How much does the MCAT cost?
How much does the MCAT cost?
$335 standard registration fee
$140 registration fee for low-income students
$1,500 – $7,000 average cost for MCAT prep courses
MCAT cost
The MCAT cost for standard registration is $335. The MCAT price for international students is $455, which includes a $120 non-refundable International Fee in addition to the standard registration. Reduced MCAT fees of $140 are available for eligible students with extreme financial limitations.
| Registration type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Standard registration | $335 |
| Fee Assistance Program registration | $140 |
| International fee & registration* | $455 |
*For students outside the US, Canada, or US Territories
MCAT Fee Assistance Program
The MCAT Fee Assistance Program is a financial aid program offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to help cover the cost of applying for medical school. The program is for low-income students who otherwise could not apply. Approved recipients receive:
Discounted registration fees of $140
Free MCAT Official Prep products
Free access to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) online tool
Waiver of the application fees for up to 20 participating medical schools.
The program has limited available benefits each year. Apply early and provide detailed financial information and documentation to improve your chances of receiving financial assistance.
Rescheduling and cancellation fees
You pick your exam date and location when you register for the exam. You’ll pay an extra fee to change your test site, reschedule your exam date, or cancel for a partial refund. Students approved for financial assistance pay reduced change fees.
There are three deadlines for making changes to your appointment: 60 days, 30 days, and 10 days from the exam date. The earlier you change your exam date or testing location, the less you will pay in fees. No changes are allowed or refunds given less than 10 days before the exam.
| Standard change fees | ||
| Change date | Reschedule fee* | Cancellation refund* |
| 60+ days before exam | $50 | $165 |
| 30 – 59 days before exam | $100 | $165 |
| 10 – 29 days before exam | $200 | $0 |
| Fee Assistance Program change fees | ||
| Change date | Reschedule fee* | Cancellation refund* |
| 60+ days before exam | $50 | $165 |
| 30 – 59 days before exam | $100 | $165 |
| 10 – 29 days before exam | $200 | $0 |
*All deadlines are at 11:59 p.m. local time of the test center.
Making changes to both the test date and test center at the same time will save you money, as you'll only incur one rescheduling fee. If you make changes separately, you'll be charged a fee for each change.
Forfeit fees
If you miss your MCAT exam without rescheduling or canceling in advance, they consider you a “no show” and you lose the exam fees you've paid. Unforeseen emergencies, such as a natural disaster or a death in your immediate family, may be eligible for an emergency refund upon approval.
If you choose to void your MCAT scores, you will not receive a refund and it will count as a test attempt. You have 5 minutes at the end of the test to cancel the test and request it not be scored.
No shows and voids count as test attempts. You are limited to limited to 3 attempts in a single year, 4 attempts in a two-year period, and 7 attempts in your lifetime.
Other MCAT costs
Registration fees for the MCAT test only make up a portion of the total testing cost. Many other expenses are involved, even for those receiving fee assistance. The total cost can add up to $500 to $13,000, depending on the study materials, prep courses, tutoring, and travel costs you incur.
| Potential expenses | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Registration fees | $140 – $335 |
| Study materials | Free – $350 |
| MCAT prep courses | $1,500 – $7,000 |
| MCAT tutoring | $500 – $4,500 (10 – 30 tutoring hours) |
| Travel costs | $500 to $1,000* |
*Costs vary by location
Study material costs
The AAMC recommends students purchase the MCAT Official Prep Complete Bundle costing $350. This 1-year subscription bundle includes all the official study products at a discount over ordering separately. Unofficial sellers offer study guides, video lessons, flashcards, and practice tests online.
| Official study materials | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Complete prep bundle (online version) | $320 |
| Complete prep bundle (online + print version) | $350 |
| Official guide to the MCAT | $30 – $40 |
| Prep question packs by subject | $15 each |
| 4 full-length practice exams | $35 each |
| CARS diagnostic tool | $25 |
| Section bank of 300 practice questions | $45 |
MCAT prep costs
Many students rely on more expensive MCAT prep courses, which cost $1,500 to $7,000 on average, depending on the format and duration. The 3 main formats for prep courses are self-paced, live online, or in-person classroom instruction.
Self-paced prep courses – Self-paced MCAT prep courses cost $0 to $1,500 and allow you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. They typically include video lessons, practice questions, and full-length practice exams. They do not include any live instruction.
Live online prep courses – Online MCAT courses cost $2,000 to $6,500 on average and provide online instruction in real time. You can interact with the instructor and other students during class. Courses often include access to video lectures, practice questions, and other study materials.
Classroom courses – Expect to pay $2,500 to $7,000 or more for in-person MCAT prep classes. These courses typically include around 120 hours of classroom instruction with 4 to 6 subject matter experts to cover all the MCAT topics.
Some less costly prep classes are designed to run for a week or two over winter-break, while other more expensive courses are a full college semester in length with more than 120 hours of instruction.
