Free Tool
MCAT Test Date Planner
Pick your application cycle and how long you can study. See which MCAT date fits, when the score comes back and whether there is room for a retake.
Also in the full report
Get the full MCAT plan
Every test date that works for your cycle, a week-by-week study plan, the scheduling deadlines for your date and a retake plan with dates.
You will join the EduAvenues email list and can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. The Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
How the planner picks a date
The best MCAT date is the one that leaves enough study time and gets your score back before you submit.
- Score back by early June
- Your score is in hand when most applicants submit AMCAS, so you can finalize your school list.
- Score back by June 30
- Still early enough for schools to review your application near the front of the cycle.
- Study time
- Counted from your start date, with fewer hours each week for longer plans.
- Retake room
- A second date at least four weeks after your first score comes back, still before the end of June.
Dates from the AAMC, MCAT Testing Calendar and Score Release Dates. Attempt limits from AAMC, MCAT Testing Attempt Limits. Timing targets are EduAvenues guidance.
Study for the date you picked
The Pre-Med Prep Course is self-paced and covers what comes next in eight modules: coursework and GPA, extracurriculars, research, clinical experience, the MCAT, the application, interviews and your school list. Tuition is $495 with a 7-day tuition-back guarantee.
Enroll in the Pre-Med Prep CourseCommon Questions
When should I take the MCAT?
Early enough that your score is back before you submit AMCAS in late May or June. Scores come back about a month after each test date, so a January to April test is the most comfortable for most applicants. A May test still works if you are ready.
Should I plan for a retake?
If your practice scores are not yet where you want them, yes. A retake needs your first score back plus a few weeks of focused review, so the planner looks for two dates that both return a score by the end of June.
How many times can I take the MCAT?
AAMC allows up to three attempts in one testing year, four across two consecutive years and seven in a lifetime. Medical schools see every score.
When do I need to schedule?
Popular dates fill early, so schedule as soon as you choose a date. AAMC sets 60-day, 30-day and 10-day deadlines for every date, and the 10-day deadline is the last day to schedule, reschedule or cancel.
Are these the official dates?
The 2027 dates come from the AAMC testing calendar. AAMC has not posted 2028 dates yet, so 2028 dates are expected dates based on the 2027 pattern and are labeled that way until AAMC publishes them.