MCAT Registration 2027: Test Dates, Deadlines & How to Register

The Medical College Admission Test is a required step for admission to most U.S. and Canadian medical schools. The AAMC administers every aspect of it — from registration to score delivery.

Last updated: October 2026

Quick answer: Registration for all 2027 MCAT test dates opened October 20–22, 2026 (noon ET, by test-center region) and is open now. U.S. testing runs January 15 through September 11, 2027 — 35 dates total, with no testing in October, November, or December. Scores are released by 5 p.m. ET approximately one month after each exam. The 10-day deadline is the last day to schedule, reschedule, or cancel without forfeiting your registration fee.

Always verify current dates, fees, and policies on the AAMC website before registering. This guide provides structure and strategy; official information can change.

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Table of Contents

1. 2027 MCAT Test Dates and Score Release Dates
2. Eligibility, AAMC Account Setup, and Registration Basics
3. Step-by-Step MCAT Registration: From Login to Confirmation
4. Choosing the Right Test Date and Location Strategically
5. Planning Backward From Your Application Cycle
6. Understanding MCAT Costs, Registration Fees, and Related Expenses
7. AAMC Fee Assistance Program and Reducing MCAT Costs
8. ID Requirements, Name Matching, and Test-Day Documentation
9. Testing Accommodations and Documentation
10. Planning Around Score Release for Medical School Applications
11. Rescheduling, Canceling, and Changing Your Test Date or Location
12. Common MCAT Registration Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
13. Integrating MCAT Registration With Your Overall Medical School Strategy
14. When to Consider Retaking the MCAT
15. FAQs About MCAT Registration, Test Dates, and Policies

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2027 MCAT Test Dates and Score Release Dates

The table below lists all 35 official U.S. MCAT test dates for the 2027 testing year, with the 10-day scheduling deadline and score release date for each. Dates marked * are available only at select test centers in major metropolitan areas, including New York, NY.

Test date	10-day deadline	Score release
Jan 15	Jan 5	Feb 16
Jan 16	Jan 6	Feb 16
Jan 21	Jan 11	Feb 23
Jan 29	Jan 19	Mar 2
Jan 30*	Jan 20	Mar 2
Feb 12	Feb 2	Mar 16
Mar 6	Feb 24	Apr 6
Mar 19	Mar 9	Apr 20
Apr 9	Mar 30	May 11
Apr 10	Mar 31	May 11
Apr 16	Apr 6	May 18
Apr 17	Apr 7	May 18
May 1	Apr 21	Jun 2
May 7	Apr 27	Jun 8
May 8	Apr 28	Jun 8
May 13	May 3	Jun 15
May 14*	May 4	Jun 15
May 21	May 11	Jun 23
May 29	May 19	Jun 29
Jun 11	Jun 1	Jul 13
Jun 12	Jun 2	Jul 13
Jun 25	Jun 15	Jul 27
Jun 26	Jun 16	Jul 27
Jul 9*	Jun 29	Aug 10
Jul 10	Jun 30	Aug 10
Jul 23	Jul 13	Aug 24
Jul 30	Jul 20	Aug 31
Aug 14	Aug 4	Sep 14
Aug 20	Aug 10	Sep 21
Aug 21	Aug 11	Sep 21
Aug 28*	Aug 18	Sep 28
Sep 2	Aug 23	Oct 5
Sep 3	Aug 24	Oct 5
Sep 10	Aug 31	Oct 12
Sep 11	Sep 1	Oct 12

Notes on the table:

• Dates marked * are available only at select test centers in major metropolitan areas, including New York, NY.
• The 10-day deadline is the last day to schedule, reschedule, or cancel. After this point, no changes are possible and cancellation refunds drop to zero.
• 60-day and 30-day deadlines also apply — fees rise as the exam date approaches. Do not wait until the 10-day deadline to make changes.
• For current fees at each deadline tier, see the AAMC scheduling fees page. Fee amounts are not listed here because they are set by the AAMC and subject to change.
• Always confirm dates on the official AAMC U.S. MCAT calendar.

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Which 2027 test date fits your application timeline?

The right test date depends on when you need scores in hand relative to your application submission.

• Testing by late spring (April–May): Scores return in May or June — before AMCAS opens for primary submissions. This gives you maximum flexibility and the ability to submit on day one.
• A June test date: Scores release in late July. You can still submit a competitive primary application, but you lose the early-submission advantage for rolling-admissions schools.
• July or later: Scores arrive in August or September. Late enough to affect rolling admissions at many programs. Only advisable if you need the extra preparation time and have confirmed your target schools accept late-cycle scores.

If you are unsure which window fits your timeline, book a free 20-minute application audit with Dr. Tomei to map out your MCAT date alongside your full application cycle.

