How to Cancel Your MCAT

Even after you’ve chosen your MCAT test date, paid your registration fee, and completed your registration, you may still have to cancel or reschedule your MCAT because studying didn’t quite go as you planned or life got in the way. While it is possible to cancel your MCAT, there are a few things you should be aware of before you decide to change your test date. Learn how to change or cancel your MCAT, including how MCAT cancellation refunds work and how to adjust your MCAT study plan if you decide to postpone your test date.

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MCAT Change Fees & Cancellation Refunds

Before you decide to make a change to your MCAT registration, you should be aware of any related fees you may incur. The AAMC has three scheduling zones for each exam date as explained  in the table below. Any fees or refunds you may receive depend on how far in advance of your scheduled test date you make changes. Here are the details:

Days Before Scheduled MCAT	MCAT Change Fee	MCAT Cancellation Refund
60 days or more	$50	$165
30-59 days	$100	$165
10-29 days	$200	No refund

Source: AAMC
* all deadlines are 11:59 p.m. local test center time

Changing Your MCAT Test Date or Test Location

Rather than canceling your MCAT, you also have the option to reschedule your test or change your testing location. This can be a good option if you need more time to study. If you want to reschedule your MCAT, make sure that:

• Scheduling for your desired MCAT test date has opened
• There are seats available (availability can be found via the MCAT Registration System) 
• Your changes are made at least ten days before your original test date 

Plan carefully because you will want to make sure to make all of your changes at one time. For example, if you make a change to your test date and location together, you will only be charged one rescheduling fee. If you make these changes separately, you will be charged a rescheduling fee each time.

You can make a request for rescheduling via the MCAT Registration System.  Before making any changes to your test date, make sure that you will still receive your  scores back in time for your medical school application deadlines.

Canceling Your MCAT

You can cancel your MCAT at any time before your scheduled appointment, but you will only receive a partial refund if you cancel 30 days or more before your scheduled test date. If you cancel after that deadline,  you won’t receive a refund. To submit a cancellation request, visit the MCAT Registration System. Please note that if you do not cancel your MCAT and do not sit for the exam, you are considered a “no show” and will lose one of your attempts to retake the MCAT. Examinees can take the MCAT up to three times in a calendar year and no more than seven times in their lifetime.

If you experience an emergency or extenuating hardship prior to your test date that affects your ability to sit for the exam, the AAMC will review your circumstances to determine if you qualify for an Emergency Refund. Here are the qualifying events listed in the AAMC’s MCAT® Essentials for Testing Year 2024:

• You are hospitalized
• You experience a death in your immediate family
• You are unexpectedly called away to active military service
• You must act as primary caregiver for someone who is sick
• You are unexpectedly called away for health care service duties related to a catastrophic event
• You are called to jury duty the day of your exam
• You are displaced from your residence due to a natural disaster
• You test positive for COVID-19 five days or less before your test date

If you are requesting an emergency refund, you will have to provide supporting documentation such as hospital records, official requests, or other related documents. The maximum refund amount is the amount of the 30+ day cancellation refund ($165). All requests must be received no later than ten days after your scheduled exam date, and the exam may still count as one of your attempts toward your testing limits.

Editing Your MCAT Study Plan

If you’re making a change to your MCAT test date, your study plans probably weren’t working for you. Study plans are often thrown off by personal difficulties, family troubles, health problems, work demands, or other unforeseen time constraints. It’s important to have a fresh approach to get your MCAT studying back on track. 

As you build your new study schedule, you want to make sure that you addressed the issue that derailed your MCAT studying the first time around. Then, scrap your original study plan and start fresh to reinvigorate your studying. 

Take a free MCAT practice test to determine your current baseline score and where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Then, calculate your MCAT score goal to decide how you should move forward with your prep – and when to reschedule your test date.

It can be disheartening to have to postpone your MCAT and keep studying, especially if you felt like you were making good progress. Work on keeping your spirits up and try not to focus on your progress relative to the last time you studied. You want to embark on this journey fresh and ready to conquer the MCAT!

Use our free MCAT study plans to get back on track and stay organized for your new MCAT test date:

• How to Study for the MCAT in 6 Months
• How to Study for the MCAT in 3 Months
• How to Study for the MCAT in 2 Months
• How to Study for the MCAT in 1 Month