MCAT® Exam for International Students
Eligibility & Application Process

The path to studying and practicing medicine in the United States as an international student can be difficult. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges® (AAMC®), international students make up roughly 0.6% of U.S. medical school matriculants. To help you achieve your goals, we’ll discuss how you can maximize your odds of being accepted with a top MCAT score.

Before conducting research into the MCAT, you should determine if applying to medical school in the United States is a realistic path based on your individual circumstances. You can use the AAMC website to learn more about Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®), which schools accept international students, available degrees, tuition costs, and other university information.

MCAT Eligibility Requirements for International Students

International students who plan to apply to a health professions school are eligible to take the MCAT. There are no course prerequisites, but it’s suggested to complete introductory science, psychology, and sociology courses at your university before attempting the exam. “Health professions school” is defined by the AAMC as:

M.D.-Granting Programs

Allopathic medical schools that specialize in conventional medical practices.

M.D.-Granting Programs
D.O.-Granting Programs

Osteopathic medical schools that specialize in holistic medical practices.

Podiatric (D.P.M)

Medical schools that specialize in the treatment of the foot and lower leg.

Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M)
Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M)

Veterinary medical schools for the treatment of animals.

Other

Health-related programs that accept MCAT exam results to satisfy a test score admissions requirement.

If you’re in an MBBS program, or hold an MBBS degree or equivalent, you do not need to seek special permission to take the exam. Students in need of special permission to take the MCAT must email [email protected] stating why they wish to take the exam.

MCAT Registration for International Students

To register for the MCAT as an international student, you will first need to create an account through the MCAT Registration System. Ensure that you abide by all MCAT registration rules and guidelines set by the AAMC to avoid potential penalties.

MCAT Exam Cost for International Students

Once you’ve registered for the exam, you can schedule your test date and location. Students taking the exam outside of the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories must pay a nonrefundable $120 fee on top of the standard $330 registration fee, totaling $450 (all fees are in USD).

Rescheduling and Cancellation

MCAT rescheduling and cancellation for international students follow the same guidelines as for American and Canadian students. The only difference is that international students are subject to losing their $120 fee in the event of cancellation. Nonrefundable rescheduling fees and cancellation refunds are as follows:

Days Out From Exam Date and/or Test Center Rescheduling 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

*All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local test-center time and you should receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.

MCAT Testing Centers & Dates for International Students

International MCAT test dates and locations vary by country, but registration deadlines and score release dates correspond to U.S. MCAT test dates. For the latest information on test dates and locations, or to register, visit the MCAT Registration System. Please note that the MCAT is always administered in English.

MCAT International Test Dates 2024

Click on your country to view your testing dates:

January 12May 24July 26August 23September 6
March 22June 27August 2August 24September 13
April 26July 13August 17September 5September 14
Similar to the United States, Canada offers a large number of testing dates. You can view the full Canadian testing calendar here.
January 26May 24July 26August 23September 6
March 22June 27August 2August 24September 13
April 26July 13August 17September 5September 14
January 26May 24July 26August 23September 6
March 22June 27August 2August 24September 13
April 26July 13August 17September 5September 14
January 26May 16August 2September 6
March 9May 24August 17September 13
March 22June 27August 23September 14
April 12July 13August 24 
April 26July 26September 5 
January 18 May 24 July 26 August 23 September 6
March 22* June 27 August 2 August 24 September 13
April 26 July 13 August 17 September 5 September 14
* Start time is 7:00 a.m. local time
January 26May 24July 26August 23September 6
March 22June 27August 2August 24September 13
April 26July 13August 17September 5September 14
January 12July 13August 17September 5September 14
January 13July 26August 23September 6 
April 26August 2August 24September 13 
January 12June 14July 26August 23September 6
January 13June 15August 2August 24September 13
March 22July 13August 17September 5September 14
* Please note: seats will be available for scheduling beginning on November 2 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
January 12April 26July 13August 24
January 13May 16July 26September 5
January 18May 24August 2September 6
January 26June 14August 17September 13
March 22June 27August 23September 14
January 26June 27August 17September 6
March 22July 13August 23September 13
April 26July 26August 24September 14
May 24August 2September 5September 1
January 26June 27August 17September 6
March 22July 13August 23September 13
April 26July 26August 24September 14
May 24August 2September 5September 1
January 12April 13June 15August 17September 14
January 13April 26June 22August 23 
January 18April 27June 27August 24 
January 26May 16July 13September 5 
March 9May 24July 26September 6 
March 22June 14August 2September 13 
January 26May 24August 23
March 22June 27September 13
April 26July 26 

Medical School Application Requirements for International Students

Most U.S. medical schools require students to apply through the American Medical School Application Service (AMCAS®). However, AMCAS does not accept foreign transcripts or verify foreign coursework unless they were accepted by an accredited U.S., Canadian, or U.S. territorial post-secondary institution.

International Student Transcripts & Coursework

Entering coursework and requesting transcripts should be completed using instructions on the AMCAS website.

  • If your transcripts and courses were not accepted by a qualifying institution, then they will not be verified, and an AMCAS GPA will not be calculated. Some medical schools may ask for your transcripts through a secondary application.
  • If courses taken at a foreign institution were accepted by a qualifying institution and appear on that official transcript, then that qualifying institution’s official transcript will be required. AMCAS will then verify and include those courses in your AMCAS GPA. Such a situation may be applicable for study-abroad programs.

Citizenship, Visa Status, and Language Proficiency

When completing your AMCAS and secondary applications, you must clearly and accurately indicate your citizenship status and any relevant visa information. It is also worthwhile to note which languages you are proficient in on your AMCAS application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT and will use it to compare you against your peers. Additionally, U.S. medical schools have varying policies regarding international students. To avoid disappointment, check MSAR in advance.
According to MSAR, 48 U.S. medical schools accept international students as of 2023-24. Before taking the MCAT, you should research additional information on these schools and their requirements.
Generally speaking, it’s difficult for international students to get accepted into U.S. medical schools. According to the AAMC, only 325 of 1,890 foreign applicants who applied to M.D.-granting programs in the United States in 2019 were accepted, with 272 matriculating (17.2% acceptance rate and 14.4% matriculation rate).
To become doctors in the U.S., international students need to take the MCAT, apply to medical schools through AMCAS, and complete their chosen programs and licensing exams.
Yes, UWorld MCAT prep was recently voted as the #1 most helpful resource for students preparing for the MCAT. With practice questions at or above exam difficulty, research-backed learning tools, and full curriculum coverage, you’ll receive everything you need to achieve a top MCAT score.
Only students with a permanent U.S. address qualify for the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program. An equivalent program is also available for Canadian examinees.
To differentiate yourself from other medical school applicants, a high MCAT score is crucial. This varies by university, but a score of 510 or higher is typically considered a “good” score. Although, with relatively low matriculation rates for international students, we encourage you to strive for a better score. After taking the exam, you should receive your score within 30-35 days of your test date.
The best way to prepare for the MCAT is to start early. Many students begin their studying 3 to 6 months or more before their exam and allocate 300 hours for dedicated review time. Practicing MCAT-style questions in a realistic exam environment is recommended, especially if English isn’t your first language. You should also study the exam format and topics for each MCAT section.

Read More About the MCAT

About the MCAT Exam
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