When Should You Take the MCAT?

Ashby Glover
1 day ago
2 min read

Preparing to take the MCAT is a long process, and many premed students can find themselves overwhelmed by the enormity of the material. One of the best first steps to take in preparing for the MCAT is to decide when you are first going to take it. This gives a firm deadline to structure your MCAT study schedule, providing a sense of urgency and a clear goal. But what is the best time to take the MCAT?

A reasonable timeline for taking the MCAT involves allowing for at least one opportunity to retake it, in case you’re unsatisfied with your scores on the first exam. Some people may prefer to take the MCAT early to allow themselves time to take it more than just twice. However, since the exam is particularly long and grueling, most people do not want to take it more than two times. The timeline recommended here is based on taking the MCAT a maximum of two times, but consider adjusting it based on your personal preferences.

The recommended time to take your first MCAT is the fall before your application year. This provides enough time to receive your score and determine whether you want to retake the test. If necessary, you can retake the MCAT between January and April of your application year. Note that the test is not offered in October, November, December, and February.

One of the strengths of taking the MCAT once or twice before April of your application year is that it clarifies which schools to apply for. Having your score in hand allows you to consider which medical schools you should apply to based on their statistics, ensuring that you don’t waste time and money applying to schools that won’t consider your score.

For those unfamiliar with the MCAT, note that registration for exams from July to September opens in February. Your preferred date may fill up quickly, so plan in advance.

Once you’ve decided on your test date, you can now craft your study plans around it. With a firm deadline in mind, it will be easier to be realistic about how much time you can and should dedicate to each topic, depending on your strengths and weaknesses.