January 2009 PCAT

[168533]

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Just wanted to get a thread started for those who plan to retake the PCAT in 2009, especially for those of us that are trying to get into pharmacy school for fall 2009 since this is our last shot of getting a good score for this cycle.

What did you think went wrong, and what do you plan to do differently?

To be honest, I didn't study enough at all. I read through almost the entire Kaplan PCAT book, but I was just reading and not comprehending. I can read a book and if it's really boring, I won't be able to tell you anything right after reading it. I registered for the October test probably a little over 2 months before the test date. I maybe studied 1 month averaging 4-5 hours for the week. I had access to 3 practice tests (2 from the PCAT peeps and 1 from Kaplan), and I only did 1 practice test.

This time around (starting Monday after all the thanksgiving festivities die down) I'm going to spend about 3-4 hours a day studying. I read about 6 chapters a day last time, but I was just reading words, so this time I'm going to only read 2 chapters a day and make sure I really understand the material. I also plan to look for outside material away from this Kaplan book that's not too expensive. It says it has all the material one needs to do well on the PCAT, but I don't believe that. Some sections seem to have too much material when others don't have nearly enough. I wish I could afford that $300 study manual that people are raving about, but I can't buy anything too expensive.

Anyways, sorry for rambling. Just figured it would be nice to have support for us retakers! 😀

 

[Scikotic]

FIRST OF ALL - GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE FOR THE JAN PCAT!!AND WE ALL DESERVE A CLAP FOR MAKING IT THIS FAR

Having already taken this test in Oct08, I feel the official PCAT practice tests from Pearson are VERY similar to the real test in difficulty level and overall. The reading section is especially useful because it gives you explanations for the correct answers(this is true for all sections), and why the others aren't acceptable. If you do buy these, I think $40 for one, get BOTH tests (they'll give you a discount).

It's funny the reading section went well for me during the real test (I thought) but I ended up scoring worst in it. The question's answers all seem to make sense, but one is the BEST, I hate reading comp and was never good at it... try the reading comp on the Pearson practice test, its all the same kinds of questions.

 

[SHC1984]

How long does it take them to grade your PCAT and mail you back your score? How long does it take Pharmcas to get your score and process it? If I take the PCAT on Jan...when will I get the results back? 2 weeks? more? thanks!

 

[bluesickle]

You're looking at 5-6 weeks to get back your results.

 

[SHC1984]

You're looking at 5-6 weeks to get back your results.

That long!!!!!!!! omg!!! r you serious??????

 

[Carboxide]

I'm so nervous! This is my first time taking it (I will be applying for F2010) and I'm scared! I've been studying the Kaplan book and I have taken LOTS of chemistry and bio classes (at least 10 credits per semester, usually 12) and I think I will (hopefully) be well prepared.

 

[Transformer]

That long!!!!!!!! omg!!! r you serious??????

serious. 5 to 6 weeks is correct.

It usually takes 35 to 40 days on average to get to my mail box. Pharmacy schools won't receive our scores till end of Feb. or early March.

 

[chuntingche]

Does anyone know where the official list of topics covered in each section can be downloaded? Mostly want to know about the Org. Chem. section.

I tried looking and searching and couldn't find it anywhere.

 

[SHC1984]

serious. 5 to 6 weeks is correct.

It usually takes 35 to 40 days on average to get to my mail box. Pharmacy schools won't receive our scores till end of Feb. or early March.

Thats crazy! why does it take that long to grade an multi choice exam??? I think I am MORE worried about how long its going to take my exam to be graded then how hard the exam will be! This is absurd. South and Campbell will take my PCAT scores directly send to them. (20 dollars each) BUT VCU and Mercer WILL NOT. They require Pharmcas!!! so how long will that take???? Another 5 weeks?? I really hope NOT.

I think Pharmacy schools are hard to get into not bc of PCAT being hard, but b/c they are just too damn SLOW!!! 😡

 

[bluesickle]

Well since the PCAT is only offered several times a year, they're going to get overwhelmed with exams each time it is offered. Let's not forget, these people have to grade the essay portion too and that can take a long time. 5-6 weeks is right but you should expect your schools to get your score several days before you get the score in the mail, which can be quite scary since you won't know what score the school is looking at during this time.

