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MCAT Cost: Average Fees Explained

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Standard MCAT registration fee

$360

Standard MCAT registration costs $360, according to AAMC. Reduced fees apply through the Fee Assistance Program, and test takers outside the U.S. pay an added international fee.

The MCAT is the standardized exam most U.S. and Canadian medical schools require for admission. The test itself carries one registration fee, but the full cost of taking it depends on whether you reschedule, test abroad, qualify for fee assistance, or buy prep materials.

Fees on this page come from the AAMC MCAT registration fees page, checked on Oct 11, 2026. The AAMC can change fees, so confirm the current schedule in your AAMC account before you register.

MCAT Registration Fees

The base fee covers one sitting of the exam. The Fee Assistance Program brings the price down for applicants who qualify based on financial need. Testing outside the United States, Canada and U.S. territories adds an international fee on top of whichever registration you choose.

Registration fees

Item Price
Standard registration $360
Fee Assistance Program registration $145
International fee (outside US, Canada, US territories; added to registration) $130

Source: AAMC: MCAT registration fees

The international fee is added to registration, so a test taker abroad pays the registration fee plus the surcharge. Fee Assistance Program eligibility is decided by the AAMC, and it also affects other costs in the application process, so look at the program page before you register.

MCAT Reschedule Fees

Plans change, and the AAMC charges more the closer you get to test day. The standard schedule has three tiers based on how many days remain before your exam.

Reschedule fee, standard registration

Item Price
60 or more days before exam $55
30-59 days before exam $110
10-29 days before exam $210

Source: AAMC: MCAT registration fees

Fee Assistance Program participants pay reduced reschedule fees on the same timeline.

Reschedule fee, Fee Assistance Program

Item Price
60 or more days before exam $25
30-59 days before exam $45
10-29 days before exam $85

Source: AAMC: MCAT registration fees

The timing is counted from your scheduled exam date, so changing your appointment early saves the most. If you suspect your date may slip, because of a work schedule, a school term or a thin study plan, rescheduling sooner is cheaper than waiting.

Canceling Your MCAT Registration

If you cancel rather than move your date, the AAMC refunds part of the fee when you cancel far enough ahead of the exam. The refund shown here applies to cancellations made with plenty of notice.

Cancellation refund (30 or more days before exam)

Item Price
Standard registration refund $180
Fee Assistance Program refund $75

Source: AAMC: MCAT registration fees

Cancel too close to the exam and the refund policy may differ, so read the current AAMC rules for your date. A refund is not the same as a free cancellation, since you lose part of what you paid.

What Else Does Taking the MCAT Cost?

The registration fee is only part of the bill. Most students also spend on study materials, practice exams and sometimes a course or tutor.

  • Official AAMC prep materials: The AAMC sells practice exams and question packs. Prices vary by product, so check its store.
  • Commercial prep courses: Companies sell live classes, self-paced courses and tutoring at a wide range of prices.
  • Books and question banks: Content review books and online question banks cost less than courses and suit self-directed learners.
  • Travel and lodging: Test centers are not in every town. If you have to travel or stay overnight, add that to your budget.
  • Score reporting: Scores go to application services as part of the process, and some schools may ask for more. Check each program.

Retaking the exam means paying registration again. Many applicants plan one thorough attempt to avoid that, although some choose to retest after a lower-than-hoped score.

Ways to Lower the Cost of the MCAT

  1. Apply for the Fee Assistance Program early: Approval takes time, and it reduces both registration and rescheduling costs.
  2. Choose your test date carefully: Pick a date you can keep, so you avoid reschedule fees.
  3. Use free and low-cost prep first: Official AAMC resources, library copies of review books and free question sets may be enough to find out where you stand.
  4. Ask your school: Pre-health advising offices sometimes know about discounts, loaner books or group prep.
  5. Test close to home: The international fee and travel costs can be avoided by choosing a nearby U.S. test center, if that is an option.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the MCAT cost?

Standard registration is $360. With the Fee Assistance Program, the fee is $145. Testing outside the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories adds $130.

How much does it cost to reschedule the MCAT?

It depends on timing. At 60 or more days before the exam, the standard fee is $55. From 30 to 59 days it is $110, and from 10 to 29 days it is $210.

Do Fee Assistance Program participants pay less to reschedule?

Yes. Rescheduling 60 or more days out costs $25, with higher tiers of $45 and $85 as the date approaches.

Do I get a refund if I cancel?

Cancel 30 or more days before your exam and the AAMC refunds $180 on a standard registration, or $75 on a Fee Assistance Program registration.

Is the MCAT fee the only cost?

No. Prep materials, travel to a test center and retake fees can all raise the total.

Where do I pay?

You register and pay through your AAMC account on the official MCAT site.