What Is the Best Time to Take the MCAT? A Strategic Guide for Pre-Med Students

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is one of the most important components of your medical school application. Choosing the right time to take it can greatly influence your performance, your application cycle timeline, and ultimately your chances of admission. So—what is the best time to take the MCAT?

Whether you're balancing classes, an international internship or preparing to apply this cycle, this guide breaks it all down for you.

What Does the MCAT Cover?

Before timing your test date, understand what you're signing up for. The MCAT is a 7.5-hour exam covering:

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)

It tests both content knowledge and critical thinking—skills you’ll refine through shadowing, coursework, and clinical experiences such as those offered by Go Elective in Kenya or Tanzania.

When Is the MCAT Offered?

The AAMC administers the MCAT from January through September in the U.S. and select international locations. There are approximately 30 test dates each year, and scores are released about 30 days after your exam.

> Full calendar and deadlines: Official AAMC MCAT Test Dates

Best Time to Take the MCAT: Key Considerations

Your Medical School Application Timeline

If you're applying in the 2026 cycle, aim to test by April to early June 2025. This ensures:

You receive your score before application deadlines
You can submit your primary application early (early submission = early interviews)
You have time to retake the test if needed

Best Testing Months for On-Time Application: March, April, May, or June

Your Academic Preparation

Have you completed:

Biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology?

Take the MCAT after finishing these core classes, ideally with time to review. If you're juggling coursework with internships or jobs, summer after junior year (or second-to-last year) is a popular and effective choice.

Life Commitments and Clinical Experience

Don't schedule the MCAT during:

A heavy semester
Your Go Elective internship abroad
A time of personal or academic stress

Instead, consider taking it immediately after a dedicated 2–3 month study period, ideally in:

May or June (for standard applicants)
January or March (if you're ahead in coursework or taking a gap year)

When Do Most Students Take the MCAT?

Academic Year	Ideal MCAT Timing	Who This Is For
Sophomore	Rare, not recommended	Only if on an accelerated path
Junior	Spring/Summer	Most common for students applying right after undergrad
Senior	Early Fall	Ideal for gap-year students or late bloomers
Gap Year	Anytime	Flexible—often January to April for strong scores

Should You Take the MCAT Before or After a Clinical Internship?

If you're doing a medical internship abroad with Go Elective, consider scheduling your MCAT before your departure—ideally 2–4 weeks prior—so you're fully focused during your clinical experience.

But there's also value in taking it after your internship:

Real-life cases boost your CARS and behavioral science sections
You’ll gain fresh motivation and clarity about your medical career

Tip: If you're unsure, schedule your internship for late summer (July–August) and your MCAT for May or June.

When Not to Take the MCAT

Avoid:

Cramming during final exams season (late April/early May for most students)
Testing right after a long break (holiday brain fog is real)
Scheduling it mid-internship or while traveling

Can You Retake the MCAT?

Yes—but it affects your timeline.

You may take the MCAT:

Up to 3 times per year
4 times in two years
7 times in a lifetime

That’s why it’s wise to take it early enough in your cycle to allow for a retake, if needed. Testing by April or May gives you this buffer.

Final Recommendations by Scenario

Student Type	Best Time to Take MCAT
Pre-Med Applying Without a Gap Year	March–June before final year
Gap Year Applicant	January–April of gap year
International Applicant	As early as possible to accommodate visa and travel delays
Internship Participant (Go Elective)	Before or immediately after internship, ideally not during

Boost Your Application with Go Elective

No matter when you take the MCAT, real clinical exposure sets you apart. Go Elective offers hands-on internships in Kenya and Tanzania designed to build your application with:

Shadowing hours for AMCAS
Patient care experience for CASPA
Cultural competence and global health exposure

In Summary:

Best months: March–June (standard applicants), January–April (gap year)
Avoid overlap with school exams, travel, or internships
Plan backwards from your application deadlines
Consider clinical experiences like Go Elective to enhance your profile before or after the test

> Explore Go-Elective PreMed and Medical Internships Abroad