MCAT Registration: new date and time

[MasonPrehealth]

---

Members don't see this ad.

The opening of registration for the April and May MCAT dates has been delayed in order to correct software problems that were causing duplicate payments and slow response times. Registration is now expected to open December 27, at 9:00 am ET. We understand that this change in dates from those first announced may be disconcerting, but would rather take the time to ensure the system works well for you. We encourage you to register at least 60 days in advance for your first choice of date and location. Registration in the first five minutes of the system's availability is probably not necessary. So, sometime after 9:00 a.m., ET, on December 27, please make your choice of date and time for your Spring MCAT.

Please note that the MCAT schedule is subject to change. For the most current information, please visit the MCAT Web site: www.aamc.org/mcat . Please pay particular attention to the MCAT Essentials. In addition, MCAT examinee relations specialists are available to assist you: (202) 828-0690, [email protected].

www.aamc.org/mcat

 

[mshheaddoc]

Thanks for posting this. I think alot of people were ready to register tonight (I know I was!!!!!)


Also, in talking with some people, most officials (like at Kaplan where I discussed this with one of their local directors) think there is a possibility of MCAT testing position shortages since now the testing center will have a strict number of seats per test available (compared to the classrooms used previously). This is something to think about as your local testing center MAY FILL UP EARLY especially in college towns, cities, or areas "heavily densed" with pre-meds 😉 ! So I encourage all of you to REGISTER EARLY in order to get the date you want! Since there are morning and afternoon test times, some of us probably want that morning test period to get it done and out of the way. I hope you guys take this into consideration when deciding on when to register!

 

[MasonPrehealth]

Now that exam period is ending where I am...

I want to mollify a little the prediction that there may be test site shortages. The fact is that there will be very popular dates and very popular locations, and it's hard to figure out which sites will be more popular than others. The registration system is set up that you can only hold one registered seat at a time, so if the MCAT predictions and planning holds, there is supposed to be roughly twice the number of available seats in the aggregate blocks of April to June as there were test-takers in April last year. (Whether that holds true, we'll see.)

If you have not done so, I would suggest setting up your profile (all the front matter before registering for the MCAT) so you won't lose time when December 27 (around 9am ET) or other registration windows come around. Use a permanently working email address that doesn't get booked to capacity often. (I will guess that the opening hour for the February start-registration date will also move forward to 9am ET.)

It may be easier for some of you to go for morning test dates, some for afternoon test dates. One thing for sure: most of the dates are on weekdays and not weekends, so you have to anticipate your own class schedule and your final exam/graduation schedule for the spring semester when you pick your dates and locations to take the exam. Ideally you should be able to take the test within 100 miles of your declared zip code (according to your address), but be flexible.

The other thing to consider is where you may be in the summer. If you go to college in a different location than where you go home or work for the summer as an intern, you may want to take that into account. One of those alternate locations may work better for you. The MCAT registration program can allow you to switch zip codes so you can choose alternate locations.

I agree: register early, but PLAN your strategy as well. What is more important for you: location or test date? (For some of you, one will be more important.) Write down at least three test dates and locations, and then determine your contingencies. There are seven administration days for the April-May cycle.

The most important advice: while it's always good to have your ducks in a row early (by taking the MCAT early), it's not worth it if you don't think you can manage your schedule to really put in the effort to study. Now that the MCAT is offered throughout the summer, don't force yourself into taking the MCAT just because you want your scores in early. It's better to have a high score than an early score, especially if the early score is lower than you were shooting for.

 

[MasonPrehealth]

(This is from MCAT's Director of Operations at AAMC.)

For days with just one administration, a morning session appointment time is 8 am local time, and an afternoon session appointment time is 12 noon local time.

For days with two administrations, the morning appointment is 8 am local time, and the afternoon appointment is 2 pm local time. Examinees are able to see the times when they are in the Scheduling & Registration system.

The information has been updated on the MCAT CBT FAQ at http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/schedulingfaq.htm .

 

[MasonPrehealth]

Before registering for the MCAT, you MUST read the MCAT Essentials PDF regarding the testing procedures and what you can or cannot bring to the testing center. A lot of questions that have been posted on this board are addressed to some extent in the document.

Abbreviated table of contents (full table on page 2)
Exam Content (starts on page 4)
Registration Process (begins on page 5)
Test Day Procedures and Policies (page 9)
MCAT Scores and Reports (page 12)

[Note: Questions from the MCAT Essentials will not be included in the MCAT... but you will be expected to have mastered the contents. 😛 😛 ]