MCAT
Medical College Admission Test
Most U.S. medical schools, and many in Canada, require recent MCAT scores, and many other health-professions and graduate programmes also accept them. The computer-based exam is taken at Pearson test centres in the United States, Canada and select locations worldwide. Three of its four multiple-choice sections draw on biology, biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and sociology; the fourth, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, needs no specific content knowledge. The AAMC notes that MCAT scores and GPA are just one part of a medical school application; its Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database shows the MCAT and GPA ranges of past applicants and matriculants at every MD-granting, LCME-accredited medical school in the U.S. and Canada. Medical schools generally accept scores from the past two or three years; each school sets its own policy.
Frequency
Multiple dates each year, January–September (35 U.S. dates on the 2027 calendar; fewer at many international centres)
Duration
About 7 hours 30 minutes seated (6 hours 15 minutes of content; check-in not included)
Format
Computer-based
Score range
472–528 (four sections, 118–132 each)
Eligibility
For people preparing to apply to a health-professions programme that accepts MCAT scores (MD, DO, podiatric, veterinary and others) who are not, and have not been, enrolled in one; anyone else must request AAMC special permission. Limits: 3 attempts per testing year, 4 over two consecutive testing years, 7 in a lifetime (counted from April 2015)
Conducting body
AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
Registration fee
US$355 (2026 testing year); testing outside the US, Canada or US territories adds a non-refundable US$130 international fee (US$485); US$145 for approved Fee Assistance Program awardees; any local sales tax, VAT or GST is added at scheduling
Source: AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). Details here are for guidance only — fees, dates and eligibility change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
Verified against: AAMC — Take the MCAT® Exam (official MCAT hub); AAMC — MCAT scheduling fees (2026 testing dates); AAMC — register for the MCAT exam (January–September dates); AAMC — U.S. MCAT calendar and scheduling deadlines; AAMC — U.S. territories and international MCAT testing calendar; AAMC MCAT Essentials — What’s on the MCAT exam? (sections, timing, computer-based); AAMC MCAT Essentials — MCAT exam scoring; AAMC MCAT Essentials — eligible health professions programs and special permission; AAMC MCAT Essentials — testing attempt limits; AAMC — how long are MCAT scores valid?; AAMC — Four tips for using the MSAR (school-specific MCAT ranges).
Last verified: 29 September 2026.
Universities that accept MCAT
Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.
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