The MCAT is a standardized exam that pre-med students need to take. However, some believe it is only administered and accepted in the US and Canada. It is not true.
The MCAT is administered and accepted in many countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia (including the Middle East), Africa, and Australia.
If you’re interested to find out which countries accept the MCAT and the MCAT’s eligibility requirements, this article is here to discuss all those plus more. Please keep reading.Which Countries Accept the MCAT?
If you want to apply to a medical professions school in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands, the AAMC states that you are qualified to take the MCAT exam.
The MCAT is open to any students interested in allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric, or veterinary medicine. This group includes all pre-medical students.
Current medical students and test-takers who do not intend to apply to health professions schools cannot take the MCAT. However, they may ask the AAMC for what is known as "special permission" to take the test.
You may think it's absurd and confusing that someone would want to take the MCAT but not apply to medical school. These individuals do exist, though.
For instance, test prep businesses yearly send developers to take the MCAT. Using this, they can create courses and course materials to aid in students' exam preparation.
Are International Students Eligible to Take the MCAT?
The MCAT is typically the first step (of many prerequisites) in getting into medical school if you are an international student planning to study medicine in the US and Canada. You will be qualified to take the MCAT as part of the admissions process if the US and Canadian medical schools you are applying to allow international students.
Depending on the medical school you want to attend, the MCAT exam for international students is administered like that for the US and Canadian citizens.
Remember, however, that while many US and Canadian medical schools welcome international applications, some only do so under specific conditions.
You should thoroughly research each possibility while looking for a medical school for overseas students to see if you fit its standards.
What are the Requirements for International Students When Taking the MCAT?
As an international student, you must have completed or been enrolled in a pre-med course, such as a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree, generally known as an MBBS degree, to qualify for the MCAT. This is basically almost the same requirement for US and Canadian domestic students.
The specific prerequisites to enroll in a medical school in the US will vary based on the schools you apply to because the MCAT requirements for international students are only one aspect of a medical school's admission procedure.
Make it a point that you are aware of the medical school’s requirements you intend to attend.
MCAT Fees and Costs
Before booking your MCAT test date, you need to know how much the MCAT costs.
The MCAT currently costs USD 325 for US and Canadian students. If you reschedule and cancel, you must pay an additional amount.
The table below shows the associated fees concerning booking your MCAT for domestic and international students.
Gold Zone Deadline 29 Days Before Test Date/Time | Silver Zone Deadline 15 Days Before Test Date/Time | Bronze Zone Deadline 8 Days Before Test Date/Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Reservation Fee | USD 325 | USD 325 | USD 375 |
Date and/or Test Center Reschedule Fee | USD 100 | USD 200 | NA |
Cancellation Refund | USD 160 | NA | NA |
International Fee | USD 115 | USD 115 | USD 115 |
MCAT Test World Calendar
As mentioned, the MCAT is administered in various testing locations around the world. Once you have decided to take the MCAT, book your MCAT right away.
Remember that testing dates and locations fill up quickly, so you must register as early as possible.
To help you plan ahead for the MCAT, we have listed below the different testing locations and dates for this year’s MCAT.
Note: Guam, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands are US territories and are not charged an international testing fee.
US January 14, 15, 20, 21 March 12, 25 April 8, 9, 29, 30 May 13, 14, 19, 27 June 4, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30 July 16, 29 August 5, 20, 25, 26, 27 September 1, 2, 9, 10 | Puerto Rico January 14, 15, 20, 21 March 12, 25 April 8, 9, 29, 30 May 13, 14, 19, 27 June 4, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30 July 16, 29, 30 August 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 27 September 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 |
Guam January 14 March 12 April 8 May 19 June 4, 24 July 16 August 20 September 1, 9 | US Virgin Islands January 20 March 12 April 8 May 19 June 18 July 29 August 26, 27 September 9, 10 |
Australia January 14, 21 March 12 April 9, 30 May 13, 14 June 4, 30 July 16 August 5 September 1 | China: Hong Kong January 14, 21 March 12 April 9, 30 May 13 June 4, 30 July 16 August 5, 20 September 1, 2 |
France January 14, 20 April 8, 29 May 13 June 4, 17 July 16 August 5, 20, 26 September 1, 2, 9 | Germany January 14, 20 March 12, 25 April 8, 9, 29 May 13, 19 June 4, 17, 18, 24 July 16 August 5, 26 September 1, 2, 9 |
Israel January 14, 20, 21 March 25 April 8, 29 May 13, 19, 27 June 17, 24, 30 July 29 August 26 September 1 | Japan January 14 March 12 April 8 May 14 June 17, 18, 30 July 16, 29 August 5 September 1, 2 |
Lebanon July 21, 22 September 7, 8, 9, 10 | Qatar January 14, 15 June 17, 18 |
Singapore January 14, 15, 20, 21 March 12, 25 April 8, 9 May 13, 14, 19 June 4, 17, 24, 30 July 16, 29 August 5, 20, 26, 27 September 1, 2 | South Africa January 14, 15 April 8, 9, 29 May 13, 19 June 4, 17, 24 July 16 September 1, 2 |
Taiwan January 14, 20 March 12, 25 April 9, 29 May 14, 27 June 4, 24, 30 July 16 August 5 September 1 | Thailand January 14, 15, 20, 21 March 12, 25 April 8, 9, 29, 30 May 13, 27 June 4, 17, 18, 24, 30 July 29 August 5, 20, 26, 27 September 1, 2, 9 |
United Kingdom January 14 March 12 April 8 May 13 June 4, 17 July 16 August 5 September 1, 2 | |
Additional FAQs – Which Countries Accept the MCAT?
Can You Take the MCAT Internationally?
If you are not a citizen of the countries listed above, you have to fly to these countries to be able to take the MCAT. Register early and plan accordingly.
Can I Take the MCAT in India?
Choose from the countries listed above in this article, and contact the AAMC on how you can take the MCAT in the country you have chosen.
Remember that taking the MCAT in these countries requires extra money, effort, and planning. Plan carefully.
Is MCAT Taken in Nigeria?
Does the UK Accept the MCAT?
MCAT vs. UCAT Differences
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