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Eligibility, AAMC Account Setup, and Registration Basics

To register for the MCAT, you must be preparing to apply to a health-professions program. Applicants can register without a college degree. Current or former medical students may need special permission from the AAMC. There are maximum limits on how many times you can take the MCAT in a single year, across consecutive years, and over your lifetime. Check the AAMC's testing attempt limits page for current numbers.

Setting Up Your AAMC Account

Students must have their AAMC account set up prior to registration. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the AAMC website, click Sign In or Create Account.
2. Enter your legal full name, date of birth, and permanent address. Your first and last name must match your government-issued ID exactly.
3. Verify your email address through the confirmation link AAMC sends.
4. Log in and navigate to the MCAT registration system.
5. Complete background and eligibility questions, then agree to the MCAT Essentials.

Before you start, gather these items:

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
• Legal first and last name (as printed on your ID)
• Date of birth, permanent address, and a reliable email address
• A single AAMC account — do not create duplicates

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Step-by-Step MCAT Registration: From Login to Confirmation

Once logged into the MCAT portal, the registration process follows a clear sequence. You answer profile questions covering education and demographics, review the MCAT Essentials (the candidate agreement and rules), then move to scheduling.

Select your test date and location using filters for region, city, and available dates. Popular dates and testing locations may fill quickly, so have backup options ready. After selecting your preferred date, review all appointment details: test center address, appointment time, reporting instructions, and local rules.

Pay the registration fee after completing your application. Registration is only finalized once payment processes. If you are using the Fee Assistance Program, confirm your approval before paying so the reduced fee applies.

After payment, you will see a confirmation page, and the AAMC will send a confirmation email. Your appointment will also appear in your AAMC account. Confirm your registration details before test day by logging back in and reviewing them.

Registration Checklist

• Legal name on AAMC profile matches your ID exactly
• Profile information is complete (DOB, address, email, contact details)
• Fee Assistance Program approval confirmed (if applicable)
• Test date and location selected with backup options considered
• MCAT Essentials reviewed
• Payment method processed and confirmation email received

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Choosing the Right Test Date and Location Strategically

Choosing a test date impacts your entire application timeline. Your MCAT score must be released before you submit your primary application, so work backward from when AMCAS opens (typically early June) and use the official AAMC score release calendar rather than guessing.

Most students need three to six months of MCAT preparation to complete content review and take full-length practice exams. Choose a test date that allows enough preparation time. Full-length practice tests are essential — plan to take several under timed conditions before your exam.

When comparing test centers, weigh commuting distance, time zone, and travel logistics. If your desired location is full, check nearby cities. On opening day, AAMC uses a virtual queue, and popular dates and testing locations may fill quickly. Have at least three acceptable test date and location combinations ready before you enter the queue.

Decision Framework

• How much study time do you realistically need?
• When do your target schools need your MCAT score?
• Is there room for a retake if your score falls short?
• How far is the nearest testing center?
• What are your backup dates and centers?

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Planning Backward From Your Application Cycle

Start with the year you want to enter medical school. Work backward through primary and secondary application deadlines, then to your desired score release date, and finally to your MCAT date.

For example: a student aiming to start medical school in fall 2028 takes the MCAT in April 2027. Scores are released about 30 days after the exam date, arriving in mid-May. The student submits the AMCAS primary application in June, completes secondaries over the summer, and interviews in the fall. If a retake is needed, a June 2027 test date still leaves time.

Rolling admissions reward early completion. Having your score ready before AMCAS opens gives you maximum flexibility. See the complete pre-med timeline for a year-by-year breakdown of when each application milestone should happen.

Planning steps:

1. Identify your medical school entry year
2. Determine each target school's application deadline and latest acceptable MCAT date
3. Select a test date that leaves a retake window
4. Register early to secure your preferred date

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Understanding MCAT Costs, Registration Fees, and Related Expenses

MCAT costs extend beyond the registration fee. For current fee amounts at each deadline tier, see the AAMC scheduling fees page — fees are set by the AAMC and subject to change year to year.

Budget for indirect costs too: travel, lodging if the test center is far, meals, and test prep resources (books, courses, tutoring). If you need a retake, double many of these costs.

Full MCAT budget checklist:

• Registration fee (standard or FAP-reduced)
• International test center fee (if applicable)
• Rescheduling or cancellation fees in a worst-case window
• Travel and lodging
• Prep resources and practice exams
• Potential retake costs

MedTrack Mentors can help you build a cost-aware MCAT and application timeline strategy, factoring in financial assistance options from the start.

