When to take the MCAT

So when should I take the MCAT? Is there a "best time" to take the exam?

Your MCAT score is one of the most important parts of your application so taking it when you feel you are performing your best is key. Some take time off or dedicate a few months to focus on just prepping for the exam. Studying for the MCAT while in school is challenging but it can be done. You already have a foundation from taking the recommended pre-med classes at your institution. Reviewing the content while managing other commitments is doable but I suggest giving yourself at least a month to hone your exam taking skills and get comfortable with the testing format through practice tests and question banks. Winter break, summer break, and post-graduation are all great times to block out 4-5 weeks to do just this.

Track your score improvement over your prep period. This is a really great way to see if you might need to extend your study schedule to hit your personal target score. It is perfectly fine to have to reschedule your exam if you feel you are not ready to attempt the test (many of us have done this multiple times including myself).

No one is ever 100% ready for the exam. If you are scoring within a few points of your target score, give it a shot because the truth is, you just never know! People traditionally score pretty close to or even +/- a few points around this number. If anything, you always have the option of voiding your exam score after you complete it with no consequence.