Last reviewed: October 2026
CAA ADMISSIONS GUIDE
CAA GRE & MCAT Requirements: 2026–2027 Guide
CAA programs do not all use the same standardized-testing policy. Some programs accept either the GRE or MCAT, while others require a specific exam. Minimum scores, competitive score guidance, and how recently the test must have been taken can also vary by school.
Your test choice should start with the CAA programs you may want to apply to—not simply which exam seems easier.
This guide explains the major differences and provides current examples from CAA programs. Always confirm the final testing policy directly with each program before applying.
Do You Need the GRE or MCAT for CAA School?
Standardized testing remains part of the admissions process at many CAA programs, but there is no single testing requirement that applies to every school.
Many programs accept either the GRE or MCAT. Others are more restrictive. The University of Colorado, for example, currently requires the MCAT and explicitly states that it does not accept the GRE. Programs that accept both exams may also publish different minimum, recommended, or competitive scores. CU School of Medicine
This is why applicants should identify potential programs before deciding which exam to take.
Current CAA GRE & MCAT Requirements
The table below shows examples of current published testing policies. It is intended as a planning tool rather than a substitute for each program's current admissions page.
| CAA Program | Accepted Test | Published Guidance | Test Score Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | GRE or MCAT | Recommends GRE scores at or above the 60th percentile in Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning with 4.0+ Analytical Writing, or MCAT 500+. | Within 3 years of the application deadline. |
| Emory University | GRE or MCAT | Current guidance lists GRE 55th percentile+ in each section with 4.0+ writing, or MCAT 502+ with 124+ in each subsection. | Scores must be within 5 years of the application deadline. |
| Indiana University | GRE or MCAT | Does not accept GRE Verbal or Quantitative scores below the 40th percentile or an MCAT below 499. | Within 3 years of matriculation. |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | GRE or MCAT | Publishes competitive guidance of GRE 150 Verbal / 150 Quantitative / 4.0 Writing or MCAT 490. | Within 5 years of application. |
| Nova Southeastern University | GRE or MCAT | Competitive guidance: GRE 40th percentile+ in Verbal and Quantitative with 3.5+ Writing, or MCAT 500+. | Within 5 years. |
| University of Missouri–Kansas City | GRE or MCAT | No current absolute minimum. Published recommended minimums are MCAT 494 or GRE 300. | Within 3 years of the application deadline. |
| University of New Mexico | GRE or MCAT | GRE or MCAT accepted. UNM states that it generally interviews applicants scoring at or above the 45th percentile. | Within 3 years of applying. |
| UTHealth Houston | MCAT preferred; GRE also considered | Minimum MCAT: 498. GRE is also considered with a minimum total score of 309, including 153 Verbal, 156 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical Writing. | Within 3 years of application submission. |
| University of Colorado Anschutz | MCAT only | The GRE is not accepted. The program does not publish an absolute minimum and currently describes scores around the 50th percentile as a target. | Within 5 years of applying. |
Important: A published minimum, recommended score, competitive score, and matriculant average are not the same thing. Read the terminology used by each program carefully.
Should You Take the GRE or MCAT for CAA School?
There is no universally better exam for CAA applicants.
Start by building a preliminary school list. If every program you are seriously considering accepts either test, you have more flexibility to choose the exam that best reflects your academic strengths.
If even one important school requires the MCAT, however, taking only the GRE may remove that program from your options. The University of Colorado is a current example because it does not accept the GRE. CU School of Medicine
Your prerequisite history can also affect the decision.
At several CAA programs, a sufficiently strong MCAT can affect how older prerequisite coursework is treated.
Case Western Reserve currently waives its prerequisite time limits with an MCAT score of 500 or higher. The University of Colorado accepts prerequisite courses older than seven years when an applicant earns an MCAT score of at least 500. UTHealth Houston states that an MCAT score above 505 waives its prerequisite-course time limit. Case Western Reserve University
That means the GRE-versus-MCAT decision should sometimes consider both testing requirements and the age of your prerequisite courses.
What Is a Competitive GRE or MCAT Score for CAA School?
There is no universal competitive GRE or MCAT score for CAA school.
Programs use different thresholds and different language. A school may publish an absolute minimum, a recommended minimum, a competitive range, recent matriculant averages, or some combination of those measures.
Recent class statistics illustrate the difference. Case Western Reserve reports a 2025–2026 average MCAT of 506 and average GRE scores of 159 Verbal, 161 Quantitative, and 4.3 Analytical Writing. Emory reports an average MCAT of 507.4 and average GRE Quantitative score of 159.2 among its current matriculant profile. UTHealth Houston reports a 2025–2026 matriculant average MCAT of 508, with GRE averages of 163 Quantitative, 160 Verbal, and 4.5 Analytical Writing. Case Western Reserve University
Those numbers describe recent students; they should not be interpreted as guaranteed admission cutoffs.
How Long Are GRE and MCAT Scores Valid for CAA Programs?
Test-score expiration rules also vary by program.
Current policies commonly use windows of approximately three to five years, but the date from which that window is measured may differ. Some programs reference the application deadline, some the application date, and others matriculation.
For example, Case Western requires its admissions test within three years of the application deadline, Indiana University requires the GRE or MCAT within three years of matriculation, and Emory requires applicants to retake scores that are five years or older when applying. Case Western Reserve University
If your score is several years old, verify the exact rule before assuming it remains valid.
How Do You Submit GRE or MCAT Scores to CASAA?
Most applicants applying through CASAA will need official test scores—not simply a score entered manually in the application.
Official MCAT scores are sent electronically from AAMC to CASAA. Applicants also self-report the exam in the Standardized Tests section and provide the information CASAA needs to match the official score to the application. Liaison
GRE reporting works differently. CASAA uses program-specific GRE codes, and applicants applying to multiple programs may need to request that ETS send the score using each applicable CASAA program code. A university's normal institutional GRE code may not be the same as its CASAA code. Liaison
Always check the school's current instructions and score deadline before ordering official reports.
Should You Retake the GRE or MCAT Before Applying?
Is your current score below a program's published minimum or screening threshold?
Will the score expire before the school's required date?
Is your score substantially below the competitive profile published by your target programs?
Would a stronger MCAT help resolve prerequisite-recency issues at one or more schools you want to apply to?
A retake should solve a specific application problem. Repeating an exam simply because a higher score might look better is different from retaking because your current score makes you ineligible, expires, or materially limits your school list.
Build Your CAA School List Before Choosing Your Exam
Testing decisions make more sense once you know which programs you may actually apply to. Compare accreditation status, prerequisites, testing policies, shadowing expectations, deadlines, and other admissions requirements before committing to a testing strategy.
Keep Your CAA Application Planning Organized
CAA program requirements can differ enough that keeping everything straight across multiple schools becomes difficult.
The free CAA Application Starter Kit includes a Program Comparison Worksheet, application readiness scorecard, application timeline, pre-submission checklist, personal statement self-check, interview readiness checklist, and final application review.