Medical College Admission Test - MCAT
About MCAT 2025
The full form of MCAT is the Medical College Admission Test. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is an exam conducted for aspiring medical students in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. The test is designed to assess the knowledge of students for medical school by testing their knowledge of scientific concepts, critical thinking skills, and ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.
What is MCAT used for? MCAT exam 2026 is for prospective MD students who want to pursue medical education in the aforementioned countries and is conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges or AAMC. There are no MCAT exam dates in India, as MCAT does not have test centres in India. However, one can go to neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore to appear for the exam. The MCAT exam dates vary for different countries.
MCAT exam registration can be done in online mode on the official website - aamc.org. MCAT exam cost is USD 345 as standard registration, excluding USD as fee assistance program registration. An additional international fee of USD 120 is charged for examinees testing outside the US, Canada, or US territories. Go through the Medical College Admission Test registration details first before registering for the exam.
The MCAT exam syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of physical and biological sciences and his/her verbal reasoning and writing skills. New sections such as psychological, social and biological foundations of behaviour were added to the MCAT exam by the AAMC in 2015.
How long is the MCAT exam? MCAT exam 2026 length is 7 hours and 30 minutes with breaks. It is a single day test, and the entire test content itself takes 6 hours and 15 minutes.
The scores for the MCAT test are valid for only up to 3 years. Some colleges and universities only accept scores up to two years old. Aspirants looking for MCAT exam result 2026 should note that the MCAT Score is officially released approximately 30–35 days after an exam date. After completing the MCAT exam 2026, aspiring medical students will receive five scores: one for each of the four test sections and an overall composite score. The scores for each section of the MCAT range from 118 to 132, with the total composite score ranging from 472 to 528.
What is MCAT Exam?
MCAT is a computer-based test that is mandatory to get admission in medical schools in the US, Canada, Australia, and other popular study abroad destinations. Candidates have to solve Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) related to Organic chemistry, sociology, and psychology. Students need to be eligible and complete the registration process to take this test.
MCAT Exam 2026: Highlights
MCAT Full Form | Medical College Admission Test |
Conducting Body | Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) |
Most Popular for | Getting Admission in Medical Colleges of USA, Canada, Australia and other nations |
Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test |
MCAT Exam Fees | USD 345 (INR 29,835) |
Score Validity | Three Years |
Exam Frequency | Throughout the year |
MCAT Exam Duration | 7 hours and 30 minutes (Including Breaks) |
Score Range | 472 to 528 |
U.S. Territories which have MCAT test centres:
- Guam
- Puerto Rico
- US Virgin Islands
International locations for MCAT Exam 2026:
Australia, China: Hong Kong, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom.
MCAT exam eligibility
Who is eligible for MCAT exam? The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMA) specifies the MCAT exam eligibility for Indian students. Students who have an MBBS degree can appear in the MCAT exam. These are the eligibility criteria for MCAT 2026:
- A candidate is eligible to register for MCAT if he/she is applying to MD-granting programs, veterinary medicine, DO-granting programs, Podiatric, etc.
- There is no official age age limit for taking the MCAT test.
- A candidate can appear for MCAT exam for a maximum of seven times in their lifetime.
- If you do not fulfil any of the eligibility criteria, you must have the “Special Permission” from AAMC.
How to Prepare for MCAT 2026?
Create a structured plan and do it atleast 3-6 months before the MCAT exam date. Pay attention to the concepts and refer to authentic and reliable resources for studying like AAMC's Official MCAT Prep Guide and practice exams. Improve time management skills and review your performance to improve it, keeping regular exercises and proper sleep in your routine.
