The MCAT will be administered 25 times in 2008 (26 in Canada), spread over 7
months. There are multiple advantages to starting your MCAT prep
as early as possible.
A longer prep window:
- allows for greater retention
and integration of the critical thinking skills required for
the MCAT
- provides more flexibility when
registering for the test in case dates or locations fill
up
Download the 2008 MCAT Test
Date calendar (USA or Canada, pdf) and see below for advice on which test
date works best for you.
Which Test Date is Right for you?
January 2008 (1/25 AM and 1/26 AM)
Although a small exam window, the two January test dates are
attractive options for students in schools that give a long break
between fall and spring semesters. January is also a good window
for students who wish to take the earliest possible test date so
they have time to re-take if necessary and still make the early
admissions deadlines. Additionally, out of school students who
have completed their prerequisites and are taking an interim year
before matriculating into medical school may also test in
January. January test takers should start preparing in September
with the start of the fall semester.
April 2008 (4/5 AM, 4/18 AM, and 4/19
PM)
April testing dates will appeal to students who wish to have
their scores back from the AAMC before the start of the
application cycle. This gives applicants a distinct advantage in
rolling admissions because their applications can be complete and
ready for review by early June when applications open up.
Preparation for the April test can begin as early as September
with the start of fall classes, or as late as January with the
start of spring classes.
May 2008 (5/10 AM, 5/23 AM, 5/27 PM, and 5/31
AM)
Testing later in May allows students who have already completed
their finals to take the MCAT without worrying about both finals
and the MCAT. In addition, May testing will allow students'
scores to be ready by late June, just after the start of the
application cycle. May is also a popular option for students who
wish to maintain the option to retest later in the summer before
the close of the application cycle.
June 2008 (6/13 AM & PM)
Because both June administrations will be held on a single day
(AM and PM sessions), students wishing to take the test in June
will have to register very early. June will be a sought after
test date as it offers the unique convenience of allowing time
for preparation over the summer as well as the ability to retest
during the same application cycle. Preparation for the June MCAT
can begin as early as January with the start of spring classes,
with lots of free time during the summer spent on practice.
July 2008 (7/8 AM, 7/10 AM, 7/18 AM)
July will be a popular window for students wishing to take the
early half of summer to prepare for the test. July will also be
popular as students who've taken the exam earlier in the year
look to re-take the exam. Preparation for the July exam can begin
as early as January with the beginning of the spring semester or
also with most popular class start options in March.
August/September 2008 (8/5 AM, 8/7 AM, 8/9 AM & PM†, 8/15 AM &
PM, 8/22 PM, 8/26 PM, 9/3 AM, 9/5 AM, 9/6 AM, 9/12 PM, and 9/13
AM)
The August and September exam dates are ideal for students who
need longer preparation time for the MCAT because of heavy time
commitments during the semester or because they have been
detached from the science material for a long time. These testing
options will also be very popular with retesting students from
early summer who took the MCAT in April, May, or June and wish to
take the test again before the first application deadlines in
October. Preparation for the August/September dates can begin as
early as March for out of school students, with most popular prep
options beginning in mid-May after finals.
† Canada only