Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: Consider an MCAT reschedule if illness or other commitments have put you more than about ten days behind your study plan, or if your practice test reviews keep turning up unfamiliar content. If you are on schedule and mostly missing questions from rushing, keep your date. AAMC allows appointment changes until 10 days before the exam.
Should I Reschedule My MCAT Test Date?
In studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), almost every student faces the question of an MCAT reschedule: “Am I prepared or should I push back my MCAT test date?” This is a critical component for performance on the MCAT and arguably as important as mastery of content, familiarity with test format and timing, and ultimately confidence in your level of preparedness for the exam. Below we will discuss three scenarios and how to decide if you should reschedule your exam or proceed as planned.
Scenario #1: “I Am Sick”
Many students unfortunately fall ill during their preparation for their MCAT, especially given that many students take it in the peak of flu season. While there is no correct answer on how to handle this scenario, I would argue that if you are less than ten days behind on your study schedule due to illness you can catch up (so long as your study schedule was not overly aggressive to begin with). Given that most MCAT study schedules should have a rest day built in each week, it is possible to forgo this rest day in order to stay on track for your exam. If you are more than ten days behind on your study schedule and have fallen seriously ill, it is completely understandable and encouraged to reschedule your MCAT test date.
Scenario #2: “I Overcommitted Myself and I Have Fallen Behind on My Study Schedule”
As type-A individuals, it is a common trend for premedical students to overcommit themselves. While it is tempting to try to do it all, it is important to minimize your commitments if you are planning on studying the typical 100 days or 3 months for the MCAT. This means taking a lighter class load, decreasing your extracurricular commitments, and making sure that your friends and family understand the commitment you are taking on when studying for the MCAT.
In a situation where this is beyond your control and you find that you are behind on your MCAT study schedule you have one of two options, lessen your commitments or reschedule your MCAT test date. Your preferable option is to lessen your commitments so that you can find extra time to catch back up on your study schedule. Make sure in doing this that you realistically review how much time you need to meet your goals on the MCAT. If possible, it is helpful to numerically account for the number of hours that tasks will take you and how many hours you have available each day prior to your exam. If the number of hours you have available is significantly less than the time you have available after lessening commitments, it is advisable to reschedule your MCAT test date.
If you feel as though you are trailing behind, it may be beneficial to seek out tutoring options, as for most people it becomes easier to stay on track while being held accountable (through scheduled tutoring sessions and assigned homework) by someone else.
Scenario #3: “I Am on Track With My Study Schedule but I Am Not Performing Well on My Practice Exams”
I can attest that I faced this problem myself. I was on track with my study schedule, I had taken numerous practice exams, but my practice exam scores were not reflecting my knowledge base. I would review exams and practice passages, only to find that questions I was missing were often due to overlooked details or moving too quickly through a passage. If this sounds like you, you are probably suffering from test anxiety. [1] The likelihood is that you will perform better on your exam day and are just facing the common bottleneck in testing scores prior to your exam. If this is the case, you should not reschedule your exam unless you clearly believe your test performance will not reflect your preparedness. However, if you find that when you review passages you are coming across a significant amount of content that is new or unfamiliar, it is possible there are content deficiencies and you should consider rescheduling your MCAT test date.
How to Judge Your MCAT Readiness Before You Decide
Each scenario above comes down to one question: will more time meaningfully raise your score? Before you change your appointment, gather evidence instead of relying on how you feel in the final stretch of studying, when nerves tend to run high for almost everyone.
Compare Your Practice Scores to Your Target
Look at your two or three most recent full-length practice exams, taken under realistic conditions: the same start time as your real test, timed sections, and the scheduled breaks. If your scores are steady and close to your goal, you are likely ready. If they swing widely or sit well below the range you need, compare them with the average MCAT scores at the schools on your list to see how far you have to go.
Sort Your Missed Questions
Go back through your last few practice tests and label every missed question as a content gap, a misread detail, or a timing problem. A pattern of misreads and rushed passages usually improves with targeted practice in the time you have left. A pattern of unfamiliar concepts across several sections is the clearest sign that more time will help. The AAMC notes that if you feel additional coursework or studying is needed, it is worth thinking about testing at a later point. [2]
Count Your Remaining Study Hours
List the topics you still need to review and estimate the hours each one will take. Then count the hours you truly have before test day after classes, work, and other commitments. If the difference is small, trimming a few commitments may be enough to close it. If the difference is large, a later date gives you room to finish your review without cramming. Be honest about the hours you will actually use: most students overestimate how much they can study on a workday or the night after an exam.
It also helps to talk your plan through with someone who knows you, such as a premed advisor, a tutor, or a friend who recently took the exam. Explaining your numbers out loud often makes the right choice clear, and it gives you someone to check in with as you finish your review.
Map Out Your Application Timeline
Moving your test date affects more than one day on the calendar. Work backward from when you plan to apply, and leave time to receive your score and, if needed, to retest. The AAMC suggests testing earlier in the year if you think you might want another attempt, since that gives you time to get your scores, decide whether to retest, and find another seat. [2] Once you have tested, plan what to do while waiting for your MCAT score so the rest of your application keeps moving.
Protect Your Sleep and Routine
The MCAT is a full-day exam, and your stamina matters as much as your content review. In the weeks before your test, keep a consistent sleep schedule, eat regular meals, and practice at the same time of day as your appointment. If you are running on little sleep because you are trying to squeeze in every last topic, that is useful information too: a few extra weeks may let you arrive on test day rested and focused.
If your practice scores still trail your goal, remember that the MCAT is one part of a holistic review. Our advice for applicants with a high GPA but a low MCAT score can help you plan your next step with confidence.
MCAT Reschedule Deadlines and Testing Limits
The AAMC sets three deadlines for changing your appointment: 60 days, 30 days, and 10 days before your exam date. [3] You can make changes to your appointment online up until 10 days before your test, and each deadline takes effect at 11:59 p.m. local test center time. Once you are inside that final 10-day window, your date is set, so make your decision early. You may also attempt the MCAT no more than three times in a single testing year, four times over two consecutive testing years, and seven times in your lifetime. [4] Keep in mind that most medical schools prefer that students take the exam a maximum of two times (check out the AAMC website for more information). As you approach your test date, it is important to know that you are well equipped to take your exam and that your performance reflects your academic abilities. Your MCAT can be one of the most persuasive parts of your medical school application. Give yourself the preparation time to make it count, and you’ll be glad when it comes time to submit your applications to medical school.
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