When to Expect Your MCAT Results?
When it comes to preparing for the MCAT exam, timing is everything. Many students struggle to craft an effective study plan to cover all the MCAT content. After taking the MCAT, students barely have enough time to take a breath, recharge their batteries and start working on their medical school application process, which is even more time-bound than the exam! During their journey to medical school, students face many questions such as: “when should I take the MCAT?”, “When should I start applying?”, “What time do MCAT scores come out?”, “Should I take a gap year?”
In this post, we will go into details about MCAT timing, how much time you need to prepare for the exam, when you should expect results, and what time of day do MCAT scores come out. We will also review some of the most recommended study plan tips for the MCAT and review the timetable for result announcements. So, if any of the questions mentioned above are among the questions, you have asked yourself at least once, stay tuned and keep reading.
MCAT Basics
Medical College Admission Test, or as we know it, the MCAT, is a multiple-choice entrance test for admissions into medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Caribbean Islands. It is designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). MCAT is officially created to examine and assess applicants’ skills and understanding of complex problem-solving skills, critical thinking, knowledge of scientific concepts and principles, and written analysis that are prerequisites to the study of medicine. The test is approximately seven and a half hours, and it is scored in a range between 472 and 528. It is held at least 2–3 times a month every year.
MCAT dates are one the most crucial aspects of preparing for the MCAT exam. Being aware of the MCAT test dates and score release dates helps students adopt a systematic approach toward preparation for MCAT. It will help students focus more by asserting a specific time frame and a deadline. In addition, it is a gentle reminder that one day, you will be done with MCAT preparation. This way, it can also boost your motivation.
By the third year of college, students should determine the best time to take the MCAT exam. Ideally, applicants should choose dates that allow them to have enough time to study. To be eligible to take the exam, students should pass Biology, Physics, Organic and inorganic chemistry, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Sociology in their high school. If, for any reason, you feel like taking a gap year before college might do you more good, go ahead and schedule a call with a professional advisor who can review your case and give you a second opinion. Better safe than sorry. Don’t you agree?
For one reason or another, prospective medical school students sometimes find themselves in the precarious position of deciding whether or not to retake the MCAT. Yes, That is possible and totally fine. But there are a few tips that you should take into consideration while considering retaking the MCAT:
-In one year, you can take the MCAT three times.
-Within two consecutive years, you can take the MCAT four times.
-The lifetime limit for MCAT is seven attempts. This includes no-shows and voids.
Study Plan For The MCAT Exam
To prepare and score high in this exam, you should consider some key points while preparing for the MCAT exam. MCAT is a difficult exam, true. So is being a doctor. Remember, if you move towards your goal with a plan, there is no reason for you not to succeed. MCAT is hard, but it is not impossible. You will do great if you study smart (not just a lot) while employing the most effective strategy and quality resources. There are always more accessible, more innovative methods to study more efficiently. Keep yourself updated but never abandon what works best for you. Simply adopt the best approach and stick to the schedule. If you want to know more about MCAT preparation, check here(hyperlink) and here for more details.
How To Apply For The MCAT Exam
Applicants can log in to the MCAT Registration System to select their suitable MCAT exam dates and location. You can register for the MCAT online via the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). (Hyperlink to the website?)
-Create an AAMC account by providing the information required
– You will receive a verification email sent to the registered email ID
-You should click on the provided link in the verification email and sign in
-Provide the required information (Personal Information, Biographic Information, Academic Background, …)
-Click on Start Exam Registration to choose a date.
-Agree to terms & conditions
-When you click on “Find Seat”, you will see what seats are available at your chosen location. If seats are available, you can register for that test date. If not, you have to search for another location with open seats available.
-You can pay the application fee using your VISA or MasterCard
-You will receive a confirmation email sent to the registered email ID.
What Time Of The Day Do MCAT Scores Come Out?
After the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is taken, the waiting game begins. Every student has the most grinding question: When will the MCAT results come out?
The scores are scaled and equated for an impartial assessment of the students’ performance by AAMC. Due to this careful analysis by AAMC, applicants cannot receive their scores immediately after the exam. The scores are announced about 30 to 35 days after your test day. You can always check the official AAMC website to check the dates of result announcements. Indeed, the timeframe between your test date and the MCAT score announcement is a window of opportunity to catch up with work, family, and friends, take a break, and address anything left unfinished. When your scores are posted on the mentioned score release date, you can access your score report through the MCAT Score Reporting System on the AAMC website. Standard MCAT exams begin at 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., while scores are released by 5 p.m. ET on release days.
