Tips for Scoring 90 Percentile on the PCAT

The PCAT measures a student’s general as well as scientific knowledge as these are essential for admission into pharmacy school. A percentile of 90 is supposed to be a good one, and it can be achieved by following a proper preparation strategy and some tips.

1. Know the test layout and format, well before you start your preparation. The exam will have 240 questions that have multiple choice answers. They will be spread over seven sections, of which two will be writing sections that require the candidate to type in an essay. The other five sections are, biology, chemistry, verbal ability, reading comprehension and quantitative ability. The time limit for each section is 30 minutes except for the reading section that takes 50 minutes. Thus, including a 10 minute break, the entire PCAT test lasts for four hours. Since July 2011, the exam will be computer based.

The PCAT Reading Comprehension Section Review

Most candidates find that the reading comprehension is the most difficult challenge of all sections. This is because the texts are of academic type and too lengthy to read slowly. The Reading Comprehension sub test consists of 48 multiple-choice questions that are asked from six different passages. The entire section must be completed in 50 minutes. The questions split up is as follows, 30% have to do with direct reading comprehension; 40% are to do with analysis of the passage; and 30% require evaluation of the text. The passages will more or less be related to some science subject or topic and will be of undergraduate level of understanding. So, one cannot assume that this section will be a piece of cake.

PCAT Essay Topics and Scoring Procedure

The PCAT essays are classified into different categories. They are health issues, science issues and social, cultural and political issues. Some sample topics in each category are:

A) Health Issues
* Discuss a solution to problems resulting from insufficient supplies of donated organs.
* Discuss a solution to the problem of providing proper health care for those who are not insured.
* Discuss a solution to the problem of promoting healthy dietary habits, especially among young adults and teens.

PCAT Study Routine, Experimental Questions and Scoring Pattern

Experimental Questions on the PCAT

Except for the writing sections, all the others have some questions that do not count towards your PCAT score. These experimental questions are not scored but are used to determine how students perform on new questions and use them for the future tests. In each section, of 48 questions, only 40 of them count towards the score and the remaining 8 are the experimental questions. Candidates will not be capable of identifying the experimental questions from the actual questions as they will be random. So, they must answer every question like it counts for their score.

Tips for a High Score on the PCAT

There is no ideal way to study for the PCAT, no strategy that will give you a 300 with a guarantee. However, you could follow some tips and tricks while preparation so you can score better. Some tips are:

1) Do not start preparing from your undergrad textbooks. This would lead to studying a vast amount of material that will waste a lot of time. However, try to focus only on the topics that are specified as the syllabus for the exam and prepare from good guide books and PCAT preparation material.

PCAT Verbal Ability Section Review

One of the seven sub tests that appear in the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) is the Verbal Ability sub test. This section measures the candidates’ vocabulary and language usage. The words used in this section will not be science-specific. It will cover a wide range of topics. There will be 48 questions in this section that are presented in the multiple choice format and which must be answered in 30 minutes. There will be two types of questions that will appear in the verbal section – the analogies and the sentence completion. 40% of the questions will be of the type sentence completion and the rest 60% will be the analogies.

PCAT Average Scores, Verifying PCAT scores and PCATscoring schemes

Pearson does not have a particular passing score for the PCAT. There is no particular PCAT score which serves as a common target for candidates applying for it. But every pharmacy school has its own standards and PCAT average based on which they shortlist candidates. Hence the test taker must contact the respective colleges or schools to which he/she is applying to gain more information regarding PCAT score.

The New PCAT – CBT

The administrator of the PCAT, Pearson Ltd has introduced a new computer-based test (CBT) version of the PCAT from July 2011. The new computer based test is exactly similar to the paper based test, i.e. the content, syllabus, order of the sections and scoring and reporting system does not change. Only changed would be the way in which the test is conducted. Moreover, there is no change of rules either. Those that were applicable for the PBT are still applicable for the CBT version of the PCAT. The test format is going to be a simple one, which means there will not be complicated functions like the on-screen calculator, spell check or internet access provided while writing the test. Essays should be typed on the computer. The test is administered at certain Pearson VUE testing centers all over the world.

PCAT Test Breakdown

PCAT or Pharmacy College Admission Test is a standardized test that pharmacy colleges use to select potential students. Desired qualities are good knowledge of mathematics and sciences along with strong English language skills that one needs for an education in the English medium. The test takers have a time of about 4 hours to answer a total of 240 questions from the seven sections of the test.

