When should you take the MCAT?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical standardized exam used by nearly all medical schools in the U.S. and most in Canada to evaluate a student’s preparedness for medical education. Much like the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, your MCAT performance can play a significant role in determining which medical schools you are eligible to attend. Understanding when to take the MCAT, along with developing a solid MCAT preparation strategy, can help you maximize your chances of success. In this article, we’ll discuss optimal timing for the MCAT and share key considerations for preparing effectively for the exam.

Preparation

Regardless of when the “best” time to take the MCAT is, the key factor is ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for the exam. If you sense that you are not ready, beyond just experiencing typical test anxiety, it is wise to postpone your test date. Waiting until you have built sufficient confidence and mastery over the MCAT material will lead to a stronger performance and higher scores.

The AAMC doesn’t set a study time and advises taking the exam when you feel most prepared, but plan on several months of steady study to be fully prepared for the MCAT. You should keep this timeline in mind when registering for the exam to plan an effective MCAT study schedule and avoid cramming. Choosing when to take the MCAT can vary depending on your unique academic situation, but aligning your test date with your level of readiness and your medical school application timeline will help you achieve the best results.

No gap year

If you’re planning on going straight from undergrad into med school, it’s important to know when to take the MCAT and when to start studying for the exam to optimize your chances of success. Ideally, you should aim to complete the MCAT early in the year, preferably by May of your junior year. This timing aligns with the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) schedule, which begins transmitting applications to medical schools at the end of June. Medical schools will not finish reviewing your application until your official MCAT score arrives, and AMCAS sends it to them automatically once it’s released.

Because MCAT scores are released about a month after your test date, taking the exam in May means your results will likely be available in June, around the time AMCAS starts sending applications to schools. To ensure your application is considered in the first round, try to submit your AMCAS application in late May or early June, soon after submission opens; your score doesn’t need to be back before you submit. This allows enough time for verification and ensures your materials are sent with the initial batch that medical schools receive. Having your MCAT score ready at this time lets schools review your application without unnecessary delays, giving you a valuable advantage in the admissions process. Planning ahead to determine when to start studying for the MCAT is crucial so you can test within this optimal timeline.

Gap year

If you’re planning on taking a gap year between undergrad and med school, then your timeline shifts back. Instead of trying to take it before May of your junior year, you can take the MCAT in May or even as late as June of your senior or gap year, which gives you an extra year to study. Remember not to procrastinate on taking the exam, because again, it takes a month for your scores to be released, which means the scores for a June exam won’t be available until July. It’s also important to remember that if you’re planning on doing research or other activities to bolster your application during your gap year, you may want to take the test earlier to give yourself time to study while you don’t have a bunch of extra commitments.

Retakes

As stated earlier, most experts recommend sitting for the exam by late spring or early summer of your application year. However, beginning even earlier gives you greater flexibility in case you need to retake your exam. Candidates are allowed to take the MCAT a maximum of three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive testing years, and seven times in a lifetime. Aiming for your first attempt as early as January has several advantages, including the opportunity to evaluate your scores by mid-February or early March. This leaves ample time to reassess your preparation strategy and schedule a retake in April or May if needed, depending on seat availability. This approach can be especially beneficial for students who enter medical school right after college or take a gap year.

Some applicants elect to take the test as soon as their sophomore year. While this accelerates your timeline, it’s important that you only register early if you feel thoroughly prepared and have mastered the necessary coursework. The success of this strategy depends on which science prerequisites you’ve completed by sophomore year, and on when you’ll apply, since medical schools generally accept scores dating back only two or three years. Above all, regardless of your plan, the most important rule is to ensure you’re fully prepared. Never attempt the MCAT if you do not feel fully prepared, regardless of your timeline.

Conclusion

When deciding the best time to take the MCAT, consider balancing the demands of the medical school application cycle with your level of preparedness. As a general rule of thumb, aim to take the MCAT in late winter or early spring, before you submit your application. The MCAT is a vital component of your medical school application, which means that effective MCAT preparation is paramount to your success. With strategic planning and diligent MCAT preparation, you can set a clear target for achieving strong results on the exam.