2026 MCAT Test Dates List for United States & Canada

United States 2026 MCAT Test Dates

Canada 2026 MCAT Test Dates

Summary: MCAT 2026 Testing Schedule

FAQs: How To Choose An MCAT Test Date To Maximize Chances of Med-School Admission

When is the most optimal time to take the MCAT?

Every med school has a limited number of seats in their classes. The more students they bring on, the less seats they have. Thus, applying early is key because it increases your chances of qualifying for a seat. Which means it would be smartest to choose one of the early MCAT test dates.

When admissions committee is reviewing your application, you want there to be 100% availability in seats so your chances of acceptance are high, as long as you meet specific requirements for your target school.

When should I apply if I want to be part of the very first set of applicants?

AMCAS applications open early May to submit to medical schools in early June, which means no matter how early you test, you'll only be able to input your application in May and apply in early June. And if you want to be part of the very first set of applicants, you've got to be ready hit that submit button on the very first day you can in June.

It takes approximately 30 days from your test date to get your MCAT score results back, therefore ideally, you want to choose one of the MCAT test dates that are on or before the final April test date so you can be ready when May rolls around.

Testing in January is a good idea if you studied all summer and fall, and feel ready to get the exam done with. This way you can get your scores by Feb and just wait until May to start application. You can use that time in the middle for a lot of things such as travel and extracurriculars.

When should I not take the MCAT?

If you're not ready by April, don't test in April! If you're not confident about hitting your MCAT score goal, then you're better off delaying - no matter what your test date is.

A mediocre score with early application doesn't get you accepted quickly, it gets you rejected quickly.

Should I test in August or later?

After August, competition usually reaches its peak. You can test at this time, but we wouldn't recommend it.

Some schools don't have rolling admissions and have hard deadlines. This doesn't mean that you should wait until the last minute to write your MCAT and risk not being prepared.

We recommend scheduling your MCAT test date at least 2 months before the deadline. This gives you breathing space and is valuable in the case that 'stuff happens'.

A lot of things can get in the way of your plan (environmental issues, physical issues, family issues, etc.), so be smart and don't schedule your test for the very last possible day because if something happens and you can't test that day, you'll be waiting an entire cycle.

What about applications in regards to the MCAT?

Don't treat your med-school application as any less important than your MCAT. Give yourself all the time you can for it.

Get it reviewed by credible people (those who are already in med-school). If you can, get started on them before applications even open by Googling the essays, getting all your transcripts, LORs, etc. ready to go.

If you write your MCAT early but don't submit your applications as soon as you possibly can, there was no point in you testing early in the first place.

When should I not go through with applications because of the MCAT?

Do not submit a medical school application without an MCAT score, and just letting them know you're testing soon. Your application will most likely get 'passed on'. 

Don't apply if your score isn't near or at the med-schools criteria. If you didn't get the score you want, you can try other schools, but if you want your dream school, withhold your application, retest and get that target score.

Remember your MCAT score will be the deciding factor in whether or not the admission committee gives your application a second glance. With thousands of applications to go through, using the MCAT score is how they filter candidates (with computers). A 511+ score can make you competitive for most schools.

Understand how to 'hack the system' to get the highest score possible in the easiest way possible. The #1 way to accomplish this is to use the same approach and strategies that others have used to score over the 90th percentile on the MCAT.

Mastering content (more than you've ever studied for before) is only half the battle and that's something you can probably do well if you really tried. But that doesn't get you a competitive score.

After a certain point, your score plateaus and doesn't increase. That's when you need strategy and you need to understand how to take this test that's unlike anything you've ever experienced before. 

That's when you can work with a MedLife  Mastery Mentor to take your score to the 511+ mark.

Should I factor in retakes when I consider my MCAT test date?

No! You're not here to plan for failure. You're here to plan for success. This next date you're going to take the MCAT on, will be your last. That's the mindset top scorers have - and you will too.

Please don't take this test lightly. Do not let all of your years of hard work go to waste because of one exam that has been unfairly given the power to determine your future.

Study smart with the best strategies and make it your mission to make this the last time you'll ever face the MCAT. There are always easier, smarter methods to get what you want.

Lastly know that getting a score near or over 511 on the MCAT is not unrealistic for you. It's very possible regardless of your current situation. You just need to know how to approach the MCAT strategically and efficiently.

Everyone has a unique story and journey to med-school