HELP, what should I do

[pharmacygirl22]

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Hello everyone,

I really, really need some help! I am feeling so frustrated. I cannot get a good score on the pcat to get in. I contacted schools to ask them what I need to do to make my app. competitive. Well, the only thing I need is a better pcat score. I did KAplan and took the test, didn't do well. Next, retook Kaplan and did even worse. I bought supp. books and even audited a class as well as took numerous practice tests. I don't know what else to do . I want to get in so badly. I currently work in a pharmacy and I love it! I know this is what I want to do. Does anyone have any advice at all?


Finally, I am scheduled to take the pcat on sat, as in three days! I took it in aug and just got my scores back (horrible) two weeks ago. Basically I have been craming for two weeks and I don't feel confortable taking the test. I can't get the money back either. Should I take it? This will be my 4th time taking it. Sigh. Please any information or comments would be highly appreciated. Thanks! I just don't want to be set back another year. I could wait and take it in apr. and sign up for a different prep course. Does anyone know of any other prep course besides kaplan? Thanks!

 

[oink2655]

i kno how you feel. my math scores is pulling my composite down a lot. what did you get on the pcat if you don't mind me asking. my advice to you is to work on your strengths so that the score can offset your lower scores. Did you do well on the essay portion at least? I don't think taking anymore kaplan course and wasting money is going to help you. just use the material that you have from kaplan and really study it. go slow and pace yourself. try not to move on until you get the concept. i think you should still take the pcat this oct. if you feel that you didn't do well, there is always the no score option. g'luck studying. i am taking the pcat again this sat too.

 

[SomaCNS]

1. Although I, too, am taking a Kaplan course, having not taken the actual pcat, yet, I won't know how helpful I think it is until after. But as with everything else, some people are very complimentary of it and others view it as a waste. Others have mentioned pharmacy professor, but I don't know anything about it. I think it really depends what works for you. However, being you've taken the Kaplan course a few times and it has obviously not worked for you, maybe you should look into something else....

2. Being the exam is in 3 days, I don't think this is too practical for now. But if you decide to retest: You need to determine WHY you are doing poorly? Is it because: (1) you don't know the content; (2) you know the content, but for whatever reason (nerves, going too fast, etc.) you are not answering the question that is in fact being asked; or (3) a combination of 1 and 2.

If it's 1, then you simply need to keep reviewing the content. I've noticed that sometimes the Kaplan books are not completely helpful with this aspect. I think they're great in that they tell you the exact topics and provide a good outline. But if you are having difficulty with a particular topic (i.e. you don't understand thermodynamics), it's helpful to sit with a Gen Chem textbook and learn the material from there. In my opinion, the Kaplan reviews assume you know a lot and are more review, which is obviously important. But you can't really review what you don't know. In addition to your own review, perhaps it might be helpful to study with a friend who is very good in the particular area. Or rather than paying for another Kaplan course, pay a tutor for help with a particular area. (This would probably be more worthwhile than paying for another Kaplan course.) Many colleges offer free tutoring for their own students so if you're an undergrad, this may be an option.

If it's 2, then that's different. I know there are many people who can know something really well, but yet do poorly simply because they are not answering what is exactly being asked. If this is the problem, then I'd recommend taking a good amount of time to sit down with a practice exam (a Kaplan one, a Harcourt one, whatever) from a particular area. Don't go through the exam simply to answer the questions. Go through each question individually and think about what exactly is being asked. For example, in a bio question relating to respiration, are they looking for a specific organelle, an enzyme, a process, etc.? Make sure you can identify what they are looking for before looking at the answer choices. Then read the explanation of the question in the answer key to make sure you are in fact reading the question correctly. Even if you know the stuff, if you're answering a different question, it doesn't matter. I'd practice that for awhile until you feel confident with that. Then, provided you know the material, answering the question will be easy.

3. Regarding your concern about being set back another year.... I don't know how old you are nor do I know your circumstances. However, in the long run, 1 more year will not make a difference. When you're 50 years old, the extra year will not make a difference. I know that now, particularly if you're an undergrad and all your friends are getting ready to go onto professional school, a year seems a lot. So now, I know it will be frustrating, but ultimately it won't matter.

4. I'd definitely go to the exam this Saturday since you've already paid for it and you can't get a refund. Besides, one can never have enough practice. I'd consider carefully whether or not you want to have it scored. If you're really stressed and worried and don't think you're going to do any better, then you're already in a bad mindset. In that case, I think it's best to do the no score and then focus on why you're doing poorly and correct that in time for the next exam. Even if that means applying a year later. Alternatively, you have been studying so if you do feel confident during the test, then by all means, have it scored.

Good luck!

 

[SCCpharm]

If the PCAT is holding you back and the rest of your stats are good, why not apply to schools that don't require the PCAT? (IE: non-pharmCAS schools)

 

[1908PharmD]

If the PCAT is holding you back and the rest of your stats are good, why not apply to schools that don't require the PCAT? (IE: non-pharmCAS schools)

I concur! Apply to schools that don't require the PCAT. These would be schools like in CA, or a few newer schools. I know Univ. of Chi they take the pcat but dont really look at it. (atleast that what they say on thier website)

when the schools look at your PCAT theyre gonna see that you retook it 4-6 times and see you are not really improving, they are maybe gonna have a huge ?? on thier heads about you.

 

[omnione]

Your preparation is what it is right now, so think about the no-score if you think that you are doing badly again.

Look at the non-PCAT schools in this PDF since you say that you have good performance everywhere else.