Improved more then 50% composite

Started by ulam
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
U

ulam

New Member
10+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hi everyone,

I just took the Sept 2012 PCAT and I improved over 50% composite of what I scored the last time I took it in January 2012. This was due to lack of studying for the first time, and use of three different study guides for this time.

Is it true they will void my score?

Does anyone have a real answer on this? I've searched everywhere and can't find one.

If someone who actually went through the same situation I'm about to go through could clarify on this, it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
ulam said:
Hi everyone,

I just took the Sept 2012 PCAT and I improved over 50% composite of what I scored the last time I took it in January 2012. This was due to lack of studying for the first time, and use of three different study guides for this time.

Is it true they will void my score?

Does anyone have a real answer on this? I've searched everywhere and can't find one.

If someone who actually went through the same situation I'm about to go through could clarify on this, it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

I took my first PCAT in July 18 (2 months ago) and I did really bad with a comp of 27. I took it again yesterday (after hardcore studying) the 24th of Sept and with a result of 85% comp. I went up 58%. I am on the same boat as you. Why would your score be voided? If you did the same thing as me then I can assume that you worked your a** off, you deserve what you got. Dont worry. When you get your pharm school interview you may be asked about your low score on your first PCAT and what you did differently to improve.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I think I know why OP is concerned because I did read somewhere on PCAT website that if your score improves dramatically in short period of time they will question whether it is truly you who took the test second time .. lol
I don't know the exact definition of "short period of time" since my score didn't improve THAT much (sad 🙁)

Like someone else responded before me, try to contact pearson and if you still have the receipt of prep book, courses, etc have them ready just in case since that was one of the solution (provided on that score discripency thing I read) to prove you studied your butt off and deserve that score lol
Hope it never gets to that point though!
Anyways congrats on big score improvement!! 🙂
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I read up more about this because it applies to me also. This is really not fair. Pearson checks two forms of i.d., takes a fingerprint scan, palm scan, a signature, and a photo. It would be really hard to prove it was not me. I am a biochemistry major with a GPA of 3.5. Getting a 27% the first time is not just a embarrassment but doesn't accurately depict my knowledge ability. If they invalidate my score how is that even fair, they have all the proof that they need.
I did buy the collins material and the online pearson practice tests after my first PCAT and had them graded before I took my actual pcat a few days ago. So, if they want proof I have something. But according to the results of my PCAT score, it resembles more of 85% comp rather then 27%. It doesn;t help that Pearson takes a year to grade these things, its really making me nervous.

EDIT: So I called Pearson today because I couldn't sit still and was having a nervous breakdown. The lady I talked to was really nice. She told me that as long as you can explain how your score went up so much they release your scores no questions asked. I told her my story and she made comments on my file regarding my concern. She said not to worry and most likely my score will be validated.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Buffering said:
I read up more about this because it applies to me also. This is really not fair. Pearson checks two forms of i.d., takes a fingerprint scan, palm scan, a signature, and a photo. It would be really hard to prove it was not me. I am a biochemistry major with a GPA of 3.5. Getting a 27% the first time is not just a embarrassment but doesn't accurately depict my knowledge ability. If they invalidate my score how is that even fair, they have all the proof that they need.
I did buy the collins material and the online pearson practice tests after my first PCAT and had them graded before I took my actual pcat a few days ago. So, if they want proof I have something. But according to the results of my PCAT score, it resembles more of 85% comp rather then 27%. It doesn;t help that Pearson takes a year to grade these things, its really making me nervous.

EDIT: So I called Pearson today because I couldn't sit still and was having a nervous breakdown. The lady I talked to was really nice. She told me that as long as you can explain how your score went up so much they release your scores no questions asked. I told her my story and she made comments on my file regarding my concern. She said not to worry and most likely my score will be validated.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for the input.

It's the same situation with me. I'm a biochemistry major as well and because of that I didn't study thinking the exam would be easy. After taking it the first time I realized that I had forgotten most of that early material that the PCAT is based on. So I bought various study guides and relearned the material accounting for my huge improvement in a short span of time.

The only thing I'm worried about is that in the event they void my score 4-5 weeks from now it will be too late to register for the Nov. PCAT and seeing as the January PCAT is too late for the majority of schools I'm applying to, I will have a year of downtime as a result..

This is not a possibility I'm going to let happen, so now I'm forced to register for the Nov. PCAT just in case they void my score, and in the event they don't I lose the nonrefundable $199 for registration anyways.

Seems like a REALLY flawed system 🙁
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I am worried about the same thing. I also thought the PCAT was going to be easier due to my major so I didnt study as hard as I should have. I graduated in May so I am already experiencing a year of downtime. I cannot afford another year! If my score is invalidated im basically f'ed because of the application due dates (thus forcing me to turn to the Jan PCAT's). I am sorry this happened to you but I am kind of glad I have someone to talk this through with. The rare occurrence of these types of scores makes it impossible to research or talk to someone about it.

I found this http://www.pearsonassessments.com/h...2011/Sections/PCAT-CIB-CancellationScores.pdf

Quoted:
"If the Composite scaled score and percentile rank earned on the test date in
question are 50 or more points greater than the most recent Composite scores
earned within the previous 13 months, an invalidation automatically occurs
(including the Writing scores) due to the large score gain."

