The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is one of the toughest admissions tests out of all professional schools. Spanning over seven hours and requiring months of preparation, this exam provides a numerical score that will go on every pre-medical students application to medical school. The MCAT is arguably one of the most, if not the most, important aspects of one’s application. Thus, it is vital to study hard and perform well. In some cases, pre-med students will need to retake the exam, if they are not happy with their score. In this article we will discuss what the MCAT test is, when you take it, how to prepare, how hard the exam is, what the retake rules are, and how many times in total you can take the MCAT.
What is the Medical College Admission Test?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam required for admission to most medical schools in the United States and Canada. It is designed to assess problem-solving, critical thinking, and foundational knowledge in several areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, and English comprehension. The exam is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which also develops and updates the exam to reflect the evolving expectations of medical training.
The MCAT is about 7 hours and 30 minutes long (including breaks) making it one of the longest professional admissions exams. It consists of four sections:
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Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chemistry and Physics)
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Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
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Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Biology and Biochemistry)
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Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psychology/Sociology)
Scores on the MCAT range from 118 to 132 for each section, with a total score range of 472 to 528. A score around 500 represents the 50th percentile. Medical schools typically view both the total score and the distribution across sections, since each section reflects different competencies important for medical training.
Most students take the MCAT in the spring or summer of the year before they plan to enter medical school, typically between January and September. This timing allows students to receive their scores in time for the medical school application cycle, which opens in early summer. Many test-takers spend three to six months preparing for the exam, depending on their background and schedule.
Preparation usually involves a combination of content review, daily practice questions, and full-length practice exams. High quality practice questions are essential because they mimic the style and reasoning required on the real exam. Students often use structured study schedules, commercial prep materials, online resources, and study groups. Because endurance is a major component of the MCAT, regularly taking full-length timed exams is considered one of the most important parts of preparation.
When can you take the MCAT?
The MCAT is offered multiple times each year, typically from January through September, with testing dates spread across most months in that range. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which administers the exam, releases an official testing calendar annually that lists all available dates. Because seats can fill quickly, students are encouraged to register several months in advance.
Most examinees choose a date that aligns with their medical school application timeline. For those applying in the upcoming cycle, this usually means taking the test in the spring or early summer of the year before they plan to matriculate. However, students can take the MCAT whenever they feel adequately prepared, including after completing key prerequisite courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.
How many times can you take the MCAT in a year?
Having a good MCAT score is vital. Because so much is riding on the MCAT, some students elect to retake it as their first score is lower than they hoped, because they weren’t as prepared as they could have been, or because they believe a higher score will strengthen their medical school applications. When it comes to retaking the MCAT, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) has clear limits for how many times one can attempt the test in a single year: three. This limit applies regardless of whether you complete the exam, void your score, or no-show, as each of those counts as an attempt under the AAMC’s policy. If you hit that three-attempt cap in a year, you’ll need to wait until the next testing year to take it again.
How many times can you take the MCAT in a lifetime?
If one continues to re-take the MCAT spanning several years, they may reach the lifetime cap. No matter the time period, one may only take the MCAT seven times in total. It is important to note that this includes scored exams, voided tests, and no-shows. Once you hit that seventh attempt, you’re no longer eligible to take the MCAT again under normal circumstances.
Can you take the MCAT without a degree?
There is no degree requirement to take the MCAT. In fact most individuals taking the MCAT will not have a degree as they will likely be in the last year or two of college education. According to the AAMC, you just need to register with the intention of applying to a health-professions program; there’s no specific requirement that you hold a bachelor’s degree. While a degree isn’t necessary to sit for the test, many college courses will help to provide a strong framework for the exam. Additionally, medical schools have separate expectations with prerequisite coursework (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) and a degree in process in order to apply.
How to prepare for the MCAT?
Preparing for the MCAT typically begins with establishing a structured study plan and choosing the right resources. Many students start by enrolling in MCAT review courses, which offer intensive lesson plans, instructional videos, full-length practice exams, and access to instructors for questions. Companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Blueprint provide comprehensive courses that can help students stay accountable and follow a clear timeline. These courses can be especially helpful for students who prefer guided learning or who want detailed explanations from experts. However, these courses require a significant amount of free time to take the course and they can be cost-prohibitive to many students.
Alongside courses, many students use Kaplan review books or similar book sets (such as Princeton, Examkrackers) because they provide thorough content summaries, explanations, and practice problems. These books are a reliable way to review foundational sciences including biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology, while reinforcing what you learn through quizzes and topic-focused practice. Students often supplement these with free resources like Khan Academy, which offers high-quality videos and practice passages that are particularly strong for MCAT psychology and sociology, even though the official content is no longer updated. Other free tools include AAMC sample questions, Reddit r/MCAT study guides, and YouTube channels covering high-yield topics.
