Anyone got any Suggestions?

[acetyl]

I scored in the 37th percentile in the Reading Composition (392 scaled score), 55th in the Verbal, but got a 4 on the Writing Section (87 composite). I'm not what you call a well read person but can write at least acceptably. I have not tested well on these sections of tests my entire life.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how I can overcome this lack of ability for the June PCAT. I took many practice tests and read the Kaplan book for the January test and figured Verbal would be the lowest for me. Specifically, what do you look for when the question asks things like what was the author's tone and/or the general meaning of the passage? Any comments or thoughts are warranted. Thanks.


~acetyl

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[Plion]

I scored in the 37th percentile :general meaning of the passage? Any comments or thoughts are warranted. Thanks.


~acetyl

Tell me, did you get any of these questions?


VERBAL per some SAT book PCAT Professor

Question # 1 of 58
COFFER : VALUABLES :: SANCTUARY :
A. paper
B. refuge
C. trifles
D. avalanche

Reasoning:
By definition, a coffer is a container in which to store valuables. Similarly, a SANCTUARY is by definition a place of REFUGE.

Question # 2 of 58
CAPTIOUS : TOLERANT :: NOTORIOUS :
A. similar
B. renowned
C. squeamish
D. plentiful

Reasoning:
Captious (meaning "fault-finding") and tolerant are antonyms. Notorious (meaning "known unfavorably") and renowned are also antonyms.

Question # 3 of 58
FANCIER : AMATEUR :: WALLFLOWER :

A. dancer
B. caprice
C. enthusiast
D. imaginary
Reasoning:
WALLFLOWER (One who does not participate in the activity at a social event because of shyness or unpopularity), dancer (To move rhythmically usually to music, using prescribed or improvised steps and gestures).

Question # 4 of 58
COAX : BLANDISHMENT :: COMPEL :
A. deter
B. batter
C. threats
D. platitudes
Reasoning:
The act of BLANDISHMENT is to COAX by flattery. To COMPEL is to COAX someone using threats and force.

Question # 5 of 58
BLIZZARD : FLURRY :: DOWNPOUR :
A. snow
B. storm
C. shower
D. impulsive

Reasoning:
A BLIZZARD is a blinding snowstorm, and is an extreme case of a FLURRY of snow. A DOWNPOUR is a heavy rainfall, and is an extreme case of a shower of rain.
Question # 6 of 58
OPHTHALMOLOGIST : EYES :: DERMATOLOGIST :

A. skin
B. ears
C. bones
D. brain
Reasoning:
The relationship here is about doctors and what they specialize in. The ophthalmologist treats disorders of the eyes and the dermatologist treats diseases of the skin.
Question # 7 of 58
HISTRIONIC : THEATER :: FORENSIC :

A. opera
B. court
C. stage
D. orchestra
Reasoning:
Histrionic means "suitable for acting or the theater." Similarly, forensic means "suitable to debate or a court of law."
Question # 8 of 58
ACQUIESCENT : REBEL :: CHARISMATIC :
A. pedant
B. unctuous
C. courteous
D. accepting

Reasoning:
The relationship here is not just one of opposites; it is characteristic of persons. Pedant is a dry, boring teacher who certainly would never be charismatic

Question # 9 of 58
CORROSION : METALS :: EROSION :
A. ores
B. rust
C. rocks
D. plastics

Reasoning:
Corrosion of metals is analogous to erosion of rocks because both involve wearing away of materials.

Question # 10 of 58
The parliamentary session degenerated into ____ with politicians hurling ____ at each other and refusing to come to order.

A. disarray - pleasantries
B. tranquility - invectives
C. mayhem - banter
D. anarchy - insults
Reasoning:
Anarchy: Absence of any form of political authority. Insults: To give offense; offend.

Question # 11 of 58
Corruption is ____ in our society; the integrity of even senior officials is ____ .

A. endangered - disputed
B. pervasive - intact
C. growing - unquestioned
D. rife - suspect
Reasoning:
Rife: In widespread existence, practice, or use; increasingly prevalent. Suspect: To think (a person) guilty without proof:
Question # 12 of 58
The conclusion of his argument, while ____ , is far from ____ .
A. worthwhile - valueless
B. germane - relevant
C. abstruse - incomprehensible
D. stimulating - interesting
Reasoning:
Abstruse: Difficult to understand; recondite. Incomprehensible: Difficult or impossible to understand or comprehend.
Question # 13 of 58
EMPLOYEE : WAGES :: ENTREPRENEUR :

A. jobs
B. books
C. profits
D. conflict

Reasoning:
An employee works for wages. Similarly, an entrepreneur works for profits.

