If you’ve got your sights set on pursuing medical school, then the MCAT is going to be the vehicle to get you there. MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test and assesses candidates on their aptitude and suitability for what lies ahead of them in their academic and professional medical careers. The good news is that the exam is provided at a number of points throughout the year. This means that you should have an easy time finding a test date that fits your medical school application timeline. As you prepare for the academic demands of medical school, medical student tutoring can provide targeted support alongside your MCAT planning.
All you’ve got to do to apply is set yourself up with an AAMC account, land on a date that’s both available and suitable for your schedule, choose your testing center, and fill out the registration information before paying the fee. Now, we understand that it may seem like quite the handful, particularly if it’s your first time navigating the process. We’ve compiled the essential information to help you through your registration.
| Registration Date | Details |
|---|---|
| October 20, 2026 | 2027 MCAT registration opens at 12 p.m. ET |
| October 21, 2026 | 2027 MCAT registration opens at 12 p.m. ET |
| October 22, 2026 | 2027 MCAT registration opens at 12 p.m. ET |
MCAT Registration Overview: Here’s What You Need to Know
Everything related to the registration process and getting set up to take the MCAT is managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) through an online system. You’ll just need to be able to make it down to one of the testing centers that they have across the US, Canada, and even a handful of international locations. In terms of the window that you actually have to take the exam over, it’s offered between the month of January all the way through to September.
For the 2027 testing year, registration for January through September exam dates will open between October 20 and October 22, 2026, with different testing center locations opening on different days.
So, while you’ve got quite a chunk of time at your disposal to arrange a test, make sure to keep in the back of your mind that these centers have limited capacity. This means that the more popular dates and locations can fill up quickly after registration opens. So, be sure to be the fastest finger and get your test booked shortly after registration opens to avoid disappointment. However, if you’re booking after this date, you’ll always be able to select from the remaining dates; you just won’t be able to guarantee that your preferred time will be there to choose from. Comparing online MCAT preparation options can help you choose resources that fit your preferred preparation approach and budget.
One life hack that the AAMC provides to help make sure candidates end up with a suitable schedule is to keep your login information at your side and have several possible test dates and locations in mind. That way, once registration opens, you mitigate the risk of missing out when availability can change quickly.
How to Register for the MCAT
Let’s jump into the MCAT registration process so that you can get that exam date booked into your calendar. Thankfully, you don’t have to jump on any planes or trains in order to get yourself signed up, as it’s all handled online through the AAMC’s MCAT Registration System. You’ll just provide personal, educational, and background information that matches the identification that you present on the day. Researching a good MCAT score can help you establish an appropriate target before registering for the exam.
Step 1
Sign In to Your AAMC Account
Log in or create an account and complete required personal questions.
Step 2
Select Test Date and Location
Choose from available slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 3
Review Testing Policies and Agreements
Read the rules, including the 10-day change deadline, and agree to terms.
Step 4
Pay the Registration Fee
Pay $355 ($145 with fee assistance; +$130 for international testing).
Step 1: Sign in to Your AAMC Account
Okay, first things first. You’re going to want to sign in using your AAMC ID, username, and password. If you don’t already have one, they make it super simple to create one for yourself then and there. If you misplace your password or simply forget your account details, you can always recover them through the link accompanying the login page. Once you’ve gotten yourself signed in, you’ll be presented with a few personal questions that, like any other account you’ve set up in the past, collect your contact details, background, and education.
Step 2: Select Your Preferred Test Date and Location
With the setup out of the way, you can shift your focus to selecting your preferred time and location for the test. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so you’ll only be able to choose from the available slots remaining across the various test centers.
That’s why it comes in handy to have a couple of backup options in mind beforehand.
That way, if high demand for slots causes appointments at your preferred date or test center to become unavailable, you can quickly try again for the next one.
If you don’t have any luck securing your preferred test, you can make use of their appointment notification system.
This is essentially a cancellation list for AAMC appointments, so if another candidate can’t make their date, the place will be assigned to this priority list. So, make sure to keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on your email inbox!
Understanding the MCAT exam sections can help you identify the subjects and skills you need to prepare for before taking the exam.
Step 3: Review Testing Policies and Agreements
Once you’ve navigated the first two steps without any issues, you’ll then be presented with all of the policies and conditions that govern the MCAT. Now, unlike minor accounts you may have made across various online services in the past, you’ll actually need to familiarize yourself with the policies before clicking agree. It’s definitely in your interest, too, seeing as there’s a bunch of information surrounding registration and scheduling rules that have strict deadlines.
For instance, if you’re looking to make changes to an appointment that you’ve set, you’ll only be able to do so up to 10 days before the exam; after that, you won’t be able to touch it.
can generally be made only up to 10 days before the exam. Then you’ve also got some information in there about approved accommodations, which you’ll learn need to be arranged with sufficient time for your chosen test center to implement them.
Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee
Moving on to the final step of the process, we’ll be answering one of the questions that you’ve likely got on your mind: how much the registration process is going to set you back. For 2026 testing dates, the standard MCAT registration fee is $355. So, it’s by no means a cheap endeavor, so you’ll definitely want to pass it the first time around.
On the bright side, if you’ve been approved for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, you’ll actually qualify for a reduced registration fee.
This means you'll just have to part ways with a total fee of $145, helping you keep some of that hard-earned money in your pocket!
However, if you’re from overseas, you won’t be as fortunate, as you’ll actually be required to pay an additional international fee of $130.
Of course, as a student, you’re going to need to account for every expense, so make sure to consider the hidden costs associated with the process, such as transportation, accommodation, and other expenses associated with reaching your selected testing center.
Learning effective MCAT study techniques can help you make better use of the time between registration and test day.
MCAT Test Dates 2026
In terms of when the test itself is available for students like yourself to take, it’s actually facilitated at several points throughout the year. Students can find tests to register for between the months of January and September. As for the exact dates available, this largely depends on the respective testing center. Seeing as the overwhelming majority of candidates who have ambitions of sitting the test are aspiring medical professionals, the medical school application cycle plays a major role in the demand for 2026 MCAT dates. That way, there’s sufficient time for scores to be released before applications progress further. This is why you’ll notice that dates at your preferred testing center have few places remaining between spring and early summer, unless you’re one of the lucky ones who get there before the herd.
| Exam Date | Score Release Date |
|---|---|
| January 9, 2026 | February 10, 2026 |
| January 10, 2026 | February 10, 2026 |
| January 15, 2026 | February 17, 2026 |
| January 23, 2026 | February 24, 2026 |
| February 13, 2026 | March 17, 2026 |
| March 7, 2026 | April 7, 2026 |
| March 20, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| April 10, 2026 | May 12, 2026 |
| April 11, 2026 | May 12, 2026 |
| April 24, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
| April 25, 2026 | May 27, 2026 |
| May 8, 2026 | June 9, 2026 |
| May 9, 2026 | June 9, 2026 |
| May 22, 2026 | June 23, 2026 |
| May 30, 2026 | July 1, 2026 |
| June 12, 2026 | July 14, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | July 14, 2026 |
| June 26, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| June 27, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| July 11, 2026 | August 11, 2026 |
| July 24, 2026 | August 25, 2026 |
| July 31, 2026 | September 1, 2026 |
| August 15, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| August 21, 2026 | September 22, 2026 |
| August 22, 2026 | September 22, 2026 |
| September 3, 2026 | October 6, 2026 |
| September 4, 2026 | October 6, 2026 |
| September 11, 2026 | October 13, 2026 |
| September 12, 2026 | October 13, 2026 |
With that said, the best test date is always going to be the one that gives you enough time to prepare thoroughly while fitting your intended application timeline. Everything related to the dates and score release schedule comes through the AAMC. Looking forward to next year’s application registration, they have confirmed that for the January through September testing year, it’ll open from October 20 through October 22, 2026.
How Long Does It Take to Get MCAT Scores?
Like any exam you’ll have done in the past, you’ll likely have some sort of feeling as to how you performed on the exam. However, you won’t have much more than that feeling to go off for some time, seeing as MCAT scores are not available immediately after the exam.
Before registering, ensure you have your AAMC login credentials, a valid payment method, and a list of backup test dates and locations ready.
The results are scheduled to follow the exam dates by about four to five weeks. If we look at this year as an example, students who took the MCAT on May 8 received word about their scores on June 9, while those who tested on July 24 received scores on August 25. Knowing the MCAT testing costs can help you account for registration, preparation, and potential rescheduling expenses.
This can be a valuable consideration to keep in mind when selecting your test date. If you need your official result back by a certain time, you can book accordingly. To get your hands on your results for all MCAT 2026 dates, once they become available, you’ll want to head over to the AAMC Score Reporting System, where you’ll be able to find them no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the scheduled release date.
When Should You Register for the MCAT?
There technically isn’t a correct date when it comes to when a student should register for the MCAT. However, it’s never going to hurt to register early, as it’s going to be the safest approach to landing your preferred exam date. While the window for registration is rather generous, remember that plenty of students will be booking their tests, too, taking from the already limited places on highly desired test dates and locations.
Registering early is generally the safest approach, particularly if you have a specific test date or location in mind. Although the registration system remains open after the initial registration period, individual appointments can fill because seats are limited. Students who wait may therefore have to choose a less convenient date or travel farther to an available testing center.
While this is, of course, an important consideration, your main goal should always be choosing a date that gives you sufficient time to master the tested material and drill through those sample exam papers! Now that you’ve got a good understanding of the registration process that you’ll need to go through in order to land your preferred date and test location, you can put your time and energy back into what matters most: preparing to reach your potential on the exam!
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