There will be present two types of questions:

1. Multiple- choice type
2. Essay writing type.

The PCAT Quantitative Section Review

The quantitative ability is one of the seven sections of the PCAT. This sub test measures candidates’ ability to analyze, calculate and test their knowledge of various quantitative concepts and mathematical relationships. The test covers concepts like algebra, arithmetic, statistics, pre-calculus and calculus. There will be 48 multiple choice questions, the questions split up concept wise are:

1. Basic arithmetic – 15%

2. Probability, statistics – 20%

3. Algebra-related – 20%

4. Pre-calculus – 22%

5. Calculus – 22%

PCAT Chemistry Review

Of the seven sections of the PCAT, the chemistry is one. A candidate’s sound knowledge in general chemistry and organic chemistry is desired by the pharmacy schools are a pre-requisite for admission. The test consists of 48 questions that must be answered in a span of 30 minutes. Of the 48, only 40 will account for the score. The rest 8 questions are experimental and do not count towards one’s score. However, there is no distinction between the questions, so one has to answer all 48. 60% of the questions would be from general chemistry and 40% from organic chemistry.

Best PCAT books

To suggest a single best pcat book in particular for the entire exam might be difficult as the test covers a wide range of topics including biology and chemistry. But Barrons and Kaplans are widely used books for PCAT. The Barron's PCAT review book, The Pharmacy College Admission Test by Marie A. Chisholm-Burns Pharm D MPH, and a book called “How to Prepare for PCAT” by the same author Marie A Chisholm are must-buy books.

Other books worth buying are

· Tata McGraw Hill’s PCAT guide with full length practice papers and test.

· PCAT Flashcard Book (REA)-Pharmacy College Admin Test (Flash Card Books) by the Staff of REA.

· ARCO’s PCAT book to success.

· PCAT books best buy - Get into Pharmacy Schools- Example for Success, by William Figg & Cindy H Chau will also be a good investment in a book.

Registering for the PCAT

The candidates can register for PCAT online. The fee will be around $200. But as per the PCAT official website, this amount is subject to change. For the current year 2011-2012, the scheduled PCAT exam dates are as follows. They are conducted in the months of September and January.

September- 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28

January- 10 and 11, 2012.

Pearson VUE Test Centers are administering the PCAT test which would follow the cbt pattern (computer-based). This exam would be held at various test centers across the United States and in select international cities. Registering for pcat must be done early as possible, as seating at a Pearson VUE Test Center is given out on a first-come first-served basis. The test-takers can register for the PCAT by following this link- http://tpc-etesting.com/pcat/.

The PCAT Biology Sub-test

The PCAT consists of seven sub tests, of which the biology is one. It appears as the third section from the beginning. It is therefore, one of the most important subjects you need to study before appearing for the exam. The sub test measures students’ basic principles, knowledge of the subject and concepts. There are a number of subjects that are covered in the biology section that demand importance like general biology, human anatomy, physiology, microbiology and many others. There will be 48 multiple choice questions that will appear in the biology sub test, which should be completed in 30 minutes. The number of questions from each section is,

General Biology – 60%, that means, around 24 or 28.

Microbiology – 20% that means, around 8 or 9.

Human anatomy and physiology – 20%, that means 8-9.

About the PCAT

PCAT also known as the pharmacy college admission test is conducted by the AACP or the American association of colleges of pharmacy. Basically, to tell about pcat, it is an exam tests your aptitude for the pharmacy course. The marks obtained in this test will determine your possibilities to enter the prestigious American college of pharmacy. Previously the PCAT exam was conducted in pencil and paper based format. But the new PCAT will use computer aided testing methods for its exam. But the scoring methods, syllabus and content of the question paper and everything else followed in the paper based test would remain the same. The only change would be the test taking method, which would be computer aided from this year onwards. PCAT was conducted in the month of july. Another session of the PCAT would be held this September, the dates of which have been announced on PCAT site.

How to prepare for the PCAT

With around 270 to 280 multiple choice questions and about four and a half hours time to solve the questions, PCAT is a test specially designed for the purpose of choosing eligible students into the premier American pharmacy colleges. Hence preparing for this test needs time and patience. ‘How to prepare for the PCAT’ is a question commonly striking most test takers at the initial phase. But there is nothing to worry. Start with improving language skills as these are tested in every competitive exam including PCAT. the candidate can also prepare for PCAT by referring books like the Kaplan and the barons which are published exclusively for such exams.

The Kaplan book is considered to be the best option. Moreover the PCAT association themselves offer courses that cost like 700$ to 900$ to help the test taker get some practice, but the popular opinion is that following these books are the same as attending their courses. Kick start your preparation at least at least 6 months before the actual test date and maintain a study plan, so that you will have enough time to make yourself familiar with the syllabus, the test questions, and the structure of the exam. You would also need to develop your own strategy to crack the exam.