Question # 14 of 58
PHILANTHROPIST : BENEVOLENCE :: ALTRUIST :
A. blasphemy
B. generosity
C. benediction
D. quintessence
Reasoning:
A philanthropist, being a lover of mankind, is characterized by his benevolence. In the same way, an altruist being interested in helping others is characterized by his generosity.

Question # 15 of 58
If there is nothing to absorb the energy of sound waves, they travel on ____ , but their intensity ____ as they travel further from their source.

A. indefinitely - diminishes
B. forever - increases
C. eternally - alleviates
D. erratically - mitigates

Reasoning:
Indefinitely: Lacking precise limits. Diminishes: To make smaller or less or to cause to appear so.
Question # 16 of 58
Many 17th century buildings that are still in existence have been so ____ by successive owners that the original layout is no longer ____ .

A. salvaged - required
B. preserved - visible
C. decimated - enshrouded
D. modified - apparent

Reasoning:
Modified: To change in form or character; alter. Apparent: Readily understood; clear or obvious.
Question # 17 of 58
PENCIL : GRAPHITE :: GUNPOWDER :

A. engine
B. mortar
C. plastic
D. cordite
Reasoning
A PENCIL uses GRAPHITE to work (write) while GUNPOWDER uses cordite in order to work.
Question # 18 of 58
CARET : INSERT:: PERIOD :
A. stop
B. sever
C. delete
D. exponentiate

Reasoning:
A CARET (^) is an editing symbol that indicates where a word should be INSERTED. Similarly, a PERIOD is a grammatical symbol indicating a STOP.
Question # 19 of 58
BEQUEST : HEIR :: GIFT :
A. payment
B. weight
C. artist
D. recipient

Reasoning:
A BEQUEST is money or goods left to one's heirs. A GIFT is given to a recipient.
Question # 20 of 58
SAND : DESERTS :: GRASS :

A. seas
B. lawns
C. ponds
D. fields

Reasoning:
Sand is the main constituent of deserts and grass is the main constituent of lawns

Question # 21 of 58
EPIDERMIS : HUMAN :: SCALE :

A. bird
B. tree
C. snake
D. camel
Reasoning:
The relationship here is one of part to whole. The epidermis (skin) covers a human completely. A snake is covered completely in scales.
Question # 22 of 58
INNOCUOUS : HARMLESS : : INGENUOUS :

A. artless
B. assiduous
C. incongruous
D. Deleterious

Reasoning:
INNOCUOUS and HARMLESS are synonyms. Similarly, INGENUOUS and artless are synonyms.
Question # 23 of 58
MNEMONIC : MEMORY :: PACEMAKER :

A. recall
B. treatise
C. heartbeat
D. manifestation
Reasoning:
A MNEMONIC functions to aid MEMORY. Similarly, a PACEMAKER aids in the regulation of one's HEARTBEAT.
Question # 24 of 58
FILTER : IMPURITY :: EXPURGATE :

A. penance
B. testify
C. obscenity
D. infraction
Reasoning:
The word filter is used as a verb. When you use a filter, an impurity is removed, so you filter to remove an impurity. The word expurgate means to censor, to remove obscenities — you expurgate to remove an obscenity.
Question # 25 of 58
ILLICIT : RATIFY :: BELLIGERENT :
A. obscure
B. appease
C. preserve
D. criticize

Reasoning:
To ratify is to approve or make legitimate or legal. Something illicit is by definition illegitimate or illegal. Thus, ratifying something makes it the opposite of illicit. Similarly, to appease is to pacify or make content, which is the opposite of belligerent (hostile or antagonistic).
Question # 26 of 58
David reveled in ____; he would never seek ____ until all possibilities for debate had been exhausted.

A. altercation - clarification
B. asceticism - indulgence
C. polemics - conciliation
D. ambiguities - consolation

Reasoning:
Polemics: A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation. Conciliation: To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease.
Question # 27 of 58
BELLICOSE : PACIFIC :: CACOPHONOUS :

A. harmonious
B. pugilistic
C. tempestuous
D. sympathetic

Reasoning:
The relationship here is one of antonyms. BELLICOSE means war-like, while PACIFIC means peace-loving. CACOPHONOUS describes jarring, discordant sound and harmonious describes pleasing sounds.
Question # 28 of 58
DEFECTION : CAUSE :: APOSTASY :

A. glory
B. effect
C. religion
D. character
Reasoning:
Just as defection means abandonment of a cause, apostasy means abandonment of one's religion.
Question # 29 of 58
CARDINAL : PRIMARY :: SECONDARY :

A. tertiary
B. subordinate
C. pivotal
D. key

Reasoning:
SECONDARY (one occupying a subordinate or auxiliary position rather than that of a principal). Subordinate (one that is placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position).


