The PCAT is a standardized test used by pharmacy schools to assess the skills and abilities of applicants in specific subjects.
The Exam
The PCAT is divided in to six sub-tests; Biology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension,
Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and writing. Overall the test contains 232 questions and one writing passage and takes about 4 hours to complete.
Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and writing. Overall the test contains 232 questions and one writing passage and takes about 4 hours to complete.
Scoring
The PCAT website is the official testing page and features all necessary testing information. Students register for the exam through pearson and the cost per exam is about $199 with a late registration fee of $49.
About 5 weeks after taking the test, scores are released and are automatically sent to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). The score received consists of 6 seperate scores, one score for each section of the test and a composite score. A composite scaled score is the student's totals from all the sub-tests and ranges from 200–600. In addition to the scaled score, students will also receive a percentile rank for each section ranging from 1-99%. The percentile rank is not an average but is determined by the normal group composite scores.
A good PCAT Score is usually one that is above the median (400). Nevertheless the percentile score makes it easier for students because, the 90th percentile is typically a 430. The accepted PCAT score varies among pharmacy schools so students should check with them specifically.
About 5 weeks after taking the test, scores are released and are automatically sent to the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). The score received consists of 6 seperate scores, one score for each section of the test and a composite score. A composite scaled score is the student's totals from all the sub-tests and ranges from 200–600. In addition to the scaled score, students will also receive a percentile rank for each section ranging from 1-99%. The percentile rank is not an average but is determined by the normal group composite scores.
A good PCAT Score is usually one that is above the median (400). Nevertheless the percentile score makes it easier for students because, the 90th percentile is typically a 430. The accepted PCAT score varies among pharmacy schools so students should check with them specifically.
Helpful Links and websites
- Kaplan's strategy sessions include their 5 basic principles that can help students better handle the weight of the PCAT.
- Pearson gives offical practice exams and a diagnostic report .
- Pearson also provides a helpful PCAT basic information packet that can be seen below
Resources
- http://pcatweb.info/downloads/about/FeesandSpecialServices.pdf
- http://www.kaptest.com/pcat/pcat-test/index