAT score calculator can help you interpret and convert practice results. These tools inform planning, but they do not guarantee a future official score.

If you believe you may need another attempt, the AAMC suggests testing earlier in the year can leave time to receive your result, decide what to do and locate another seat. The AAMC notes that medical schools can see every exam you choose to score.

Attempt limits also matter. The AAMC allows you to take the MCAT up to three times in one testing year, four times across two consecutive years and seven times over your lifetime. Voided and missed appointments count toward those limits.

Account for work, classes, travel and programs such as pre-med internships. International examinees should also allow time to arrange travel. If you lack a prehealth advisor, the AAMC notes that the NAAHP can connect you with one at no cost.

When Should You Start Studying for Your MCAT Date?

Work backward from your intended testing month to create a preparation window that fits the time you can consistently study. IMA recommends starting about three to five months before your test month if you can study close to full time. IMA’s guide on how to study for the MCAT puts a full-time plan at about three months, four to six months if you balance a job and about eight months if you have many other commitments.

The prep table above applies those general windows to the 2027 U.S. testing months. For example, a student preparing close to full time for a January 2027 exam could begin between August and October 2026. Starting earlier may be more appropriate if work, classes or other responsibilities limit your weekly study time.

A preparation window is not the same as proof that you are ready. Use your progress with content review and practice to decide whether the scheduled date remains realistic. IMA’s MCAT prep timeline can help you distribute preparation when you cannot study close to full time.

If your preparation shows that you need more time, compare available appointments and the fee table before making a change. Moving the exam earlier simply to follow a common application schedule conflicts with the AAMC’s guidance to test when you are ready.

Your ID and Test Day Timing

Your first and last name on an MCAT-accepted ID must match your registration. If the names do not match, change the registration no later than the 10-day deadline. You cannot test without identification that meets the AAMC criteria.

If you have difficulty obtaining the required identification, contact AAMC Services no later than three days before your exam. Do not wait until test day to ask whether a different document will be accepted.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start, when testing center staff begin check-in. Because the usual start time is 8:00 a.m., plan transportation, parking and morning timing in advance. You cannot tour the center before test day, so research the route and estimate how long the trip will take.

Bring food and drink that you can store in your assigned locker. During breaks, you may not leave to visit your car or have food delivered to the center. Review the rules for items allowed inside and outside the testing room before you arrive.

For a fuller view of the test-day schedule, breaks and total time commitment, read IMA’s guide to how long the MCAT is. Use that information with your appointment details rather than assuming the 8:00 a.m. start represents the entire time you will spend at the center.

When Do MCAT Scores Come Out?

MCAT scores generally come out approximately 30 to 35 days after the exam. This period allows the AAMC to scale and equate each exam and review concerns submitted by examinees about questions or testing conditions.

The calendar above provides the scheduled release date for every 2027 U.S. exam. Scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on that date. Use the release date in your test-date row when planning an application rather than counting forward from the exam yourself.

Medical schools receive only exams that you chose to score. They do not receive a record of an exam you voided or missed, although a void or no-show still counts toward your testing limits. If you receive a score and later test again, schools may consider the set of scores in different ways.

For programs outside AMCAS, you can send scores electronically through the Score Reporting System or mail a copy of your official score report. Confirm which method the receiving program accepts and allow time for the score to be available first.

After you take or miss an exam, the registration system usually needs about 24 hours to update your account. Once it updates, you can register for any available appointment, subject to the attempt limits and seat availability.

Fee Assistance Program Eligibility

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program can reduce MCAT registration and rescheduling costs for eligible applicants, but you must receive approval before selecting a date and location.

For the 2026 program, each household included on an application must have 2025 total family income at or below 400% of the 2025 national poverty level for its family size. An applicant also needs a U.S.-based home address.

Applicants must be preparing to apply to medical school. You cannot qualify if you have already been accepted to, are enrolled in or have graduated from any medical school. Because review takes about five business days, apply early enough to receive a decision before your intended registration date.

Canadian examinees have a separate assistance program operated by the AAMC and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. Confirm the rules that apply to your country before relying on the U.S. program criteria.

Connect Your Test Date to Your Application Plan

Your registration decision should connect a realistic study period, an available seat and a score release date that works for your intended programs. Review those elements together, along with your AMCAS 2027 application timeline, before paying.

If you want individual help coordinating testing with the rest of your application, IMA’s medical school admissions consulting can help you build a test and application timeline. Any plan should still leave the final test-date choice to your readiness and the official scheduling information in your account.

If you need help with the AAMC registration system itself, the MCAT program’s listed telephone number is 202-828-0600. Its hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, except Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. ET.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Does MCAT Registration Open for 2027?

Registration for the entire 2027 MCAT testing year opens Oct. 20 through Oct. 22, 2026, according to testing center location. Each regional opening begins at 12 p.m. ET. The registration system remains open afterward if you are not ready to select an appointment during the opening period.

How Much Does It Cost to Register for the MCAT?

For 2026 testing dates, standard MCAT registration costs $355 and registration with Fee Assistance Program benefits costs $145. The AAMC lists fees by testing year, so confirm the 2027 price when registration opens. Testing outside the United States, Canada or U.S. territories adds a $130 international fee.

What Is the MCAT 10-Day Deadline?

The 10-day deadline is your final day to schedule, reschedule or cancel an MCAT appointment or edit registration information. The deadline ends at 11:59 p.m. in the testing center’s local time zone. No registration changes are allowed less than 10 days before the exam.

How Long Does It Take to Get MCAT Scores Back?

MCAT scores are generally released about 30 to 35 days after the test. The scheduled date appears in the calendar for your appointment, and scores are due by 5:00 p.m. ET that day. The waiting period allows the AAMC to scale and equate the exam and review examinee concerns.

Can I Look at Other MCAT Dates Without Losing My Seat?

Yes. You can view other available dates in the MCAT Registration System while keeping your current appointment. You retain that seat until you submit payment for a new one. Reschedule directly rather than canceling first, and remember that you may hold only one MCAT seat at a time.

How Soon Can I Register for the MCAT Again After Taking It?

You can usually register again about 24 hours after taking or missing an exam. The registration system needs time to update your account before another appointment can be selected. Any new registration remains subject to seat availability and the MCAT attempt limits.

Does MCAT Prep Differ for MD and DO Schools?

No. The AAMC says MCAT preparation does not differ based on whether you plan to apply to MD-granting or DO-granting schools. Your preparation should address the exam’s tested content and reflect the amount of time you can study consistently.

Can You Take the MCAT for a Health Program Other Than Medical School?

Yes. You may take the MCAT when you intend to apply to a health-related program that accepts MCAT results as an admissions test, including podiatric and veterinary programs. If you do not plan to apply to an eligible health professions program, you must request special permission before registering.