MCAT Exam Dates and Score Release Dates 2026
When is the MCAT exam 2026? AAMC has released the MCAT test dates 2026 for aspirants. The MCAT exam is conducted several times throughout the year between January and September in test centres worldwide. The table below includes the MCAT dates 2026 for US territories and other MCAT exam centres around the world based on the MCAT testing calendar. One must also note that there are no dates for MCAT exam in India as this exam is not conducted in India. Students can visit nearby countries such as Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore to appear for the exam. So, when is MCAT exam 2026? Check out the below dates:
MCAT Test Dates 2026:
| Test Date | 60 Day Deadline | 30 Day Deadline | 10 Day Deadline | Score Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Nov. 10, 2025 | Dec. 10, 2025 | Dec. 30, 2025 | Feb. 10 |
| January 10 | Nov. 11, 2025 | Dec. 11, 2025 | Dec. 31, 2025 | Feb. 10 |
| January 15 | Nov. 16, 2025 | Dec. 16, 2025 | Jan. 5 | Feb. 17 |
| January 23 | Nov. 24, 2025 | Dec. 24, 2025 | Jan. 13 | Feb. 24 |
| February 13 | Dec. 15, 2025 | Jan. 14 | Feb. 3 | March 17 |
| March 7 | Jan. 6 | Feb. 5 | Feb. 25 | April 7 |
| March 20 | Jan. 19 | Feb. 18 | March 10 | April 21 |
| April 10 | Feb. 9 | March 11 | March 31 | May 12 |
| April 11 | Feb. 10 | March 12 | April 1 | May 12 |
| April 24 | Feb. 23 | March 25 | April 14 | May 27 |
| April 25 | Feb. 24 | March 26 | April 15 | May 27 |
| May 2 | March 3 | April 2 | April 22 | June 2 |
| May 8 | March 9 | April 8 | April 28 | June 9 |
| May 9 | March 10 | April 9 | April 29 | June 9 |
| May 14 | March 15 | April 14 | May 4 | June 16 |
| May 22 | March 23 | April 22 | May 12 | June 23 |
| May 30 | March 31 | April 30 | May 20 | June 30 |
| June 12 | April 13 | May 13 | June 2 | July 14 |
| June 13 | April 14 | May 14 | June 3 | July 14 |
| June 26 | April 27 | May 27 | June 16 | July 28 |
| June 27 | April 28 | May 28 | June 17 | July 28 |
| July 11 | May 12 | June 11 | July 1 | Aug. 11 |
| July 24 | May 25 | June 24 | July 14 | Aug. 25 |
| July 31 | June 1 | July 1 | July 21 | Sept. 2 |
| August 15 | June 16 | July 16 | Aug. 5 | Sept. 15 |
| August 21 | June 22 | July 22 | Aug. 11 | Sept. 22 |
| August 22 | June 23 | July 23 | Aug. 12 | Sept. 22 |
| September 3 | July 5 | Aug. 4 | Aug. 24 | Oct. 6 |
| September 4 | July 6 | Aug. 5 | Aug. 25 | Oct. 6 |
| September 11 | July 13 | Aug. 12 | Sept. 1 | Oct. 13 |
| September 12 | July 14 | Aug. 13 | Sept. 2 | Oct. 13 |
Note: Explore these MCAT 2026 exam dates to decide the preferred date.
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MCAT 2025 Highlights
| Full Exam Name | Medical College Admission Test |
| Short Exam Name | MCAT |
| Conducting Body | Association of American Medical Colleges |
| Exam Level | International Level Exam |
| Participating Colleges | 4 |
| Exam Duration | 7 Hours 30 Minutes |
MCAT Important Dates
MCAT Medical College Admission Test (session 2025)
A candidate is eligible to give the MCAT exam if he or she is interested in pursuing an educational course in the domain of healthcare and medicine. This includes the following programs:
- M.D.
- D.O.
- Podiatric (D.P.M.)
- Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
- Any other healthcare or medicine-related program that requires MCAT scores in order to meet admission criteria.
Submission of MCAT result 2026: Upon registration for the MCAT test, a candidate is required to submit a statement that verifies the candidate’s interest and intention toward applying to a program in a health professions school. International students who are enrolled in an MBBS program are not required to satisfy any other additional eligibility requirements.
International candidates who are pursuing a program in healthcare and medicine other than MBBS or have no immediate intention of pursuing a profession in healthcare and medicine are required to obtain special permission in order to be eligible for the MCAT exam. Details for the special permission process are given on the official MCAT web portal on the AAMC website. So, the MCAT result 2026 can be used for admission purposes.
In order to apply for the MCAT exam, candidates must complete the registration process online.
- Candidates must create an Association for American Medical Colleges (AAMC) account via the official registration link on the AAMC web portal.
