biochemistry and studying for pcat?

[poptropica]

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Hey guys,
I'm debating wither to drop this course and take the next semester after the pcat and take a non-science course, so I can better focus on the pcat.

I needed some advice for those of you guys who already took a biochemistry course. I will be taking the pcat this june or august for the 3rd time. I am starting to study for it now. you might think its early but my weakest section is english. Prevoisly I made a 15% in reading and 52% in verbal, which is dropping my overall composite to a 50-60% range.

It takes time to build verbal skills so I am starting now, in between I also am studying for the science portions to. I am taking an anatomy and a English course also this semester.

Now this brings me to my question, since I also want to study for the pcat will the biochem course take up a lot of my time? Is it like organic were you have to practice everyday and will this course be useful for pharmacy school?

 

[Peyemp24]

Certainly the course will be useful for pharmacy school as it is a course in most if not all pharmacy curriculum.

The course is much, much easier than Orgo I and II. You should only have to study half as much, if that.

That being said, you have several other courses you are taking and if it is your third time taking the PCAT you may want to drop Biochem just so you can concentrate on PCAT prep.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Personally, I found Orgo a heck of a lot easier than my first semester of Biochem. Why? Orgo builds onto itself chapter by chapter. It's like doing a huge puzzle: Intimidating at first, but once you get the first few pieces down the rest just falls into place, completing one big picture.

Using the same analogy, Biochem is like doing fifty smaller picture puzzles in the same amount of time. Be prepared to memorize structures, pathways, enzyme kinetics, etc. that span the whole physiological function of the body.

As for the PCAT, if your bio/chem scores are adequate enough, than taking Biochem will probably not help you improve them, and possibly take time away from studying for the verbal and RC sections. If you'd feel more comfortable prolonging Biochem, then I say do it.

 

[rxlea]

Get a GRE book and memorize the words for the verbal section. As far as RC, it comes down to the time limit for some people. Some people don't read as quickly as others so you should take practice tests for that section.

 

[Passion4Sci]

For RC, learn how to skim!!!

Can't stress that one enough...

 

[jet1]

depending on the school. I know from my school which was a science oriented school Biochem was no joke. after a point, everything just got dumpped on us. I recommend to talk to students who took biochem before getting into pharmacy school.

If this is required for your major, I recommend to take biochem the following semester after the PCAT. I was in your position, the only way to boost up your verbal is to understand root words. The reading comprehension is best to just skim for the answers and to not overthink. I suggest to get as many practice tests as you can, so you can see how to answer the questions.

 

[MrMeowphers]

Firstly, scoring higher on your PCAT is a must.

Some schools will sort out applicants based on the minimum cut off for PCAT/GPA scores. Do not jeopardize your studying for the PCAT as this is still a large factor in admission criteria (but it isn't the whole kitten kaboodle).

I dont recall many (if any) pharmacy schools requiring Biochem for admissions as this is an upper-division course. You'll learn it again in pharmacy school.