To sum it up, it's not Harcourt's problem that they take this long in grading the exams because people generally don't take the PCAT for the first time in January if they're trying to enroll in the same year. I took mine in October and I felt like I should have taken it in June because it delayed my application everywhere and most schools won't review your application until it is 100% complete (PharmCAS app + supp + fee + PCAT score).

 

[Calypso522]

Man, I'm starting to get a little burnt out from studying for/taking the PCAT. The January date will be my 4th attempt 🙁 My highest composite was 80th percentile, but one of my schools wants that a little bit higher to accept me. Chemistry is really my downfall... I haven't taken a class in it in almost 4 years, so it really kills my score every time. I'm definitely reaching for that extra drive to study now. So tired and stressed

 

[SHC1984]

Well since the PCAT is only offered several times a year, they're going to get overwhelmed with exams each time it is offered. Let's not forget, these people have to grade the essay portion too and that can take a long time. 5-6 weeks is right but you should expect your schools to get your score several days before you get the score in the mail, which can be quite scary since you won't know what score the school is looking at during this time.

To sum it up, it's not Harcourt's problem that they take this long in grading the exams because people generally don't take the PCAT for the first time in January if they're trying to enroll in the same year. I took mine in October and I felt like I should have taken it in June because it delayed my application everywhere and most schools won't review your application until it is 100% complete (PharmCAS app + supp + fee + PCAT score).

I only send the scores to South, Pharmcas and Campbell. But I recently submited a transcript request (paid 40 dollars) to send the scores to South and Pharmacas...I think South and Pharmacas will have a delay in getting the scores...

How long will it take for Pharmacas to send out the scores? basically my question is if I take the PCAT on Jan 24th when will my application be 100% complete??? march???? I Hope March! 🙄

 

[SHC1984]

Oh one more question. 😀 I heard the math section does NOT have trig or Geometry...is this TRUE??? Anyone saw any trig or geometry on their exams??? thanks.

 

[SHC1984]

Man, I'm starting to get a little burnt out from studying for/taking the PCAT. The January date will be my 4th attempt 🙁 My highest composite was 80th percentile, but one of my schools wants that a little bit higher to accept me. Chemistry is really my downfall... I haven't taken a class in it in almost 4 years, so it really kills my score every time. I'm definitely reaching for that extra drive to study now. So tired and stressed

Just use Kaplan and the practice exams on their website and you should be fine! good luck! 🙂

 

[Calypso522]

Do the practice tests have good explanations for the answers or do they just give you a score? I've taken the practice tests in the Kaplan book but I'm hesitant to buy the online tests since I already am short on money. On the chem sections in the past I found myself guessing on most of them because I didn't even know where to start... I have the cliff's practice tests as well. They seem pretty similar to the pcat from what I remember...

 

[SHC1984]

Do the practice tests have good explanations for the answers or do they just give you a score? I've taken the practice tests in the Kaplan book but I'm hesitant to buy the online tests since I already am short on money. On the chem sections in the past I found myself guessing on most of them because I didn't even know where to start... I have the cliff's practice tests as well. They seem pretty similar to the pcat from what I remember...

I am lucky that I have a friend who pay the 1300 to take the pcat kaplan class and now she is letting me borrow all her stuff. I took the DAT before and all I did was take the Kaplan class, MEMORIZE (pretty much know the Kaplan books like I know my phone number! ) and did very well on it. So I am doing the SAME thing for the PCAT...I don't know if it will work like the DAT but thats all I know to do...that and I have the cliffs 5 practice test and I am going to pay the 57 dollars to buy the pearson online exam. I think that should be enough to score decent. I hope so at least!

 

[bluesickle]

If you did well on the DAT, the PCAT should be a cinch for you. I studied a little off the DAT materials and they go far more in detail than the PCAT.

