MCAT Results

MCAT Result Declaration Schedule and Validity

Ever since its inception in 1928, MCAT has undergone several revisions that have considerably improved the test format or content, and helped increase the credibility of the test as an objective exam for Medical school admission. Through September 2006, the test was administered twice a year as a paper-based test and the results used to take 60 days or so. Following the computerization of the test in 2007, CBT MCAT is now administered more than 22 times a year across various locations, including several international ones, and accommodates more candidates each time; the results are now announced faster.

MCAT Score Release

Since 2003, the test results are available in the MCAT Testing History System (THx), a centralized, online score reporting system where you can view your scores online (and print them if required) and also send them to individual Medical schools or centralized application services. The MCAT THx has all scores starting 1991 stored in it.

    • The MCAT Testing History System requires a username and password to access it. You could use your username and password, or register afresh.
    • Most allopathic Medical schools in the US use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) as the primary application method for first year entering students. Starting 2003, if you take the MCAT test after you submit your application to AMCAS, your test results are automatically released to AMCAS and through to individual Medical schools you have applied to.
    • Most Medical schools prefer to see the complete testing history of the applicants; and as the scores are available in the centralized system, you do not have an option to not reveal it.
    • If you need to apply to individual schools not participating in AMCAS, or schools participating in other application systems, you have the option to send the scores electronically using THx. If the institution you want to send it to is not listed in the THx, you may mail a copy of the results.
    • When registering for the test, you are asked to provide permission to publish your scores to AAMC and affiliated institutions. The results thus released are used for research purpose and are used in the AAMC reports and publications. However, it maintains confidentiality and your scores are not published in any identifiable manner.
    • AAMC also provides three different score release options to choose from. The options should be selected while registering for the exam and cannot be changed later on:
      • Health Professions Advisor Release– If you choose this option, your results along with demographic information are released to your undergraduate health professions advisors (at a single institution or different institutions, as you might require).
      • Med-MAR (Medical Minority Applicant Registry)– If you participate in the Med-MAR service, the scores with relevant details are released to all participating medical schools with the intention of increasing the opportunities for minorities in medical education.
      • MCAT Recruiting Service– If you choose this option, your test scores and other relevant details will be used by AAMC in its service reports, and this data could be eventually used by various recruiting services by medical schools, scholarship programs, etc.
    • Scores prior to 1991 are not available in the THx and can be made available by applying to the MCAT office.
    • Results are not available over phone.

Validity of MCAT Scores

Most Medical schools accept MCAT scores upto three years old. However, this depends on the policy of the individual school you apply to. The Medical School Admission Requirements book published by AAMC every year has information on individual schools and policies. You could also check the individual school websites for specific information. If you have already taken the exam, it is advised that you check with individual schools to clarify on the validity of your test results.

Rescoring and Retaking

MCAT is a centralized, objective, computer-based exam that evaluates medical school aspirants. The administration and scoring of the exam are done efficiently and accurately to ensure credibility of the whole system. However, after results, if you believe that a scoring error has occurred, you could ask for a rescore by hand of all the sections of the  exam. You need to pay an additional fee and need to mention the reason why you think rescoring is required. Rescoring might take approximately four weeks and the results will be released in writing.

If you are not happy with your results, you could also retake the exam by registering again for another available date. A maximum of three retakes are now permitted in a calendar year with CBT MCAT.