There is no "pass" or "fail" on the MCAT—your score simply reflects where you stand on a 472–528 scale. That said, most U.S. and Canadian medical schools look for applicants at or above the 50th percentile, which currently corresponds to a score of about 500.

Percentiles & Competitive Benchmarks

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• 50th Percentile (~500): The median score. Hitting this mark makes you a viable candidate at many programs.

• 75th Percentile (~509): A strong score that will open doors to more competitive MD and DO programs.

• 90th Percentile (~515+): An elite score, positioning you for top-tier schools and scholarships.

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How Schools Use MCAT Scores

• Minimum Cutoffs: Some schools set hard minimums (e.g., 502 or 505) to screen applicants.

• Average Matriculant Scores: Leading institutions often report average matriculant scores in the 510–515 range. Meeting or exceeding this average significantly boosts your chances.

• Section Balancing: Competitive applicants usually score at least 125 in each of the four sections. Large gaps between section scores can raise red flags.

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Maximizing Your Score with Exam Review

• Diagnostic Benchmarking: Our free diagnostic test instantly tells you where you fall relative to percentile goals.

• Targeted Section Drills: Pinpoint weak areas—whether it’s CARS reasoning or Physics applications—and turn them into strengths.

• Full-Length Simulations: Build stamina and pacing with realistic, timed exams that mirror the AAMC’s format.

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Rather than aiming just to "pass", set a concrete numeric goal aligned with your dream schools. At Exam Review, we help you translate percentile targets into actionable study plans—so you’re not just test-ready, you’re score-optimized.​​

How do I register for the MCAT exam?

Registering early and efficiently is crucial to secure your preferred test date and location. Follow these four simple steps to get on the books—and get one step closer to medical school.​​​​​

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Step-by-Step Tips to Register:

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1. Create Your AAMC Account

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• Visit the AAMC MCAT Portal

• Sign Up or Sign In: If you’re a first-time registrant, click "Create Account" and complete the required fields (name, email, date of birth). Returning users can simply log in with their existing credentials.

• Verify Your Identity: Follow the prompts to upload a valid photo ID and, if requested, take a live selfie for identity confirmation.

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2. Choose Your Test Date & Location

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• Test Windows: The MCAT runs January through September, with multiple dates each month. Popular dates fill up fast, so plan at least 3–4 months before your preferred semester application deadlines.

• Search for Centers: Use the AAMC’s interactive map to find testing centers near you—or consider travel hubs if your first choice is full.

• Select an Experimental Section Option: You’ll be assigned an unscored, trial section automatically; no extra action is needed on registration.​

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3. Make Your Payment & Confirm

• Payment Methods: Credit/debit card or AAMC Gift Certificate.

• Confirmation Email: Once payment processes, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your ticket number, test center address, and reporting time.

• Download Your Admission Ticket: Log back into your AAMC account and download the PDF. Print it and bring it with your government-issued photo ID on test day.

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4. Follow their instructions to register through Elsevier Evolve

Most schools will provide a Department ID that you’ll use to sign up for the exam on evolve.elsevier.com.

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Start early. Some schools require you to register at least a week in advance, and testing slots can fill up quickly — especially around application deadlines.

What do I need to know before I register for the MCAT exam?

1. Eligibility & Prerequisites

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• Educational Background: Most schools expect you to have completed—or be in the process of completing—courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, and English.

• Timing in Curriculum: Ideally, take the MCAT after you’ve finished your foundational science sequence and at least one semester of biochemistry. This ensures content is fresh and you can focus on strategic review.

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2. Test Dates & Registration Windows

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• Testing Season: January through September each year, with multiple dates per month. Book 3–6 months in advance to lock in your preferred slot.

• Late Registration: AAMC opens late registration about 4 weeks before each test date—note the extra fee and limited seating.

• Rescheduling & Cancellation Deadlines: You can cancel or reschedule up to 30 days before your exam with minimal penalty; within 30 days, you forfeit your registration fee.

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3. Fees & Financial Aid

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• Standard Fee: $340 (U.S.) / $365 (International).

• Late-Registration Surcharge: +$75 if you register during the late window.

• Fee Assistance Program (FAP): If you qualify, you can receive up to 50% off registration fees—and free access to select AAMC prep materials. Apply for FAP before registering to secure your discount.

When should I register for the MCAT exam?

1. Know the Registration Window

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• Registration Opens: Approximately six months before each testing month.

• Late Registration: Begins about four weeks before a given test date (with a $75 surcharge and limited seats).

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Pro Tip: Mark your calendar for the first day of registration in the AAMC portal for your desired test month—this gives you the best shot at your top-choice site and time.

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​2. Aim for 3–4 Months Before Your Application Deadlines

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• Summer/Gap-Year Test-Takers: If you’re targeting fall medical school deadlines (typically October–November), plan to test by June or July.

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• Spring/Senior-Year Test-Takers: For winter/spring deadlines, schedule your MCAT by January or February.