BTW, did South and Campbell request PCAT scores to be sent directly to them? If you just send it to PharmCAS, they'll send out the scores for you but I suppose it doesn't really matter since you get 3 freebies anyway. To answer your question, the math section doesn't include trig or geometry.

 

[MIkeNB]

Man, I'm starting to get a little burnt out from studying for/taking the PCAT. The January date will be my 4th attempt 🙁 My highest composite was 80th percentile, but one of my schools wants that a little bit higher to accept me. Chemistry is really my downfall... I haven't taken a class in it in almost 4 years, so it really kills my score every time. I'm definitely reaching for that extra drive to study now. So tired and stressed

Good luck on this january Pcat, Hope you'll do well. I know that many people have told me that taking Pcat multiple times would not hurt your application. But at the same time, it's hard to believe that admission will still look highly on ur scores compare to those who only took it once or twice. Im still debating whether I should mark the "no grade" box on this test. I have intersession class (biology of cancer whic is a senior level), work, and pcat. I dont think i can give my 100% on the test. Also, are there any other good practice test out there instead of the one they offer on their site? I heard Cliff is a waste of time.

 

[SHC1984]

If you did well on the DAT, the PCAT should be a cinch for you. I studied a little off the DAT materials and they go far more in detail than the PCAT.

BTW, did South and Campbell request PCAT scores to be sent directly to them? If you just send it to PharmCAS, they'll send out the scores for you but I suppose it doesn't really matter since you get 3 freebies anyway. To answer your question, the math section doesn't include trig or geometry.

Thanks...ironically the Kaplan PCAT science sections look very verrrrry similar to the Kaplan DAT science sections...of course I am looking at ONLY Kaplan books from the classrooms. (in fact they might even be indentical!) MY guess would be that the PCAT is just as hard as the DAT. People always say the DAT is harder b/c its harder to get into dental school....just like the MCATS is hardest b/c medical school is the hardest to get into....LOL...

South and Campbell requests that the PCAT scores be sent to Pharmcas HOWEVER I am sending PCAT scores to Pharmcas and South and Campbell!!! I call South and they even told me that I could fax them the scores when I get them b/c that way I can GREATLY INCREASE the SPEED of my application.

I am afriad if I send it to Pharmcas only it will take them 5 weeks to update my scores and send it out!! 🙄 It will take Pearsons 5 weeks to grade the exam and Pharmcas 5 weeks to send out the scores...thats 10 weeks TOTAL!!! NOT GOOD!!! If I send it to the schools they will have my scores waaaaaaaay SOONER and therefore interview me sooner I HOPE! South and Campbell saids its okay to send them the scores directly but VCU and Mercer decline...saying that they HAVE to way for pharmcas....so I think is safe to say that I am NOT going to get into those two schools this year...Pharmcas will take 3 million years before they even update anything...🙄 lazy bastards.

 

[SHC1984]

Oh I wasted 40 dollars! I send my first three to UNC, Wingate, and Campbell...I am from NC and thought Wingate and UNC will take the Jan PCAT scores but they won't...so I had to pay 40 dollars to send out to pharmcas and south! oh well...

 

[Calypso522]

Thanks for all of your advice!!! The first time I took the test I did the no score option since I was in the second/third week of recovery from surgery... There was no way that I was even close to my normal performance level, lol. I used it as a practice run since the surgery was sudden and past the refund period, so this time is like my third rather than fourth (composites 71 then 80). BUT, I just got a call today from VCU saying they liked my application a lot and want to interview me!!!!!!!! They don't mind my 80th percentile pcat score!!!!! It's just Shenandoah that is picky about minimums for individual sections. I'm so happy about VCU!! I live in Richmond and it's an amazing school, so that's definitely my top choice!!!! 😍
​

 

[bluesickle]

Thanks...ironically the Kaplan PCAT science sections look very verrrrry similar to the Kaplan DAT science sections...of course I am looking at ONLY Kaplan books from the classrooms. (in fact they might even be indentical!) MY guess would be that the PCAT is just as hard as the DAT. People always say the DAT is harder b/c its harder to get into dental school....just like the MCATS is hardest b/c medical school is the hardest to get into....LOL...

