MCAT- Frequently Asked Questions

The Medical College Admission Test or MCAT is administered by the AAMC. It is a standardized test that helps institutions assess problem-solving skills along with the knowledge students possess about natural, behavioral, and social science-related topics that are necessary for the study of medicine.

The MCAT format is multiple-choice, and scores for the four different sections are mentioned separately. The test is widely accepted in nearly every U.S. medical school and many schools in Canada. The importance of this exam in securing admission to a good medical school has also created the need to know more about the test. This page will answer most of the frequently asked questions on the test.

Who can take the MCAT?

If you plan to apply for health professional schools for programs like M.D., D.O., D.P.M., D.V.M., or any other health-related program, you should consider taking the MCAT.
Candidates who do not plan to pursue a course in the medical field can also take the test as long as they obtain special permission by contacting mcat@aamc.org and informing them about the reasons for taking the test.

What eligibility criteria do I have to meet to take the MCAT?

There are no eligibility criteria for taking the MCAT, but there are certain recommendations by AAMC. The test is intended to be taken by students who have basic medical knowledge. Most students take the test in their sophomore year of undergraduate program.
If you are an international applicant, either pursuing an MBBS degree or have completed your MBBS degree, you can take the exam without any additional requirements.

What is the fee for MCAT?

The standard registration fee for MCAT is $345, while the assistance program registration fee is $140. An additional $120 for international registration is required if you do not reside in the US, Canada, or US territories. The scores will be reported to you and can be authorized to be sent to schools in AMCAS and 6 other institutions that do not participate in AMCAS without any additional cost.

How often can I take the MCAT?

In a single testing year, you can take the MCAT up to 3 times, and in 2 consecutive years, you can take it up to 4 times, but you can only take the MCAT for a total of 7 times in your lifetime. A no-show will count as an attempt, thus reducing the number of times you can attempt the test. Candidates can apply for special permission to sit for additional attempts.

What can I do if my preferred test day or location is unavailable?

You can use the MCAT Appointment Notification Request tool to get an email alert if your preferred test date or location becomes available. You can also reschedule your test day/location by paying the rescheduling fee.

Where can I take the MCAT?

MCAT is a computer-based exam conducted at Prometric testing sites throughout North America and around the world. These sites are equipped with climate and sound-controlled systems, ergonomic chairs, guest lockers, state-of-the-art equipment, noise-reduction headphones, and standardized proctoring.

Is the MCAT offered remotely?

No, the MCAT exam is administered online at hundreds of Pearson VUE testing locations across the United States, its territories, Canada, and numerous other nations.

How many times is the MCAT conducted in a year?

The MCAT is conducted over 20 times yearly, though a candidate can only take it a maximum of 3 times in a calendar year.

What is the deadline for changing or canceling the MCAT exam date?

You can amend your testing date or test center up to 10 days before the exam date. Nevertheless, charges apply for both rescheduling and cancellation.

What is the test duration of MCAT?

The MCAT exam is 6 hours and 15 minutes long without breaks. With breaks added, it is 7 hours and 33 minutes long, with each section having a maximum of 95 minutes.

What are the different sections in MCAT?

The different sections in the MCAT are Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior.

Is the MCAT multiple-choice entirely?

Yes, all four sections of the MCAT are comprised of multiple-choice questions. There is no written portion.

Am I allowed to bring scratch papers for the exam?

No, candidates are not allowed to bring scratch papers to the test center. Scratch papers and pens will be provided to you by the test center.

Am I allowed to use a calculator?

No, the calculators are not allowed inside the test centers. You must carry out the calculations either by hand or mentally.

How many breaks are there in MCAT?

There are two 10-minute and one 30-minute optional breaks offered during the test. You can either use the break time to stretch your legs or skip it and continue with the next section. It should be noted that the time from the previous section or the optional break will not allow you extra time for the next section.

Can I use my cell phone during the break?

Absolutely not. The breaks are only intended for using the bathroom, taking snacks and drinks, taking medications, and giving yourself a mental break. Access to other personal belongings is strictly prohibited.

What is a raw score and scaled score in MCAT?

A raw score is the number of questions answered correctly in the four different sections of the test. These raw scores are converted into scaled scores ranging between 118 and 132.

Does MCAT have negative scoring?

No, there is no penalty or negative marking for wrong answers. Wrong answers are treated like unanswered questions.

When are MCAT scores released?

MCAT scores are released 30-35 days after the test date at 5:00 PM EST on the score release date. The delay in the release of the results is because AAMC considers the concerns submitted by the students regarding the exam questions and testing conditions enough to review and investigate each of them.

What does the percentile rank mean?

Your MCAT percentile rank provided in your score report is the score that mentions the percentage of students who performed the same or below you during the last 3 years. For example, students in the 85 percentile will have scored the same or higher than 85 percent of the test-takers.

How are MCAT scores used by medical schools in the admission process?

Admission officers use MCAT scores in different ways in different colleges. Some colleges prefer to weigh all the scores students have received to date equally and note improvements. Some other schools prefer to take only the recent set of scores. Some schools take the average of multiple scores obtained by students, and some only consider the highest scores received.

Is rescoring possible in MCAT?

Yes, if you feel that there has been a scoring error, you can request the MCAT score to be rescored. The cost for this service is $80. You will be informed about the result as a response letter which either confirms the older score or the corrected score in each section. The raw scores obtained will not be mentioned under any circumstance.

Will re-taking the test improve my chances of a better score?

Candidates generally retake the exam to improve their scores and better understand the exam after the first attempt. To leave this possibility open, it is recommended by AAMC that you take the test earlier in the testing year so that you can view your scores and then decide whether retaking the test is necessary.

When can I apply to retake the MCAT?

The registration system is updated within 24 hours of the candidate taking the test. After taking the test, your account status will be updated, and you are eligible to request a retake, provided it is not within 10 days of your exam date.