Ultimate Guide to MCAT and UCAT 2026 Dates: Registration, Deadlines & Exam Schedules for Indian Engineering Aspirants
- Rajesh Kulkarni
- Dec 23, 2025
- 5 min read
If you’re an Indian engineering aspirant aiming to switch to the medical, dental or clinical sciences domain abroad in 2026, understanding the MCAT and UCAT 2026 dates is critical for planning your exam strategy, registration, and application timelines. This comprehensive guide walks you through all important timelines — from registration openings to test windows, deadlines, score releases, and more, with the latest official information available for both exams.
🧠 Why MCAT & UCAT Matter for Engineering Students
Many engineering students choose to pivot toward healthcare careers abroad because their analytical and quantitative strengths provide a strong foundation for aptitude‑based admissions tests like MCAT and UCAT. Unlike typical academic exams, these tests assess reasoning, critical thinking, ethical judgment, and problem‑solving skills rather than domain knowledge alone.
Understanding MCAT and UCAT 2026 dates helps you align your preparation, university applications, and test bookings without missing any deadlines.
📍 MCAT 2026 — Complete Date & Deadline Overview
The MCAT® (Medical College Admission Test) is required for admission to most U.S., Canadian, and several international medical schools. In 2026, the MCAT will be offered multiple times throughout the year in various countries, including international centres for Indian students.
🗓 MCAT 2026 Test Dates & Schedule
The official 2026 MCAT calendar includes test dates almost every month from January through September, giving you flexibility on when to take the exam.
Test Date (2026) | Registration Deadlines | Score Release |
January 9 | 60‑day: Nov 10 ’25 | Feb 10 ’26 |
January 10 | 60‑day: Nov 11 ’25 | Feb 10 ’26 |
January 15 | 60‑day: Nov 16 ’25 | Feb 17 ’26 |
January 23 | 60‑day: Nov 24 ’25 | Feb 24 ’26 |
February 13 | 60‑day: Dec 15 ’25 | Mar 17 ’26 |
March 7 | 60‑day: Jan 6 ’26 | Apr 7 ’26 |
March 20 | 60‑day: Jan 19 ’26 | Apr 21 ’26 |
April 10 | 60‑day: Feb 9 ’26 | May 12 ’26 |
April 11 | 60‑day: Feb 10 ’26 | May 12 ’26 |
April 24 | 60‑day: Feb 23 ’26 | May 27 ’26 |
April 25 | 60‑day: Feb 24 ’26 | May 27 ’26 |
May 2 | 60‑day: Mar 3 ’26 | Jun 2 ’26 |
May 8 | 60‑day: Mar 9 ’26 | Jun 9 ’26 |
May 9 | 60‑day: Mar 10 ’26 | Jun 9 ’26 |
May 14 | 60‑day: Mar 15 ’26 | Jun 16 ’26 |
May 22 | 60‑day: Mar 23 ’26 | Jun 23 ’26 |
May 30 | 60‑day: Mar 31 ’26 | Jun 30 ’26 |
June 12 | 60‑day: Apr 13 ’26 | Jul 14 ’26 |
June 26 | 60‑day: Apr 27 ’26 | Jul 28 ’26 |
July 11 | 60‑day: May 12 ’26 | Aug 11 ’26 |
July 24 | 60‑day: May 25 ’26 | Aug 25 ’26 |
July 31 | 60‑day: Jun 1 ’26 | Sep 2 ’26 |
Aug 15 | 60‑day: Jun 16 ’26 | Sep 15 ’26 |
Aug 21 | 60‑day: Jun 23 ’26 | Sep 22 ’26 |
Sep 3 | 60‑day: Jul 5 ’26 | Oct 6 ’26 |
Sep 11 | 60‑day: Jul 13 ’26 | Oct 13 ’26 |
💡 Registration deadlines consist of a 60‑day, 30‑day, and 10‑day window before each test date. You must register by the 10‑day deadline to secure your slot.
Example: For the January 9 MCAT 2026, registration opens months in advance — the 60‑day mark was Nov 10, 2025 — and the last chance to register was Dec 30, 2025, with scores released on Feb 10, 2026.
🛠 MCAT Registration & Test Process (2026)
🗓 Registration Opening
For the entire 2026 testing year, the primary registration window opened in October 2025 across international regions in waves (Group A, B, C test centres).
Group A: Oct 21, 2025 – test centers in specific U.S. states.
Group B: Oct 22, 2025 – additional regions.
Group C: Oct 23, 2025 – international locations.Registration stays open until 10 days before each test date, so you can register up until that point.
🧾 Scheduling & Fees
Standard registration fee (approx. $355 USD).