Practice is the cornerstone of MCAT success, so integrating practice questions and full-length exams throughout your schedule is essential. Most pre-med students study for the MCAT for 3-6 months, often dedicating 10-25 hours per week depending on school or work obligations. Some who desire a more immersive approach engage in dedicated study periods of 6–10 weeks with heavier weekly workloads. During this period, students focus heavily on timed practice passages, reviewing mistakes, and taking official AAMC full-length exams to build endurance, accuracy, and familiarity with the MCAT style.
What is the eligibility age for the MCAT?
There is no official minimum or maximum age to take the MCAT. What matters more is that you are academically prepared (typically having completed or nearly completed required college-level science coursework) and intend to apply to a health-professions program.
Is there a limit on MCAT attempts?
Yes, there is a limit on how many times you can take the MCAT. The AAMC allows you to attempt the MCAT up to 3 times in a single testing year, up to 4 times over any two consecutive years, and no more than 7 times in your lifetime. Additionally, any time you register and sit for the exam (even if you void your exam or fail to show up) it counts as one attempt.
Does it look bad to retake the MCAT 3 times?
Taking the MCAT more than once can be a red flag on medical school applications. However, there are ways to work around this weakness on an application. Admissions committees will see all of MCAT scores. If your scores show consistent improvement or a significant jump after each retake, it can actually demonstrate perseverance, dedication, and the ability to learn from experience; all qualities medical schools value highly. Many applicants who take the MCAT multiple times are still successfully admitted, especially if they strengthen other parts of their application, like GPA, clinical experience, and extracurricular involvement.
However, if your scores remain stagnant or decline with each attempt, it could raise concerns about test preparation, time management, or readiness for the rigors of medical school. In these cases, applicants may need to provide a thoughtful explanation in their application or during interviews to address the retakes and show what they did differently to improve. Overall, multiple MCAT attempts are not disqualifying, but demonstrating growth, preparation, and resilience is key to presenting your application in the best light.
What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?
The 32‑hour rule in medical school admissions refers to a policy used by some medical schools in which admissions committees choose to evaluate an applicant based on the most recent ~32 credit hours of coursework (often upper‑division science or post‑baccalaureate classes), rather than relying on the overall undergraduate GPA. This can benefit students who had a rocky start in college but showed marked academic improvement later. By highlighting an upward trend and more recent improved academic performance, applicants can demonstrate readiness for medical school with this rule, even if their cumulative GPA is lower.
It’s important to know, though, that not all medical schools use the 32‑hour rule, and those that do may apply it differently (some may count 30–32 hours, others may handle it more loosely). If you’re considering applying, you should check the admissions policies at each school to see their specific admission policies.
Is the MCAT hard to pass?
Yes, the MCAT is very challenging. However, the MCAT is not a pass/fail exam. Instead, test takers receive a numerical score based on their exam success. One can look at test statistics to show what the typical performance looks like and what makes the exam difficult to do well on.
The average total MCAT score for all test‑takers is around 500-501, which is roughly the 50th percentile. A good score (considered competitive for medical school) will need to be significantly higher. Accepted matriculants in recent cycles average about 511-512, which is around the 83rd–84th percentile.
Because medical schools want scores well above the average, many test‑takers fall short of their target. Thus, pre-medical students need to score well to be competitive for medical school. It requires a firm grasp of science content, solid reasoning skills, and often months of preparation.
What is the hardest subject on the MCAT?
The “hardest” subject on the MCAT can vary by individual. According to statistics and surveys, many find chemistry and physics, particularly organic chemistry and general physics, the most challenging sections. These subjects require not only memorization of concepts and formulas but also the ability to apply them to new and complex problem-solving scenarios while under time constraints.
Additionally, some students struggle with the Psychology and Sociology section, especially if they are less familiar with behavioral sciences terminology and experimental design. While the Biological and Biochemical Foundations section is heavy on memorization of biochemistry and biology, students often report that its difficulty is more predictable than the application-heavy reasoning required in physics or the integration of multiple concepts in organic chemistry. Ultimately, the hardest subject depends on a student’s academic background and strengths, but chemistry and physics consistently rank as the sections that most test-takers find challenging.
What is the next step to get into Medical School?
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Callie Torres is a double board-certified physician, a freelance health and medical writer, as well as an author of many peer-reviewed medical articles.
