July PCAT study group

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Wallace12

Wallace12

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Who all is taking the PCAT in July and would maybe want to join together in this thread and ask for help and keep each other motivated for the test??
I'll be studying starting ~may 13th it's the Monday after my spring finals. I'll be using Dr Collins and MAYBE cracking pcat by PR. But it doesn't matter what materials we use we can still help each other out. Lets kill this test and get accepted into pharmacy school!
LETS GOOOOO!!!
 
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Just finished biochem class, and spent a week reviewing organic notes. I'm taking Kaplan anywhere and the course stats in two days. I've never taken the PCAT befoe (will do the DT tomorrow!!).... I haven't done math for a while, we'll see how it goes!

Question: Do you guys estimate how much time do you dedicate to study for the PCAT? I'm just starting to study and I got about 6 weeks. Hope I still have time!! :-8
 
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msmed said:
Hey all,

I was a pre-dental student before but since I wasn't academically competitive enough, I switched to pharmacy which I really enjoy as well.

I was wondering if I could use the same study material I used when I took the DAT (except the math and verbal) for PCAT as well?

I used the following:
-Exam crackers 1001 for Ochem, DAT destroyer for Gchem, Biology, and most of Math
-Barron's AP Bio and Cliff's 5 practice test

I have absolutely no idea what source to refer to for Verbal and I also don't know which practice exams I should get (Kaplan, Princeton,...) to prepare for the exam on the 18th of July.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I'm not really familiar with any of the DAT materials or how the test compares to the PCAT, sorry.

I wonder the same for verbal, I did a practice test and didn't do too good on that haha

Everyone says to get the 3 Pearson tests from their website. I haven't yet because I'm really broke.

Hope some of that helped a little.
 
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Phenylethylamin said:
Just finished biochem class, and spent a week reviewing organic notes. I'm taking Kaplan anywhere and the course stats in two days. I've never taken the PCAT befoe (will do the DT tomorrow!!).... I haven't done math for a while, we'll see how it goes!

Question: Do you guys estimate how much time do you dedicate to study for the PCAT? I'm just starting to study and I got about 6 weeks. Hope I still have time!! :-8
Click to expand...

I'm shooting for now until the test, about 2-3 hours a day. More on weekends and probably more after my summer class ends later this month. I'm having a tough time studying for both right now with my class having tests every 2 weeks and I have lab tests in between (micro bio and lab- separate courses here).

I need to do a diagnostic test this week bad. I'm using dr Collins and cracking the pcat by princeton review.
 
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Hello everyone!

I'm from Texas, I am taking my PCAT in July, and I'd like to join this study group as well! I just recently finished a summer class so I'm starting to study for the test now.

🙂
 
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Wallace12 said:
Who all is taking the PCAT in July and would maybe want to join together in this thread and ask for help and keep each other motivated for the test??
I'll be studying starting ~may 13th it's the Monday after my spring finals. I'll be using Dr Collins and MAYBE cracking pcat by PR. But it doesn't matter what materials we use we can still help each other out. Lets kill this test and get accepted into pharmacy school!
LETS GOOOOO!!!
Click to expand...

I am studying for the July PCAT this month and next month for about an hour a day. In July, I am planning to study more hours as the test day comes nearer with more time.

Good luck with the test everyone including the OP!
 
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Phenylethylamin said:
Just finished biochem class, and spent a week reviewing organic notes. I'm taking Kaplan anywhere and the course stats in two days. I've never taken the PCAT befoe (will do the DT tomorrow!!).... I haven't done math for a while, we'll see how it goes!

Question: Do you guys estimate how much time do you dedicate to study for the PCAT? I'm just starting to study and I got about 6 weeks. Hope I still have time!! :-8
Click to expand...

because i'm a full time soldier who works at least 8-10 hours a day, I have very limited time to study. I study around 2-5 hours a day but not super concentrated anyways.. all application cycle has started and i'm working on my PS and etc..

I believe that July will be my only time to take so I gotta do my best on it too..

good luck on ya all..
 
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I'm from Texas and my PCAT is July 18.

Study materials: Kaplan, Pearson practice exams, a few Cliffs Notes reviews (for anatomy and calculus), and some other assorted books

Can't wait to get my scores and apply to schools!
 
