CliffsQuickReview - content too specific for PCAT?

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Many people in this forum state that the PCAT test covers a great deal more of general material compared to specifics, across different areas like chemistry, precalculus, etc.

I'm using the CliffsQuickReview to study for chemistry, precal, algebra, geometry, anatomy/physiology, microbiology, calculus, biology, (since I don't have time to take all of these refresher courses from now until the Oct exam). For those of you who have used the CliffsQuickReview series to take your PCAT, did you think the CliffsQuickReview material covered was too specific or just the right amount of general material?

Thank you for passing the torch.

 

[aubieRx]

I used the following cliffs QR

general chem
anatomy and phys

and I recommend them. It was just the perfect level of detail for the chemistry section for those who remember a good bit but dont wanna go back and read the text again. Anatomy was a good level of detail too...They were both relatively quick reads

I even bought calculus one when i found out that calc was on the exam a week before my test date but i never got around to using it.

but i wouldnt limit myself to them. Use the pcat books w. practice tests as a guide to what you might need to know

 

[crossjb]

They're awesome. If you read the calculus one, you'll get the final 5 problems on Quantitative.

 

[JB_11]

I am also using the cliff's reviews & they rock! I especially think the inorganic chem & standardized math test reviews are good... I have just picked up the calculus one (it's been a while since my last calc class), but just browsing through it seems to go into a lot of depth for only a few questions that will be on the pcat... so, a question for crossjb: what do you mean that by reading the calc one, you will get the final 5 problems on that section? I guess I am just trying to avoid delving too far into the calc book & wasting precious study time... thanks!

 

[crossjb]

I am also using the cliff's reviews & they rock! I especially think the inorganic chem & standardized math test reviews are good... I have just picked up the calculus one (it's been a while since my last calc class), but just browsing through it seems to go into a lot of depth for only a few questions that will be on the pcat... so, a question for crossjb: what do you mean that by reading the calc one, you will get the final 5 problems on that section? I guess I am just trying to avoid delving too far into the calc book & wasting precious study time... thanks!

JB_11, on the June PCAT there were roughly 5 questions near the end of the Quantitative section based on the content covered in that cliff's review book: a question on limits, a slope question and very basic knowledge on derivatives/integration. Don't waste too much time on calculus, but make sure you have the fundamentals of algebra down cold. Calculus is a tiny component of the exam and the practice PCAT on Harcourt's site is a great indication of the kinds of calculus you will see. It's very basic. Also, don't waste time studying any of the trigonometric functions -- sin, cos, tan, etc. They're not on there. Good luck!

 

[JB_11]

Ahh yes, I see it now... after jumping into the cliffs calc book, it was very easy to sort out the things that will be on the test; some of the stuff in there goes into way too much detail & "busy work"... I feel really good about the calc portion now; it's all stuff I learned, but a hundred years ago in my last calc class 🙂 thanks crossjb for the insight!

 

[jennyb1115]

JB_11, on the June PCAT there were roughly 5 questions near the end of the Quantitative section based on the content covered in that cliff's review book: a question on limits, a slope question and very basic knowledge on derivatives/integration. Don't waste too much time on calculus, but make sure you have the fundamentals of algebra down cold. Calculus is a tiny component of the exam and the practice PCAT on Harcourt's site is a great indication of the kinds of calculus you will see. It's very basic. Also, don't waste time studying any of the trigonometric functions -- sin, cos, tan, etc. They're not on there. Good luck!

actually there was a good amount of questions on this past test where you do need to know the basic trig functions. I was in the middle of trig when i took the pcat and i was so thankful because i was able to answer them all but 1.

 

[MattPharmD]

Also, don't waste time studying any of the trigonometric functions -- sin, cos, tan, etc. They're not on there. Good luck!

There was several trig questions on the PCAT I took in June, and I missed most of them because I haven't had trig since highschool 😱
So, I'll definitely be studying my trig for the Jan test.

 

[starsweet]

What kinda trig is on there? Does it go any deeper than SOH CAH TOA? (That's all I remember from high school, hehe)