2021 MCAT Test Dates & Registration Dates

When you’re trying to pick an MCAT test date, getting information early is essential. Unlike other pre-health admissions exams like the OAT and DAT, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is not offered year-round.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC, the test-maker) selects about 20 MCAT test dates each year, and they are all between the months of January through September to fit in the medical school application cycle. You will want to plan your MCAT prep according to an available MCAT test date.

In addition, the way that MCAT score release works is unique among the other pre-health exams. With the MCAT, you have to wait about a month before you get your score report.

 

Table of Contents

• 2021 MCAT Test Dates, Score Release Dates, and Registration Dates
• MCAT COVID-19 Safety Protocols
• MCAT Registration Tips

2021 MCAT Test Dates, Score Release Dates, and Registration Dates

Although (like most things) the MCAT was disrupted by COVID-19 in 2020, you can expect MCAT test dates in future years to follow a similar schedule to the 2021 calendar.

Similarly, while AAMC administered a shortened version of the MCAT in 2020, the full-length MCAT will return in 2021.

However the 2021 schedule does include an extra January test date, and AAMC will be offering an afternoon testing session to provide more flexibility as well!

2020 MCAT Test Dates & Score Release Dates

MCAT COVID-19 Safety Protocols

While many other standardized tests have moved online this year, the AAMC has chosen to continue administering an in-person version of the MCAT. But don’t worry! Below are the health and safety protocols you can expect to be implemented at your testing center:

• Examinees must meet the health requirements and follow health and safety guidelines while testing.
• The number of people in each MCAT test session will be limited and social distancing will be enforced in waiting rooms, at check-in, and in the testing room.
• Face masks will be required for all staff and MCAT examinees.
• Hand sanitizer will be available during testing. Examinees will be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when they enter the testing room.
• Increased cleaning and disinfecting regimens will be in place between all testing appointments.

If you have any further questions about COVID-19 safety procedures, just reach out to your local test center!

MCAT Registration Tips

How much does it cost to register for the MCAT?

The MCAT can be pricy! But the initial registration fee isn’t the only cost. Exactly how pricy registering for the MCAT is depends on when you register. The AAMC does this by “zones”: there’s the gold zone deadline, the silver zone deadline, or the bronze zone deadline.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at MCAT fees!

MCAT Costs 2021

If you’re struggling to pay for the MCAT, the AAMC fee assistance program may help you out.

Note that there for international test takers, cancellations will refund your initial registration fee to you, but not your international fee.

Important: The AAMC has clarified that these prices are only valid for January and March 2021 exams, and may change either before the April-June and/or the July-September periods.

How do I register for the MCAT?

There are a few things you should do in advance to make registering for the MCAT a little bit easier. MCAT sign up requires an AAMC account to access the MCAT registration system. To set up an account, you’ll need a username and password. Then, for AAMC MCAT registration, have your government-issued ID available (something like a driver’s license), and have your form of payment handy.

Which MCAT test date should I choose?

Each student has a slightly different timeline for preparing for and taking the MCAT. If you know you need more time to prepare than your friends, then register for a later date (letting you take more MCAT practice tests, for one thing!). The goal is to take the MCAT as few times as possible, so pick an MCAT registration date that you feel will best help you achieve that goal! Also, if you’re looking for some extra help, consider trying Magoosh’s MCAT prep!

When you’re picking your MCAT registration date, keep in mind that it takes about 30 days to get your scores back. So if you need to have your scores back by a certain time for your application deadlines, for instance, be sure to take score release dates into consideration.

Because of the MCAT score release delay, you can see that students must take the MCAT by May if they want their application to be among the earliest reviewed by medical schools. Students that take later exams will be delayed. For example in 2020, the earliest day that a June 1st test taker could have their application reviewed is July 2nd.

To submit a complete application for medical school, you will need your MCAT score, academic transcripts, personal statement, description of activities and awards, letters of recommendation, and any additional essays required by the school.

Applications are submitted in two phases: the primary and secondary applications.

• Primary applications are completed through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).

  To submit your AMCAS application, you need your personal statement, academic transcripts, and description of activities and awards. Once your primary application is submitted, it will have to be verified by the AMCAS.

• Secondary applications will be sent out when medical schools have received your primary application. AMCAS begins transmission of verified primary applications to medical schools on the last Friday of June.

  For 2020, the AMCAS transmission date will be June 30th. This means that students that have verified primary applications by June 30th will begin receiving secondary applications on this day. If these students submit their secondary application on the same day, medical schools will begin reviewing their complete applications.

Can you register for two MCAT dates?

Not at the same time. You can take the MCAT up to three times in a single testing year, but you’re only allowed to be registered for one seat at a time.

If a conflict has arisen with your original test date, you may be able to reschedule your exam on the AAMC website (you can also change your preferred location there. In both cases, you may need ot pay rescheduling fees, depending on your situation). Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until after the day of your test to register again.

How fast does MCAT registration fill up?

Believe it or not, MCAT registration dates fill up very quickly. Most students want to take the exam at their preferred testing location on a date that works best for them. As you can imagine, Saturday is a very popular MCAT test day.

Understandably, the closer it is to the test date (and the last date of registration), the more likely it is that all of the spots at your local testing center will be filled. I once had to drive 60 miles from home just to take the MCAT! If you can register well in advance of the day of the deadline, you’ll have a better shot at getting the slot you want.

Just how early can you register? Registration for the MCAT is split into two phases. In October, students may begin to register for January through May test dates. June through September test dates open for registration in February. You can follow the AAMC’s twitter page to learn the exact time when registration opens. In the past, it has opened early in the morning based on the Eastern Time Zone.

To ensure that you can get the MCAT test date and testing center location you want, make sure to register as soon as possible.

When should I start studying for the MCAT?

The MCAT’s a long test that tests a lot of material—after all, it lasts 7.5 hours! This means that you’ll want to start prepping early. 3-6 months in advance is ideal.

In a perfect world, that would look like this:

• January test date: Start MCAT prep between August and October of the year before
• March test date: Start MCAT prep between October and December of the year before
• April test date: Start MCAT prep between November of the year before and January of the current year
• May test date: Start MCAT prep between December of the year before and February of the current year
• June test date: Start MCAT prep between January and March of the current year
• July test date: Start MCAT prep between February and April of the current year
• August test date: Start MCAT prep between March and May of the current year
• June test date: Start MCAT prep between April and June of the current year

However, if you don’t have this much time, it’s still possible to get the MCAT prep you need! Magoosh’s MCAT study schedules will help get you caught up on everything you need, from organic chemistry and physics to psychology and critical analysis, whether you have one month or six (or even one week!).

A Final Word on Choosing an MCAT Test Date

Registering for the MCAT can be a stressful process, but with some preparation, a good MCAT course, and anxiety-relieving mindfulness techniques, you will be more than ready to tackle this step and move forward in your medical education and medical career. Good luck!