How Long Does It Take to Get MCAT Results

After taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), you’ll typically receive your score 30–35 days later, by 5 p.m. ET on your scheduled score release date. That makes it important to plan your test date strategically. Your score release date can affect when your application is complete and whether you have time for a retake.

Whether you’re scheduling your first MCAT or waiting for results, below you’ll find the latest score release calendar, how to check your scores, and what the timing means for your medical school application.

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MCAT Test and Score Release Dates

The 2027 MCAT test dates and corresponding score releases below can help you plan around your medical school applications. Before choosing an exam, consider how much time you need to study beforehand and whether you want room for a potential retake.

Find your ideal MCAT test date below, based on how long you need to study beforehand, scheduled score release dates, and when you want to submit your primaries.

2027 Test Date	Score Release Date	10-Day Deadline	Start Test Prep By (4-Month Study Window)
January 15	February 16	January 5	September 15, 2026
January 16	February 16	January 6	September 16, 2026
January 21	February 23	January 11	September 21, 2026
January 29	March 2	January 19	September 29, 2026
January 30*	March 2	January 20	September 30, 2026
February 12	March 16	February 2	October 12, 2026
March 6	April 6	February 24	November 6, 2026
March 19	April 20	March 9	November 19, 2026
April 9	May 11	March 30	December 9, 2026
April 10	May 11	March 31	December 10, 2026
April 16	May 18	April 6	December 16, 2026
April 17	May 18	April 7	December 17, 2026
May 1	June 2	April 21	January 1
May 7	June 8	April 27	January 7
May 8	June 8	April 28	January 8
May 13	June 15	May 3	January 13
May 14*	June 15	May 4	January 14
May 21	June 23	May 11	January 21
May 29	July 29	May 19	January 29
June 11	July 13	June 1	February 11
June 12	July 13	June 2	February 12
June 25	July 27	June 15	February 25
June 26	July 27	July 16	February 26
July 9*	August 10	June 29	March 9
July 10	August 10	June 30	March 10
July 23	August 24	July 13	March 23
July 30	August 31	July 20	March 30
August 14	September 14	August 4	April 14
August 20	September 21	August 10	April 20
August 21	September 21	August 11	April 21
August 28*	September 28	August 18	April 28
September 2	October 5	August 23	May 2
September 3	October 5	August 24	May 3
September 10	October 12	August 31	May 10
September 11	October 12	September 1	May 11

*These dates will only be available at select testing centers.

Rescheduling Fees

If your plans change, you can reschedule or cancel your MCAT up to the 10-day deadline. Your rescheduling fee or cancellation refund depends on how far in advance you make the change and whether you have Fee Assistance Program benefits.

The following fees and refunds apply to 2027 exams:

Time Before Exam	Standard Rescheduling Fee	Standard Cancellation Refund	Fee Assistance Rescheduling Fee	Fee Assistance Cancellation Refund
60 or more days	$55	$180	$25	$75
30–59 days	$110	$180	$45	$75
10–29 days	$210	$0	$85	$0

There is a 10-day deadline to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your MCAT exam. You cannot make any additional changes less than 10 days before your test. Scheduling policies and fees can change, so always confirm information directly through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) before making changes to your registration.

Learn More: Applying for MCAT Accommodations

Why Does It Take So Long to Get My Results?

It takes so long to get your test scores because MCAT scores are scaled scores (converted from a raw score) and equated (adjusted for minor difficulty differences on other test dates). This process takes 30-35 days. The MCAT isn’t graded on a curve with other pre-medical students.

In addition, the 4-week waiting period allows the AAMC to review any test-day concerns submitted by examinees, including issues related to testing conditions. This review process helps ensure the validity and fairness of all MCAT scores.

MCAT test results are typically released by 5 PM EST on the scheduled release date. While scores may appear earlier in the day, all scores are guaranteed to be available by 5 PM EST.

What to Do While Waiting for Your MCAT Results

After weeks or months of studying, waiting for your MCAT score can feel surprisingly hard. You might find yourself replaying difficult passages or wondering whether you should already be preparing for a retake. I recommend giving yourself a little breathing room and waiting for your actual score before making that decision. Walking out feeling uncertain doesn’t tell you how you performed.

In the meantime, here are a few things you can focus on:

Make progress on your application. If you’re applying soon, this can be a good time to work on your personal statement, draft your activities descriptions, or check in with letter writers. You don’t need your MCAT score to move those pieces forward.
Get to know potential schools. Look beyond GPA and MCAT averages to explore each program’s mission, curriculum, location, and residency preferences. Keep a working list of schools that interest you, then refine your choices once your score arrives.
Jot down a few reflections, then step away. If you noticed pacing challenges or found certain study strategies helpful, make a brief note while the experience is fresh. You can revisit those observations if you decide to retake, without spending the next month analyzing every question.
Make room for things you’ve put on hold. Reconnect with friends, return to hobbies, or catch up on rest without a study schedule. Taking a break after a demanding exam is a reasonable use of your time, too.