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AAMC Fee Assistance Program and Reducing MCAT Costs

The AAMC Fee Assistance Program is designed for applicants with financial need. It provides:

• Reduced fees for MCAT registration
• Free or discounted official MCAT prep products
• AMCAS application fee waivers for a limited number of schools
• Access to the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) database

Eligibility is income-based and requires a U.S. home address. If you are under 26, parental financial information is required regardless of your living situation. Check the official AAMC Fee Assistance Program page for current income thresholds and documentation requirements.

You must apply and be approved before you complete MCAT registration. Benefits are not retroactive. Apply several weeks to months before your desired test date so the decision arrives in time.

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ID Requirements, Name Matching, and Test-Day Documentation

On test day, candidates must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. AAMC requires that the examinee's first and last names on the government-issued ID match the registration exactly. Middle names and middle initials are not required to match. Acceptable forms include a U.S. or Canadian passport, driver's license, state or provincial ID, or military ID. Review the most recent MCAT Essentials for the official list.

Verify your first and last name early in the registration process. Name changes due to marriage or legal name updates should be reflected on your ID before test day. If anything is unclear, contact AAMC services before your test date approaches. Students with mismatched names have been denied entry at the test center.

ID Checklist

• First and last name on ID matches AAMC profile exactly (middle names not required)
• ID is unexpired and government-issued with photo and signature
• ID is in good physical condition (legible, scannable)
• Carry a backup acceptable ID if possible

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Testing Accommodations and Documentation

Accommodation requests — extra time, separate room, assistive devices — go through a separate AAMC accommodations portal, not the standard MCAT registration form. Submit your request well before selecting a test date; documentation review can take several weeks, and approval is not guaranteed.

Required documentation may include testing evaluations by a qualified professional, medical letters, academic transcripts, IEPs, or Section 504 plans. AAMC makes independent decisions based on evidence of current functional limitations, not diagnosis alone.

Accommodations checklist:

• Gather academic records, medical evaluations, and prior accommodation history
• Submit your accommodation application early
• Monitor the AAMC portal for decisions
• Once approved, confirm your scheduled exam reflects the approved conditions
• Verify that your test center supports your specific accommodations

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Planning Around Score Release for Medical School Applications

Treat score release dates as the anchor for your medical school application cycle. If you plan to submit your primary application in June, you need scores in hand by then. An April or May MCAT gives you that buffer. A July test, with score release in mid-August, puts you behind for schools with rolling admissions or early deadlines.

Cross-check each school's policy on the latest acceptable MCAT test date. These vary by program and year. Some schools publish a specific cut-off; others accept any score from the current cycle. Verify directly with each school and through MSAR.

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Rescheduling, Canceling, and Changing Your Test Date or Location

You can reschedule your MCAT up to 10 days before the exam, subject to seat availability and a rescheduling fee. The fee climbs as your date approaches. Cancellation refunds also shrink; within the final scheduling window, you receive nothing back.

Missing the test date without canceling forfeits the entire registration fee and counts as an attempt toward your lifetime limit. Emergency refund requests are possible but require documentation and are not guaranteed.

Should I Reschedule?

Ask yourself these questions before deciding:

• Are my full-length practice scores consistently below my target?
• Am I dealing with illness, travel disruptions, or personal issues that will affect performance?
• Will rescheduling push me past my application deadline?
• Is the rescheduling fee worth the potential score improvement?
• Can I combine a date and location change in one transaction to avoid multiple fees?

Test Date and Location Change Logistics

Log into the MCAT registration system, select your current appointment, and search for alternative test dates and centers. Confirm new registration information before completing the change. Early action (farther from the original test date) provides more options and lower fees.

Seats at popular centers may be limited. Monitor for openings periodically. If weekend dates at your preferred location are full, check weekday options or nearby cities.

Rescheduling checklist:

• Check current scheduling deadlines relative to your test date
• Verify seat availability at your new preferred date and center
• Compare the rescheduling fee against the cost of staying on your current date
• Update travel and lodging plans
• Confirm the new appointment via email and the AAMC portal

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Common MCAT Registration Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

A few errors come up repeatedly. Each is preventable with a small amount of advance planning.

Name mismatch between AAMC profile and ID. Run a character-by-character check when creating your AAMC account. Update your AAMC profile immediately if your ID changes.

Waiting too long to register. Log in on opening day with backup date and location options. Popular dates and testing locations may fill quickly.

Underestimating prep time. Build a study plan before you pick a date. If your preparation plan requires five months, do not register for an exam three months away.

Missing the 10-day scheduling deadline. Set calendar reminders for every deadline associated with your test date.

Payment issues during registration. Test your payment method in advance. Do not assume registration is complete without a confirmation email.

Ignoring the confirmation email. Read the full email immediately. Verify date, location, appointment time, and your AAMC ID. Corrections are only possible before certain deadlines.

