BARRON'S PCAT is it Worth?

Started by samfromVA
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samfromVA

samfromVA

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Hi all, this is SamfromVA.

I have following questions, please help me find answers.

1. I am using BARRON'S PCAT book, does anyone here think it's good for PCAT?

2. What is the best way to study for PCAT?

3. How important is the essay that one writes for the institution that he applies to?

4. Does networking help? (I ask this, because I know a Pharmacist that knows people in Universities, but is it worth knowing him?)

5. If I get in and someone wants hook-ups, I can help, so any one interested to pray for me here in SDN?

(Like Seriously...😎)

Thanks all...
 
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samfromVA said:
Hi all, this is SamfromVA.

I have following questions, please help me find answers.

1. I am using BARRON'S PCAT book, does anyone here think it's good for PCAT?

2. What is the best way to study for PCAT?

3. How important is the essay that one writes for the institution that he applies to?

4. Does networking help? (I ask this, because I know a Pharmacist that knows people in Universities, but is it worth knowing him?)

5. If I get in and someone wants hook-ups, I can help, so any one interested to pray for me here in SDN?

(Like Seriously...😎)

Thanks all...
Click to expand...


Get the newest edition, Barron is good for reviewing Chem part, and good practice for Math part...
 
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I used two books:
1.) The Barron's one. Extremely useful as the questions were general review questions and very much alike to the PCAT's questions in terms of difficulty (not all too high).
2.) The Cliff's 5 test prep. These had generally more difficult questions which would show up on the PCAT here and there but were not the norm for chemistry and math.

Take barron's for chem, math, bio, etc. But for reading comp and stuff i'd suggest the Cliff's test or any other book. Barron's didn't cut it for me for reading comp etc.

Best way to study is review your grade 12 sciences and math notes, and your molecular biology & organic chemistry (very general though) notes for university. If you're writing it while you're in second year and have everything fresh its not that hard of a test at all.

The essay is pretty important (personally) and is a good place to outline your experience in pharmacy and goals (even though you've outlined your experiences in another section on PCAS presumably, its good to put it in anyway).

Of course networking helps. If someone on a committee hears your name before they've seen your application it puts you above everyone else (its like having you on a name basis with them).
 
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CD5 said:
5.) I don't believe in god, but good luck.
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Hahaha...Neither do I, so thanks all you for the help.


I am doing less than average in Chemestry in Cliffs but better in Barrons. So I guess I am in average in Chem and fine in the rest.

Thanks
 
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samfromVA said:
Hahaha...Neither do I, so thanks all you for the help.


I am doing less than average in Chemestry in Cliffs but better in Barrons. So I guess I am in average in Chem and fine in the rest.

Thanks
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Well I do, so I'll be praying for you lol! Advice: Check out the Kaplan PCAT Review book too...I've read from past threads that it does a better job of preparing you for the actual test than Barron's.
 
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Thanks, I did look at the Kaplan, but was disappointed on the load it had. I mean, I was not really happy to see long sentences and a whole lot of information. I have exam this June, so I am not really ready to engulf that much of a load coz I have to take few exams and prepare for the real test.

By the way, I am like getting about 70% in each section of Cliff's exams. Is this good or I am heading for the gutter !!! ?? Any Ideas??

Thanks...
 
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Barron's is okay for bio, verbal, and reading, but it's not hard enough for math and chemistry. It has hardly any calculus or organic chem, which is not representative of the actual test at all.

I found it to be a good starting point, but after I answered all the questions in that book I got books like Organic Chem for Dummies and AP Chemistry Review to get a more comprehensive review.
 
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Do not get the Barron, speaking from experience. For me, it was too basic. If you want to do it hard core, use Kaplan... highly recommended! If you want, you could go onto ebay and get the set (book & flashcards) that is used if you were to take the actual class. If you can do self-study, then do it. I took the class also, but it wasn't helpful. Pay much focus on microbio, math (hard), and 0-chem (quite a few rxns). As for the short essays, the 1 of the 2 topics that I had was dealing with Diabetes linking to obesity. I hope this helped! And good luck!
 
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Also, networking is everything! No, seriously. From what you say, that pharmacist is your pot of gold. If you could get him to write a letter of recommendation for you, it's like getting your foot 1/3 way in. Also, he would be a great resource when you're done with pharm school. You'll know who to call for internship/job, etc...
 
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i actually have the kaplan book too and i started with the barron cuz its so short... and imalmost done so im gonna spend a lot of time on the kaplan...... also...i have no experience at a pharmacy/hospital.. so if i started now would that be too late or i figure some experience is better than non... i dont think interviews occur until later in the year so i think theres still time...
 
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Friends,
Upto now, I have finished Barron's, Cliff's, Kaplan and the Harcourt online practice test. Among four of 'em, I thought Kaplan was explanatory, Cliff was confusing at places (in some problems), Barrron was just a practice while Harcourt gave me a heart ache. I don't know if I am ready, but I wanna go with a positive attitude.

So to make it simple, Barron is not enough. I think even Cliff will just give u alright practice.

The best way to go about would be to buy the Harcourt and practice the types of questions that they really ask u in the real exam.

For vocabulary, keep on practicing new words each day. For passage, well u need to practice timing yourself coz it depends on urself how u can do well on it. For math, I guess timing and understanding of types of questions asked would be helpful and DO NOT GET STRESSED in exam coz that's a killer! For chemestry, what do I know, I suck at it too.

Bottom line is practice practice practice and practice. Practice will make u perfect. Get all the questions u can collect and practice them.

