Summary
One of our newest HSAFP members asked during the April 2025 webinar what other resources were recommended for the MCAT. In addition, over the first year of our curriculum, the HSAFP Executive Team has had multiple chapters (shoutout to the TMSA and Palm Bay High School HSAFP Chapters!) and individual students ask about this standardized test that is taken by medical students. Therefore, we wanted to provide even more information on the MCAT and extra resources that you can come back to long after you graduate.
What is the MCAT?
The Medical College Admission Test (or more commonly known as the MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam administered by the AAMC (also see our AAMC Premed Competencies that guide our HSAFP curriculum). To quote the AAMC directly: “All medical schools in the United States and many in Canada require MCAT scores for regular admission to medical school.”
For all applicants, Dr. Ken Tao suggests applicants take (or retake) the MCAT “1 [to] 6 months before submitting your primary medical school applications. Primaries (the AMCAS, AACOMAS, TMDSAS) open in May, and you should submit no later than early June so you don’t disadvantage your application.” However, Dr. Tao also says that it is important to take the MCAT when you feel prepared. Some students take a gap year to study for the MCAT or to retake the MCAT (see the extra resources below for more).
For undergraduate students who are not planning to take a gap year before medical school, it is widely recommended to take the MCAT during the summer of your junior year of your bachelor’s degree.
BS/MD Programs and the MCAT
As Dr. Kachiu Lee unveils, a previous guaranteed benefit of being accepted by and committing to a BS/MD program was not having to take or submit MCAT scores. But in 2025, many BS/MD programs require students to take the MCAT before entering their medical program. “In some cases, baccalaureate-MD programs require students to achieve a minimum MCAT score, while other programs do not specify a minimum score but still require you to take the MCAT.”
Therefore, BS/MD will want to consult with your college advisor and probably stick to Dr. Tao’s rule above: take the MCAT at least 1 to 6 months before your medical program.
More Information about the MCAT
- By Aspiring Docs: “What You Need to Know About the MCAT® Exam“
- By the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): “What to Do During Your Gap Year(s)“
- Also by the AAMC: “MCAT Resources and Planning“
- MedSchoolCoach’s article, “The Ultimate MCAT Guide with Study Tips & Resources (2025)“
