COUNTDOWN to the August 21st 2010 PCAT...

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Ji the Captain

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8 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greetings Pharm hopefuls

been stuyding hardcore since may for this PCAT and I STILL feel unprepared.:scared:

Just wanted to open this thread up and discuss the study methods that everyone is using.

I've been working practice tests from a "2008 Cliff notes 5 practice tests" book.

I've been reading the Kaplan 2010-11 Review book (the big purple one)

I've been reading my old OCHEM textbook. LOTS of typos in both my kaplan and cliffnotes review books so i feel kinda jumpy😕

Anyone wanna share their methods? experiences? feelings at the moment?:meanie:
Anyways GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!! i'll see you on the battle field in 23 days👍
 
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Im registered to take the test this august also! Ive been using the collins study pack and kaplans (2010-2011) edition... Ive been studying since mid june, but I feel the same way as you dunno if ill be ready or prepared to take it. 🙁
 
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NiveK510 said:
Im registered to take the test this august also! Ive been using the collins study pack and kaplans (2010-2011) edition... Ive been studying since mid june, but I feel the same way as you dunno if ill be ready or prepared to take it. 🙁
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yeah man. you should be good to go. I heard miracles about Collins. Im using Kaplan and the book kinda blows. I think it's underprepping me. im preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

any idea what time the test starts? are u a first timer?
 
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Ji the Captain said:
yeah man. you should be good to go. I heard miracles about Collins. Im using Kaplan and the book kinda blows. I think it's underprepping me. im preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

any idea what time the test starts? are u a first timer?
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No man, I took it in January this year.. and waited til august to take it my second time. LOL Ive been taking summer classes, so i just waited til they were over. But ya, the test usually starts around 8am or 830am(ish) not sure. Im thinking about purchasing the pearson practice test. any thoughts on that? Should i get them or what?
 
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NiveK510 said:
No man, I took it in January this year.. and waited til august to take it my second time. LOL Ive been taking summer classes, so i just waited til they were over. But ya, the test usually starts around 8am or 830am(ish) not sure. Im thinking about purchasing the pearson practice test. any thoughts on that? Should i get them or what?
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Dude. that's great! that means you'll know what to expect in terms of problem type. trust me. you'll kick ass! haha.

BUMMER im NOT a morning person.

yeah dude, Im gonna buy at least one! I heard that sometimes people have found problems on the actual PCAT from the pearson practice tests. The score you get on the practice test also accurately reflects how you will perform on the real thing! so If i were you, id definitley buy at least one. They even give you the answer explanations. I just wish all these testing companies weren't such greedy creeps. i aint rich hahaha 40 bucks a pop is a lot for me, but if it means a 99 on the PCAT ahah ill take it haha GOOD LUCK TO YOU MAN🙂
 
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I elaborate about this more in my blog entry, but the Cliffs 5 Practice Tests do not adequately represent PCAT math. There is virtually no calculus or precalculus on those tests. For the other four subsections, they're quite good. Get yourself some good calc/precalc books to review.

And take the Pearson tests. They're a ripoff but they are unquestionably the most accurate representation of the test.
 
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Ji the Captain said:
Dude. that's great! that means you'll know what to expect in terms of problem type. trust me. you'll kick ass! haha.

BUMMER im NOT a morning person.

yeah dude, Im gonna buy at least one! I heard that sometimes people have found problems on the actual PCAT from the pearson practice tests. The score you get on the practice test also accurately reflects how you will perform on the real thing! so If i were you, id definitley buy at least one. They even give you the answer explanations. I just wish all these testing companies weren't such greedy creeps. i aint rich hahaha 40 bucks a pop is a lot for me, but if it means a 99 on the PCAT ahah ill take it haha GOOD LUCK TO YOU MAN🙂
Click to expand...

Good Luck to you too man! 👍
 
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Ji the Captain said:
Dude. that's great! that means you'll know what to expect in terms of problem type. trust me. you'll kick ass! haha.

BUMMER im NOT a morning person.

yeah dude, Im gonna buy at least one! I heard that sometimes people have found problems on the actual PCAT from the pearson practice tests. The score you get on the practice test also accurately reflects how you will perform on the real thing! so If i were you, id definitley buy at least one. They even give you the answer explanations. I just wish all these testing companies weren't such greedy creeps. i aint rich hahaha 40 bucks a pop is a lot for me, but if it means a 99 on the PCAT ahah ill take it haha GOOD LUCK TO YOU MAN🙂
Click to expand...
Hi, did you take the Pearsons practice test yet. I recently took it and got pretty good results my range was between 78-98. I have never taken the PCAT before but I want to take it once and be done with it.
 
