So, when is the right time? The best advice we can give you is to take the exam when you feel most prepared; there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution that works for every examinee. But when making that decision, ask yourself three questions:
- When do I want to attend medical school? Whether you decide to go straight from your undergraduate program to medical school or take time off in between, it’s a good idea to think about when you want to enter medical school and then work backwards. Remember, the medical school application process is longer than the one you went through for undergrad. If you want to go to medical school right after you graduate, you would need to take your MCAT exam and start the application process your junior year of college (or the year before you would like to enroll.)
- Will I need to take my exam more than once? We don’t like to think about this either, but many examinees take the MCAT more than once. If you think you may re-take the exam, and you want to leave yourself that option, think about taking the exam earlier in a testing year. This will give you the opportunity to receive your scores, make a decision about whether to re-test or not, and find another seat on a preferred date and location later in the year.
- Have I mastered the content tested on the exam? The MCAT exam tests content found in introductory-level courses at most undergraduate institutions, including biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics, as well as first-semester biochemistry, psychology, and sociology. While there aren’t specific courses you have to take to be able to register and take the exam, it’s important to feel comfortable with the content and skills tested. If you feel that additional coursework or studying is needed to help you prepare, think about testing at a later point in the year to have additional time. Consult your pre-health advisor or a faculty member to assist with course selection, as courses vary by institution.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- There are testing limits. There is a limit on the number of times you can attempt the exam. You can take the exam three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive testing years, and seven times total over your lifetime. Note: choosing to void your exam or not showing up on test day will count toward your total attempts.
- Medical schools see all your exam scores. This isn’t to scare you! Taking the exam more than once does not put you at a disadvantage, but it’s important to remember as you prepare for your exam that medical schools will see all the exams you chose to score. Each program has their own policies and procedures for how they view and evaluate multiple scores. You can learn more about how schools consider multiple scores in the Medical School Admissions Requirement(TM) online guide.
As you think about your exam, remember to talk with your pre-health advisor or a faculty member to help you plan and prepare. Also, be sure to check out the FAQs and resources available from the AAMC, including the Fee Assistance Program.
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