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:
Allopathic medical schools that specialize in conventional medical practices.
Osteopathic medical schools that specialize in holistic medical practices.
Medical schools that specialize in the treatment of the foot and lower leg.
Veterinary medical schools for the treatment of animals.
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 2023
Click on your country to view your testing dates:
January 13 | May 12 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 |
March 11 | May 18 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
April 14 | June 16 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8, |
April 28 | July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
January 13 | June 3 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
March 11 | June 29 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
April 14 | July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
May 12 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 |
January 13 | January 27 | April 14 | May 12 | June 16 |
January 19 | May 12 | July 28 | August 11 | August 26 | September 9 |
March 11 | May 13 | July 29 | August 12 | August 31 | |
March 24 | June 16 | August 3 | August 19 | September 1 | |
April 14 | June 29 | August 4 | August 24 | September 2 | |
April 28 | July 15 | August 5 | August 25 | September 8 |
January 19 | June 29 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
March 24* | July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
April 28 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 | |
May 18 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
January 13 | April 28 | July 15 | August 5 | August 25 | September 8 |
January 19 | May 12 | July 28 | August 11 | August 26 | September 9 |
March 11 | May 18 | July 29 | August 12 | August 31 | |
March 24 | June 3 | August 3 | August 19 | September 1 | |
April 15 | June 29 | August 4 | August 24 | September 2 |
January 19 | April 15 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
January 20 | July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
January 21 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 | |
April 14 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
January 13 | June 16 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
January 14 | June 17 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
March 24 | July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
March 25 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 |
January 13 | March 24 | June 16 | July 29 | August 12 | August 31 |
January 14 | April 14 | June 17 | August 3 | August 19 | September 1 |
January 19 | May 12 | June 23 | August 4 | August 24 | September 2 |
January 27 | May 18 | July 15 | August 5 | August 25 | September 8 |
March 11 | June 3 | July 28 | August 11 | August 26 | September 9 |
January 19 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
April 14 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
July 15 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 |
January 13 | June 29 | August 3 | August 12 | August 26 | September 8 |
March 24 | June 29 | August 4 | August 19 | August 31 | September 9 |
April 14 | July 28 | August 5 | August 24 | September 1 | |
May 12 | July 29 | August 11 | August 25 | September 2 |
January 13 | April 28 | June 3 | July 17 | August 11 | August 31 |
January 14 | April 29 | June 16 | July 28 | August 12 | September 1 |
January 19 | May 12 | June 17 | July 29 | August 19 | September 2 |
January 27 | May 13 | June 23 | August 3 | August 24 | September 8 |
March 11 | May 18 | June 24 | August 4 | August 25 | September 9 |
March 24 | May 26 | June 29 | August 5 | August 26 |
January 27 | May 12 | July 28 | August 11 | August 26 | September 9 |
March 11 | May 13 | July 29, | August 12 | August 31 | |
March 24 | May 26 | August 3 | August 19 | September 1 | |
April 28 | June 23 | August 4 | August 24 | September 2 | |
April 29 | July 15 | August 5 | August 25 | September 8 |
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.