- PCAT professor himself (UK)

 

[Plion]

Question # 30 of 58
FROWN : DISAPPROBATION :: GLOWER :

A. anger
B. whisper
C. snicker
D. circumlocution

Reasoning:
FROWN implies knitting the brows to express DISAPPROBATION (or disapproval). GLOWER implies scowling to express anger.


Question # 31 of 58
The revolution in art has not lost its steam; it ____ on as fiercely as ever.

A. ambles
B. rages
C. trudges
D. edges

Reasoning:
Rages: A burning desire; a passion.

Question # 32 of 58
URBANE : SUAVE :: PEDESTRIAN :

A. calm
B. rural
C. prosaic
D. sophisticated

Reasoning:
Urbane and suave are synonyms meaning "refined and courteous." Similarly, pedestrian and prosaic are synonyms meaning "dull and unimaginative."


Question # 33 of 58
THESAURUS : SYNONYMS :: ENCYCLOPEDIA :

A. facts
B. chapters
C. transport
D. parallels

Reasoning:
A thesaurus may be used to look up synonyms. Similarly, an encyclopedia may be used to look up facts.


Question # 34 of 58
JUDGE : IMPARTIAL :: ACROBAT :

A. tame
B. proud
C. limber
D. repentant

Reasoning:
An effective, or ideal, judge is impartial (not biased toward or against either side). Similarly, an ideal acrobat is limber (flexible).


Question # 35 of 58
DISSOLUTE : CONTINENT :: IMMORAL :

A. chaste
B. landmark
C. mainland
D. restrained

Reasoning:
Dissolute (meaning "loose in morals") and continent (meaning "restrained") are antonyms.



Question # 36 of 58
Tennyson was a well-loved poet; no other poet since has been so ____ .

A. lionized
B. decried
C. abhorred
D. attacked

Reasoning:
Lionized: To look on or treat (a person) as a celebrity.



Question # 37 of 58
Our once thriving High School Chess Club is now ____ ; the programs have had to be cancelled due to lack of support.

A. defunct
B. renovating
C. resurgent
D. extant

Reasoning:
Defunct: Having ceased to exist or live.


Question # 38 of 58
After grafting there is a ____ of lymphocytes in the lymph glands; the newly produced lymphocytes then move in to attack the foreign tissue.

A. obliteration
B. proliferation
C. paucity
D. diminution

Reasoning:
Proliferation: To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring.


Question # 39 of 58
Our present accountant is most ____ ; unlike the previous _____ incumbent, he has never made a mistake in all the years that he has worked for the firm.

A. asinine - diligent
B. unorthodox - heretical
C. dependable - assiduous
D. meticulous - unreliable

Reasoning:
Meticulous: Extremely careful and precise. Unreliable: Marked by or exhibiting a lack of reliability.



Question # 40 of 58
LIBIDINOUS : LUSTFUL :: DOLOROUS :

A. awful
B. powerful
C. sorrowful
D. talkative

Reasoning:
Libidinous and lustful are synonyms. Dolorous and sorrowful are also synonyms.


Question # 41 of 58
There have been great ____ since his time, but few others have felt so strongly the ____ of human existence.

A. heretics - sagacity
B. optimists - tremulousness
C. skeptics - exaltation
D. pessimists - futility

Reasoning:
Pessimists: A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view. Futility: The quality of having no useful result; uselessness.



Question # 42 of 58
PERPLEXING : EXPLICABLE :: ZEALOUS :

A. diligent
B. unyielding
C. indifferent
D. incorrigible

Reasoning:
Something that is PERPLEXING is difficult to explain, or inexplicable. EXPLICABLE describes something that can be explained. Thus, these two words are antonyms (opposites). Someone who is zealous cares very strongly about something. In contrast, someone who is indifferent does not care.


Question # 43 of 58
SCULPTOR : ATELIER :: PHYSICIAN :

A. easel
B. mineral
C. agreement
D. infirmary

Reasoning:
A sculptor works in an atelier (or studio). Similarly, a physician works in an infirmary (or hospital).


Question # 44 of 58
CARPENTER : HAMMER :: PLUMBER :

A. wrench
B. invoice
C. overalls
D. refrigerator

Reasoning:
As a CARPENTER uses a HAMMER as a primary tool, a PLUMBER uses a wrench.


Question # 45 of 58
Having been chief accountant for so many years, Mrs. Jones felt herself to be ____ and was unwilling to ____ control of the department after the merger.

A. indispensable - relinquish
B. insubordinate - retain
C. slighted - truncate
D. irreplaceable - assume

Reasoning:
Indispensable: Not to be dispensed with; essential. Relinquish: To retire from; give up or abandon.