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Im from Texas too and will be taking the july pcat. Im studying from the new Kaplan 2013-2014 book, 2012 dr collins packet and reas interactive pcat flashcard book. On the pcat official test structure theres no mention of evolution, however that topic is there in the new kaplan book. Does anyone know if we need to study that? Also, if you are using the 2012 kaplan book, there are a number of chapters that have been deleted in the new kaplan book from the bio section. The topics are autotrophic nutrition and all the chapters after excretion except for evolution.
 
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Is there a blueprint for the 2013 PCAT out there?

EDIT: nvm, I guess the 2012 blueprint is the same.
 
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Im also taking the July pcat just got dr. Collins and i have the kaplan book. How are you all studying for the quant(math) part? That seems to be my weakness since i can't use a calculator
 
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I have cracking the pcat by PR, and it has some very helpful strategies for all sections and the math was made a lot easier to me. I'd assume kaplan book probably has the same too? Or you could maybe find test taking strategies online for the PCAT.
 
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Wallace12 said:
I have cracking the pcat by PR, and it has some very helpful strategies for all sections and the math was made a lot easier to me. I'd assume kaplan book probably has the same too? Or you could maybe find test taking strategies online for the PCAT.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
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How is everyone's studying going along with work/summer class or other things? I'm having a tough time keeping to my schedule of studying for the PCAT and summer classes.
I've reduced my pcat time to 1-2 hours a day at best. Hope you all are doing better.
 
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just did dr collins biology test (set) #1 and answered 34/48 correct without any review of old material. I took a human physiology class 2 years ago so on a few of those questions i had to guess. Has anyone else taken the same test and how did you do? This test is really starting to creep up on me...
 
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HEY guys! I just bought a 2013/2014 edition of the Collins..so the seller said..but mine has the ecology and plant section in there..which clearly the pcat doesnt have anymore...does anyone with a recent Collins have that in the bio studyguide? Or did I just get tricked...
 
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tealover04 said:
HEY guys! I just bought a 2013/2014 edition of the Collins..so the seller said..but mine has the ecology and plant section in there..which clearly the pcat doesnt have anymore...does anyone with a recent Collins have that in the bio studyguide? Or did I just get tricked...
Click to expand...

Is it in your bio review packet? I cant remember if mine does i have the '12 edition. I'll check mine in like an hour and reply.
 
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Yup it's in the review packet !! Ecology & plant/fungi stuff after that. Thanks!
 
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Wallace12 said:
just did dr collins biology test (set) #1 and answered 34/48 correct without any review of old material. I took a human physiology class 2 years ago so on a few of those questions i had to guess. Has anyone else taken the same test and how did you do? This test is really starting to creep up on me...
Click to expand...

I did the first biology test yesterday i got 37/48 im not sure what that really means compared to percentile.
 
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Chapool said:
I did the first biology test yesterday i got 37/48 im not sure what that really means compared to percentile.
Click to expand...

Wow you did 37 out of 48 and 8 questions don't count so really you did 37/40. Good Job I think you are ready.
 
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Phenylethylamin said:
Just finished biochem class, and spent a week reviewing organic notes. I'm taking Kaplan anywhere and the course stats in two days. I've never taken the PCAT befoe (will do the DT tomorrow!!).... I haven't done math for a while, we'll see how it goes!

Question: Do you guys estimate how much time do you dedicate to study for the PCAT? I'm just starting to study and I got about 6 weeks. Hope I still have time!! :-8
Click to expand...

Have you started your kaplan anywhere yet. They keep changing my date to start the course. What is like and are you learning anything? Do you thing you will get a higher score?
 
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hope to finish reviewing organic chem within the next couple days so I can start on biochem then move on to math
 
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Ive been studying Dr Collins for the past couple of weeks and it has helped tremendously. However I have one concern. Are the questions of the PCAT(Bio sec for example) similar to how they appear on Dr Collins? I just dont want to walk in the PCAT and see type of questions completely different than what appears in Dr Collins. Thanks.
 
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I don't know how useful this is but on Monday kaplan is offering a free practice PCAT at 7pm est, for those who care.

I took one in March and the entire test was shortened by half, but I think it's a good way to see exactly what kinds of questions could be on the PCAT.
 
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im scoring 36/50 in verbal and 28/48 in biology after taking test one of both sections in dr.collins prep. Is it true that on the real PCAT 8 of the 48 questions are experimental and don't count toward your score? In that case i just need to work on answering like 6+ more question right in bio section...right?
 
