Can you take the MCAT a year before you apply?

While you can technically take the MCAT any time, you should take it during the summer after sophomore year at the earliest, and April of your application year at the latest.

How late can you take the MCAT before applying?

Taking the MCAT senior year is usually the last time students will take the test. If you're wondering when to take the MCAT with no gap year, medical schools normally begin accepting applications in June, so you can take the MCAT anywhere from January to May of your application year.

Do you take the MCAT a year before med school?

Often, students will choose to take their MCAT exam in the same year they are applying to medical school. For example, if you are thinking about attending medical school in fall 2023, you might consider taking your exam during 2022.

Can I study for the MCAT a year in advance?

Yes, studying for the MCAT for a year can be beneficial. There are many students who underestimate the exam and get a poor score because they didn't have enough time for the exam. If you study for a year, it will give you ample time to comprehensively review all of the science...

Can you take the MCAT any time of the year?

The MCAT exam is offered in January & March through September, and there are thirty MCAT test dates to choose from. Aim to take the MCAT as early in the year as possible, preferably no later than mid-May before AMCAS application submissions begin in early June.

When should you take the MCAT? | Medical School Application Guide

Do med schools care if you take the MCAT more than once?

That's not the message you want to send to medical schools that you keep making mistakes over and over again. Again, medical schools don't care if you have multiple MCAT tests on your application.

What is the best month to take MCAT?

While you can technically take the MCAT any time, you should take it during the summer after sophomore year at the earliest, and April of your application year at the latest.

How many months apart can you take the MCAT?

MCAT examinees can test up to three times in one calendar year and four times across two calendar years. An examinee cannot take the exam more than seven times in their lifetime. Not showing up for an exam counts as an attempt toward the lifetime limit. Voided scores count as an attempt toward the lifetime limit.

Should I take a full length MCAT before I start studying?

We've hammered this point home a few times now, but it's worth repeating one last time in closing: you absolutely must take a full length MCAT diagnostic test before starting your exam preparation. And not just any practice exam!

Is 12 weeks enough to study for the MCAT?

Kaplan recommends studying for the MCAT over a period of four to six months for a total of 300 to 350 hours. If you feel confident in your test-taking skills and aren't overwhelmed by the 25 hour per week MCAT study schedule, then three months can be enough time for you to study for the MCAT.

Do medical schools see all MCAT attempts?

But when it comes to MCAT, it doesn't work that way. Bryan adds that when it comes to the MCAT, all of your scores are reported to the med schools. This means every single time you've taken the MCAT except if you void your score. Voiding is not reported to med schools.

When can I take MCAT if I have no gap year?

You should take the MCAT for the final time no later than August of your application year. For example, if you want to enroll in medical school for Fall 2025, you will need to take the test no later than August 2024.

Do med schools look at GPA or MCAT?

Because of the sheer volume of medical school applications they have to wade through, admissions officers have to make some initial screening decisions based largely on GPA and MCAT scores.

How many times can you take the MCAT before it looks bad?

First, assess your situation to determine if you actually need a higher score. Next, consider the energy you have and whether or not you have sufficient time to dedicate to studying all over again. Lastly, consider how many times you've already taken the MCAT. We recommend not taking the test more than three times.

How many years does MCAT expire?

While MCAT scores don't have a set expiration date, most medical schools will accept MCAT scores between two to three years old.

Do you take the MCAT junior or senior year?

The MCAT is something that requires planning and should not be taken on a whim. The ideal time to take the MCAT is the spring of your junior year of college, if you plan to attend medical school immediately following graduation.

What is the average first time MCAT score?

Data Summary. The average MCAT score for all test-takers in 2023-2024 is 501.3. The average MCAT score for test-takers who applied to medical school in 2022-2023 was 506.5. The average MCAT score for all medical school applicants who ended up enrolling was 511.9.

Is 1000 hours enough for MCAT?

Based on our analysis of top MCAT scorers, there is no set amount of time that will guarantee you a high MCAT score. Some high scorers only studied a couple hundred hours or less while others needed to study more than one thousand hours.

Is studying 3 hours a day enough for the MCAT?

You should aim to study for at least 300 hours for the exam. In other words, if you study for 3 months (~90 days), you should average a little over 3 hours each day. Be sure to select your test date carefully. Your study schedule will be constructed around this date.

Should I retake a 515 MCAT?

While going from 515 to 517 looks good, going from 498 to 501 looks great. So statistically speaking, unless you're already in the very highest tier of test takers, chances are that retaking the MCAT will result in a better score and will ultimately benefit your application.

Do medical schools care how many times you take the MCAT?

Medical schools are unlikely to care about up to 3 attempts if your score improves with each test. But decreasing or consistently low scores may indicate that you don't have an appropriate grasp of the necessary materials to successfully complete medical school.

What year of college should I take the MCAT?

The earliest that students opt to take the MCAT is during the latter part of their sophomore year or the summer between sophomore and junior year. At this point, most students have completed their medical school prerequisite courses and are prepared to take the exam.

When should I take the MCAT if I want to start medical school in 2025?

When should you take the MCAT? The simple answer: Take the MCAT in April or May of the calendar year before you want to start medical school. So if you're planning to become a first-year medical student in August 2025, then take the MCAT in April or May of 2024.

How much does an MCAT cost?

The MCAT test cost is $335. This is the standard registration fee for the exam. There's also an international fee of $120 for anyone outside the U.S. or Canada.

How many times do most students take the MCAT?

Although you can take the MCAT up to seven times in your lifetime, that number certainly doesn't reflect how many times you should be taking the MCAT. Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application.