Question # 46 of 58
COMPOSURE : EQUANIMITY :: SOLITUDE :

A. apathy
B. privacy
C. randomness
D. togetherness

Reasoning:
COMPOSURE and EQUANIMITY are synonyms describing a calm or peaceful state of mind, as SOLITUDE and privacy are synonyms describing the state of being along or separate from others.


Question # 47 of 58
BATHE : WATER :: SPREAD :

A. point
B. plug
C. knife
D. magazine

Reasoning:
One of many common uses for water is to bathe (wash). Similarly, one of many common uses for a knife is to spread. For example, you can use a butter knife to spread butter.


Question # 48 of 58
PUSILLANIMOUS : DASTARD :: IMPECUNIOUS :

A. hero
B. mendicant
C. pessimist
D. misanthrope

Reasoning:
Just as pusillanimous (or faint-hearted) is an adjective applicable to a dastard (or a coward), impecunious (or without money) is an adjective applicable to a mendicant (or a beggar).



Question # 49 of 58
CURTSY : REVERENCE :: FIDGET :

A. disguise
B. diversion
C. uneasiness
D. contentment

Reasoning:
A CURTSY (bow) is a sign of REVERENCE. Similarly, FIDGETING is a sign of UNEASINESS.


Question # 50 of 58
Since ancient times sculpture has been considered the ____ of men; women sculptors have, until recently, consistently met with ____.

A. right - acceptance
B. domicile - ridicule
C. domain - approbation
D. prerogative - opposition

Reasoning:
Prerogative: An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. Opposition: Placement opposite to or in contrast with another.


Question # 51 of 58
DISHEARTENED : HOPE :: AMORAL :

A. ennui
B. ethics
C. altruism
D. effervescence

Reasoning:
DISHEARTENED means without HOPE. Likewise, AMORAL means without ETHICS. Note, AMORAL does not mean immoral. If you commit an AMORAL act, you are not aware that you actions are unethical; whereas if you commit an immoral act, then you realize that your actions are wrong.


Question # 52 of 58
Many people at that time believed that spices help preserve food; however, Hall found that many marketed spices were ____ bacteria, moulds and yeasts.

A. destroyed by
B. teeming with
C. improved by
D. devoid of

Reasoning:
Teeming with: pouring out.


Question # 53 of 58
One ____ the new scheme is that it might actually ____ just those applicants that it was intended to encourage.

A. feature of - attract
B. attraction of - intimidate
C. drawback of - daunt
D. highlight of - stimulate

Reasoning:
Drawback of: A disadvantage or inconvenience. Daunt: To abate the courage of; discourage.


Question # 54 of 58
THRIFTY : MISERLY :: ENTHUSIASTIC :

A. virtuous
B. faithful
C. inclusive
D. fanatical

Reasoning:
MISERLY describes a person who is extremely THRIFTY , or frugal. Similarly, fanatical is an extreme form of being ENTHUSIASTIC .


Question # 55 of 58
The cricket match seemed ____ to our guests; they were used to watching sports in which the action is over in a couple of hours at the most.

A. inconsequential
B. interminable
C. unintelligible
D. evanescent

Reasoning:
Interminable: Being or seeming to be without an end; endless.


Question # 56 of 58
CARAVAN : TRAVELERS :: CAVALCADE :

A. ships
B. wagons
C. pilgrims
D. musicians

Reasoning:
A caravan of travelers signifies humans moving together in a procession. A similar relationship exists in the case of a cavalcade of pilgrims.


Question # 57 of 58
DEADLY : PERNICIOUS :: CHURLISH :

A. boorish
B. suspicious
C. equivocate
D. condescending

Reasoning:
DEADLY and PERNICIOUS are synonyms. CHURLISH and boorish are also synonyms which describes someone who is vulgar and rude.


Question # 58 of 58
A ____ child, she was soon bored in class; she already knew more mathematics than her junior school teachers.

A. obdurate
B. querulous
C. recalcitrant
D. precocious

Reasoning:
Precocious: Manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity, especially in mental aptitude.

- PCAT professor himself (UK)

 

[acetyl]

I went through the questions and answered them and got 42/58, however, some of them I inevitable saw the answer after I had a thought of putting the right answer. Thus, I would say a more accurate score would have to be 39/58. Tell me, why do you arrange the answers the way that you do?

Also, were you wanting to know if I saw any of those exact questions on the test, becuase if you were I would have to say I think there was 2 or 3 from that list on the exam.

I am not good with the analogies part of the verbal but my biggest problem seems to be with the Reading composition.