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Anybody have an idea how to study?
I got Kaplan book 2013-2014 and Dr collins
and I already studied the whole packet and read the entire book but I feel like I am not even ready because when I go back to doing the test after a couple of days I forget them.

I think my only problem is CHemistry, do you guys think Dr collin's OCHEM part is enough
 
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Xeal0007 said:
im scoring 36/50 in verbal and 28/48 in biology after taking test one of both sections in dr.collins prep. Is it true that on the real PCAT 8 of the 48 questions are experimental and don't count toward your score? In that case i just need to work on answering like 6+ more question right in bio section...right?
Click to expand...

yes that is true. 8 questions dont count
 
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If anyone is using Dr. Collins, how are you actually studying the material? Right now I'm using it with my on site Kaplan course to help understand the material
I've heard it's so helpful and will boost your score significantly, but I want to study it in the most beneficial way!
 
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so even if you got one of the experimental questions right it wouldnt count in your overall score?
 
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lavenderhearts said:
Wow you did 37 out of 48 and 8 questions don't count so really you did 37/40. Good Job I think you are ready.
Click to expand...

Thank you, i'm not sure if this is an accurate way to measure since we don't know which 8 question are taken out. Has anyone taken the verbal and comprehensive tests on Dr Collins yet? What scores are you guys getting?
 
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Chapool said:
Thank you, i'm not sure if this is an accurate way to measure since we don't know which 8 question are taken out. Has anyone taken the verbal and comprehensive tests on Dr Collins yet? What scores are you guys getting?
Click to expand...

I was thinking the some thing. Say you missed 10 questions, with 3 being experimental. Do the 5 experimental you got right help your score or not affect it at all? Meaning is my overall going to be 33/40 or 38/40? This has always confused me 😕
 
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How is your preparation for the writing section coming along? I haven't started practising for this section yet. I took a Pearson's test a week ago and my strong areas are chem, biol and verbal. In the case of math, I ran out of time by the time I was doing 30th question. I find this section crazy because you have to do 48 questions in 40 min. The GRE quant section is little more fairer. In GRE you have to do 20 questions in 35 minutes. My reading is hopeless, so I am relying on other sections to boost my score!
 
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vasoolraja said:
How is your preparation for the writing section coming along? I haven't started practising for this section yet. I took a Pearson's test a week ago and my strong areas are chem, biol and verbal. In the case of math, I ran out of time by the time I was doing 30th question. I find this section crazy because you have to do 48 questions in 40 min. The GRE quant section is little more fairer. In GRE you have to do 20 questions in 35 minutes. My reading is hopeless, so I am relying on other sections to boost my score!
Click to expand...

I haven't approached the writing section at all yet, I'll probably study it some a week or two before the test and just look at my cracking the pcat book for the tips on it.
For quant are you trying to work all of the algebra and calculus out like you learned in school? Or are you ball parking answers and plugging choices in? I'm using the Princeton review pcat book and it definitely made the math a lot easier and faster. 48 problems in 40 mins is stupid I agree haha
My book gives this advise:
"You get points for answering correctly, not working the problem out right."
If you don't have a book check out
PCATACADEMY on YouTube I think they use the same tips and strategies that my PR book says.

http://youtu.be/7xN2dB5t30Q
 
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Wallace12 said:
I haven't approached the writing section at all yet, I'll probably study it some a week or two before the test and just look at my cracking the pcat book for the tips on it.
For quant are you trying to work all of the algebra and calculus out like you learned in school? Or are you ball parking answers and plugging choices in? I'm using the Princeton review pcat book and it definitely made the math a lot easier and faster. 48 problems in 40 mins is stupid I agree haha
My book gives this advise:
"You get points for answering correctly, not working the problem out right."
If you don't have a book check out
PCATACADEMY on YouTube I think they use the same tips and strategies that my PR book says.

http://youtu.be/7xN2dB5t30Q
Click to expand...

Thanks friend for the tips! I am using short cuts that I learned during my GRE quant prep. However, it is my thinking process that is taking more time. I have to learn to think rapidly. I plan to take another Pearson practice test this Saturday to see where I stand.
 
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Jibby321 said:
Correct. You could all 8 experimental questions correct but they won't help your score.
Click to expand...

I think if you get those experimental questions right you may get points. For example, say you get 30 out of 48 right and if that 30 includes about 5 experimental questions. I think your score would be 30 points instead of 25. I think you get the best score among the two possible scores. This is just my personal opinion.
 
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