Key Takeaways
- Sending MCAT scores is free and handled through the Association of American Medical Colleges’ official Score Reporting System, with no third-party service required.
- Once you release your scores electronically, the action cannot be reversed, so it is important to verify your AAMC ID and recipient details before submitting.
- For Caribbean medical schools with multiple intake dates, submitting your scores early can give you an advantage by allowing your application to be reviewed sooner.
Every med school applicant knows how much attention goes into the process. You review your application carefully, go over each section once, then a few more times for good measure, and make sure everything is in place before you submit. That level of focus is necessary because even smaller parts of the application carry weight.
One of those details is how you send MCAT scores. It may seem straightforward, but it’s a step that needs to be handled correctly to guarantee your application is complete and properly reviewed.
What “Sending MCAT Scores” Actually Means
When you’re told to send MCAT scores, it refers to using the official score reporting system operated by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the body that administers the MCAT and oversees much of the medical school application process in the U.S. This system exists to standardize how scores are delivered. Medical schools do not accept screenshots, PDFs, or self-reported numbers because those can be altered. They require scores to come directly from the AAMC so they know they are complete, verified, and tied to your official testing record.
The process itself involves logging into your AAMC account and selecting which schools should receive your scores. When you authorize this, the AAMC sends your full score history electronically to those institutions. The reason this cannot be reversed is tied to how applications are reviewed. Schools expect to receive a stable, official record that does not change after submission. Allowing applicants to retract scores after sending them would create inconsistencies and complicate how applications are evaluated, so once a release is made, it becomes part of your application file.
The system is widely used because it allows schools to receive scores quickly, securely, and in a format that integrates directly into their admissions review systems. Most medical schools, including many Caribbean programs, are connected to this network and expect scores to arrive this way. That is why alternative methods are not accepted. The system is designed to ensure that every applicant is evaluated using the same verified information, delivered through a single, controlled channel.
How to Send MCAT Scores
The process itself is straightforward once you know exactly where to go and what to check. Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your AAMC account at aamc.org: Use the same credentials you used when registering for the MCAT. This account is the central hub for your exam records, score reports, and score release actions.
- Verify your 8-digit AAMC ID before doing anything else: This ID is what connects your MCAT scores to your application in systems like AMCAS or directly with schools. If there is a mismatch, your scores may not attach correctly to your application file, which can delay review or require manual correction.
- Navigate to “MCAT Official Score Reports” in your dashboard: This section becomes available once your scores are released. It is where you can view your scores and manage how they are sent to institutions.
- Select “Send Scores Electronically” and choose your recipients: Use the search function to find the schools you want to send your scores to. You can select multiple schools in one session, which makes the process more efficient if you are applying to several programs.
- Confirm and submit your request: Once you finalize your selections, submit the request. You will see a confirmation on screen, and the transaction will also appear in your account history as a record of where and when your scores were sent.
That’s the full process. For most applicants, it takes only a few minutes once your scores are available, but taking a moment to double-check each step helps avoid unnecessary delays.
How to Choose the Recipient
The way you send your scores depends on how you’re applying. The key is to send them to the correct central service or school so they attach properly to your application.
- AMCAS (MD programs): If you’re applying to U.S. MD programs through the American Medical College Application Service, your MCAT scores are usually transmitted automatically. This works as long as your AAMC ID is entered correctly in your application, which is the part you need to double-check.
- AACOMAS (DO programs): For osteopathic schools using the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service, you send scores to the centralized service rather than individual schools. In the AAMC system, search for the full name and select AACOMAS as the recipient.
- TMDSAS (Texas programs): If you’re applying through Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service, follow the same approach. Search for the service name and send your scores there, not to individual Texas schools.
- Caribbean and international schools: For schools outside these centralized systems, search for the institution by its full official name in the AAMC system. Many accredited Caribbean schools accept electronic score reports this way. If a school is not listed, you can download your official score report from your AAMC account and upload it through the school’s application portal.
Fees, Delivery Time, and Confirmation
There is no separate fee for sending MCAT scores to medical schools. The cost is already included in your MCAT registration fee, which is $330 in 2026 (or approximately $450–$460 for international test-takers). For applicants using the AMCAS, scores are released through your application at no additional charge, as long as your AAMC ID is correctly linked.
In terms of timing, your official MCAT scores are typically released about 30–35 days after your exam date, with the AAMC publishing exact release dates in advance. Scores are made available in your AAMC account by 5:00 p.m. ET on the scheduled day. Once released, how quickly they appear in your application depends on the system you are using. For AMCAS and TMDSAS, scores are pulled automatically once your AAMC ID is linked, so there is usually no added delay beyond normal application processing. For AACOMAS, it can take about 10–12 days after score release for the scores to appear in your application.
After submitting, it’s important to confirm everything is received correctly. First, check the “Status” section in your AAMC Score Reporting portal to make sure the send was recorded. Then, review the score or transcript status section in your application system to confirm the scores have been marked as received. If something does not match after about five business days, it’s best to contact the application service directly to resolve it.
When to Send MCAT Scores
The general rule is to send your MCAT scores as soon as they are released and your application is ready. There is no advantage to waiting once your scores are available and you have decided to apply. An earlier submission helps ensure your file is complete when schools begin reviewing applications.
For Caribbean medical school applicants, timing matters in a slightly different way. Many Caribbean programs offer multiple start dates throughout the year, often in January, May, and September, and review applications on a rolling basis. Sending your MCAT scores early helps complete your application sooner, which can improve your chances of being considered for the next available intake rather than being moved to a later term if spaces begin to fill.
If you’re still deciding whether to take the MCAT or when to schedule it relative to your application cycle, factor in this score release and transmission timeline. A late exam date can push your application out of the early-review window at competitive programs.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to send MCAT scores, here’s a quick summary of what to confirm before considering this step complete:
- AAMC ID accuracy: Verify it matches exactly what’s in your primary application. Even a single-digit error causes matching failures.
- Recipient selection: Confirm you’ve selected the correct entity—centralized services for U.S. programs, full legal names for Caribbean and international schools.
- Status confirmation: Check both your AAMC portal and your primary application to confirm scores are marked as received.
Once you’ve verified all three, this step is done. Shift your attention to secondaries, interview preparation, and narrowing your school list. The administrative side of your application is in good shape.
Understanding overall medical school acceptance rates across program types can help you calibrate where to send scores and what to realistically expect from each application.
If you’re weighing how many programs to apply to, our guide on med school application ranges can help you think through a practical shortlist. And if your score is lower than you’d hoped and you’re reconsidering which schools to target, check out med schools that don’t require MCAT scores for a fuller picture of your options.
If you’d like to explore accredited Caribbean programs and compare them side by side, use our “Find Your Med School” tool to get matched with options based on your background and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which specific scores to send to schools?
No, when you send MCAT scores, your entire score history is released. You cannot select individual test attempts.
How long does it take for a medical school to receive my scores?
Once released, scores are transmitted electronically and usually appear quickly, though some systems may take several days to process them.
How many times can I send my scores?
You can send your scores to multiple schools as needed, but each release sends your full score history.