Once your score arrives, you’ll be better positioned to decide whether to move ahead with your application, adjust your school list, or plan another attempt.

What If My Score Is Lower Than Expected?

If you receive a total score that is lower than you were expecting, the best next step is to reassess your application strategy and decide whether to adjust your plan or retake the MCAT.

Here are some common options:

Adjust your school list: Focus more heavily on schools where your MCAT score is within or closer to the accepted range, and reduce emphasis on highly competitive reach programs. You can even consider programs that don’t require the MCAT.
Retake the MCAT: A retake may make sense if you can identify what needs to change and give yourself enough time to improve. Just keep in mind how another attempt would affect your application timeline. You can take the MCAT up to three times in one testing year, four times across two consecutive testing years, and seven times in your lifetime. These limits include your first attempt.
Consider a gap year: If your score is below your target range, taking an extra year to prep can give you time to improve your MCAT score. More time can also help you boost extracurriculars and GPA, improve your personal statement, and refine your application.
Request a rescore if you suspect a scoring error: A lower-than-expected score alone doesn’t mean an error occurred, but if you believe your exam was scored incorrectly, you can submit a Rescore Request through the MCAT Registration System within 30 calendar days of your score release. The fee is $80.
Get MCAT tutoring or structured support: Targeted MCAT preparation with tutoring or a structured study plan can help you identify weaknesses and improve your score on a retake.

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FAQs

Aim to take the MCAT early enough to receive your score before you want medical schools to review your application. Your ideal MCAT test date depends on your preparation, application timeline, and whether you want room for a potential retake.

If you plan to apply near the beginning of the admissions cycle, taking the exam by April or early May generally gives you time to receive your score before June. An earlier attempt provides more flexibility if you need to retake. You can submit your AMCAS application before your score arrives, but schools may wait for it before reviewing your application.

I recommend choosing a realistic study timeline rather than rushing to meet an early testing date. If you’re considering a late-summer or September exam, check each school’s latest accepted MCAT date and consider whether taking a gap year would give you more time to prepare and apply with a stronger application.

You can view your MCAT score through the AAMC Testing Services Score Reporting System by signing in with your AAMC credentials. Scores are released by 5 p.m. ET on your scheduled release day, and the AAMC will email you when they’re available.

MCAT scores are released on scheduled dates set by the AAMC, but in some cases, those dates have been moved earlier. When this happens, it is typically a one-time scheduling adjustment and not a consistent pattern across test dates, and examinees are informed of changes by email.

On the actual release day, scores may also appear earlier than the official 5 PM EST deadline. However, there is no guarantee of early access either on the day or ahead of the scheduled release date.

You do not need to wait for your MCAT score to submit your primary application. Many applicants submit early to verify coursework and begin processing while waiting for their scores, since admissions committees review applications in stages.

If you are unsure, reviewing your performance on MCAT essentials and full-length practice tests can help you estimate where you stand before committing to submission. If you are planning a retake, waiting for your score may help you make a more informed decision.

MCAT score release dates can directly shape your application timing because medical schools use rolling admissions. A later score release may delay when your application becomes fully complete, which can impact interview timing.

Earlier test dates generally allow applicants to submit a complete application sooner, which is a pattern often seen among successful matriculants. Your score release timeline also influences whether you have time for a retake, especially if your initial score is not in your target MCAT range.

If you’re applying through AMCAS, your MCAT scores are sent automatically to the schools you designate. You don’t need to request a separate score report for each school.

For schools or application services outside AMCAS, sign in to the AAMC Testing Services Score Reporting System and select “Share Scores.” Search for the institution or application service, verify your selection, and confirm the release. Check the recipient’s instructions to make sure you send your scores to the correct place.

First, confirm your release date on the AAMC’s official testing calendar and allow until 5 p.m. ET for your score to appear. Scores aren’t necessarily available first thing in the morning.

If the deadline has passed, sign out of the score reporting system and sign back in using the AAMC account you used to register. Check your email, including your spam folder, for any updates from the AAMC.

If your score is still missing, contact the MCAT Program at mcat@aamc.org or 202-828-0600. Phone support is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET, except Wednesdays from 3–5 p.m. ET. Have your AAMC ID and exam date ready so the team can look into the issue.

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The MCAT is a challenging exam that requires strong content knowledge, a solid test strategy, and consistent practice. Your performance on exam day plays a major role in shaping your medical school application outcomes.

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