Pharmacy College Admissions Test & Pharmacist Study Guides
Description
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges by measuring general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education.
The PCAT is constructed specifically for colleges of pharmacy. It has been developed and adjusted to provide an estimate prediction of success in the science-based curriculum of pharmacy school.
PCAT score is considered by most pharmacy schools to be an important criterion for admission.
About 2/3 of pharmacy schools require PCAT.
If you don’t perform well on standarized tests, apply to pharmacy schools that do not require PCAT.
At the minimum, you should have completed General Chemistry I and II, Biology I andII, and Calculus I; and you should at least be enrolled in Organic Chemistry I when you take the PCAT.
Subject Tested
The PCAT consists of 240 multiple-choice items and two Writing topics, and candidates are given four hours to complete the test.
Each multiple choice item consists of a question or incomplete statement followed by four answerchoices, only one of which is correct.
The answer to each item can be determined independentlyof the answers to any other item.
Points are not deducted for incorrectresponses.
There are six content areas measured by the PCAT in seven separate subtests:
1. Writing
Measure the effective use of language conventions and the ability to suggest the solution to a problem in written essays. There is one essay topic in each of two sections that requires you to write a problem-solving essay.
- 30 Minutes
- Conventions of Language
- Problem Solving
2. Verbal Ability
Measures general, non-scientific word knowledge and usage using analogies and sentence completion.
- 30 Minutes
- 48 Items
- Analogies 60%
- Sentence Completion 40%
3. Biology
Measures knowledge of the principles and concepts of basicbiology, including general biology, microbiology, and human anatomy and physiology.
- 30 Minutes
- 48 Items
- General Biology 60%
- Microbiology 20%
- Anatomy and Physiology 20%
4. Chemistry
Measures knowledge of principles and concepts of inorganicand elementary organic chemistry
- 30 Minutes
- 48 Items
- General Chemistry 60%
- Organic Chemistry 40%
5. Writing
same as no. 1 Writing
6. Reading Comprehension
Measures ability to comprehend, analyze,and evaluate reading passages on science-related topics
- 50 Minutes
- 6 Passages and 48 Items
- Comprehension 30%
- Analysis 40%
- Evaluation 30%
7. Quantitative Ability
Measures skills in mathematical processes and theability to reason through and understand quantitative concepts and relationships,including applications of basic math, algebra, probability and statistics, precalculus,and calculus.
- 40 Minutes
- 48 Items
- Basic Math 15%
- Algebra 20%
- Probability and Statistics 20%
- Precalculus 22%
- Calculus 22%
Test-Taking Strategies
The following strategies are suggested to help you do your best on the PCAT:
- Familiarize yourself with the test by reviewing the test content descriptions andsample items in this booklet and with the Practice Tests available at the PCAT website.
- Be prepared physically and mentally. Get a good night’s sleep the night before yourtest, eat what you consider a normal meal the morning of the test, and dress comfortablyfor the test. Because most of the test involves knowledge, skills, and abilitiesaccumulated over time, cramming probably will not help much.
- Answer as many multiple-choice items as time allows. Your scores are based on thenumber of items you answer correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrectresponses. If you are not sure which answer choice is correct for an item, eliminateas many incorrect options as you can first. If you have doubts about an answer toan item, change your answer only if you have a valid reason.
- Do not dwell on items that are unfamiliar or difficult, since all the multiple-choiceitems count the same. In each of the five multiple-choice subtests, first answer itemsabout which you are confident, and then return to answer the more difficult items,if time permits.
- Work quickly but carefully and check regularly to make sure you are marking youranswers in the correct place on the Answer Booklet.
- For the Writing sections, take a few moments to first plan your essay on theplanning page provided, and allow yourself time to proofread your essay carefullywhen finished.
Registration
- Registration Fee: $125.00
- The Registration Fee is paid when you register online or submit a paper Registration Form.
- Registration fee by mail cost about $40 extra than online registration.
- This fee registers you to take the test at a scheduled Test Center, as long as the applicable deadlines and all requirements are met.
- The Registration Fee also covers one personal Score Report sent to you and Official Transcripts sent to up to three colleges of pharmacy or other organizations that you specify when you register.
PCAT Website
The PCATWEB site offers PCAT candidate information booklet which downloadable as pdf file or actual booklet may be ordered.
The site also offers practice PCAT test without writing section. There is nominal fee for practice test. Site also offers sample questions.
Harcourt Assessment, Inc.
PSE Customer Relations—PCAT
19500 Bulverde Road
San Antonio, Texas 78259
Phone: 1-800-622-3231 or 210-339-8710
Fax: 1-888-211-8276 or 210-339-8711
Email: scoring.services@harcourt.com
Average PCAT score
- Average PCAT composite score of pharmacy school applicants: 399.44 (50 percentile)
- Average PCAT composite score of applicants accepted: 412 (69 percentile)