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Ji the Captain said:
Dude. that's great! that means you'll know what to expect in terms of problem type. trust me. you'll kick ass! haha.

BUMMER im NOT a morning person.

yeah dude, Im gonna buy at least one! I heard that sometimes people have found problems on the actual PCAT from the pearson practice tests. The score you get on the practice test also accurately reflects how you will perform on the real thing! so If i were you, id definitley buy at least one. They even give you the answer explanations. I just wish all these testing companies weren't such greedy creeps. i aint rich hahaha 40 bucks a pop is a lot for me, but if it means a 99 on the PCAT ahah ill take it haha GOOD LUCK TO YOU MAN🙂
Click to expand...
Hi, did you take the Pearsons practice test yet. I recently took it and got pretty good results my range was between 78-98. I have never taken the PCAT before but I want to take it once and be done with it.
 
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Hmmmm...
I'm counting down with you guys too...This is my first time....
Being so stressful and worried right now...
Does anyone know that we can write on the question booklet or not? It would be easier for me if I can cross out, underline on the questions...
Thanks.
 
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You can write whatever you want in the booklet - just know that it won't count for anything.
 
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Hi, i am writng pcat in 20 days and i found i can not answer the microby question in the pearson pcat propely.I checked kaplan,mcgrowhill and dr collines for this part.Dr collin is better than anything but still there are some questions about desease that i can not find any refrence to study for.do you have any suggestion how to improve the micb section?
thanks
 
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pharm 5765 said:
Hi, i am writng pcat in 20 days and i found i can not answer the microby question in the pearson pcat propely.I checked kaplan,mcgrowhill and dr collines for this part.Dr collin is better than anything but still there are some questions about desease that i can not find any refrence to study for.do you have any suggestion how to improve the micb section?
thanks
Click to expand...
If you mind, what percent score did you make on the section?
 
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I'll be a first time taker.

I am using the Kaplan book (2010-2011)
I have been Google Searching and doing all the practice problems I could find
I am using my old Gen Chem, Organic, Genetics notes and books
I took Organic Chem and Human Anatomy this summer.

I hope i'm prepared but very nervous. The Kaplan book DOES have a TON of typos in it and the problems aren't very relevant to the PCAT.
 
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ICaPharmD said:
I'm taking it for the 1st time on the 21st too :barf: I suck at Calculus. Anyone have any good online resources?
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ugh sry dont know of any off the top of my head. but i go to the bookstore and read all the cliff notes caculus review books, those things are Lsavers
 
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Woooo! I'm super thrilled about the pcats! So excited that every night for this past week, I've been having nightmares. I'm taking the test for the first time. I've been studying several hours a day for the past week but I have a feeling it's gonna be more intense now like 12 hours a day.😴
 
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Taking PCAT for the first time Aug 21st too and nervous and stressed!!!
Is anyone using the McGraw book? Kaplan was too crytic for me so I'm trying different sources.

I am using Cliffs reviews for the Math.
 
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Hi, everyone! I am taking PCAT on 21st as well. Did anybody take the PCAT practice test? How do you feel about the test questions? I am so stressed at this point. This is my first time taking the test.:scared:
 
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ATTENTION!!!: to all you folks taking the PCAT for the first time, its my first too. The key is too have confidence. even if u don't at least fake it. Having confidence will help you on test day.

From what I have heard, it is suggested that everyone purchase at least ONE practice pearson test becuse it reflects what will be on the actual thing! good luck to everyone!!

material i am using: cliffnotes 5 practice tests, barons, and KAPLAN

TIP: if you dont wanna waste ur money on a review book, i suggest you go to your local bookstore with a notebook and just work the problems in the sotre without marking on the book. I know it;s weird, but hey, if its gonna help u boost ur score, then why not right? 😀
 
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ICaPharmD said:
I'm taking it for the 1st time on the 21st too :barf: I suck at Calculus. Anyone have any good online resources?
Click to expand...