Remember: DO NOT PANIC IN EXAM !!!!! COZ U DON'T UNDERSTAND QUESTION. THE QUESTIONS IN PCAT ARE LIKE PUZZLES, IF U SOLVE IT IN FEW SECONDS, U SOLVE THE WHOLE PROBLEMS WITHIN ANOTHER.

BOTTOM LINE, CHILL AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION THE VERY FIRST TIME, U READ IT. THIS IS THE MAGIC POTION. This will save u time, energy and space to work ur problems.

What else do I wanna say!!! mmmm...I guess nothing more right now...😕

:meanie: Namaste :meanie:
 
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constantchange said:
my scores are mostly in the low 70's for the practice tests in barron's... is that too low to do good enuf on the pcat?? seems that way to me:S
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Constantchange, I hate to break your bubble, but u gotta bring up that 70's to atleast high 90's if u really wanna score good. This is only if u are using Barron's. 👍
 
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l3abyt43 said:
Also, networking is everything! No, seriously. From what you say, that pharmacist is your pot of gold. If you could get him to write a letter of recommendation for you, it's like getting your foot 1/3 way in. Also, he would be a great resource when you're done with pharm school. You'll know who to call for internship/job, etc...
Click to expand...

The one I know works in a hospital as a research professor and has good network himself. Well at least that is what he told me. But I mean, I do have confidence in myself that I can do better without telling him anything. I am using this way just to make sure that do get in.

Thanks for the info anyways. 👍
 
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samfromVA said:
Constantchange, I hate to break your bubble, but u gotta bring up that 70's to atleast high 90's if u really wanna score good. This is only if u are using Barron's. 👍
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I was scoring 70's on all my practice tests, i scored a 99 when the real pcat came around.

As for Cliff's that was the most frustrating practice booklet to have, they need to check their answer keys, too many errors in the math and chemistry.

I also used a mcat book/old textbook to help me prepare for the chemistry, since I knew my general chemistry was weak.
 
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OrllY said:
I was scoring 70's on all my practice tests, i scored a 99 when the real pcat came around.

As for Cliff's that was the most frustrating practice booklet to have, they need to check their answer keys, too many errors in the math and chemistry.

I also used a mcat book/old textbook to help me prepare for the chemistry, since I knew my general chemistry was weak.
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Ok wait, are u talkin about all the practice tests? If so, then NICE!!! Coz that is all I am gettin in my practice exams. Sweet!!

Tell us more about how u prepared for it and what kinds of questions that u saw in the real exam. That would help a lot of people here in SDN. Plus suggestions are always needed. 👍
 
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Ok Maruko, if u think about it, u are buying Barron's, Cliff's and Kaplan. Each one costs almost the same as Harcourt.

I have Barron's. Cliff's and had Kaplan and each one would either cost a little more or a little less than Harcourt.

But the positive thing about Harcourt is that, it represents the questions that are going to be asked in real exam, plus gives u a head's-up on kinds of questions that are going to be asked.

Ultimately, decision is yours and if u were around, I would probably let u borrow my book. Well, best of luck and let us know what u have decided!!! 👍
 
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Dear Maruko!

The answer is NO, sorry Calculators are not allowed.

U don't really need to get exact answers if u can calculate to closer of any of the answers listen, u are good to choose that answer.

For example, u are dividing two numbers but it seems to take too long, then round off the numbers and get close to one of then answers. I bet u, that u will get the right answer.

Make sure u practice owing to how much time u take to complete each question.
 
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well i managed to get an 85% on the barrons practice tests.. improvement🙂 yay lol.. still not good enough but im moving onto the kaplan.. that thing is huge should take me a week atleast.. and then im gonna do the PCAT practice tests.. would that be enough practice?.. i dunno but seems like thats all the time i have.. i'll have some time to review my own notes and stuff 👍
 
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constantchange said:
well i managed to get an 85% on the barrons practice tests.. improvement🙂 yay lol.. still not good enough but im moving onto the kaplan.. that thing is huge should take me a week atleast.. and then im gonna do the PCAT practice tests.. would that be enough practice?.. i dunno but seems like thats all the time i have.. i'll have some time to review my own notes and stuff 👍
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Yeah, I think its better to move to Kaplan then to spend more time around Barron's. Still, Chemistry & Math questions in Barron's give good practice for few of the problems that you will see in real PCAT.

kAPLAN is huge because it has more information than practice problems. If I am correct, there are only 2 exams in Kaplan, while more than 2 in Cliff's and Barron's. So, keep on practicing.

Good job by the way. U are heading the right direction!!!!! 👍
 
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This sucks... i managed to get 85 and 88 on the last practice tests in barrons.. and then i moved onto kaplan and did the diagnostic test and um doesnt look good i got an overall 70 🙁... the toughest is the chem.. im actually good at it but these questions take much longer to do and are way harder than the barrons thats for sure...does anyone know a good way to study for the analogies??? New words come up and i have no clue what they mean...
 
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Thats why I take the barron one... I looked through the 03 pcat edition and it was a total joke like a 5th grader can do it. Kaplan's question is harder.
 
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For analogies, all I am doing to practicing again and again.

Actually I am trying to understand the root of the word, or part of the word, or try to relate to other words. Some how I am trying to get close to the real answer.

I think this is the best way for me. I don't know, may be this will give some help...
 
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samfromVA said:
For analogies, all I am doing to practicing again and again.

Actually I am trying to understand the root of the word, or part of the word, or try to relate to other words. Some how I am trying to get close to the real answer.

I think this is the best way for me. I don't know, may be this will give some help...
Click to expand...


May I ask you how was the PCAt that you took?

Thank you!
 
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