MCAT requirements: limits, ID and what you need to register
To take the MCAT you need an AAMC account, a test-day ID that meets the AAMC’s rules, and the registration fee ($360 for 2027, or $145 with fee assistance). You can test up to three times in a testing year, four times over two consecutive years and seven times in your life.
Sources: AAMC pages on testing limits, MCAT test day and 2027 scheduling fees, checked October 11, 2026. Points from other sources are marked as reported.
What you need
- An AAMC account. Use the one you already have; the AAMC warns against creating a new one.
- An accepted ID. Unexpired, government-issued, with your photo and signature, in English, such as a driver’s license or passport. School, employee, digital and temporary IDs are not accepted. The name must match your registration.
- Payment by American Express, Visa, Discover or Mastercard.
- Fee assistance approval first, if you are applying for it. The AAMC suggests applying at least five business days before registration opens.
Testing limits
The AAMC limits you to three attempts in a single testing year, four over two consecutive testing years, and seven in a lifetime. Review sites citing the AAMC’s MCAT Essentials report that no-shows and voided exams count toward these limits and that you can hold only one appointment at a time. See testing limits and retakes, explained.
Common questions
How long is my score valid?
Most medical schools want scores from within the last two or three years, as reported from the AAMC’s guidance. Check each school’s policy.
Can I get testing accommodations?
Yes. You can apply for accommodations on the AAMC’s accommodations pages. Apply early, because approval must come before you schedule an accommodated exam.