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Why It Matters: A score report takes 30–35 days to process. Testing too late risks missing application cut-offs or leaving no buffer for a retake.

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3. Factor in Your Prep Timeline

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• Content Mastery: Complete your core science courses (Gen Chem, Org Chem, Bio, Physics, Biochemistry) before sitting for the MCAT.

• Study Blocks: Build at least 8–12 weeks of dedicated prep—interleaving content review, passage practice, and full-length simulations.

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Registration Strategy: Don’t book until you’ve taken a diagnostic exam. That score will help you choose a realistic test month and avoid unnecessary stress.​​

Preparing for Your MCAT Test Day

Getting test day right is as critical as mastering content. Follow this comprehensive checklist to ensure you arrive calm, confident, and ready to excel.

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1. Logistics & Checklist

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• Admission Ticket & ID: Print your MCAT admission ticket and bring the exact government-issued photo ID you used during registration.

• Travel Plan: Map out your route the night before. Aim to arrive 30–45 minutes early to account for parking, security, and check-in.

• Testing Center Rules: Review AAMC policies on personal items and prohibited electronics. Most centers only allow your admission ticket, ID, and a mask (if required).

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2. Pack Your "Test Day" Kit

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• Comfort Essentials: Dress in light layers—testing rooms vary in temperature.

• Snacks & Hydration: Pack non-messy, high-protein snacks (nuts, granola bars) and a water bottle. Schedule your snacks during the two 10-minute breaks, and the longer mid-exam break for a more substantial refreshment.

• Mental Aids: Bring a watch (without alarms) to track breaks, and a small stress-relief item (e.g., a smooth stone or fidget ring) to reset between sections.

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3. Mental & Physical Readiness

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• Sleep: Prioritize 7–8 hours of quality sleep for two nights leading up to the exam.

• Nutrition: Eat a balanced meal 2–3 hours before test start—include complex carbohydrates and lean protein to stabilize energy.

• Warm-Up Routine: On test-day morning, do a brief mindfulness exercise (deep breathing or a 5-minute meditation) to center your focus.

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​4. Break Management

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• 10-Minute Breaks: Consume a quick snack, hydrate, and do light stretches to reset your body and mind.

• 30-Minute Mid-Exam Break:

  • Have a more substantial snack (e.g., a sandwich), review high-yield equations, and mentally preview the second half of the exam.

  • Avoid heavy or sugary foods that could cause an energy crash.

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Are there any prerequisites for taking the MCAT exam?

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1. Foundational Coursework

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Most medical schools—and the MCAT content outline—assume you’ve completed (or are in the process of completing) these college-level courses:

• General Chemistry (with lab)

• Organic Chemistry (with lab)

• Biology/Biological Sciences (with lab)

• Physics (with lab)

• Biochemistry

• English/Composition or Writing-Intensive Courses

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2. Timing & Sequencing

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• Finish Core Sciences First
  Aim to complete your Gen Chem, Org Chem, Bio, and Physics sequence before scheduling your MCAT. This ensures the material is fresh for review, not relearning.

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• Biochemistry Integration
  Schedule your MCAT after—or alongside—your biochemistry course to maximize retention of complex metabolic and molecular dynamics content.

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• Avoid Academic Overload
  Don’t sit for the MCAT in the middle of an intense course load or clinical rotation—Your focus should be on MCAT prep, not juggling multiple high-stakes commitments.

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3. Recommended Skills & Experiences

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• Critical Reading & Writing
  Strong evidence-based reading and writing practice (beyond required English courses)

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• Quantitative Reasoning
  Comfort with algebra, basic statistics, and data interpretation is essential for physics problems and for analyzing social-science graphs.

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• Research or Clinical Exposure
  While not mandatory for the MCAT itself, research labs or volunteer experiences sharpen scientific thinking and give context to passage-based questions.

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4. AAMC Policies & Registration Requirements

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• Age & Documentation
  You must be at least 18 (varies by country), register through the AAMC portal, and provide a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID that exactly matches your registration name.

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• Fee Assistance Program Eligibility
  You can apply for reduced registration fees if you meet income and academic criteria—but you must enroll in FAP before you register.

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What happens if I don’t pass the exam?

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1. Your Score Report & Its Impact

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• Official Release: Scores arrive 30–35 days after test day.

• How Schools See It: Medical schools review your complete 472–528 score report. If your score falls below their average matriculant range or any minimum cutoffs, your application may be less competitive—or you may not receive an interview invite.

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2. Retake Policies & Timing

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• Maximum Attempts: You can take the MCAT up to three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive years, and seven times total in your lifetime.

• Cooldown Period: AAMC enforces a 30-day waiting period before you can retake. Plan retakes at least 60–90 days after your previous test to allow for focused review.

• Late vs. Standard Registration: If you retake close to your application deadline, expect limited seat availability and potential late-registration fees.

