Picture this scenario: You aced the MCAT exam eight years ago in 2015. It’s reasonable to wonder if you can use that old score to apply to medical school now. The answer, as our pre-law counterparts already know, is it depends.

We’re going on a deep dive into the world of MCAT scores and exploring medical schools that might accept test results from the not-so-recent past. Read on to find out if your old MCAT score is still good enough to get you into med school.

How Long are MCAT Scores Valid?

Unlike most things in your fridge, MCAT scores don’t come with an expiration date. Generally, most medical schools will only accept scores within three years of expected matriculation. We’re starting to see more schools accept MCAT scores that are less than 2 years old from the date of your application. There’s also a smaller handful of medical schools in the U.S. that accept even older MCAT scores—and then, of course, we have medical schools that don’t require the MCAT at all.

Whether or not a medical school will accept an older MCAT score is up to each individual institution. If you haven’t taken the MCAT recently and are wondering how long your MCAT score is good for, it’s always best to check with the medical schools you’re applying to and the AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements™ (MSAR®).

We used the latest MSAR data to share this list of the most recent and oldest MCAT dates U.S. medical schools will consider for this cycle to help you figure out where your score stands. Scroll down to view the school list, or keep reading to check out our callouts!

The Oldest MCAT Administration Dates

Again, this is per the latest MSAR report—discrepancies happen, so always double-check with the medical schools you’re applying to (especially since some schools report to the MSAR strange dates, i.e. December 31).

MCAT Dates Going Back 8 Years

Here are the medical schools that will consider MCAT administration dates up to eight years ago:  

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Established in 1969, the Reno School of Medicine is known for its excellence in education, training, clinical care, and research. Nevada high school graduates can apply for provisional acceptance to the school’s BS-MD program. Students admitted to the program matriculate as undergraduate students.

The oldest MCAT administration date UNR considers in 2023 is February 17, 2015, while the most recent date is September 1, 2023.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Located in one of the most densely populated areas of the world, the Icahn School of Medicine is a private medical school in New York and serves as the teaching arm of the Mount Sinai Health System. Thanks to its impressive ranking and outstanding research programs, Mount Sinai attracts thousands of students every year. Applicants can select from a wide range of programs, including the MD-PhD Program, MD-MPH, MD-MSCR, and an Institutional Partnership Program.

The earliest MCAT administration date the Icahn School of Medicine considers is April 24, 2015, with the latest being September 30, 2023.

MCAT Dates Going Back 5 Years

The following US medical schools consider MCAT administration dates from up to five years ago

University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

With an acceptance rate of just 1.48%, the David Geffen School of Medicine attracts some of the brightest aspiring medical students from across the world. And it’s not the sunny beaches nearby that make it such a popular choice. The school offers seven of the best medical programs in the US, namely its MD, MD-PhD, MD-MPH, MD-MBA, MD-MPP, PRIME-LA, and the Charles R. Drew UCLA Medical Education Program.

The oldest MCAT administration date this institution considers is January 10, 2018, while the most recent date is September 15, 2023.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine

Founded in 1911, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the state’s most prominent educator of healthcare professionals. The school incorporates dentistry, graduate health sciences, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy and offers degrees like Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

The earliest MCAT administration date it considers is January 18, 2018, the latest being September 30, 2023.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

Founded in 2013, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It offers everything you need to become a successful healthcare professional. Popular programs here include the MD-MS in Bioethics, MD-MPH, and MD-MS in Biomedical Informatics. 

The oldest MCAT administration date the university considers is January 20, 2018, and the most recent date is September 20, 2023.

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine

Among the finest medical schools in the state, Texas A&M College of Medicine has five locations: Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Houston, Round Rock, and Temple. There are several programs to choose from, tuition is affordable, and the acceptance rate is higher than many other medical schools. Popular programs here include MD, Ph.D. in Medical Science, MS in Medical Science, and MS in Education for Healthcare Professionals.  

The oldest MCAT administration date Texas A&M considers is May 9, 2018, while the latest date is July 31, 2023.

The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine

The Tyler School of Medicine is the first medical school in East Texas, the seventh medical school in the University of Texas system, and the 16th medical school in the state of Texas. It offers programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

The oldest MCAT administration date this institution considers is June 24, 2018, while the latest date it considers is September 9, 2023.

University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine (UTMB)

This medical school stands out for several reasons, including its strong reputation and Galveston, Texas’ laid-back atmosphere. UMTB offers students multiple research opportunities, including those at the on-campus Galveston National Laboratory, a BSL4 federal biocontainment research facility.

The oldest MCAT administration date it considers is July 13, 2018, with October 1, 2023 being the latest date.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is committed to cultivating a diverse set of healthcare leaders to social justice and health equity. The university offers a wide range of programs covering everything from research to residencies.   

The earliest MCAT administration date this med school considers is September 19, 2018, while the latest date is September 9, 2023.

University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of medicine and healthcare. 

The oldest MCAT administration date OU Medicine considers is September 27, 2018, and the latest is September 9, 2023.

Does My MCAT Date Matter?

Choosing an MCAT date is an entirely personal decision, but there are some things to keep in mind. Choosing an MCAT date in the late summer and applying in September puts you at a smaller disadvantage than testing and applying earlier. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of admission are. Testing later in your application is also risky because, in the event you want to retake the MCAT, this could further delay your application from being complete.

Give yourself the best chance at getting accepted by choosing an MCAT date that allows you to prep for it without rushing and gets your score back in time!

MCAT Date Acceptance by Medical Schools

Don’t Wait Too Long to Use Your MCAT Score

Most medical schools consider MCAT scores from the past two to three years. If you’ve already taken the exam and are planning to apply, it’s a smart move to review the specific application policies of the schools you’re interested in. 

And if you haven’t taken the MCAT or want to retake it to get a higher score, we’re here to help! Blueprint MCAT students see an average score increase of 15 points! From a live MCAT class with expert instructors, a Self-Paced Course with ultimate flexibility, or private tutoring with top-scoring MCAT tutors, we have the MCAT resources you need to hit your goal score.

Start today by taking a free MCAT practice test today!