Which Countries Accept the MCAT?

June 25, 2024

minute read

The MCAT is a standardized exam that pre-med students need to take. However, some believe it is only administered and accepted in the US and Canada. It is not true. 

The MCAT is administered and accepted in many countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia (including the Middle East), Africa, and Australia. 

If you’re interested to find out which countries accept the MCAT and the MCAT’s eligibility requirements, this article is here to discuss all those plus more. Please keep reading. 


Which Countries Accept the MCAT?

If you want to apply to a medical professions school in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands, the AAMC states that you are qualified to take the MCAT exam.

The MCAT is open to any students interested in allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric, or veterinary medicine. This group includes all pre-medical students.

Current medical students and test-takers who do not intend to apply to health professions schools cannot take the MCAT. However, they may ask the AAMC for what is known as "special permission" to take the test. 

You may think it's absurd and confusing that someone would want to take the MCAT but not apply to medical school. These individuals do exist, though. 

For instance, test prep businesses yearly send developers to take the MCAT. Using this, they can create courses and course materials to aid in students' exam preparation.

Are International Students Eligible to Take the MCAT?

The MCAT is typically the first step (of many prerequisites) in getting into medical school if you are an international student planning to study medicine in the US and Canada. You will be qualified to take the MCAT as part of the admissions process if the US and Canadian medical schools you are applying to allow international students. 

Depending on the medical school you want to attend, the MCAT exam for international students is administered like that for the US and Canadian citizens. 

Remember, however, that while many US and Canadian medical schools welcome international applications, some only do so under specific conditions. 

You should thoroughly research each possibility while looking for a medical school for overseas students to see if you fit its standards.

What are the Requirements for International Students When Taking the MCAT?

As an international student, you must have completed or been enrolled in a pre-med course, such as a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree, generally known as an MBBS degree, to qualify for the MCAT. This is basically almost the same requirement for US and Canadian domestic students. 

The specific prerequisites to enroll in a medical school in the US will vary based on the schools you apply to because the MCAT requirements for international students are only one aspect of a medical school's admission procedure. 

Make it a point that you are aware of the medical school’s requirements you intend to attend.

MCAT Fees and Costs

Before booking your MCAT test date, you need to know how much the MCAT costs

The MCAT currently costs USD 325 for US and Canadian students. If you reschedule and cancel, you must pay an additional amount. 

The table below shows the associated fees concerning booking your MCAT for domestic and international students.


Gold Zone Deadline


29 Days Before Test Date/Time

Silver Zone Deadline


15 Days Before Test Date/Time

Bronze Zone Deadline


8 Days Before Test Date/Time

Initial Reservation Fee

USD 325

USD 325

USD 375

Date and/or Test Center Reschedule Fee

USD 100

USD 200

NA

Cancellation Refund

USD 160

NA

NA

International Fee

USD 115

USD 115

USD 115

MCAT Test World Calendar

As mentioned, the MCAT is administered in various testing locations around the world. Once you have decided to take the MCAT, book your MCAT right away. 

Remember that testing dates and locations fill up quickly, so you must register as early as possible. 

To help you plan ahead for the MCAT, we have listed below the different testing locations and dates for this year’s MCAT

Note: Guam, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands are US territories and are not charged an international testing fee.

US



January 14, 15, 20, 21


March 12, 25


April 8, 9, 29, 30


May 13, 14, 19, 27


June 4, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30


July 16, 29


August 5, 20, 25, 26, 27


September 1, 2, 9, 10

Puerto Rico


January 14, 15, 20, 21


March 12, 25


April 8, 9, 29, 30


May 13, 14, 19, 27


June 4, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30


July 16, 29, 30


August 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 27


September 1, 2, 3, 9, 10

Guam


January 14


March 12


April 8


May 19


June 4, 24


July 16


August 20


September 1, 9

US Virgin Islands


January 20


March 12


April 8


May 19


June 18


July 29


August 26, 27


September 9, 10

Australia


January 14, 21


March 12


April 9, 30


May 13, 14


June 4, 30


July 16


August 5


September 1

China: Hong Kong


January 14, 21


March 12


April 9, 30


May 13


June 4, 30


July 16


August 5, 20


September 1, 2

France


January 14, 20


April 8, 29


May 13


June 4, 17


July 16


August 5, 20, 26


September 1, 2, 9

Germany


January 14, 20


March 12, 25


April 8, 9, 29


May 13, 19


June 4, 17, 18, 24


July 16


August 5, 26


September 1, 2, 9

Israel


January 14, 20, 21


March 25


April 8, 29


May 13, 19, 27


June 17, 24, 30


July 29


August 26


September 1

Japan


January 14


March 12


April 8


May 14


June 17, 18, 30


July 16, 29


August 5


September 1, 2

Lebanon


July 21, 22


September 7, 8, 9, 10

Qatar


January 14, 15


June 17, 18

Singapore


January 14, 15, 20, 21


March 12, 25


April 8, 9


May 13, 14, 19


June 4, 17, 24, 30


July 16, 29


August 5, 20, 26, 27


September 1, 2

South Africa


January 14, 15


April 8, 9, 29


May 13, 19


June 4, 17, 24


July 16


September 1, 2

Taiwan


January 14, 20


March 12, 25


April 9, 29


May 14, 27


June 4, 24, 30


July 16


August 5


September 1

Thailand


January 14, 15, 20, 21


March 12, 25


April 8, 9, 29, 30


May 13, 27


June 4, 17, 18, 24, 30


July 29


August 5, 20, 26, 27


September 1, 2, 9

United Kingdom


January 14


March 12


April 8


May 13


June 4, 17


July 16


August 5


September 1, 2

Additional FAQs – Which Countries Accept the MCAT?

Can You Take the MCAT Internationally?

You can take the MCAT as an international student. Just ensure that you are qualified and have the necessary requirements. 

If you are not a citizen of the countries listed above, you have to fly to these countries to be able to take the MCAT. Register early and plan accordingly.

Can I Take the MCAT in India?

The MCAT is currently not available for testing in India. But as an international student, you may still take the MCAT. 

Choose from the countries listed above in this article, and contact the AAMC on how you can take the MCAT in the country you have chosen. 

Remember that taking the MCAT in these countries requires extra money, effort, and planning. Plan carefully. 

Is MCAT Taken in Nigeria?

The MCAT cannot be taken in Nigeria at the moment. However, you can still take the MCAT in the countries cited above. The nearest testing location would be South Africa. You may visit the AAMC website for further details. 

Does the UK Accept the MCAT?

MCAT scores are typically not accepted by UK medical schools. You will likely need to take the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) if you apply to medical schools in the UK. 

MCAT vs. UCAT Differences

Can You Take the MCAT Outside The US?

You can take the MCAT outside the US. The MCAT is currently administered in different countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia (including the Middle East), Africa, and Australia. Please refer to the countries and testing dates we have listed above in this article.

Your MCAT Success Mentors

About the Author

We're a team of future doctors passionate about giving back and mentoring other future doctors! All mentors on the team are top MCAT scorers and we all are committed to seeing you succeed in achieving your physician dreams ???? To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these Live MCAT Courses and are also available for 1:1 private tutoring!

Free Full Length MCAT Practice Exam + Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Course!

Sign up once and unlock these plus dozens of other free resources - all created by your MedLife Mentors!

free MCAT practice exam by MedLife vector
The Free Top Scorer MCAT Strategy Video Course 1

Trusted by 2,800+ students since 2019

200+ 5  ⭐️ reviews on TrustPilot

>
Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!