How Many Times Can You Take The MCAT?

To get into the school of your dreams, you’ll need to do something that isn’t as exciting: take the dreaded MCAT.

See also our post on the Best MCAT Prep Courses here to know what’s the best for you.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, applicants to U.S. MD programs average about 506 on the MCAT. Matriculants do a little better: the AAMC’s applicant and matriculant data puts their 2023-2024 average at 511.7.

If your first score isn’t in this range, you may be wondering: How many times can you take the MCAT?

In this guide, we’ll answer this inquiry and provide more details on how to perform up to par.

Is It Possible to Retake the MCAT?

is it possible to retake the exam

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a rigorous exam that’s part of the medical school admissions process. It takes about seven and a half hours of seated time and includes four intensive sections. These sections cover everything from critical reasoning skills to knowledge on biological systems’ chemical foundations.

It’s a challenging exam. Many students aren’t satisfied with their scores the first time around. Luckily, they can retake the test to improve their marks. The AAMC allows second, third, and later attempts, within its testing limits.

You can also check out our How Hard Is The MCAT here so you can have a background on MCAT.

Limits on Retaking the MCAT

While you can retake the MCAT, you can’t continue to take it indefinitely. The AAMC places retake limits, so make each attempt count.

You can take the MCAT up to seven times during your life, with tighter caps per year and per two-year period. You can also hold only one exam appointment at a time. For more ideas on When Should You Take the MCAT, see our post here.

How Often Can I Take the MCAT?

The AAMC has established the following caps for the MCAT:

Three attempts in one testing year
Four total attempts in two consecutive testing years
Lifetime limit of seven attempts

The AAMC’s MCAT FAQs confirm that voids and no-shows count toward these limits. If you didn’t perform well and want to void your test to ensure medical schools don’t see the results, you’ll use up one attempt.

If you don’t show up to your scheduled exam at all due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll also use up one of your attempts.

Should I Retake the MCAT?

Should I Retake the MCAT

Some people are hesitant to take this monumental medical school exam multiple times. They believe multiple attempts will make them look bad to schools’ admissions departments.

However, taking the MCAT more than once (and improving) can show a school that you’re seriously committed to becoming a physician.

Consider how your schools’ admissions departments view multiple MCAT attempts. They may:

Average all your scores together
Only consider your highest score
Consider all scores but give more weight to the newest score
Consider the highest score from each section

Before you retake the MCAT, you should understand the weighing process for the programs you’re interested in attending.

Deciding Whether to Retake the MCAT

There’s no definitive way to decide whether to retake the MCAT. However, you can ask yourself the following questions to help guide your decision.

How Did You Do the First Time?

Compare your score with the averages at the schools on your list. A 510 is a little below the matriculant average of about 512, and many selective schools admit students with higher scores.

How Prepared Were You for Your First Attempt?

Did you give every topic equal weight during your study sessions? Did you have something going on in your personal life that affected your level of preparation? If so, you might do better on your second attempt with more practice. See also our post on How Long Does It Take to Study for the MCAT here for more information.

How Do You Plan to Improve Your Score?

You shouldn’t sign up for a second attempt out of frustration. Do you have a solid plan for improving your score? You can simulate a testing environment and work through practice exams to give you an edge on your next test day.

How to Achieve a Better Score

How To Achieve A Better Score

Total MCAT scores range from 472 to 528, and matriculants average about 512, so that’s a sensible target for most applicants. If you’ve already taken the test and want to increase your score, you have several options available to you. It is also important to note the validity score of the MCAT, so see our post on How Long Are MCAT Scores Valid? here.

First and foremost, we recommend taking an MCAT prep course. These courses cover essential information and review effective test-taking strategies. You can take one online or in-person, depending on your preferences.

You can also join a local study group or meet with friends to cover the topics you didn’t do so well the first time around.