You're right, the science sections for the Kaplan PCAT, Kaplan DAT, and Kaplan OAT (from what I've seen) are either exactly the same or have very minute differences to them. I know this because I've had the Kaplan DAT, at one point, and I studied off of my Kaplan PCAT while my friend was studying off of his Kaplan OAT. I wouldn't be surprised if science sections from the Kaplan MCAT were similar as well.

Trust me, material wise, the DAT is much harder. Not to mention, the PAT is either really easy for someone or really difficult. I think it's harder to get into dental school in comparison to pharmacy school because you don't see dental schools opening up in masses as if they're going out of style like you see with pharmacy schools. Take CA for example ... we might have 10 schools soon if the 2 prospective schools (Central California and Samuel Merritt) end up getting their pre-candidate status in the next several years.

 

[tt22204]

Hey for people who took the PCAT can you tell me how much was the biology section was about anatomy and microbiology? The Kaplan book doesn't cover this material and I was wondering if it is present in a large amount on the PCAT.

 

[CareerChg]

I'm new to posting but I have been reading the blogs for a while. I took the PCAT for the first time in October and am retaking in January to bring my Chem and QA scores up, and hopefully raise the other scores a bit, too.

I have a question and I've been looking through old blogs but I haven't found an answer. I'm wondering what letter you all choose to bubble in when you run out of time or when you have to completely guess on a question during the PCAT. Is there a letter that statistically is shown to be better than another one - like for instance, there are more Bs than Ds or something? In October, I had to guess on a lot in the Chem section and I bubbled in all As. Obviously, it didn't work out so well for me! Anyway, if there is a letter that everyone uses when they have to guess, I would love to know what it is.

Also, for those of you that were asking about the PCAT practice tests from Harcourt, I purchased them back in October and while they are good representations of the real test in the QA, verbal and reading, I did not feel that they were helpful for the BIO or the Chem. I really thought after taking the practice tests that the Chem would be some calculations and mostly theory and application of general knowledge and laws. I was very wrong. I felt like the Oct. test was almost all calculations and I ran out of time. I was not prepared. Also, the BIO sections of the practice tests were way too easy. The Oct. test had more about plant and animal biology than was on the practice tests at all - if that helps anyone.

Thanks in advance for any ideas about the right letter to "bubble" when guessing!

 

[IrishOats]

I remember reading somewhere that B is statistically the best letter to choose.

 

[SHC1984]

You're right, the science sections for the Kaplan PCAT, Kaplan DAT, and Kaplan OAT (from what I've seen) are either exactly the same or have very minute differences to them. I know this because I've had the Kaplan DAT, at one point, and I studied off of my Kaplan PCAT while my friend was studying off of his Kaplan OAT. I wouldn't be surprised if science sections from the Kaplan MCAT were similar as well.

Trust me, material wise, the DAT is much harder. Not to mention, the PAT is either really easy for someone or really difficult. I think it's harder to get into dental school in comparison to pharmacy school because you don't see dental schools opening up in masses as if they're going out of style like you see with pharmacy schools. Take CA for example ... we might have 10 schools soon if the 2 prospective schools (Central California and Samuel Merritt) end up getting their pre-candidate status in the next several years.

Yeah...I have heard from many people that the DAT was harder, EXCEPT the reading the PCAT is MUCH HARDER than the DAT. My DAT score wasn't stellar but it was pretty good...I got a 22AA and 22 total science, but my reading was a 17 (35%🙁) I took the DAT Aug/2006 it might have been easier then too...who knows?? I heard the PCAT reading has MANY passages and is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to finish!!! 😱 So the reading scares me the MOST! And the verbal scares me too b/c I don't have a huge vocabulary and I remember my SAT score was brought down a lot by the verbal section!! I made a 500 on my verbal SAT I really suck at that...🙄 but thats totally my fault...when I was a kid I was very lazy...Never read anything...only watch TV.

You took the DAT? Are you a dental school dropout like me? just curious why did you not want dental school?