I'm looking at my preliminary report right now and since the quote says Composite and Scared Score increasing 50 points, I can only speculate. So between the two tests my composite increased 58% but my scaled score between the the two composites increased 28 points. My scaled score between all the sections are gains under 50 points. My PR for all the sections are also gains of under 50points except math which increased 67%.

Here's my breakdown:
PCAT 1 - Jul 18th
VA - (382) 18%
Bio - (424) 82%
RC - (366) 6%
QA - (387) 21%
Chem - (402) 51%
Comp - (392) 27%

PCAT 2 - Sept 24th
VA - (398) 43%
Bio - (455) 99%
RC - (379) 17%
QA - (426) 88%
Chem - (442) 95%
Comp - (420) 85%

I had two months to study, and I did so hardcore (4-5hrs per day). I am not in school like I said I graduated so I had the time and motivation to do it (deeply motivated like do or die). The Pearson lady I talked to calmed me down a little but I am scared s***less. My GPA is 3.5, I deserve the 85% more than the 27%. If you ask me the 27% should be invalidated as it is a more inaccurate interpretation of my academic skill. The only reason I got a 27% is because I didn't expect Math to go beyond Pre-calc and my major problem was timing myself through the sections. Also I only used the Kaplan book which was the biggest mistake. I left like 20+ unanswered questions in math and 5-10+ in reading and some in chemistry.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Congratulations on improving your score. It says on the PCAT manual that if you can explain why you improved or show proof of receipts for study books then you're fine. Don't sorry!

Also, I do not believe old scores should be invalidated. I believe it is important to KNOW the test you're taking and therefore know what to expect. If ADCOMs ask why your score was so low, I please don't say because "I expected it to be easy and didn't know calculus would be on it." How do you take an exam not knowing what concepts are on it? Part of passing a standardized exam is knowing how to take it. The PCAT doesn't just test your skills but it tests your ability to TAKE the PCAT. If you're not willing to conform to the test you won't do well. That's my two cents. Sorry but so many people on here complain that the PCAT is unfair and should be changed so that's my rant.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Buffering said:
I am worried about the same thing. I also thought the PCAT was going to be easier due to my major so I didnt study as hard as I should have. I graduated in May so I am already experiencing a year of downtime. I cannot afford another year! If my score is invalidated im basically f'ed because of the application due dates (thus forcing me to turn to the Jan PCAT's). I am sorry this happened to you but I am kind of glad I have someone to talk this through with. The rare occurrence of these types of scores makes it impossible to research or talk to someone about it.

I found this http://www.pearsonassessments.com/h...2011/Sections/PCAT-CIB-CancellationScores.pdf

Quoted:
"If the Composite scaled score and percentile rank earned on the test date in
question are 50 or more points greater than the most recent Composite scores
earned within the previous 13 months, an invalidation automatically occurs
(including the Writing scores) due to the large score gain."

I'm looking at my preliminary report right now and since the quote says Composite and Scared Score increasing 50 points, I can only speculate. So between the two tests my composite increased 58% but my scaled score between the the two composites increased 28 points. My scaled score between all the sections are gains under 50 points. My PR for all the sections are also gains of under 50points except math which increased 67%.

Here's my breakdown:
PCAT 1 - Jul 18th
VA - (382) 18%
Bio - (424) 82%
RC - (366) 6%
QA - (387) 21%
Chem - (402) 51%
Comp - (392) 27%

PCAT 2 - Sept 24th
VA - (398) 43%
Bio - (455) 99%
RC - (379) 17%
QA - (426) 88%
Chem - (442) 95%
Comp - (420) 85%

I had two months to study, and I did so hardcore (4-5hrs per day). I am not in school like I said I graduated so I had the time and motivation to do it (deeply motivated like do or die). The Pearson lady I talked to calmed me down a little but I am scared s***less. My GPA is 3.5, I deserve the 85% more than the 27%. If you ask me the 27% should be invalidated as it is a more inaccurate interpretation of my academic skill. The only reason I got a 27% is because I didn't expect Math to go beyond Pre-calc and my major problem was timing myself through the sections. Also I only used the Kaplan book which was the biggest mistake. I left like 20+ unanswered questions in math and 5-10+ in reading and some in chemistry.
Click to expand...

GOOD FOR YOU! I am happy to hear such improvements. I scored a 50% composite on the Sept 24 PCAT with a 67 in quant, 61 in chem, 44 in bio, 35 in verbal (my true weakness), and i forgot my RC but it was around upper 40 or 50. My question is what are your suggestions on improving my scores in each subject. I got a 50 by using Dr. C study guide up to 2011 updates (I found a most of the material outdated for PCAT). I plan on taking it in January, but will only have 2 solid weeks of studying after exams (I plan on putting in at least 8-10 hours a day of core studying due to short time interval) because I am still a full time student and have exams at the end of december.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Should I go for pharmacy school or nursing school (and then potentially NP)?
Replies
2
Views
3K
GoSpursGo
GoSpursGo
V
  • Question Question
PCAT 97 Composite
Replies
2
Views
2K
Vasosulf
V
U
  • Question Question
99 Composite percentile AMA
Replies
1
Views
2K
NDPharmacy
N
C
  • Question Question
99%tile Composite. AMA
Replies
8
Views
3K
ChemoChef
ChemoChef
C
  • Question Question
Low QR, 96 composite
Replies
3
Views
2K
skibenz
S