Planning to apply to medical school in the upcoming cycle? Your first and most critical step is locking in your test date. The AAMC has officially released the 2026 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) schedule, featuring 31 distinct testing dates running from January through September.
Whether you are aiming for an early winter exam or planning a late-summer test date, mapping out your prep timeline and securing your seat early is essential to keeping your AMCAS application on track.
(Note: Canadian MCAT dates follow the exact same schedule as the US calendar, though specific testing center availability may vary by province.)
Below is the complete official 2026 schedule, score release dates, and our recommended preparation windows to help you choose the perfect date.
🗓️ Official MCAT Test Dates 2026 (USA)
Plan your medical school journey with the official AAMC calendar. Tests are held once per day starting at 8:00 a.m. local time, and scores are released roughly one month after the test date.
| Test Date (2026) | Score Release Date | Suggested Prep Window |
|---|---|---|
| January | ||
| January 9 | February 10 | August – October |
| January 10 | February 10 | August – October |
| January 15 | February 17 | August – October |
| January 23 | February 24 | August – October |
| February | ||
| February 13 | March 17 | October – December |
| March | ||
| March 7 | April 7 | October – December |
| March 20 | April 21 | October – December |
| April | ||
| April 10 | May 12 | November – January |
| April 11 | May 12 | November – January |
| April 24 | May 27 | November – January |
| April 25 | May 27 | November – January |
| May | ||
| May 2 | June 2 | December – February |
| May 8 | June 9 | December – February |
| May 9 | June 9 | December – February |
| May 14 | June 16 | December – February |
| May 22 | June 23 | January – March |
| May 30 | June 30 | January – March |
| June | ||
| June 12 | July 14 | January – March |
| June 13 | July 14 | January – March |
| June 26 | July 28 | January – March |
| June 27 | July 28 | January – March |
| July | ||
| July 11 | August 11 | February – April |
| July 24 | August 25 | February – April |
| July 31 | September 2 | March – May |
| August | ||
| August 15 | September 15 | March – May |
| August 21 | September 22 | March – May |
| August 22 | September 22 | March – May |
| September | ||
| September 3 | October 6 | April – June |
| September 4 | October 6 | April – June |
| September 11 | October 13 | April – June |
| September 12 | October 13 | April – June |
When Does 2026 MCAT Registration Open?
The AAMC does not open all 31 dates at once. Registration opens in two distinct phases. Seats fill up within hours in major cities, so mark your calendar:
Registration opens Late October 2025
Registration opens Late February 2026
🎯 How to Choose the Right 2026 MCAT Date
Selecting your test date isn’t just about when you feel ready; it’s about aligning with the AMCAS medical school application cycle. Consider these three factors:
1. The AMCAS Timeline
Medical schools use rolling admissions. To be in the first batch of reviewed applications, you should take your MCAT by May 2026 so your scores are ready when applications transmit to schools in late June.
2. Prerequisite Courses
Ensure you have completed Physics II, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry before your test date. If you are taking Biochemistry in the Spring, a June or July date is safer than an April date.
3. Prep Time Required
The average successful premed studies for 300 to 350 hours. If you are a full-time student, you will need 4-6 months of prep. Taking a gap year? A 3-month intensive schedule might work.
⏳ AAMC Scheduling Deadlines & Fees (2026)
The AAMC enforces strict deadlines for canceling or rescheduling your exam. Missing these windows will cost you heavily.
Best time to reschedule or cancel. You receive the maximum refund and pay the lowest rescheduling fee.
Rescheduling fees increase significantly. Cancellation refunds are reduced.
Final deadline. Maximum rescheduling fee applies. No refunds for cancellations at this stage.
*Note: If you are within 9 days of your exam, you cannot reschedule or cancel online. You will forfeit your entire registration fee if you do not test.
⏱️ MCAT Test Day Schedule Breakdown
The MCAT is a marathon, lasting approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. Here is what your test day will look like:
- Examinee Agreement & Tutorial: 10 Minutes
- Chem/Phys (C/P): 95 Minutes (59 Questions)
- ☕ Optional Break: 10 Minutes
- CARS: 90 Minutes (53 Questions)
- 🥪 Mid-Exam Lunch Break: 30 Minutes
- Bio/Biochem (B/B): 95 Minutes (59 Questions)
- ☕ Optional Break: 10 Minutes
- Psych/Soc (P/S): 95 Minutes (59 Questions)
- Void Question & Survey: 5 Minutes
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time are MCAT scores released?
The AAMC officially states that scores are released by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the scheduled release date. However, historically, scores are often posted to the AAMC portal between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM Eastern Time. Follow the AAMC MCAT Twitter/X account for the official release tweet.
How many times can I take the MCAT?
The AAMC has strict testing limits. You can take the MCAT a maximum of 3 times in a single calendar year, 4 times over a two-year period, and exactly 7 times in your lifetime. Voided exams and no-shows count toward these limits.
Can I take the MCAT in January for the current application cycle?
Taking the MCAT in January is highly recommended for the upcoming application cycle (which opens in June). If you are trying to apply for the cycle that is currently ending, a January score is generally too late for most MD programs, though some DO programs with later deadlines may still accept it.