How to Choose the Right MCAT Date in 2025 Based on Your Prep and Application Goals

If you’re planning to take the MCAT exam in 2025, picking the right test date is a key part of your strategy. Early MCAT preparation and strategic planning are essential to maximize your score and ensure you meet all application deadlines. The MCAT score plays a large role in your medical school application, but timing affects more than just when you test; it impacts your prep schedule, retake options, and when your scores are released. Whether you’re applying to med schools this cycle or next, your exam date should align with your goals and readiness.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2025 MCAT test dates, score release timelines, and how to plan backward from your application deadlines. Preparing for the MCAT and understanding the MCAT registration process are both important parts of your overall timeline. It’s meant for students who are testing for the first time, retaking the exam, or applying in either the 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 cycles.

MCAT Dates 2025 – What You Need to Know

Overview of 2025 MCAT Test Dates

The 2025 MCAT test dates run from January through September, with 30 available exams across that range. There are no test dates in February, October, November, or December. MCAT testing is most frequently offered from March through September, providing candidates with a wide range of options during the main testing window.

Here’s what you need to know upfront:

• The MCAT exam begins at 8:00 a.m. local time, unless otherwise noted by your test center.
• All test dates are managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
• Testing is available at certified test center locations in the U.S., Canada, and select international sites.
• It is important to select your testing location early to secure your preferred spot and avoid last-minute stress.
• MCAT registration for January–June opened on October 2, 2024. Registering early increases your chances of getting your preferred date and location.
• MCAT registration for July–September opened February 19, 2025. Early registration is recommended due to high demand.
• High-demand test dates and testing locations fill quickly, especially in May and June.

If you’re targeting a popular MCAT date, such as late spring or early summer, you need to register as soon as the window opens. Some students miss their preferred date and location by waiting even a few days. Scores are typically released at 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled score release date.

How the MCAT Scheduling System Works

Every MCAT test date has three critical scheduling deadlines:

• All deadlines are enforced by 11:59 p.m. local test center time.
• If you miss these cutoffs, your only option is to no-show or forfeit your fee.
• Changes made after the 60-day window come with significant fees, so use these deadlines to lock in your strategy.

2025 MCAT Dates With Deadlines and Score Release

To help you plan backward, here are five upcoming MCAT dates, along with their scheduling deadlines and scheduled score release dates (MCAT scores are typically released 30–35 days after the exam date at 5:00 p.m. ET).

View the full list of 2025 MCAT dates on the AAMC website

Expert Tips for Using This Calendar Strategically

• If you’re applying to medical schools in June 2025, your latest recommended MCAT test date is May 2025. This gives you time for your score to be released before you submit.
• If you’re not applying until 2026, you can target June–September 2025 test dates, but remember to build in a buffer in case you need to retake the exam.
• International students may need to register even earlier due to limited test center availability abroad.
• If you qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, you may be eligible for a reduced fee and early access to scheduling.

How to Choose the Right MCAT Test Date

Choosing the right MCAT test date isn’t just about picking what feels convenient. It’s about reverse-engineering your test schedule based on your application goals, your readiness, and your real-life commitments. Here’s how to do it with intention.

1. Match Your Test Date to Your Application Timeline

Your application cycle determines your score deadline. If you’re applying to medical schools in the 2025–2026 cycle, your MCAT score should be ready before you submit your primary application in June 2025.

• The latest test dates for this group are typically in April or May 2025.
• Those allow enough time for the scheduled score release date (30–35 days later) to arrive before AMCAS opens.
• Testing in June or later means your score may arrive after schools begin reviewing files, putting you at a disadvantage in rolling admissions.

Note: If you’re applying in 2026–2027, you can use summer 2025 MCAT dates more flexibly:

• Testing in June, July, August, or early September 2025 still gives you a full year to prep applications.
• This works especially well for gap year students, who want to complete the MCAT while working or pursuing research.

Expert Tip: If you're not sure what cycle you're applying in, assume earlier is better. A strong score in hand opens doors for early strategy conversations, coaching, and school list refinement.

