The following is an update from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) regarding the cancellation and rescheduling of some MCAT exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
MCAT Examinee Update – January 15, 2021
The January exams are currently underway and we are pleased to share this first update of 2021. We want to share some important information to help examinees in the first testing window (January-March) as well as provide information about the registration opening for April, May, and June test dates.January Exams and Cancellations
We are monitoring the local health and safety guidance in all test center locations. As the pandemic conditions change, the guidance is changing --sometimes with little notice. We have had to cancel some exams due to occupancy limits, curfews, restrictions on business operations, or stay-at-home orders. State and local jurisdictions define these criteria in many different ways, and we make decisions with our testing partner, Pearson VUE, to determine where and when testing can continue. We are also monitoring the impact of potential civil unrest and weather conditions in test center locations. Please read our new FAQs under Registration and Scheduling to learn more.How do you know if your exam is canceled? You will receive an email from the AAMC. We do our best to give you as much advance notice as possible if your exam is going to be canceled. Be sure to review our communications timelines, and check the MCAT Registration System to verify your appointment details.
Please note that given the fluidity of how jurisdictions are issuing guidance in some locations, there could be times we need to cancel exams on short notice. We know this is frustrating, but it is necessary to maintain a safe and healthy testing environment. We will work with you to find you a new test date in these situations.
IMPORTANT: If you are testing in January or have recently received a notification about your appointment, please be sure to confirm your appointment details in the MCAT Registration System before your exam.
Helping 2021 Applicants and Examinees with Canceled January Exams
Our goals for testing include providing all examinees with safe opportunities to take the MCAT exam and to support 2021 applicants who have submitted applications to start medical school in fall 2021. We have offered make-up dates to all applicants (as defined above) and held two special registration openings to help them secure dates.Depending on appointment availability and testing restrictions, we have rescheduled examinees into the late January and early February make-up dates if they had their January exams canceled.
We have also extended access to MCAT Official Prep products through September 30, 2021 for all examinees whose exams were canceled due to the impact of COVID-19 in January 2021. Please see our FAQs on test preparation.
IMPORTANT: If you are an applicant who has submitted an application to begin medical school in fall 2021 and haven’t been able to schedule an exam, please contact us at aamc.org/contactmcat.
Test Center Health and Safety Protocols
The AAMC has developed robust health and safety protocols at test centers under the guidance of medical and infectious disease experts. We are committed to providing a safe testing environment for examinees. Please take some time to learn more about the protocols.You will receive communications about the health requirements for testing and what you can expect on test day in advance of your appointment. You will also be surveyed on your experience with these protocols, and we encourage you to report any concerns. They will be treated in a confidential manner.
Making Decisions That Are Right For You: If you do not feel safe testing now, we encourage you to reschedule or cancel your exam (as a reminder, the AAMC has waived all cancellation and rescheduling fees). We discourage anyone from traveling during the pandemic. If you need to cancel your exam after the Bronze Zone Deadline (eight days in advance of your exam date), you must submit an Emergency Refund Request in the MCAT Registration System. You can submit your request up until the day before your exam for a full refund of base registration fees. You can read more about the process on our website.
February Registration Opening for April, May, and June Exam Dates
Registration for the April, May, and June exam dates will open the week of February 15.- All health and safety protocols currently in place will continue.
- Rescheduling and cancellation fees will continue to be waived.
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