MCAT Test Dates 2026: All 31 Dates + Score Release

The AAMC offers 31 MCAT test dates in 2026, running from January through mid-September. Registration is already open for all dates. Below is the complete schedule, followed by strategic advice on picking your date.

I update this page whenever the AAMC publishes changes, so bookmark it and check back if you’re still deciding.

Complete 2026 MCAT schedule

All exams start at 8:00 a.m. local time. Scores release by 5:00 p.m. ET on the date listed.

January

Test date	Score release
January 9	February 10
January 10	February 10
January 15	February 17
January 23	February 24

February

Test date	Score release
February 13	March 17

February 13 is a newly added date for 2026. Only one sitting this month, so expect it to fill quickly.

March

Test date	Score release
March 7	April 7
March 20	April 21

April

Test date	Score release
April 10	May 12
April 11	May 12
April 24	May 27
April 25	May 27

April is when the schedule starts to open up. Four dates across two weekends. If you’re applying in the current cycle, these are your last “early” options.

May

Test date	Score release
May 2	June 2
May 8	June 9
May 9	June 9
May 14	June 16
May 22	June 23
May 30	June 30

May has the most dates of any month (six). This is the most popular testing window since it falls right after spring finals. Seats fill fast. If you want a May date, don’t wait to register.

June

Test date	Score release
June 12	July 14
June 13	July 14
June 26	July 28
June 27	July 28

July

Test date	Score release
July 11	August 11
July 24	August 25
July 31	September 2

August

Test date	Score release
August 15	September 15
August 21	September 22
August 22	September 22

September

Test date	Score release
September 3	October 6
September 4	October 6
September 11	October 13
September 12	October 13

September 12 is the last MCAT of 2026. If you’re testing this late, your score won’t be back until mid-October, which is late for the current application cycle but fine if you’re applying next year.

How long until I get my score?

About 30-35 days after your test date. The AAMC publishes exact release dates (listed above), and scores post by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on those days. No exceptions, no early releases. Plan accordingly.

Registration details

Registration for all 2026 dates opened in October 2025 and is currently open. You can register through the AAMC’s MCAT Registration System.

A few things to know:

The AAMC charges $355 for registration for 2026 test dates ($145 for FAP recipients). Late registration adds an additional fee. If you qualify for the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program (FAP), the registration fee is significantly reduced. We also offer reduced-rate tutoring for FAP students.

You’ll need a valid, MCAT-accepted ID that matches your registration exactly. Name mismatches can prevent you from testing. Double-check this before you show up on test day.

The deadline to schedule, reschedule, or cancel is typically 10 days before your test date (the “10-day deadline”). After that, your registration is locked and your fee is non-refundable.

Which date should you pick?

This depends entirely on your application timeline and how much prep time you need.

If you’re applying this cycle (summer 2026 AMCAS submission): Test by April or early May. This gives you scores back by late May or early June, which lines up with AMCAS opening. Earlier is better for rolling admissions, but don’t test before you’re ready just to be early. A strong score in May beats a mediocre score in March.

If you want maximum flexibility: Test in March or April. If your score isn’t where you need it, you have time to retake in June or July and still apply in the current cycle. Testing in January is even better for this, but most students aren’t ready that early.

If you’re applying next cycle (2027): You have a lot of room. Any 2026 date works, and you can choose based purely on when you’ll be most prepared. Summer dates are popular for students who want to study full-time after spring semester ends.

If you’re retaking: Give yourself at least 2-3 months between attempts. If your first attempt was in January, a May or June retake is realistic. If it was in April, target August or September.

Common mistakes with date selection

Registering for a date you’re not ready for. I see this constantly. Students pick a date based on when they want to be done rather than when they’ll actually be prepared. Your test date should follow from your study plan, not the other way around. See our guide on when to start studying for how to work backward from your test date. If your diagnostic is 15 points below your target and you’ve registered for a test 6 weeks away, you’re probably setting yourself up for a retake.

Waiting too long to register. Popular dates (especially May and early June) fill up within days of registration opening. If you know roughly when you want to test, register as soon as you can. You can reschedule later if your timeline shifts, as long as you do it before the 10-day deadline.

Not accounting for score release timing. Your score comes back about a month after you test. If you need your score by a specific date for an application, work backward from that deadline, not forward from today. I’ve seen students test in late June, then panic when they realize their score won’t arrive until late July, well after they planned to submit their application.

Testing on a Friday vs. Saturday. Some dates fall on Fridays, some on Saturdays. If you’ve been doing all your practice tests on Saturdays, test on a Saturday. Your body has routines, and disrupting them on test day is an unnecessary variable. This sounds minor, but when you’re sitting down for a 7.5-hour exam, minor things add up.

How to figure out if you’re ready

Take a full-length practice exam under real conditions. Timed, no pauses, no phone, full breaks. Keep in mind that practice scores can differ from your actual score depending on which company’s test you’re using. If your AAMC practice score is within 2-3 points of your target, you’re probably ready. If it’s more than 5 points away, push your date back.

Our question bank has practice material if you need more reps before test day. And if you’re unsure about your timeline or whether you’re ready, our tutors can review your practice scores and help you make the call. Sometimes an outside perspective saves you from testing too early or waiting too long.

I’ll keep this updated

If the AAMC adds, removes, or changes any 2026 test dates, I’ll update this page. Last updated: March 18, 2026.