2. Align With Your MCAT Prep Timeline

Your test date should match your MCAT prep plan, not the other way around. Most students need 300 to 350 total prep hours, spread over 12 to 20 weeks, depending on class load, job hours, and study habits. Here are common prep windows:

Think through:

• Are you fully done with your prerequisite courses (e.g., biochemistry, physics)?
• Do you have time each week to consistently study, or are you squeezing it between labs and jobs?
• Have you completed any free MCAT practice tests to see where you stand?

Make sure you leave time to cover all four MCAT sections:

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

You’ll also need to budget time for:

• 5+ full-length practice exams
• Thorough content review
• Targeted drills based on MCAT score reports
• Review of AAMC materials and reasoning skill sets

3. Consider Academic and Personal Commitments

The MCAT is long and intensive. It’s not something you want to prepare for during finals week or while traveling across time zones. Use your school calendar and life schedule to avoid conflicts.

• If you’re in school, May–July test dates are ideal because they fall during the summer months for most students, allowing you to focus on studying without academic distractions.
• If you’re taking the exam during the semester, March or early April may work, just avoid overlapping with midterms or projects.
• If you’re working full-time or in a research position, plan to use evenings, weekends, or self-paced study tools to stay on track.

Note: Also, don’t forget that scores are released about a month after you test. An August exam means a September score, which may be too late for some early-review medical schools.

Read: How to Study for MCAT and Score-Cery Your Way to Success!

Expert Tip

When students choose their MCAT test date too early without a clear prep plan, they often burn out or reschedule. The better strategy is to define your score goal, pick a realistic prep timeline, and only then choose your exam date. That way, you give yourself a real shot at hitting your target the first time, without needing to retake the exam.

Recommended MCAT Dates by Goal

If You’re Applying to Medical School in 2025

Ideal MCAT test window: January through May 2025

If you’re planning to apply during the 2025–2026 application cycle, the MCAT exam should be taken early enough to receive your score release before or soon after AMCAS opens in June 2025. That allows schools to review your full application as soon as it’s verified.

Why this window works:

• Score release dates align with early application submission timelines
• Gives you room to retake the exam if needed (e.g., if your March score is lower than expected, you can retest in May or June)
• You avoid having to prep for the MCAT while juggling secondary essays or interview prep later in the summer

Expert Tip: Many students who score well apply with MCAT dates from March, April, or May, then spend June and July on secondaries with no test prep distractions.

If You’re Applying to Medical School in 2026

Ideal MCAT test window: June through September 2025

If you’re applying the following year, your goal should be to finish the MCAT exam by fall 2025. That gives you the flexibility to focus on building experience, finishing coursework, or prepping early for applications.

Why these months work well:

• More time for MCAT prep and full-length practice exams
• Flexible scheduling for students taking a gap year or studying during a lighter academic term
• You’ll still have time to retake the exam in early 2026 if needed

Expert Tip: August and September are often selected by students who want to use summer for full-time MCAT study after finishing the academic year.

If You’re Still Completing Prerequisite Courses

Avoid taking the MCAT before finishing these core subjects:

• Organic chemistry
• Biochemistry
• General chemistry
• Introductory biology
• Introductory physics

These courses make up most of the MCAT content covered in three of the four major sections:

Note: If you’re still midway through these prerequisite courses, your score will reflect content gaps even with strong reasoning skills or test prep. It’s better to wait, build a full understanding, and then register for the MCAT once your coursework is nearly done.

What to Know About Retaking the MCAT

If you're not confident you'll reach your target score on the first try, build in time for a second attempt. The AAMC allows multiple retakes, but each one affects your timeline, energy, and how schools view your application.

MCAT Retake Policy (Per AAMC)

You’re allowed to take the medical college admission test:

• Up to 3 times per calendar year
• Up to 4 times across any two years
• No more than 7 times total in your lifetime

Note: Each retake uses up one of those seven attempts, even if you cancel or void your score.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

To stay on track for your school application, take your first MCAT exam early enough to retest if needed. Here’s an example:

Note: Avoid testing for the first time in August or September if you’re applying that same year—there won’t be time to retake without delaying your full application.

