What to Know About 2026 MCAT Dates
The MCAT is more than just another exam — it’s the gatekeeper to medical school and your career. Your test date shapes your entire prep journey, application timing, and even your chances of securing a seat at your dream school.
The AAMC has officially released the 2026 MCAT calendar, and for the first time, all test dates open for registration at once on October 21–23, 2025. That means every seat will be available from day one — and popular centers will fill quickly.
Below, we’ll cover the official test dates, score release days, and — most importantly — how to decide which MCAT date is right for you.
Key 2026 Registration Details
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- Registration opens October 21–23, 2025 at noon ET, based on your testing region:
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- October 21 — Eastern U.S.
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- October 22 — Western, Southern & Midwest U.S.
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- October 23 — Canada & International
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- Registration opens October 21–23, 2025 at noon ET, based on your testing region:
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- Most exams begin at 8:00 a.m. local time (unless otherwise noted).
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- Scores release 30–35 days later by 5:00 p.m. ET.
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- Seats at major centers fill within hours — be ready to register the morning your wave opens.
2026 MCAT Test Dates & Score Release
Get the complete list here.
How to Choose the Right MCAT Date
With all 2026 dates opening at once, you need to think strategically about which seat to reserve early.
Traditional Applicants (No Gap Year)
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- Earliest viable: Summer after sophomore year if Organic Chemistry is done. Physics and biochem can be learned during prep with enough runway.
- January of junior year: Works if you’ve prepped in the fall and can use winter break as an intensive bootcamp. Challenging, but possible with structure.
- March–May of junior year: The last recommended window to stay on cycle. Later dates often delay applications.
What to avoid:
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- Testing during a heavy semester.
- Registering for an early date “just to get it over with” — an underprepared score is far costlier than waiting.
Gap-Year Applicants
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- Summer after junior year: Excellent choice — long, uninterrupted prep runway.
- January or April of senior year: Solid options depending on coursework load.
- Summer after senior year: Still viable, but often shifts you into a two-gap-year plan.
What to avoid: Testing late in the summer if you plan to apply right away.
Application-Specific Considerations
Most of the guidance above assumes AMCAS (U.S. allopathic schools), but timing varies slightly across application services:
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TMDSAS (Texas): Opens about a month earlier than AMCAS. Shift your MCAT window forward to stay competitive.
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AACOMAS (osteopathic): Opens earlier but is generally more forgiving of late MCAT scores.
Strategic Registration Tips
Even if you’re not 100% sure when you’ll test, the safest move is to book early and adjust later if needed.
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If January is on your radar: Register for January. Those seats are the hardest to get.
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If applying this cycle but not ready for January: Target late April or early May — the last viable dates to apply on time.
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If not applying this cycle: Register for September. Late-cycle dates never reopen once full, while earlier ones often do as students reschedule.
Pro tip: The real penalty isn’t the reschedule fee — it’s losing access to your preferred date or location.
1SM Timing Principles
Many sites recommend 300 study hours. At 1SM, we know true mastery takes more: 500–700 focused hours. Our approach integrates:
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Live instruction + homework: 100–150 hours of structured content mastery.
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UWorld practice: 200–300 hours, completed with a structured review process.
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AAMC resources: Section banks, question packs, and at least 7 official full-length exams — enough to build endurance without burning energy on low-quality tests.
Core Principles
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Runway matters: Depending on baseline and semester load, you may need 8–32+ weeks.
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January vs. April is application-neutral: Both keep you on cycle. Pick the date that allows for deeper mastery.
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Quality > quantity: Focused study with the right materials beats rushing or over-testing.
Step-by-Step: How to Register
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- Create or log into your AAMC account.
- Know your registration wave date.
- Log in early on your opening day.
- Review the AAMC’s cancellation and reschedule policies before finalizing.
FAQs About 2026 MCAT Dates
When do scores come out?
About one month after your test, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Can I switch test dates?
Yes, but the closer you get to test day, the harder (and costlier) it is to reschedule.
What if my test center is full?
Keep checking — cancellations often free up seats.
Which MCAT date is best for me?
For most students applying in 2026, March–May works well. If you’re taking a gap year, you’ll have more flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Secure Your Seat, Then Secure Your Strategy
Registration for 2026 MCAT dates opens October 21–23, 2025. Book your seat early, then focus on building the prep plan that will carry you to test day.