 

[anyr]

The reading section isn't impossible to finish at all, you just need to be able actually.. read. Don't just read words, try and understand what you're reading. It helps if you look for things the MOMENT you start reading, like key words/phrases or ideas that give away an authors tone.
You'll waste a lot of precious time if you keep going back to read paragraphs to look for things. I'm a fairly fast reader and I had JUST enough time to review all the questions from the passages. So while it's not impossible to finish on time, time IS pretty stressed on the section.

 

[bluesickle]

You took the DAT? Are you a dental school dropout like me? just curious why did you not want dental school?

I got as far as purchasing my DAT study materials before I realized that I didn't want to go into dentistry. I guess you can call it a phase that I went through but pharmacy was always my #1 choice.

BTW, reading comprehension was the only section that I actually finished on time. I think I'm just slow because for the other sections, I had to either rush towards the end and/or ended up filling in random bubbles like a madman.

 

[SHC1984]

I got as far as purchasing my DAT study materials before I realized that I didn't want to go into dentistry. I guess you can call it a phase that I went through but pharmacy was always my #1 choice.

BTW, reading comprehension was the only section that I actually finished on time. I think I'm just slow because for the other sections, I had to either rush towards the end and/or ended up filling in random bubbles like a madman.

Biology can be finished on time b/c you either know it or not...if you know it, it takes 5 seconds to bubble in your answer, but if you don't know it then forget it b/c you will NEVER know it...I think with biology some people don't finish on time b/c if they don't know a question they will sit there and stare at it for 15 minutes and waste all their time.

For the chemistry section....I think the general chemistry sections in Kaplan was pretty hard. Its hard mainly b/c it takes A LONG time to do one general chemistry problem...so I can see a time issue in general chemistry...however I didn't have an issue on the DAT b/c I thought the gen chem on the DAT was easier (easier mean QUICKER calculations!!) than the Kaplan General Chem.

The math section is similar to biology...I just read it and if I know it (know the way to solve the problem...) it will come quick...if not then it will NEVER come...🙄 so I just learn to skip if it doesn't hit my brain RIGHT away.

Reading however...I am just slow...with reading I bubbled like crazy at the end too...on the DAT I fnished the first two passages...the third passage I just bubbled in random letters....mostly B(s) and C(s)!

 

[SHC1984]

The reading section isn't impossible to finish at all, you just need to be able actually.. read. Don't just read words, try and understand what you're reading. It helps if you look for things the MOMENT you start reading, like key words/phrases or ideas that give away an authors tone.
You'll waste a lot of precious time if you keep going back to read paragraphs to look for things. I'm a fairly fast reader and I had JUST enough time to review all the questions from the passages. So while it's not impossible to finish on time, time IS pretty stressed on the section.

You are right...I usually look at the questions first and then go back and look for answers....bad idea then? 🙁

 

[bluesickle]

Actually I'm one of the few who didn't finish the biology section with time left over at the end. 😳

The problem was there were like 2 or 3 questions that I wasn't 100% of and I got as far as eliminating it to 50/50 before finally guessing at the end. I don't know, I think I prefer tests where we have more time and tests us more on knowledge.

 

[blue pill]

To answer your question, the math section doesn't include trig or geometry.

You sure?

The latest 5 Cliff's practice exams have trig/geometry questions, and the latest information booklet from the PCAT website mentions trig/geometry in its description of the quantitative section of the exam.

 

[bluesickle]

You sure?

The latest 5 Cliff's practice exams have trig/geometry questions, and the latest information booklet from the PCAT website mentions trig/geometry in its description of the quantitative section of the exam.

Cliff's never made the updates, which is why they still have 58 questions for the Biology, Chemistry, QR, and Verbal sections. You can read about all the changes in the Kaplan book.

 

[CareerChg]

There is Trig on the current PCAT - there can actually be quite a bit. There is not SUPPOSED to be any geometry anymore. This change was effective for the 2008 tests. However, I took the exam in October and there was one geometry question. You can read it about it on the October 2008 PCAT blog. I believe it may have been one of their "test" questions which isn't really scored.