How Medical Schools View Multiple Scores

• Some med schools use your highest MCAT score only
• Others average all scores or review every attempt in context
• Too many retakes without clear improvement can raise red flags

Note: If you’re not scoring within 5 points of your goal on full-length MCAT practice exams, it may be too early to test.

Expert Tip: Take a diagnostic test under real timing and conditions at least 8–10 weeks before your planned exam date. If your results are well below your target, delay your test. A strategic delay is better than rushing into a retake.

Mistakes Students Often Make

• Registering too late and missing their preferred location: Seats at popular test centers fill quickly, especially for May, June, and July dates. If you delay registration, you may be forced to test in an unfamiliar location or on a less-than-ideal date.
• Scheduling the exam during finals or major academic deadlines: Trying to prepare for the MCAT while managing final exams, capstone projects, or intense coursework adds pressure and can limit your prep hours. Choose a test date that gives you room to focus on studying without academic distractions.
• Ignoring the 60-day, 30-day, and 10-day scheduling deadlines: The AAMC has strict cutoff points for rescheduling, cancellations, and refunds. If you miss the 60-day deadline, you’ll lose the full refund. Miss the 10-day deadline, and you’re locked in, even if you're unprepared.
• Testing before completing MCAT content review: Taking the exam without finishing key MCAT prep (especially biochemistry, organic chemistry, and CARS) usually results in lower scores. If you haven’t taken full-length MCAT practice tests and reviewed all four sections, it’s too soon to register.
• Not leaving enough time for a retake: If you test too late in the cycle and fall short of your goal, there may not be another available exam date before application deadlines. Schedule your first attempt early enough to allow a backup plan.

Plan Ahead-Match Your Test Date to Your Actual Readiness

Choosing your MCAT test date should be based on one thing: when you’re truly prepared to test. That means you’ve completed your content review, hit your target score on full-length MCAT practice exams, and can explain your weaknesses and how you’ve addressed them. Start by identifying your target medical school application cycle. Then work backward:

• Know when you want your MCAT score released
• Add ~35 days to find your exam date
• Add 3–5 months before that for serious MCAT prep

For example, if you want to apply in June 2025, your latest test date should be in April or May 2025. That means your study plan should start in December or January.

If you’re not sure how long your prep should take or how to structure your study time, it’s smart to talk with someone who has helped students succeed on the MCAT. A coach or mentor can help you build a study plan around your school, work, and test goals, so you avoid wasting time or testing too soon.

Work With an MCAT Coach Today

If you're serious about reaching your target MCAT score, working with someone who’s helped students succeed on the exam can make a real difference. Leland offers access to top MCAT coaches who understand the content, the testing process, and the med school admissions timeline. Whether you’re starting from scratch, planning your retake, or trying to balance prep with school or work, personalized coaching can help you structure your study time, stay on track, and avoid common mistakes that delay progress. Browse MCAT coaches on Leland to find someone aligned with your background and goals

Here are a few ways to get started:

• Read verified reviews from students who improved their scores with coaching support
• Join our free MCAT and med school prep events to stay on top of test strategy and admissions tips
• Explore our upcoming Bootcamp for high-impact prep support across study planning, practice review, and test-day strategy.

Read these next:

• MCAT Study Schedules: Comparing 1, 3, and 6-Month Plans
• When Should You Take the MCAT? An Ideal Timeline for Taking the Test
• MCAT Content Review: Strategies for Effectively Studying and Retaining Key Concepts for Test Day Success
• MCAT vs. PCAT: Understanding the Differences and Similarities Between the Tests for Future Healthcare Professionals
• A Look at MCAT High-Yield Topics and How You Can Optimize Your Studying for the Best Result

2025 MCAT Test Dates – FAQs

When can I schedule my MCAT for 2025?

• You can register now for all MCAT test dates from July through September 2025 on the AAMC website.

How much will it cost to take the MCAT in 2025?

• The standard fee is $335. Students who qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program can get reduced fees and free MCAT prep materials.

What is a competitive MCAT score in 2025?

• Most competitive applicants score between 510 and 518, depending on the school.

What are the best MCAT prep books for 2025?

• Popular options include Blueprint, Kaplan, Princeton Review, and AAMC’s official materials. Many also include free MCAT practice tests.