The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the standardized, all-day examination required for admission to nearly all medical schools in the United States and Canada. This comprehensive assessment measures a prospective student’s knowledge of scientific concepts and their ability to think critically. After the intensive testing process, test-takers await the results that significantly influence their application to medical programs. Understanding the structured timeline for score return is important for managing the application cycle.
The Official Score Release Timeline
Scores for the Medical College Admission Test are consistently released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 30 to 35 days following the examination date. This fixed duration is necessary because the AAMC does not process scores immediately upon test completion. Instead, the raw data must undergo a rigorous quality control process to ensure the integrity of the results.
The AAMC uses a psychometric process called scaling and equating. This guarantees that scores hold the same meaning regardless of slight variations in difficulty between different test forms administered throughout the year. The raw number of correct answers is converted into a scaled score to account for these differences, ensuring fairness for every test-taker.
Because of this standardized procedure, the exact score release date is predetermined and published on the AAMC’s official calendar well in advance. Scores are typically scheduled for release on a Tuesday or Friday. Test-takers should consult the official AAMC Score Release Calendar corresponding to their specific test date to know the exact day their results will be posted. On the scheduled day, scores are guaranteed to be available by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Accessing Your Scores Through the AAMC Portal
Once the official release date arrives, test-takers must log in to the AAMC MCAT Score Reporting System to view their results. Access is exclusively granted through this secure online portal, as scores are not sent via email or physical mail. While the official deadline for posting is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, results are frequently made available earlier in the day.
Many test-takers report scores becoming accessible around 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, though this earlier timing is not guaranteed. The AAMC generally does not send an email notification when scores are released, requiring applicants to proactively check the portal. The score report includes the total score, section scores for the four tested areas, and percentile ranks.
Test-takers maintain access to their score reports through the AAMC portal for the duration that the scores are considered valid for medical school applications. Medical schools typically accept scores that are no older than two or three years. The reporting system also allows applicants to designate which medical schools will receive their official scores.
Immediate Decisions and Application Timing
The long waiting period for the score release necessitates careful planning related to the medical school application process. One time-sensitive choice occurs directly after the exam: the test-taker must decide whether to score or void their examination. This decision must be made immediately at the testing center before leaving the premises, and once submitted, it is final.
Choosing to void the score means the test will not be graded, and no score will appear on the applicant’s record. However, the attempt still counts toward the total number of attempts allowed. This immediate decision is a high-pressure moment because it must be made without the benefit of the 30-to-35-day waiting period for reflection.
The 30-to-35-day score release timeline directly impacts the AMCAS application submission and verification process. Since medical school admissions operate on a rolling basis, submitting the primary application early is advantageous. Applicants using a new score must take the exam early enough in the cycle to ensure results are released before their AMCAS application is transmitted for review. Testing no later than the end of May is often recommended to avoid processing delays.