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3. Application Strategies after a Low Score

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• Contextualize Your Attempt: In your AMCAS application’s "Additional Information" section, briefly explain extenuating circumstances or highlight substantial improvement plans.

• Strengthen Other Metrics: Bolster your GPA, clinical hours, research experiences, and letters of recommendation to offset a weaker MCAT.

• Consider a Gap Year: A deliberate one-year prep cycle can let you retake with confidence—using that extra time to deepen clinical exposure and refine content mastery.

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4. How Exam Review Helps You Bounce Back

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• Targeted Diagnostics: Pinpoint exact content or reasoning weaknesses with our AI-driven assessments.

• Customized Study Plans: Follow a high-yield calendar that adapts to your retake timeline, balancing content review, passage practice, and full-length simulations.

• Retake-Focused Modules: Access rapid-review flashcards and "last-mile" strategy workshops designed specifically for retakers.

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​How long are MCAT exam scores valid, and can the exam be retaken?​

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MCAT Score Validity Period

Unlike some exams that "expire" on their own, the AAMC retains your MCAT scores indefinitely. However, most U.S. and Canadian medical schools only consider scores from the past 2–3 years when evaluating applications.

• Common Rule of Thumb: Scores up to three years old are broadly accepted.

• School-Specific Policies: A few programs may be stricter—accepting only scores from the previous two application cycles—so always verify with each school’s admissions office.

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MCAT Retake Policy

If your score falls below your target or your chosen schools’ requirements, you can retake the MCAT under these AAMC guidelines:

• Attempts per Year: Maximum of 3 attempts within a rolling 1-year period.

• Attempts per Two Years: Maximum of 4 attempts over any consecutive 2-year span.

• Lifetime Limit: Up to 7 total attempts.

• Waiting Period: You must wait at least 30 days after a test date before registering to retake the exam.

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Planning Your Timeline

1. Check Your Score’s "Shelf Life": Note your exam date and count forward—if you plan to matriculate in 2026, for example, any MCAT taken before January 2023 may be considered too old for many schools.

2. Schedule Thoughtfully: Build in time for score release (30–35 days post-exam), application deadlines, and a potential retake—remember the 30-day cooldown.

3. Verify School Requirements: Use each medical school’s admissions site or the MSAR to confirm their MCAT score-age policy.

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What career opportunities are available after taking the MCAT Exam?

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Taking the MCAT isn’t just about unlocking medical school—it also signals advanced analytical, scientific, and critical-thinking skills that many top employers value. Here are the primary pathways you can pursue once you’ve completed the MCAT:

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1. Medical School & Physician Specialties

• MD (Doctor of Medicine): The most common route—leads to specialties like Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, and more.

• DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine): Emphasizes a holistic, musculoskeletal approach; opens doors to the same specialties as MD programs plus unique osteopathic manipulative treatments.

• Dual-Degree Programs:

  • MD/PhD: Combines clinical training with biomedical research—ideal for physician-scientists.

  • MD/MPH or MD/MBA: Prepares you for leadership roles in public health, healthcare administration, or biotechnology.

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2. Allied Health & Research Careers

• Physician Assistant (PA) & Nurse Practitioner (NP): Leverage your rigorous science background to deliver hands-on patient care under collaborative practice agreements.

• Biomedical Researcher: Work in academic, government, or industry labs on drug discovery, genetics, immunology, or translational medicine.

• Clinical Trials Coordinator: Design and manage studies that bring new therapies from bench to bedside.

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3. Public Health & Policy

• Epidemiologist & Biostatistician: Use your quantitative reasoning skills to track disease outbreaks, evaluate interventions, and inform public-health decisions.

• Health Policy Analyst: Advise governments, NGOs, or think tanks on healthcare legislation, resource allocation, and population-health strategies.

• Global Health Specialist: Partner with international organizations to combat infectious diseases, improve sanitation, and build health systems abroad.

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4. Consulting & Industry

• Healthcare Consultant: Help hospitals, insurers, and healthcare startups optimize operations, adopt new technologies, and navigate regulatory challenges.

• Pharmaceutical & Biotech Roles:

  • Medical Science Liaison: Act as a bridge between pharma companies and clinicians, educating on new products and research findings.

  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensure compliance with FDA/EMA guidelines, shepherding drugs and devices through approval processes.

• Data Science & Health IT: Translate large clinical datasets into actionable insights, develop decision-support tools, or engineer AI-driven diagnostics.

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What is the exam fee for the MCAT?

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The MCAT registration fees for the 2025 testing year are set by the AAMC as follows:

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• Standard Registration: $345 USD

• International Surcharge: +$120 USD for examinees testing outside the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories (non-refundable)

• Fee Assistance Program Registration: $140 USD for qualifying applicants

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These fees cover your exam administration and score distribution. If you’re considering a late registration or need to reschedule/cancel, be sure to review the AAMC’s published change-fee schedule on the same page.

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