MCAT® Registration Guide
Requirements, Scheduling, and Cost
To take the MCAT, you will first need to get an AAMC ID and register through the MCAT Registration System. From here, you can schedule your exam according to your preferred testing date and location. There are a number of requirements and procedures to keep in mind throughout this process that we will outline below, in addition to what to expect if you need to reschedule or cancel your exam.
MCAT Requirements & Eligibility
If you plan to apply to a health professions school, you are eligible to take the MCAT. It’s as simple as that. The MCAT does not have course prerequisites, but it is highly recommended to complete introductory science, psychology, and sociology courses at your university before attempting the exam. The AAMC defines “health professions school” 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.
Pre-Medical Requirements
Most medical schools require aspiring medical students to take the MCAT, write personal statements, provide letters of recommendation, and meet course requirements. Generally speaking, students must take a specified number of credit hours in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, math, and the humanities. Some students prefer to apply to medical schools that don’t require the MCAT, but those schools are rare. Check the application requirements and deadlines of your preferred medical schools to ensure you submit everything on time.
How to Register for the MCAT
To register for the MCAT, create an account through the MCAT Registration System using the exact name on your MCAT-accepted ID. You will be asked to submit accurate contact, background, and education information, as well as agree to various consents and policies.
To avoid potential penalties, ensure that you abide by all MCAT registration rules. Several rules to be aware of include the following:
- Obtain only one AAMC ID
- Do not register for or take the MCAT under another individual’s AAMC ID
- Do not hold multiple appointments at the same time
- Provide true and accurate information when creating your AAMC ID and registering to take the exam
MCAT Registration Dates and Deadlines
The AAMC offers full lists of MCAT test dates based on your location that contain corresponding 60-day, 30-day, and 10-day registration deadlines. These deadlines will impact your eligibility to make testing date changes and determine the cancellation refund amount you may receive. As you plan your exam date, we highly encourage you to register early.
MCAT Scheduling
After registration, you will be able to schedule your MCAT test date and location. Please note that Pearson VUE test centers have limited capacity and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will be required to pay a registration fee according to the following chart:
| Standard Registration | $330 |
| Fee Assistance Program Registration |
$135 |
| International Registration Fee* | $120 |
*Students testing outside of the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories must pay a $120 fee in addition to their registration fee. International fees are nonrefundable upon cancellation.
MCAT Rescheduling
You can reschedule your MCAT exam up to 10 days before your testing date through the MCAT Registration System. You should receive an email confirmation within 24 hours. To reschedule your exam, the following conditions must be met:
- Scheduling must be open for your desired exam date
- Space must be available (check through the MCAT Registration System)
- Changes must be made at least 10 days prior to your exam date
- Your desired exam date must be in the same testing year as your old exam date
It’s recommended to make all of your changes at once (i.e., test date and test center) instead of separately to avoid duplicate fees.
The nonrefundable rescheduling fees are as follows:
| Days Out From Exam | Standard Date and/or Test Center Rescheduling Fee | Fee Assistance Program Date and/or Test Center Rescheduling Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 60 or more days before exam | $50 | $20 |
| 30-59 days before exam | $100 | $40 |
| 10-29 days before exam | $200 | $80 |
*All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local test-center time.
MCAT Cancellation
You can cancel your MCAT exam up to 10 days before your testing date through the MCAT Registration System. You should receive an email confirmation within 24 hours. Additionally, you may need to wait until 24 hours after your original exam date to schedule a new testing date. In such a scenario, you will be required to pay the full registration fee. If you fail to cancel your exam and do not sit for the exam, you will lose an attempt.
Cancellation refunds are available and will be automatically applied to the card used for scheduling. Please note that the AAMC does not provide refunds to different forms of payment than were originally used.
Your total refund amount will reflect the following chart:
| Days Out From Exam | Standard Cancellation Refund | Fee Assistance Program Cancellation Refund |
|---|---|---|
| 60 or more days before exam | $165 | $70 |
| 30-59 days before exam | $165 | $70 |
| 10-29 days before exam | $0 | $0 |
MCAT Emergency Refund Request
The AAMC will provide emergency refunds to students who submit approved documentation confirming an extenuating hardship prior to their MCAT exam appointment. Several notable, qualifying events include:
- Hospitalization or a doctor’s visit for an unexpected, acute medical emergency
- The death of an immediate family member
- You must perform primary caregiver duties for someone who is ill
- You are required to report for jury duty
- You test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of your exam
You can view a full list of qualifying events and required documentation here. Events that are not listed are subject to the AAMC’s discretion. You should submit your request using the Emergency Refund Request Form in the Service Requests section of the MCAT Registration System. All documents must be received no later than 10 days after your exam date. Refunds are not guaranteed, and the maximum amount reflects the 30+ day cancellation refund amount.
MCAT Accommodations
Testing accommodations are available for those with disabilities or medical conditions that require alterations to the standard testing conditions. The AAMC encourages you to apply for accommodations through the MCAT Accommodations Online system. You will likely receive a decision within 60 days of the AAMC receiving your initial application, but should plan in advance for potential delays or necessary alterations. In total, there are five accommodations applications to be aware of:
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Initial: This application is for your first request for accommodations. It must be completed before you can submit any of the following forms. If it has been more than five years since your last determination, you will need to submit another initial application.
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Reconsideration: This form is for if you need to have your initial application re-reviewed, or if you need to request additional accommodations that have not been previously requested. It must include new and substantial information.
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Appeal: An appeal is a request to have your initial application re-reviewed without providing any additional or substantially different documentation. You can submit one appeal, and determinations are final. You should consider whether an appeal or reconsideration is more appropriate for your situation.
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Extension: An extension form is used to request an extension of your previously approved accommodations. If you need new accommodations in addition to an extension of approved accommodations, then you should use the reconsideration form.
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Incomplete: If your initial application is deemed incomplete, it means you have not provided enough information to allow for a full review of your request. “Incomplete” does not mean “denial,” so you will not be able to submit a reconsideration or appeal form until you complete your initial application and receive a determination.
You can find the AAMC’s accommodations application guidelines and requirements here. Once you have read the requirements and gathered necessary documentation, you can submit your accommodations application. The AAMC also offers recommended accommodations application dates based on your chosen testing date and which type of accommodations application you need to submit.
To schedule an MCAT exam date with accommodations, you will need to follow the AAMC’s 2-step scheduling process. You must be approved for accommodations and have your scheduling request submitted to Pearson VUE at least 15 days prior to your testing date.