It's fairly basic but if you're having trouble with calculus and the review books aren't helping (esp Kaplan... worthless on the calc front) check out khanacademy.org It's especially useful if you've been able to identify exactly what concepts are giving you trouble. I've always been much more of a "read" and "do" learner than visual, but I've been getting really bogged down in all of these books and exams and don't feel like I'm making any improvement. After watching a video (though some are pretty simplified) I always feel more confident on the topic.
 
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I know ive already advised alot of yall, but still feel free to shoot me any questions
 
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Yep, it is almost time. I have been studying daily for this. I hope the test format won't be so out of space from what I have studying, but overall practicing and studying will pay off somehow. This is my first time taking it and hope it will be the last as well (i.e. getting a satisfy score of course). 🙂
 
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just got hit with a ton of bricks!! are unit conversions gonna be necessary for the PCAT??? there are 31432 of them. Why can't Americans just use the damn metric system? grumpyface
 
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Seeker5 said:
Yep, it is almost time. I have been studying daily for this. I hope the test format won't be so out of space from what I have studying, but overall practicing and studying will pay off somehow. This is my first time taking it and hope it will be the last as well (i.e. getting a satisfy score of course). 🙂
Click to expand...
good luck man
 
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I am super nervous and don't feel ready at all. I took the Kaplan course over the summer for $1300. That's probably the only resource I've been using. I just bought the pearson practice tests also. We will see how it goes. Good Luck everyone!
 
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hey guys..good to see everyone is ready for the exam or atleast getting ready

I just got back from my summer vaction..and i most say it was a blast...was in south african for FIFA world cup seen a total different side of africa...been to dubia...love that place and UK...hmmmmm will never go back to that ****y english country every again looool (thats me being nice with words 🙂)

anyways main point am typing this is am far behind in my studying..and my exam is less than a week....aug. something...my dad signed me up and forgot to mention it (he signed me up in may lol so much for planning ahead)

what is the most difficult part (bio, chem, or math or vebral)...where should i focus my study on for the last week...organic i know that by heart...i took that last semster and enjoyed that class...any input would be great

cheers and enjoy the rest of summer folks..after the exam am off to new york for labour weekend...yeeeeey...cant wait to shop for back to school and party for the long weekend.
 
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Ji the Captain said:
just got hit with a ton of bricks!! are unit conversions gonna be necessary for the PCAT??? there are 31432 of them. Why can't Americans just use the damn metric system? grumpyface
Click to expand...

are you talking about ounces to pounds? teaspoons = __ mL? if so, no.

the only unit conversion is moles to grams, grams to moles, using molarity/molality to figure out answers
 
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nexus14 said:
are you talking about ounces to pounds? teaspoons = __ mL? if so, no.

the only unit conversion is moles to grams, grams to moles, using molarity/molality to figure out answers
Click to expand...
yeah but what if they have those conversions from the math section. Give you a problem in Liters and ask for the answer in Quarts lol🙁
 
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people who have taken the pcat before, do we have to know constants and are calculators allowed?
 
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I'm so...afraid!!! I just took the pearson practice test #2 and for some reason, did WORSE than the test #3 and somehow it felt HARDER 😵 was it just my imagination?
🙁🙁🙁:🙁🙁🙁🙁
 
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I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought the older tests are harder.

I recently took the practice test #1 after taking newest practice test #3. I felt that test #1 is much harder than the newest test. Especially the math portion. Some math questions from #1 required so much work and time! perhaps the hard questions are just experimental questions

or perhaps the actual tests are easier now?:idea: .... most likely not:scared:
 
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nekoshotgun said:
I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought the older tests are harder.

I recently took the practice test #1 after taking newest practice test #3. I felt that test #1 is much harder than the newest test. Especially the math portion. Some math questions from #1 required so much work and time! perhaps the hard questions are just experimental questions

or perhaps the actual tests are easier now?:idea: .... most likely not:scared:
Click to expand...

Yeah! I ran out of time in math in test #2 while I had time left in the #3 test. I wonder why the 2010 practice test seems easier...does anyone have an answer to this?
 
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So does that mean that what you composite score you get on the pearsons practice test = the actual composite for the actual PCAT?
 
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nekoshotgun said:
I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought the older tests are harder.

I recently took the practice test #1 after taking newest practice test #3. I felt that test #1 is much harder than the newest test. Especially the math portion. Some math questions from #1 required so much work and time! perhaps the hard questions are just experimental questions

or perhaps the actual tests are easier now?:idea: .... most likely not:scared:
Click to expand...

I found test 2 to be the hardest of them all.
 
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