2026 MCAT Test Dates, Registration Deadlines & Score Release
The 2026 MCAT calendar is here — and registration opens October 21–23, 2025.
Your MCAT test date is the starting line for your prep and your application strategy. The AAMC has released the official 2026 MCAT calendar, and at 1SM, we’ve laid out every date along with the strategy you need to choose the right one.
Key Registration Details
Registration opens in waves Oct. 21–23, at noon ET, depending on your testing region.
October 21, 2025
Eastern US region
October 22, 2025
Western, Southern & Midwest US regions
October 23, 2025
Canada & International test centers
- Most exams begin at 8:00 a.m. local time.
- Scores are typically posted 30–35 days after your exam by 5:00 p.m. ET (typically around 11 a.m. ET).
- Popular centers — especially in major cities — can fill within hours.
- Most exams begin at 8:00 a.m. local time.
- Scores are typically posted 30–35 days after your exam by 5:00 p.m. ET (typically around 11 a.m. ET).
- Popular centers — especially in major cities — can fill within hours.
| 2026 MCAT TEST DATE | SCORE RELEASE DATE | SUGGESTED PREP DATES |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | February 10 | Start August–October |
| January 10 | February 10 | Start August–October |
| January 15 | February 17 | Start August–October |
| January 23 | February 24 | Start August–October |
| February 13 | March 17 | October–December |
| March 7 | April 7 | October–December |
| April 10 | May 12 | November–January |
| April 11 | May 12 | November–January |
| April 24 | May 27 | November–January |
| April 25 | May 27 | November–January |
| May 2 | June 2 | December–February |
| May 14 | June 16 | December–February |
| May 22 | June 23 | January–March |
| May 30 | June 30 | January–March |
| June 12 | July 14 | January–March |
| June 13 | July 14 | January–March |
| June 26 | July 28 | January–March |
| June 27 | July 28 | January–March |
| July 11 | August 11 | February–April |
| July 24 | August 25 | February–April |
| July 31 | September 2 | March–May |
| August 15 | September 15 | March–May |
| August 21 | September 22 | March–May |
| August 22 | September 22 | March–May |
| September 3 | October 6 | April–June |
| September 4 | October 6 | April–June |
| September 11 | October 13 | April–June |
| September 12 | October 13 | April–June |
How to decide which MCAT date is best for you
With all test dates opening at once, it’s important to think strategically about which seat to lock in.
No gap year
- Earliest viable: Summer after sophomore year if Organic Chemistry is complete. Physics & Biochem can be learned during prep with enough runway.
- January of junior year: Works if you start prep in the fall and use winter break as an intensive bootcamp. Demanding, but doable with structure.
- March–May of junior year: Last recommended window to stay on cycle. Later dates usually delay your application.
-
Avoid
- Rushing into an exam date before you’re truly prepared — a weaker score now costs far more than waiting for the right window.
Gap-year
applicant
- Summer after junior year: Best option — long, uninterrupted prep window.
- January of senior year: Good use of winter break for an intensive push.
- April of senior year: Works well if coursework is light and you want to apply on time.
- Summer after senior year: Still viable, but often shifts you into a two-gap-year plan.
-
Avoid
- Testing late in the summer if you want to apply right away — it usually makes your application late in the cycle.
Timing considerations for all students
- Runway matters. Depending on baseline and semester load, you may need between 8 to 32 weeks to put yourself in the best position to maximize your score.
- January vs. April is application-neutral. Both keep you on cycle; choose the date that gives you the deepest mastery.
- Quality > quantity. More hours and the right materials beat rushing or over-testing.
-
Avoid
- Testing during a heavy spring semester
Step-by-Step:
How to Register
-
Create your AAMC account
(or log in if you already have one). - Check your regional registration wave — know your opening date.
- Be ready the morning registration opens especially if you want a high-demand city.
- Review the AAMC’s cancellation & reschedule policy before finalizing.
FAQs about MCAT test dates
When do scores come out?
About a month later. Check the calendar for exact dates.
Can I switch test dates?
Yes, but only before the AAMC’s reschedule deadline (10 days before the test) — and there’s a fee. More information here.
What if my test center is full?
Keep checking. Seats often open up due to cancellations.
What should I do if I’m not sure which date to choose?
You can always reschedule your exam, but price penalties increase the closer you get to your test day. The safest move is to book early, then adjust if needed.
- If January is a possibility: Register for January. Those seats are harder to secure than mid-spring dates like March or April.
- If you’re applying this cycle but won’t be ready by January: Target late April or early May. These are the last viable dates for the 2026 application cycle without delaying your application — and they fill quickly.
- If you’re not applying this cycle: Register for September. Late-cycle test dates never reopen once they’re full, while earlier dates often do as students reschedule.
- If January is a possibility: Register for January. Those seats are harder to secure than mid-spring dates like March or April.
- If you’re applying this cycle but won’t be ready by January: Target late April or early May. These are the last viable dates for the 2026 application cycle without delaying your application — and they fill quickly.
- If you’re not applying this cycle: Register for September. Late-cycle test dates never reopen once they’re full, while earlier dates often do as students reschedule.
How 1SM turns test dates into results
The best MCAT test date isn’t just about the calendar, it’s about giving yourself enough runway to actually master the exam.
At 1SM, we plan for 500–700 hours because the MCAT is more than a test. It’s a career gatekeeper. Many competitors suggest 300+, but in our experience, mastery takes more.
Live instruction + homework:
100–150 hours of guided content mastery
UWorld practice:
200–300 hours with a structured review process
AAMC materials:
AAMC section banks, question packs, and 7 official full-length exams — build endurance without wasting effort
Secure your seat
then secure your strategy
Here’s how to get started
Secure Your Seat Then Secure Your Strategy
Here’s how to get started
Starting
October 21st
to 23rd.
Starting October
21st to 23rd.
Book a free consultation with 1 Source Medicine.
Get a prep plan fit for your schedule, studies, and goals.
Walk into test
day knowing
you’re ready.
Walk into test day knowing
you’re ready.
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