The best time to take the MCAT is when you feel fully prepared. Here are three key considerations to help you decide:

When Do You Plan to Attend Medical School?

Many students take the MCAT in the year they apply to medical school. For instance, if you aim to start medical school in Fall 2025, consider taking the MCAT in 2024.

Will You Need to Retake the Exam?

If you think you might retake the MCAT, take it earlier in the year. This gives you time to review your scores, decide on retesting, and find an available test date.

Have You Mastered the Exam Content?

The MCAT covers topics like biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology. Sapneil Tutoring can ensure you’re confident in these areas before testing.

Additional Tips:

Medical schools see all your scores, so be strategic.

There are limits on how many times you can take the MCAT.

When in doubt, consult your pre-health advisor and take the exam when you feel ready, not just when you think you should.

There are testing limits on how many times you can take the MCAT exam. Voids and no-shows count toward your lifetime limits. Remember that you can only be registered for one seat at a time.

Single testing year: The MCAT exam can be taken up to three times.

Two consecutive-year period: The MCAT exam can be taken up to four times.

Lifetime: The MCAT exam can be taken up to seven times in a lifetime.

You can make changes to your exam up to 10 days before your exam date; however, there are rescheduling and cancellation fees. You can submit an Emergency Refund Request through the MCAT Registration System if you are unexpectedly unable to attend less than 10 days before your exam. Rescheduling is no longer an option less than 10 days before your exam.

You are not required to take a break between sections of the MCAT exam. You may go on to the next section in the exam once you finish the previous section or there is an optional 10 or 30 minute break. You may also leave the testing room during the break to access food, drink, or medicines, or to use the restroom.

The remaining time from a section you finished early or a skipped break will not carry over to the next section of the exam.

Every school is different but generally schools accept scores from tests taken 3-5 years ago. Please refer to the report from MSAR on the latest and oldest MCAT Test Administration dates considered by medical school to view how far back MCAT scores are accepted.

Yes, as of April 2003, the AAMC has followed a full-disclosure policy. All tests taken from April 2003 onward will be included in score reports or will be made available through your AMCAS application. Pre-2003 scores that have previously been released to AMCAS will also be included in your AMCAS application.

Scores are released approximately 30-35 days after each test day. Scores are released by 5 p.m. ET on release days. AAMC scales and equates each exam after each test day. This takes 30 to 35 days. This time also allows students to submit any concerns they have about exam questions or testing conditions.

• Bring Two Valid IDs:

  • One government-issued ID with a photo and signature

  • One additional ID with a signature (e.g., credit card or library card).

• Verify your application name matches your IDs exactly

• Leave Non-Essential Items at Home

• Personal items like phones, food, drinks, pens, and jackets must be stored in the test center locker and are not accessible during the exam.

• Empty your pockets before signing in.

• Adhere to all instructions given by the test administrator.

• Notify the test administrator of any issues during testing. Submit unresolved concerns in writing within five business days.

• After the Test:

  • Arrange transportation or inform family/friends ahead of time. Do not use electronic devices inside the center.

  • Update Contact Information

    • If your address changes before scores are reported, update your record with the Department of Testing Services.