What Happens if You Cancel Your MCAT Test?

Wondering how to cancel your MCAT? Deciding whether to withdraw, postpone, or reschedule your MCAT exam can feel stressful, especially as your test date approaches, but knowing the official policy regarding your application cycle makes the decision easier. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) manages the MCAT registration system, which defines how to submit a cancellation request, qualify for a fee cancellation refund, and track registration deadlines.

Whether you’re facing illness, jury duty, active military service, or simply falling behind on your study routine, understanding your options protects both your time and your money. Many students decide to cancel the MCAT when practice exam performance doesn’t meet expectations or when preparation feels incomplete. Acting early gives you flexibility to choose a new exam date that fits your application cycle. This guide explains how canceling or voiding affects your testing limits, your registration fee, and your long-term medical education journey.

I. Can You Cancel the MCAT Test?

Yes, you can cancel your MCAT, but you must follow official AAMC guidelines. All cancellations must be made through the AAMC system before the posted deadline to receive a limited refund. The usual cutoff is ten days before your test date, which is crucial for processing refunds. After that point, your registration fee becomes non-refundable, and a no-show counts as a lost payment.

To cancel, log into your AAMC account, open “My Exams,” and submit your cancellation request through the MCAT program portal. If you’re enrolled in the Fee Assistance Program (FAP), your refund will match your reduced registration fee and selected test center location, but be aware of the reschedule fee that applies. Missing the deadline or failing to appear results in a no-show, with no eligibility for reimbursement.

It’s best to review your exam date, test center, and study plan weeks in advance. Acting promptly ensures your fee cancellation refund is processed and that you stay within the AAMC’s testing limits for each calendar year.

II. Cancellation vs. Voiding: What's the Difference?

Many confuse canceling their MCAT exam with voiding it, but they’re two different processes within the MCAT program.
Cancellation happens before your MCAT test date, through the MCAT registration network, and qualifies for a limited refund if submitted before the deadline, usually ten days in advance. When you cancel, your registration is removed, and the entire test will not appear in your AAMC applicant data and reports sent to schools, allowing for a potential retake.

Voiding, however, happens on test day. After completing the exam, you’ll be asked if you wish to void your score before leaving the test center and submitting your responses. This permanently deletes your scaled scores, meaning they won’t be calculated or released, even in the case of death. The attempt will still count in your testing history, showing that you attended but chose not to have it scored.

In short, canceling is before the test day, with a refund possible, and no record, which is crucial for your yearly testing restrictions. However, voiding is on test day, with no refund, and a record of attendance only. If you’re unsure, think about your readiness, health, and study routine before deciding how to calculate your options. For a deeper understanding of what happens during your testing experience, see our related guide: What to Expect on MCAT Test Day.

III. What Happens After Canceling the MCAT?

When you cancel your MCAT registration, your exam disappears from AAMC records and will not appear in your applicant data and reports. However, your eligibility for a fee cancellation refund depends on when you act. If you cancel at least ten days before your MCAT test date, you’ll receive a partial refund.

Students in the Fee Assistance Program receive proportional refunds. Canceling early also protects your testing requirements: you can take the MCAT up to three times per calendar year, four times across two years, and seven times in your lifetime.

Once you’re ready to retake, log into your AAMC account, choose a new test center, pay the required fees, and resume studying. Updating your study schedule between attempts lets you review past weaknesses and strengthen your approach. To learn more about retesting policies and application timelines, see Can You Retake the MCAT?

IV. Is It Bad to Void Your MCAT?

Voiding your MCAT exam attempt is not automatically negative. When you void, the AAMC lists the attempt as “unscored.” Schools can see that you attended the exam session but chose not to release your results.

Most admissions committees understand that unexpected illness, stress, or emergencies can interfere with performance. One voided exam rarely raises concerns. However, multiple voids may suggest issues with planning or readiness. If you’re unwell or mentally fatigued on test day, voiding is preferable to submitting low-scaled scores that don’t reflect your true ability. Ultimately, knowing when to void demonstrates self-awareness and professional judgment that medical schools respect.

V. Impact on MCAT Prep and CARS Section

Canceling or voiding your MCAT can disrupt your momentum, especially in the CARS section, where progress depends on consistent reading and reasoning practice. A long gap between your original and rescheduled exam dates can affect timing and comprehension.

Use the extra time to review materials and rebuild confidence. Revise your study schedule with a clear goal for completing each section before your next attempt. Incorporate timed CARS practice sessions, evaluate your answers carefully, and adjust strategies based on review results. Resources like MCAT CARS Practice Questions help you strengthen critical analysis skills and recover quickly.

Even if you cancel or void your MCAT, this decision reflects a commitment to your growth as a future physician. Every adjustment brings you closer to achieving your target score and continuing your medical education journey.

VI. Reasons to Cancel or Void

Students choose to cancel or void for many valid reasons, such as health issues, family emergencies, or realizing they’re unable to perform at their best. Medical students often emphasize the importance of mental readiness, focus, and clarity when preparing for an exam as demanding as the MCAT during this testing year.

The AAMC also provides flexibility for extraordinary circumstances. Candidates on active military service who receive deployment orders can request accommodations or a fee cancellation refund, and they may prefer to wait to reschedule until after their deployment. Likewise, students who test positive for COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses before their scheduled test date may qualify for a refund or free rescheduling by submitting official documentation.

Whether it’s a sudden illness, jury duty, or family emergency, it’s better to cancel or reschedule than risk poor performance that could affect your long-term goals, especially if you have concerns about your current readiness.

VII. When Should You Cancel or Void?

Timing is crucial. If you realize weeks in advance that you’re unable to perform well—perhaps your practice test scores are lower than expected or your prep isn’t complete—it’s best to cancel early. Doing so keeps your registration value intact and allows for a partial refund before the deadline, which you should act on immediately.

Canceling early also gives you the chance to reschedule for another test date within the same testing year without losing all your money. Conversely, voiding is a last-minute option reserved for test day itself, which means you must pay close attention to your decision. For example, if you arrive at the test center and realize you’re unwell or can’t focus, you can void your exam before submitting your answers. This prevents your performance from being scored or shared with schools, thereby protecting your testing constraints.

VIII. How to Reschedule or Postpone Instead

If you’re not ready to take the MCAT but don’t want to lose your spot, you can reschedule or postpone your exam date through the AAMC system. This alternative is ideal for students who simply need more study time or wish to switch locations if they decide to cancel the MCAT.

To do this, log in to your AAMC account, open “My Exams,” and choose the reschedule option. You can select a new test center or exam date that better fits your schedule. Keep in mind that a reschedule fee applies and increases the closer you are to your test, so note the deadlines carefully. Students in the Fee Assistance Program receive discounted rescheduling fees.

Before confirming, review the full list of upcoming MCAT test dates to plan your prep timeline and note any important dates. For reference, see our updated guide on MCAT Test Dates 2025–2026 to pick a date that aligns with your readiness and application goals, not half-heartedly.

IX. FAQ

Q: Can you cancel the MCAT on the test date?

A: No. You cannot cancel through the MCAT registration system on test day, but you can void the exam before leaving the test center to avoid a no-show penalty.

Q: Does canceling affect your application?

A: Canceling your MCAT registration does not appear in your AAMC applicant data or affect your medical school application. Only voided attempts show as unscored records.

Q: Will you get a refund for canceling the MCAT exam?

A: Yes, if you cancel before the AAMC deadline (ten days before your exam date). You’ll receive a partial fee cancellation refund, the amount depending on your timing and Fee Assistance Program eligibility.