MCAT Test Dates and Score Release Dates (2023)

As a hopeful premed, you already know the MCAT is a big deal—it is arguably the most heavily weighted objective measurement when it comes to medical school acceptance. You need a good score to even be considered by top schools, which means you need to schedule plenty of time for dedicated studying before your test date. So, what are the MCAT test dates for this year, and when are MCAT scores released?

As much as you may want to see your MCAT score as soon as possible, MCAT score release dates are not until many weeks after you take the test. In addition to sharing all of the dates for 2023 below, we’ll also cover what to do while you wait for your results, how to access your MCAT scores, and how to determine whether or not you have a high enough score.

2023 MCAT Test Dates

In 2023, between the months of January and September, you can expect anywhere from two to six opportunities to take the MCAT each month, with the lowest being two in March and July and the most being six in June. Note that there are no MCAT test dates available in February or October through December 2023.

Image Credit: AAMC—Download the complete 2023 MCAT calendar, including scheduling deadlines and score release dates for US testing centers.

What Are the 10 Day, 30 Day, and 60 Day Deadlines?

The 10, 30, and 60 day deadlines represent the standard change fees. It costs $330 to register for the MCAT initially, and if you want to change your MCAT test date or testing center, you can expect fees.

60 or more days before your exam: It costs $50 to change the date or the testing center, and your cancellation refund is $165.

30-59 days before your exam: It costs $100 to change the date or the testing center, and your cancellation refund is $165.

10-29 days before your exam: It costs $200 to change the date or the testing center, and you will not receive a refund of any kind.

The 10 day deadline represents the final opportunity to schedule your test, change your test date, or change your testing center. It’s also the last day you can edit your registration information. You cannot make any changes less than 10 days before the exam, and all deadlines are at 11:59 pm local test center time on the day of the deadline.

Find more information about rescheduling, cancellations, fees, and fee assistance from AAMC.

2023 MCAT Score Release Dates

Official MCAT scores are released 30-35 days after an exam date. If this seems like a long time, keep in mind that it takes about a month to scale and equate each form after test day, and the process is taken very seriously to ensure everything is above board.

Plus, this is the time when students can submit any complaints they have about certain questions or test conditions. If anything out of the ordinary or inappropriate happened on test day, students are encouraged to submit a report, which can be done so anonymously. Any reports of this kind are taken very seriously and need time to be investigated.

Even if the reasoning makes sense, it still feels like a long time. Here’s how long you’ll have to wait to receive your MCAT score based on the date you take the test.

What Time Are MCAT Scores Released?

MCAT scores are released by 5 pm ET on the scheduled score release date. So, if your test date is April 28, 2023, you can expect your MCAT score to be released by 5 pm on the scheduled score release date: May 31, 2023.

Does AAMC Ever Release MCAT Scores Early?

While there may have been occurrences of this in the past, MCAT scores are generally not released early, so don’t count on it.

You can stay up-to-date on when scores are available by following AAMC on Twitter (@AAMC_MCAT). At the same time, remember that the MCAT is only one piece of your medical school application. You do yourself no favors by continually checking to see if your score is available before the deadline. As difficult as it may be, put the MCAT behind you for the score release window so that you can focus on other important aspects of your schooling, medical experience, and application preparation.

What to Do While You Wait for MCAT Results

Waiting for your MCAT score results is undeniably stressful. After all of that hard work, you just want to know how you did so that you can move on with the rest of your application or determine if you want to take the MCAT again. But for better or worse, your MCAT score is out of your hands for a month or more after you take the test.

Regardless of your results, you’ve just crossed a major milestone in your medical education and future career. See friends and family, invest some time in your hobbies, eat some good food, practice mindfulness, exercise, and do whatever you need to in order to relax and find some balance.

Once you’ve taken a short time to rejuvenate yourself, you can turn your attention back to the other essential components of your medical school application, such as building relationships and gaining extracurricular experience.

If you are a traditional student taking the MCAT in your final years of premed, you’ll still have a lot on your plate after taking the MCAT. Find solace in knowing one aspect of your application is complete, but remember that your MCAT results are now outside of your control. You can’t change how you did on the test, so put your effort into the areas you do have control over, such as your extracurricular experiences and GPA.

Ensure you’re working on all of the right components at the correct time. Read our Medical School Application Timeline and Monthly Schedule.

How to Access Your MCAT Score Once It’s Released

On the day your test scores are released, you can access the MCAT Score Reporting System on the AAMC website. Click the Get Your Scores button, enter your Username and Password, and, hopefully, find the score of your dreams.

Regardless of whether or not you are happy with your score, save it to a PDF. Save everything you can, as you never know what can happen. It’s possible you’ll face a technical or login issue, so it’s imperative to make a record for yourself and keep it somewhere safe so that you know the date and your score and do not have to keep logging into the website.

What’s a Good MCAT Score? Is Your Score Good Enough?

Your MCAT score isn’t everything, but it is a heavily weighted factor in medical school applications. However, you don’t necessarily need a perfect 528 to get into a top-tier school.

Right off the bat, if you want to be a competitive candidate, you need to aim for a higher than average MCAT. According to the AAMC, the average med school applicant has an MCAT of 506.5, and the average successful matriculant has an MCAT of 511.9. Check AAMC official data for current and previous averages.

Read our MCAT Study Guide, which includes everything you need to prepare, including how the MCAT is scored, study strategies, and frequently asked questions.

Admissions committees see each applicant as an investment, and they don’t want to take risks. Your MCAT score is considered the best indicator admissions committees have of whether or not you can handle the massive academic challenges that come with medical school. So, the higher the score, the better. But just how high does your score need to be?

The answer depends on your specific situation and a couple of important factors. Namely, how strong are the other aspects of your application, and what were the MCAT scores of previous matriculants at your top choice schools?

The AAMC MSAR database is the official resource for determining how you compare to matriculants at each medical school. It shows you the average MCAT, GPA, and standard deviation for the schools you want to go to. It’s not a free resource, but it is an invaluable one if you want to determine just how high of an MCAT you need to be considered by your top choice schools.

Take a look through the information to determine the average MCAT scores of successful matriculants at the schools you most want to attend. If you have a low GPA compared to other matriculants, you’ll need to make up for that in other areas, such as your MCAT score. If you have a low MCAT score in comparison, you will need to ensure you build an excellent and compelling narrative with your personal statement and have glowing letters of recommendation.

While you have the option to retake the MCAT, it’s a very draining process that will take time and energy away from other important aspects of your application.

Learn more: Is Your MCAT Score Good Enough?

How to Know If You’re Ready to Take the MCAT

No one likes to wait for their results, but you can ease your post MCAT stress by entering the test prepared and with confidence.

Knowing whether or not you’re ready to take the MCAT comes down to three key factors.

• How well your MCAT studying is going.
• Your results on practice tests.
• Your personal state of mind (your confidence level, timeline, etc.)

Keep in mind that delaying your MCAT could be a costly mistake, as the longer you spend studying, the more likely you are to forget previous material.

Learn more: Should You Delay Your MCAT? How to Know If You’re Ready.

The Med School Insiders MCAT Course will get you up to speed fast, so you can book your MCAT test date with confidence. The course distills the strategies we’ve learned from helping thousands of students successfully approach the MCAT process. We fully believe in our process. That’s why you can try the Med School Insiders MCAT Course risk-free. If you’re not fully satisfied, we’ll give you a 100% refund.

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