2022 MCAT Dates and Score Release Dates
| Test Date | 60 Day Deadline | 30 Day Deadline | 10 Day Deadline | Score Release Date |
| January 14 | Nov. 15, 2021 | Dec. 15, 2021 | Jan. 4 | Feb. 15 |
| January 15 | Nov. 16, 2021 | Dec. 16, 2021 | Jan. 5 | Feb. 15 |
| January 20 | Nov. 21, 2021 | Dec 21, 2021 | Jan. 10 | Feb. 22 |
| January 21 | Nov. 22, 2021 | Dec 22, 2021 | Jan. 11 | Feb. 22 |
| March 12 | Jan. 11 | Feb. 10 | March 2 | April 12 |
| March 25 | Jan. 24 | Feb. 23 | March 15 | April 26 |
| April 8 | Feb. 7 | March 9 | March 29 | May 10 |
| April 9 | Feb. 8 | March 10 | March 30 | May 10 |
| April 29 | Feb. 28 | March 30 | April 19 | May 31 |
| April 30 | March 1 | March 31 | April 20 | May 31 |
| May 13 | March 14 | April 13 | May 3 | June 14 |
| May 14 | March 15 | April 14 | May 4 | June 14 |
| May 19 | March 20 | April 19 | May 9 | June 21 |
| May 27 | March 28 | April 27 | May 17 | June 28 |
| June 4 | April 5 | May 5 | May 25 | July 6 |
| June 17 | April 18 | May 18 | June 7 | July 19 |
| June 18 | April 19 | May 19 | June 8 | July 19 |
| June 24 | April 25 | May 25 | June 14 | July 26 |
| June 25 | April 26 | May 26 | June 15 | July 26 |
| June 30 | May 1 | May 31 | June 20 | Aug. 1 |
| July 16 | May 17 | June 16 | July 6 | Aug. 16 |
| July 29 | May 30 | June 29 | July 19 | Aug. 30 |
| August 5 | June 6 | July 6 | July 26 | Sept. 7 |
| August 20 | June 21 | July 21 | Aug. 10 | Sept. 20 |
| August 26* | June 27 | July 27 | Aug. 16 | Sept. 27 |
| August 27 | June 28 | July 28 | Aug. 17 | Sept. 27 |
| September 1 | July 3 | Aug. 2 | Aug. 22 | Oct. 4 |
| September 2* | July 4 | Aug. 3 | Aug. 23 | Oct. 4 |
| September 9* | July 11 | Aug. 10 | Aug. 30 | Oct. 11 |
| September 10 | July 12 | Aug. 11 | Aug. 31 | Oct. 11 |
-The standard start time is 8:00 a.m. each day, and Scores are released by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled score release date except for certain days – August 26, September 2, and 9 – when there will be two testing sessions (7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
-All scheduling deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local test center time on the day of the deadline.
-The 10 Day Deadline is the last date to schedule, reschedule, or cancel a reservation and the last date to edit registration information such as name, address, consent, etc.
Steps AAMC Takes to Score Your Exam:
1. The first step involves counting all questions you have answered correctly. There are four sections on the MCAT, so each section will have a separate assessment.
2. The number of correct answers for each section is converted or equated to a scaled MCAT score. Scaled scores for each section range vary between 118 and 132.
3. In the last step, AAMC adds all the scaled scores from each section, to sum up your total score.
MCAT Fee Structure and Scheduling Zone
The standard registration fee is $325, regardless of when you schedule (as long as it is ten days before). The most significant difference between these deadlines is the fee you are charged when you change your MCAT test date or testing center.
| Standard Change Fees | Date or Test Center Reschedule Fee | Cancellation Refund |
| 60 or More Days Before Exam | $50 | $160 |
| 30-59 Days Before Exam | $100 | $160 |
| 10-29 Days Before Exam | $200 | $0 |
Gold Zone Scheduling Deadline: These are the last dates available for rescheduling at a lower fee and the last dates to receive a partial refund if you have to cancel the exam.
Silver Zone Scheduling Deadline: These are the last dates reserved for registration without a fee. These are also the last dates available for rescheduling.
Bronze Zone Scheduling Deadline: These are the last dates available for canceling reservations. These are also the last dates you can edit your registration information such as your name, address, consent, etc.
If you are not sure about the proper time to select your exam date, you can always seek advice from a professional who will review your case and suggest a suitable date for you. Of course, you can always take things into your hands and assess your qualification. You can use Jack Westin’s diagnostic tool to identify your strengths and weaknesses and get a better idea about how prepared you are to take the exam and how much time you need to study, and which areas or subjects you should put more focus on. While waiting for the results, it’s best you take time to recharge your batteries to avoid burnout. After that, you can start working on your personal statements and get a head start on your application process. Remember, preparing for the MCAT will equip you with the right tools to succeed in your future career and life in general. Learning time management will prove valuable in every aspect of your professional and personal life.