When to Start Studying for the MCAT (2026 Guide)
Published on Nov 13, 2025
When to Start Studying for the MCAT (2026 Test Dates + Application Timeline Guide)
Figuring out when to start studying is just as important as how you study. Start too late and you’re rushed. Start too early and you can burn out. With the 2026 MCAT test dates released, you can work backwards from score-release dates, application timing, and your weekly availability to find the ideal start date.
Table of Contents
- How MCAT Timing Fits Into Applications
- Full 2026 MCAT Test Dates
- How Long MCAT Prep Takes
- Best 2026 Test Dates for June Applicants
- When You Should Start (Based on Hours/Week)
- Not Sure When to Take It?
- Quick Cheat Sheet
- Create Your Personalized Study Plan
How MCAT Timing Fits Into Applications
If you’re applying in June 2026, you want your MCAT score ready by early–mid June.
Why?
- Primary applications (AMCAS) open early June
- Verification can take weeks
- Schools use rolling admissions → earlier is better
Because MCAT scores take ~30–35 days to release, this means:
👉 The ideal testing window for June applicants is March → May 2026.
Anything after June 30 still works but pushes you into a “late applicant” category.
Full 2026 MCAT Test Dates
Below are all U.S. test dates and score-release dates from the official AAMC schedule:
January
- Jan 9 → Feb 10
- Jan 10 → Feb 10
- Jan 15 → Feb 17
- Jan 23 → Feb 24
February
- Feb 13 → Mar 17
March
- Mar 7 → Apr 7
- Mar 20 → Apr 21
April
- Apr 10 → May 12
- Apr 11 → May 12
- Apr 24 → May 27
- Apr 25 → May 27
May
- May 2 → Jun 2
- May 8 → Jun 9
- May 9 → Jun 9
- May 14 → Jun 16
- May 22 → Jun 23
- May 30 → Jun 30
June
- Jun 12 → Jul 14
- Jun 13 → Jul 14
- Jun 26 → Jul 28
- Jun 27 → Jul 28
July
- Jul 11 → Aug 11
- Jul 24 → Aug 25
- Jul 31 → Sep 2
August
- Aug 15 → Sep 15
- Aug 21 → Sep 22
- Aug 22 → Sep 22
September
- Sep 3 → Oct 6
- Sep 4 → Oct 6
- Sep 11 → Oct 13
- Sep 12 → Oct 13
No MCAT dates are offered from October through December.
How Long MCAT Prep Takes
Most students need 250–300 hours of prep.
| Weekly Hours | Total Prep Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hrs/week | 6–7 months | Light, manageable pace |
| 20 hrs/week | 3–4 months | Ideal for most students |
| 30 hrs/week | 2–2.5 months | Intense but doable with strong prereqs |
Best 2026 Test Dates for June Applicants
If your goal is to submit early (June 2026), these are your best choices:
- Mar 7 → Apr 7
- Mar 20 → Apr 21
- Apr 10 / Apr 11 → May 12
- Apr 24 / Apr 25 → May 27
- May 2 → Jun 2
- May 8 / May 9 → Jun 9
- May 14 → Jun 16
Latest “still on time” options:
- May 22 → Jun 23
- May 30 → Jun 30 (borderline)
When You Should Start (Based on Hours/Week)
April 10–11, 2026 Test
Scores release: May 12
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | September–October 2025 |
| 20 | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| 30 | February 2026 |
April 24–25, 2026 Test
Scores release: May 27
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | October–November 2025 |
| 20 | January 2026 |
| 30 | February–March 2026 |
May 2, 2026 Test
Scores release: June 2
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | November–December 2025 |
| 20 | February 2026 |
| 30 | March 2026 |
May 8–9, 2026 Test
Scores release: June 9
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | November–December 2025 |
| 20 | February–March 2026 |
| 30 | March 2026 |
May 14, 2026 Test
Scores release: June 16
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | December 2025 |
| 20 | February–March 2026 |
| 30 | April 2026 |
Late May / June Tests
Scores release: June 23 → July 28
| Hours/week | Start studying |
|---|---|
| 10 | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| 20 | March 2026 |
| 30 | April–May 2026 |
Not Sure When to Take It?
- Applying this cycle → test March–May 2026
- Taking a gap year → test March–July 2026
- Nervous about retakes → choose earlier dates
- Busy semester → start earlier at 10 hrs/week
- Strong prereqs → shorter 8–12 week plan is fine
Quick Cheat Sheet
- 10 hours/week → start 6–7 months before your test
- 20 hours/week → start 3–4 months before
- 30 hours/week → start 2–2.5 months before
Create Your Personalized Study Plan
Once you know your target test date and how many hours per week you can study, the next step is to turn that into a structured, day-by-day plan.
You can generate a fully personalized MCAT study plan in seconds using MCAT.tools — including content review, practice assignments, AAMC materials, full-length timing, and automatic pacing adjustments if you fall behind.
👉 Build your custom study plan here: https://mcat.tools
It’s free to get started and takes less than a minute.