International/testing outside the U.S. incurs an additional fee (~$130).
Fee Assistance discounts are available with early application.
🗂 Score Releases & Application Timing
MCAT scores are typically released 30–35 days after your test date, and results are visible online. Plan your test early (ideally March – May 2026) if you want your scores ready before AMCAS application cycles open in early May.
📍 UCAT 2026 — UK & ANZ Test Dates, Registration & Deadlines
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is used by medical and dental schools across the UK and internationally as part of admissions decisions. Although the official UK UCAT 2026 schedule is expected to be published in January 2026, early patterns and the ANZ calendar give a clear idea of the timeline.
UCAT ANZ 2026 Key Dates
For applicants targeting Australia and New Zealand medical programs in 2026:
Event | Date (2026) |
Concession & access arrangement applications open | Feb 16, 2026 |
Booking opens | Mar 3, 2026 |
Concession application deadline | May 11, 2026 |
Access Arrangements deadline | May 15, 2026 |
Standard booking deadline | May 15, 2026 |
Late booking deadline (extra fee) | May 29, 2026 |
Final late booking deadline | June 5, 2026 |
Cancellation deadline | June 12, 2026 |
UCAT ANZ testing window | July 1 – Aug 5, 2026 |
Results delivery to universities | Early September 2026 |
Brief Explanation of Each UCAT ANZ Date:
Booking Opens (3 Mar): Create your PearsonVUE account and book your preferred date and location.
Concession & Access Arrangements Deadlines: Apply early if eligible for reduced fees or accommodations.
Standard & Late Booking Deadlines: Secure your seat before the test window fills. Late bookings incur fees and are less flexible.
Testing Window (1 Jul – 5 Aug): You must take the exam on a booked date within this period.
Cancellation Deadline (12 Jun): Last chance to cancel with a partial refund.
🇬🇧 UK UCAT 2026 Dates (Expected)
Registration for UCAT UK 2026 will open in May 2026. Booking usually runs from late May through the designated test window (typically July – September).
Although exact dates for UK UCAT 2026 are not yet listed, following last years’ pattern:
Registration opens: May 2026
Booking closes: Mid‑September 2026
Test window: July – September 2026This timeline ensures you’re ready for UCAS deadlines and university applications in the autumn cycle.
📅 Summary: Key Dates At a Glance
📌 MCAT 2026
Registration opened: Oct 21 – 23, 2025 (regional waves)
Test dates: Jan – Sep 2026 (many options)
Score releases: ~30‑35 days post‑test
Last possible tests: early September 2026
Summary 📌 UCAT 2026
UCAT ANZ Registration opens: Mar 3, 2026
Booking deadlines: May 15 (standard), May 29 (late), June 5 (final)
Test window: Jul 1 – Aug 5, 2026
Results delivered: Early Sep 2026
UCAT UK Registration & dates: May – Sept 2026 (expected)
❓ FAQ — MCAT and UCAT 2026 Dates
Q1: What are the most important MCAT and UCAT 2026 dates to remember?
➡️ You must note MCAT test dates from January – September 2026 with registration deadlines ~30‑60 days prior, and UCAT ANZ test booking deadlines (May 15, May 29, June 5) with testing from July – August 2026.
Q2: When does MCAT registration open for 2026?
➡️ MCAT 2026 registration opened in October 2025 in waves by region, and stays open until ~10 days before each test date
Q3: When should I book my UCAT 2026 test if I’m applying to UK universities?
➡️ UK UCAT registration opens in May 2026, so register early to secure preferred dates before the test window fills.
Q4: Can engineering students take both MCAT and UCAT in 2026?
➡️ Yes. You can take both exams in the same year if you’re applying to different programs, but book strategically to avoid date clashes.
Q5: What is the latest UCAT exam date available in 2026?
➡️ For UCAT ANZ, the last test is 5 August 2026; for UCAT UK, tests typically run up to late September 2026.
📌 Bottom Line for Engineering Aspirants
Planning your MCAT and UCAT 2026 dates well in advance is essential, especially if you’re balancing rigorous engineering academics with exam preparation. Early registration, understanding deadlines, and aligning test dates with your application timeline can significantly boost your chances of timely university admissions to global medical programs.
🎯 CTA — What to Do Next
✔️ Register for MCAT 2026:
https://students‑residents.aamc.org/register‑mcat‑exam/2026‑mcat‑registration‑opening Students & Residents
✔️ UCAT ANZ 2026 Booking & Info:
✔️ UCAT UK 2026 Registration (when open):
📆 Start planning your study timetable and application strategy now—don’t wait for deadlines!
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