AAMC posts MCAT Essentials

The Association of American Medical Colleges has published its 2026 MCAT Essentials guide, the rulebook applicants must agree to before they can test. (students-residents.aamc.org) The guide says registration for January through September 2026 exam dates is open now, and the exam runs at Pearson VUE sites in the United States, Canada, and select international locations. (students-residents.aamc.org) For 2026, the standard registration fee is $355, or $145 for students approved through the Fee Assistance Program. Test takers outside the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories pay an added $130 international fee. (students-residents.aamc.org) The rescheduling costs rise as test day gets closer: $55 at least 60 days out, $110 at 30 to 59 days, and $210 at 10 to 29 days. Cancellations made 10 to 29 days before the exam get no refund, and no changes are allowed inside the final 10 days. (students-residents.aamc.org) The Medical College Admission Test is the standardized exam most U.S. medical schools and many Canadian schools require for admission. The Association of American Medical Colleges says the test has been part of admissions for more than 90 years. (students-residents.aamc.org) The exam itself is a full-day session with four multiple-choice sections, 230 scored questions, and about 7 hours and 30 minutes of seated time. Official scores are released 30 to 35 days after the test date, with 2026 score reports posted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the scheduled release day. (students-residents.aamc.org 1) (students-residents.aamc.org 2) The guide also sets the deadlines that shape application planning. The Association of American Medical Colleges uses 60-day, 30-day, and 10-day cutoffs for changes, and all deadlines hit at 11:59 p.m. local test-center time. (students-residents.aamc.org) For students chasing scarce seats, the system remains first-come, first-served, with a “Notify Me” option when a preferred date or center is full. Some listings can appear as “To Be Determined” sites, with final addresses sent at least 30 days before the exam. (students-residents.aamc.org) Test-day rules in the 2026 materials keep the security posture applicants already know: only photo identification, a center-provided noteboard and marker, a storage key, and center-provided earplugs are allowed in the room. During breaks, students may access only food, water, and medication, and may not touch phones or study notes. (students-residents.aamc.org 1) (students-residents.aamc.org 2) The testing limits are unchanged in the current frequently asked questions: three attempts in a single testing year, four across two consecutive years, and seven in a lifetime, with voids and no-shows counting toward the cap. For 2026 applicants, the new Essentials guide is the document that turns those rules, fees, and deadlines into binding terms at registration. (students-residents.aamc.org 1) (students-residents.aamc.org 2)