 

[blue pill]

There is Trig on the current PCAT - there can actually be quite a bit. There is not SUPPOSED to be any geometry anymore. This change was effective for the 2008 tests. However, I took the exam in October and there was one geometry question. You can read it about it on the October 2008 PCAT blog. I believe it may have been one of their "test" questions which isn't really scored.

How are you defining geometry and trigonometry? Are they not the same thing?

 

[bluesickle]

Hmm, I didn't remember any geometry on the October PCAT but then again, much of the QR section was a blur to me.

 

[CareerChg]

How are you defining geometry and trigonometry? Are they not the same thing?

Trigonometry has to do with angle measurement, particularly with right triangles but it can be applied to any figure. Trigonometry is also used in calculating spheres and other 3D planes. So by this, I mean, you are not going to have to calculate the area of a triangle or other shape for the test. However, there are many questions (especially in the Harcourt practice tests and the Kaplan book) on Trig - where you need to know the values of sine, cosine and tangent for angles of a right triangle and where you need to identify the slopes of lines tangent to a graph (which kind of relates this all to calculus). You may be asked if an angle increases what happens to the sine and cosine - how are they related. You also need to understand what cosecant, secant and cotangent are. There may be one or two like this on the test. You should definitely memorize the relationships between the angles and their values for sine, cosine and tangent.

 

[SHC1984]

Actually I'm one of the few who didn't finish the biology section with time left over at the end. 😳

The problem was there were like 2 or 3 questions that I wasn't 100% of and I got as far as eliminating it to 50/50 before finally guessing at the end. I don't know, I think I prefer tests where we have more time and tests us more on knowledge.

Don't feel bad...I had a few Kaplan exams where I was a few minutes over on the Biology section...for some reason I thought Kaplan was harder than the DAT...The Gen Chem section at least...I just rememeber that I finished on time on the DAT and had trouble finishing on time for Kaplan Gen Chem and some Math sections as well...But I did study ALOT more for the DAT then I did for the PCAT b/c I have a full time Pharm Tech job right now....🙁

I PREFER exams with MORE time too and believe me it kills me to have to skip a question...it always makes me feel so stupid when I just can't figure something out and know I have to skip (miss) the question...🙁 but I finally believe now that if I do skip a few it will pay off at the end.

 

[SHC1984]

Just looked at the DAT science and math sections...DAT science 100 questions 90 minutes, Math 40 questions 45 minutes and Reading is 50 questions 60 minutes.

It seems to me that the DAT is easier b/c you get more time...okay...NOW I am worried b/c I am having a time issue on the Gen Chem section again...

PCAT science is 60 minutes for 98 questions! so you get 30 minutes less compare to the DAT!!!! 😱

 

[168533]

Good luck to everyone this Saturday. I feel as though I'll do better this time around, but I'm not sure if it's good enough. Hope everyone else is more confident than me 🙂

 

[bluesickle]

LOL @ Nikki's new avatar. You should get an animated avatar like FarmerCyst's avatar.

 

[CareerChg]

Is anyone else taking the Kaplan final exams at the back of the book under timed conditions?

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who is discouraged by how ridiculous the Chemistry final is in the Kaplan book. I have been acing the practice tests from Harcourt but I didn't think they were a good representation of the real PCAT that I took in October of 08. So I'm trying to work on the Kaplan Chem sections, but I think all it's doing is psyching me out b/c its so hard and ridiculous under the time conditions.

I can't wait until Saturday around 1:30pm. I swear if I never have to take this test again it will be too soon!😡

Good luck to you all.

 

[MIkeNB]

1:30? dang...I have work at 1:30 and my test center is an hour away lol. Are u sure it ends at 1:30

 

[CareerChg]

That's the time I got out of there last time - between 1:15 and 1:30. Be there between 8 and 8:30. Test starts at 9am. 4.5 to 5 hours of testing. - Yep 1:30.

 

[SHC1984]

Is anyone else taking the Kaplan final exams at the back of the book under timed conditions?

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who is discouraged by how ridiculous the Chemistry final is in the Kaplan book. I have been acing the practice tests from Harcourt but I didn't think they were a good representation of the real PCAT that I took in October of 08. So I'm trying to work on the Kaplan Chem sections, but I think all it's doing is psyching me out b/c its so hard and ridiculous under the time conditions.