MCAT tutoring costs
MCAT tutors charge $50 to $150 per hour on average. The tutor provides personalized, one-on-one tutoring or small group instruction to help you prepare for the exam. These tutors may focus on test-taking strategies, review practice materials, and help you improve your performance on practice tests.
Some students hire a tutor that specializes in the subjects where they are weakest. For example, if chemistry is your lowest scoring area, you may choose to hire a tutor to help with that section of the MCAT only.
Some tutors offer package deals for multiple sessions or long-term commitments.
Travel costs
The MCAT is not available online, so you will have to travel to an exam center to take the test. You may incur travel costs of $500 to $1,000, depending on where you live and the nearest testing center. Hundreds of Pearson VUE testing sites throughout the world administer the test throughout the year.
Travel expenses can include a domestic flight, a hotel room, a rental car, and meals.
| Travel expense | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight | $250 to $400 |
| Hotel room | $150 to $250 per night |
| Rental car | $40 to $80 per day |
| Meals | $30 to $50 per day |
*Costs vary by location
What is the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, computer-based test required by most medical schools to be considered for admission. Most med schools use a recent MCAT test score to assess a student’s readiness for the rigors of medical education.
The 6 hour and 15 minute test has 4 multiple choice sections designed to test a student’s knowledge of chemical and biological sciences, psychological and social behaviors, and critical reasoning skills.
Apply for special testing accommodations if you have a disability or medical condition that prohibits you from testing under standard conditions.
MCAT test registration
MCAT registration opens in late October for exams in January to June. You can schedule your exam up until 10 days prior to the test, after which no registrations or changes are allowed.
The MCAT registration process involves the following steps:
Registration:
Create an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) account online.
Complete the registration using an MCAT-accepted form of identification.
Select a testing region.
Choose a preferred test date. This date is not confirmed until payment is made.
Payment – Pay the registration fees online through the secure payment system.
Test date and location selection – Select your specific test date and testing center based on the availability in your preferred region.
Confirmation – You should receive an email confirming your registration and test details.
Check your confirmation email carefully. Your valid ID must match the first and last names on your registration exactly or you will not be allowed to test; you will be considered a “no-show” and will not receive a refund.
MCAT payment information
The MCAT registration system accepts all major credit cards, including debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo. No other forms of payment are accepted. The AAMC processes your registration immediately upon payment submission, and any changes incur additional fees.
You must provide an alternative form of payment if you dispute the credit card charge or payment is declined. Otherwise, the AAMC can cancel your registration, withhold all scores, and deny any future registration until the payment is resolved.
MCAT exam FAQs
How long is the MCAT?
The seated time for the exam is 7 hours 30 minutes, which includes instructions and optional breaks in between sections. The actual testing time is 6 hours and 15 minutes long for the 4 sections.
What is a good MCAT score?
A good MCAT score depends on the school you want to attend. The median MCAT score is 500 on a scale from 472 to 528. Top-tier med schools have higher average score requirements, while less competitive schools take students with lower scores.
What is on the MCAT?
The MCAT has 4 sections of multiple-choice questions designed to test your knowledge and skills in:
Chemistry and Physics
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Biology and Biochemistry
Psychology and Sociology
How hard is the MCAT?
The difficulty of the MCAT depends on your background, preparation, and familiarity with the test content. The test is considered challenging because it is a full day of high stakes testing with a limited amount of time for each section.
How many times can you take the MCAT?
You are allowed to take the MCAT up to 3 times in a single testing year, 4 times in a two-year period, or a total of 7 times in a lifetime. No shows and voids are included in these totals.
How to save money on the MCAT
While spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars to take the MCAT may seem like a lot, the exam costs are just a drop in the bucket compared to the $160,000 to $272,000 it will cost to attend medical school.
Here are some helpful suggestions that can save you money on your MCAT costs:
Apply for financial help through the Fee Assistance Program.
Stick with your original test date and location to avoid costly rescheduling fees. If you must make changes, do it as early as possible to avoid higher fees.
Use the available free or low-cost study materials rather than more costly prep courses.
Study hard and be prepared to get a good score on your first test attempt. Test attempts are costly and limited.
Questions to ask an MCAT tutor
Ask these important questions when hiring an MCAT tutor near you:
What is your tutoring rate?
Do you offer packages or discounts?
What is your educational background?
Have you taken the MCAT yourself?
How long have you been tutoring for the MCAT?
Have you helped students achieve significant score improvements?
Can you provide references or testimonials?
What is your teaching approach?
How do you tailor your teaching to my individual learning style?
What study materials and resources do you provide or recommend?
Do you follow a structured lesson plan?
Do you include practice exams in your pricing?
What is your availability? Can you accommodate my schedule?
How often do you recommend we meet and for how long?
Do you provide guidance on med school applications beyond MCAT preparation?
Can I schedule a trial session to see how we work together?