- Candidates must fill in all the required details in the application form in order to complete the registration process. Candidates should register at least 60 days prior to the exam in order to ensure a seat in the exam.
- Candidates can then select the MCAT test date and preferred test centre for the exam.
- The final step in the application/registration process is the payment of exam/registration fees which can only be done online.
The standard start time is 8:00 a.m. each day unless otherwise noted below. Scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled score release date.
All scheduling deadlines for MCAT Test closes at 11:59 p.m. local test centre time on the day of the deadline.
MCAT Registration Fees
The MCAT test cost varies with the date of registration prior to the exam and is classified into three categories. All the details are mentioned below to bool a slot for MCAT test dates 2026.
MCAT Examination fee
| Registration Fees | In USD |
|---|---|
| Standard Registration | $330 |
| Fee Assistance Program Registration | $135 |
* Examinees testing outside the US, Canada, or US territories will be charged a $120 international fee in addition to the initial registration fee. International fees are non-refundable upon registration cancellation.
10 days before exam day is the last day to schedule an exam.
The 10-day deadline is also the last date to reschedule or cancel a reservation and the last date to edit registration information such as name, address, consent, etc.
Rescheduling and Cancellations (in USD) for Standard Registration
| Standard Change Fees | Date and/or Test Center Reschedule Fee | Cancellation Refund |
|---|---|---|
| 60 or more days before exam | $50 | $165 |
| 30-59 days before exam | $100 | $165 |
| 10-29 days before exam | $200 | $0 |
Rescheduling and Cancellations (in USD) for Fee Assistance Program
Fee Assistance Program Change Fees | Date and/or Test Center Reschedule Fees | Cancellation Refund |
|---|---|---|
| 60 or more days before exam | $20 | $70 |
| 30-59 days before exam | $40 | $70 |
| 10-29 days before exam | $80 | $0 |
No changes are allowed less than 10 days before the MCAT exam.
MCAT Complete Guide
Candidates can check MCAT exam's eligibility criteria, registration, syllabus, pattern, scores and dates here.
DownloadThe MCAT exam has a duration of 6 hours and 15 minutes and an overall seated duration of 7 hours and 27 minutes which includes the breaks, optional sections as well and additional questions that are not a part of the actual scored exam.
The MCAT examination comprises 4 main sections which are-
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
MCAT Exam Pattern
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 95 minutes | 59 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 90 minutes | 53 |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 95 minutes | 59 |
| Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 95 minutes | 59 |
Candidates can prepare for the MCAT test using the online MCAT practice test. The sample MCAT exam questions in the MCAT test provide examples of the question types asked in the four sections of the exam. The official MCAT exam conducting authority has provided both free and paid versions of the MCAT exam sample paper on the AAMC website. Candidates can download or practice these tests for the MCAT test preparation.
The results for the MCAT exam will be available for candidates online approximately 30-35 days after the test day. These results can be viewed and downloaded using a candidate's AAMC account.
MCAT 2026 Scores:
The MCAT 2026 result will have 5 different scores; 4 scores for the individual sections of the MCAT 2026 exam and one score which is an aggregate of all four sectional scores.
Each of the four MCAT sections is scored on a 118 to 132-point scale. The fifth and final score which is the aggregate of the four sectional scores is scored on a scale of 472 - 528.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I take MCAT exam in India?
A:
No. Indian applicants can not attempt the MCAT exam in India as there are no MCAT test centres in this country. There are many other international test centres for MCAT in Australia, Thailand, UK, Germany, etc., and a few more for international applicants.
Q: How many times can one appear for the MCAT?
A:
In a single year you can take the MCAT for three times. In a two year consecutive period, you can take it for four years and in a lifetime you can take it for seven times.
Q: How soon will I receive my MCAT score?
A:
You will receive your MCAT score 30 to 35 days after the date of your test.
Q: How is the score for MCAT given?
A:
Each section in the MCAT is scored in the range of 118 to 132. The median score is 125. You will gat a score for each individual section and also an overall score.
Q: What is the minimum educational qualification to appear in the MCAT?
A:
Candidates should have an MBBS degree to appear in the MCAT.
Q: Should international students take special permission to appear in the MCAT?
A:
No, international students do not require any special permission to appear in the MCAT.
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