2020 MCAT Costs and Fee Assistance Program

In 2020, the basic cost of the MCAT is $320. This price includes both the test itself and the distribution of your scores to all the medical schools on your list. Additional fees must be paid for test date and/or test center changes. If these costs are burdensome for you, you may be eligible for the Fee Assistance Program, which significantly reduces the cost of the MCAT. The tables below provide details on all the costs associated with the MCAT, including the FAP. 

MCAT Fees and Registration Zones

There are three registration “zones” for the MCAT: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Gold Zone offers the greatest flexibility and the lowest cost. However, the Gold Zone closes 29 days before the exam date, so you must register early to receive these benefits.

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MCAT Fee Assistance Program

If you qualify for the AAMC's Fee Assistance Program, you can take the MCAT at a reduced cost. These reduced fees follow the same tiered registration model (Gold, Silver, Bronze) as the standard MCAT fees.

There are other benefits of the Fee Assistance Program, too. FAP recipients receive AMCAS application fee waivers, complimentary access to the AAMC's database of medical school admissions information, and complimentary access to all of the AAMC's online MCAT prep materials.

The Fee Assistance Program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S Nationals, lawful permanent residents of the United States, and those who have been granted refugee status/asylum status/deferred action under DACA by the U.S. government. To qualify, you must meet strict financial need requirements determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' poverty level guidelines. If your application qualifies, you will be required to submit financial documentation.

Additional MCAT Costs

There are several unofficial, "hidden" costs to the MCAT, such as traveling to the test center and taking time off from a part-time job to study. While you can't eliminate these costs entirely, you can make them more manageable by planning ahead. Make sure to sign up for the MCAT as early as possible in order to benefit from the Gold Zone's lower fees. If you have to travel to a test center or even stay overnight at a hotel, make those plans as soon as you can, as well. Choose your MCAT prep materials strategically by seeking out free MCAT resources and choosing high-quality MCAT prep courses that will give you the most bang for your buck.