I can't wait until Saturday around 1:30pm. I swear if I never have to take this test again it will be too soon!😡

Good luck to you all.

The general chem section is pretty hard to finish in 30 minutes. And the reading is even HARDER. I HATE reading! haha...But the cliffs is EASY though...I finish with time left over! I hope the real PCAT is just like Cliffs. LOL...

 

[TTUMike]

The general chem section is pretty hard to finish in 30 minutes. And the reading is even HARDER. I HATE reading! haha...But the cliffs is EASY though...I finish with time left over! I hope the real PCAT is just like Cliffs. LOL...

I finished the reading section with time to spare but only got through about half the questions in chemistry. I will not make the same mistake this Saturday so I went out and bought myself a watch.

 

[SHC1984]

I finished the reading section with time to spare but only got through about half the questions in chemistry. I will not make the same mistake this Saturday so I went out and bought myself a watch.

I think I am the only one that thinks the reading is the hardest section. In my opinion it is. But I think in general we will be okay b/c Kaplan is the only exams that are too hard to finish in time...Cliffs, pearsons etc are all reasonable.

 

[CareerChg]

You know when things are so bad sometimes we just block them out? That is how I am about the Chem section on the October PCAT. It is such a blur, I can't remember anything except thinking that it was one calculation, after another, after another. I kept skipping trying to find easier problems that dealt with more conceptual stuff like on the Pearson/Harcourt practice PCAT exams. When the proctor called 5 minutes I about had a heart attack. I still had about 20 problems that I hadn't even looked at. I don't want that feeling again. But I don't want to psych myself out working problems in Kaplan that are too ridiculously hard. I wish I could remember more of what I should focus on!!😱

 

[anyr]

You know when things are so bad sometimes we just block them out? That is how I am about the Chem section on the October PCAT. It is such a blur, I can't remember anything except thinking that it was one calculation, after another, after another. I kept skipping trying to find easier problems that dealt with more conceptual stuff like on the Pearson/Harcourt practice PCAT exams. When the proctor called 5 minutes I about had a heart attack. I still had about 20 problems that I hadn't even looked at. I don't want that feeling again. But I don't want to psych myself out working problems in Kaplan that are too ridiculously hard. I wish I could remember more of what I should focus on!!😱

Man, agreed. I think I had about 15 questions left when the five minute mark got called... -commence mad random bubbling-

I reeeeally hope it's more conceptual and organic stuff this time. I wrote the Oct PCAT too and had no idea what some of the ochem stuff was on the test... and then my ochem class started learning that reaction TWO DAYS LATER. I was a little bitter. 🙁

 

[SHC1984]

Okay everyone...I just took my first practice exam....Overall is your REAL score anything like the ones on your two practice exams???? The only werid thing I can say is that I usually miss around 10 chemistry problems on the Kaplan and Cliffs books....BUT I only missed 3 on the pearson exam...😱 And the biology its the opposite...I usually miss like 5-8 problems in Kaplan and Cliffs but miss like 12 on the Pearsons!! (I hate microbiology!!! 🙁) Okay...Anyways,

DOES EVERYONE HERE AGREE THAT THE SCORES ON THESE PRACTICE TEST ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE ACTUAL SCORES YOU WILL GET???

I am in the 80s which isn't great but its good enough for a few interviews at I hope...kinda disapointted that I am not in the 90s, but I just want to get this exam over with so I can have a life again. 🙄

 

[anyr]

Here, here to having a life again after this cursed pcat. (That was a fun christmas break...)

You have to remember though that the scores you get on the pcat will be in percentile.. so I don't think it can be really applicable to say the scores you get on the practice exam will be comparable to the pcat one. But question wise, I think the practice exams are the best kind of questions to PREPARE you for what the pcat will be like. Plus maybe there are different amounts of questions for each type... like maybe there could be like 7 ecology questions on one pcat and then 2 for another. Guess all we can do is.. know everything 🙄