MCAT is the grueling marathon of all the examinations and is the stepping stone for your admission to the top medical colleges.
However, most of us may find it daunting to ace it in one go. But no worries, you can retake MCAT.
If you are wondering how many times can you take the MCAT, then you will get your answer right in this article.
Along with that, I have also provided an insight into the test structure and a few exam preparation tips that you can check out.
MCAT Exam: Overview
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is a standardized examination designed to examine prospective medical students in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean island, and the United States.
Created by (AAMC) the Association of American Medical Colleges, the MCAT is one of the highly competitive and difficult examinations taken by students to get into top medical colleges.
The test is taken to assess students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, knowledge of scientific concepts, and written Analysis.
How Many Times Can You Take The MCAT?
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) sets certain testing limits on the number of times you can retake the MCAT. To learn more about it, read on further.
- Single testing year- The MCAT exam can be taken up to three times in the single testing year
- Two Consecutive years- You can take MCAT up to four times in the period of two consecutive years.
- Lifetime- You are eligible to take MCAT up to seven times in a lifetime. After the seventh attempt, you won’t be able to register or take MCAT.
MCAT Test Structure
MCAT is one of the highly complex and conceptual exams comprising four distinct sections. All the sections of the MCAT require 90 to 95 minutes to complete, i.e., the whole examination requires 7.5 hours to complete, including the breaks.
During the test, you are provided with one 30-minute break and two ten-minute breaks. Below is a quick overview of the MCAT test structure.
| Sections | Time | No. Of Questions |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 95 minutes | 59 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 95 minutes | 59 |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 95 minutes | 59 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning skills | 90 minutes | 53 |
Note- All the questions are a combination of discrete and passage-based questions for three sections, whereas the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section comprises only passage-based questions.
Preparation Tips For MCAT
Preparing for the MCAT examination requires enough time and dedication. Even though the exam might seem intimidating, you can definitely crack it with proper guidance and strategies.
Following are a few MCAT preparation tips that you can check out.
1. Understand The MCAT Exam Format.
The very first step to begin your MCAT preparation journey is to determine the exam format of the MCAT. Determine the test structure, types of questions, number of questions, time allotted for different sections, and many more.
2. Determine Your Baseline Score.
Before preparing for the MCAT study schedule, go for MCAT mock test to determine your baseline score. Take the test in the actual testing environment. The results obtained will demonstrate the areas that require more focus.
3. Develop A Study Schedule.
Keep your style of learning at the forefront and prepare a specific study schedule such that you allot more time for the areas that require improvement.
Stick according to the schedule and try to start your MCAT preparation in advance so that you will have plenty of time to master different concepts.
4. Take Several Full-Length Practice Tests.
As Experience develops confidence, so once you are clear with all the concepts, go for the practice session. Take as many full-length practice tests as you can so as to enhance improvement, boost your score, and increase your stamina for the actual examination day.
You can set the timer and try to complete the test within the allotted time, which will help enhance your time-management skills.
5. Conduct Proper Research For Score Requirements Of Medical Schools.
Different Medical Schools have different score requirements, so make sure you conduct proper research and determine the score requirements of desired medical colleges.
Once you have your goal score, you can determine how much time you will require to prepare for MCAT and plan your study schedule accordingly.
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Conclusion:
Now that you are aware of how many times you can take the MCAT and the test structure of the exam, so prepare well and try to ace it in the first go.
Retaking the test more than twice or thrice may reflect a negative impact on your application, so opt for the option if you are fully prepared.
As there is no additional penalty for the wrong answers, so make sure you attempt all questions so as to boost your score.
Also, while applying for colleges or medical schools, ensure your scores meet the requirements of your desired colleges.
FAQs
Your MCAT scores are generally valid for up to a maximum of 3 years. The scores generally do not have an expiration date, but several medical colleges and schools accept the MCAT scores that date back two to three years.
In order to get admission into the top tier medical college, the MCAT score of 511 or above is considered to be a competitive one.
It takes around 30 to 35 days for the MCAT scores to be released after the test day.
As the Medical profession is one of the difficult ones to get into, so appearing for MCAT might seem an intimidating task, but no worries, with proper guidance, exam preparation, efforts, skills, and strategies, you can definitely ace it.