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Integrating MCAT Registration With Your Overall Medical School Strategy

MCAT registration is one piece of a medical school application that also includes course selection, clinical exposure, extracurriculars, and the primary application itself. An intentional test date reduces the need for rushed retakes and keeps your entire application timeline on track.

Decide early whether you will apply in the same year you take the MCAT or delay a cycle. A gap year can provide more prep time, but it also pushes your matriculation date. Your MCAT score is one of several metrics schools weigh alongside GPA, experiences, and letters. See our guide to how admissions committees evaluate applicants for more on how scores fit into the full picture.

MedTrack Mentors can help align your test dates with prerequisite completion, GPA trends, and target school lists.

Questions to ask yourself:

• When do my target schools need MCAT scores?
• Am I realistically ready to take the MCAT on my planned date?
• How will a potential retake affect my study schedule and finances?
• Does my application timeline allow enough breathing room?

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When to Consider Retaking the MCAT

AAMC limits how many times students can take the exam within a year, across two consecutive years, and over a lifetime. Check current limits on the AAMC site, as these numbers can change.

A retake makes sense if:

• Your score falls well below the median for your target schools
• A large gap exists between your practice scores and your official result
• Test-day issues (illness, logistics) affected your performance

A retake may not be worth it if:

• The score difference is small and the rest of your application is strong
• Retaking would push you past application deadlines

Build a potential retake window into your original registration plan. Use full-length practice test trends to evaluate whether improvement is realistic.

Retake decision checklist:

• Is the score gap large enough to justify the cost and time?
• Can I prepare differently and improve?
• Will a retake delay my medical school application?
• Have I consulted an advisor about whether retaking is the right move?

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Schedule a Free 20-Minute Application Audit With MedTrack Mentors

MedTrack Mentors supports students through every stage of MCAT planning: choosing a realistic test date, aligning prep with school lists, and integrating registration into a complete medical school admissions strategy. The advising team is led by physicians with admissions committee experience, so the guidance reflects how schools actually evaluate candidates.

MedTrack Mentors offers virtual advising for students across the U.S. and internationally, plus local support for Long Island and NYC students. Whether you need help selecting a test date, building a study plan, or deciding if a retake makes sense, personalized advising removes the guesswork.

Schedule a free 20-minute application audit with MedTrack Mentors to map out your MCAT registration and application timeline. Thoughtful planning now prevents costly mistakes later.

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FAQs About MCAT Registration, Test Dates, and Policies

When does 2027 MCAT registration open?

Registration for the 2027 MCAT testing year opened October 20–22, 2026, in regional waves (noon ET, by test-center region). Registration is open now. Seats at popular dates and locations fill quickly — register as early as possible.

When is the last 2027 MCAT test date?

The last 2027 MCAT test date in the U.S. is September 11, 2027. U.S. testing runs January 15 through September 11, 2027 — 35 dates total. There are no MCAT test dates in October, November, or December 2027.

How long does it take to get MCAT scores back?

Scores are released by 5 p.m. ET approximately one month after the exam date. For example, a January 15, 2027 exam has a score release date of February 16, 2027. Use the official AAMC calendar to confirm the exact release date for your test date.

How early should I register for the MCAT?

On opening day if possible. For 2027, registration opened October 20–22, 2026. Popular dates and testing locations may fill quickly.

Do MCAT seats fill up?

Yes. Popular dates and testing locations may fill quickly. Have backup dates and locations ready before you enter the registration queue.

Can I register for more than one test date at once?

No. You may hold only one MCAT appointment at a time. To schedule another, you must complete, cancel, or reschedule the first.

How do I change my test date or location?

Log into the MCAT registration system, select your appointment, choose a new date or center, and pay the rescheduling fee. Changes must happen before the applicable scheduling deadline.

What happens if I arrive late or miss the exam?

You are not permitted to test, you receive no refund, and the no-show counts as an attempt toward your lifetime limit.

Are international testing locations available?

Yes. International students can take the MCAT abroad. An additional fee applies on top of the standard registration fee. See the AAMC scheduling fees page for current amounts.

How long is the MCAT exam?

Four sections of approximately 90 to 95 minutes each, plus optional breaks. MCAT exams start at 8 a.m. local time.

How does the Fee Assistance Program affect registration fees?

If approved before you register, you pay a reduced fee. Benefits are not retroactive. Apply for financial assistance before completing registration. See the AAMC Fee Assistance Program page for current amounts and eligibility.

Do I need a college degree to register for the MCAT?

No. Applicants can register for the MCAT without a college degree, as long as they intend to apply to a health-professions program.

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Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. MCAT policies, fees, and test dates are set by the AAMC and subject to change. Always verify current information at aamc.org.