Best time to 1st take PCAT?

[Swenis]

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As some of you guys and gals may know, I am currently about to begin the typical two-year pre-pharmacy program. As for the "important" classes this semester I am taking my Gen Chem 1 w/ lab and my Lits. Next semester I am taking my General Biology w/ lab and Gen Chem 2 w/ lab. And now we come to the big question: When should I first take the PCAT? Also, would it behoove me to complete Orgo 1 next summer as opposed to during the semester when I would be taking the PCAT?

 

[groo1515]

The PCAT is no big deal. It requires about a months worth of preparation. I recommend the new Kaplan book to study out of. It probably won't intefere with your organic chemistry studies. The test really isn't that bad. You just need to work on your test taking skills because there is alot of questions with little time.

 

[kim.]

I'd probably take it right after you finish Bio I/II and Inorganic Chem I/II. As far as I remember there really wasn't much organic on there, so the basic chemistry was more important.

 

[sweetcalie08]

My suggestion is to just take Organic during the normal semester and use the summer to prep for the PCAT. Since the test is in October, you may just need a day or two during the semester right before the test to brush up on things you already reviewed during the summer. I took the March PCAT on a last-minute notice (signed up the last day of the late deadline). One of the nearby pharmacy schools just started requiring it for early admissions, and I didn't find out about that until February! 😳 I scored in the 80's...but like groo said, with a month's preparation you would be fine (I wish I would've had a month's preparation--I probably only studied a day or so! 😱 ) To those of you who have read previous posts of mine, hopefully I won't be needing that PCAT score anyway and will just be off to pharmacy school this fall. But anyway, to the OP, good luck!

 

[Swenis]

Thanks for the info everyone!
👍