June 19 pcat!

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hwaiting

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It's right around the corner!!! I don't know about the rest you folks...but i'm getting more nervous by the day...i can't even fall asleep peacefully at night!!!

What will you guys be doing the week before the june 19 test? studying? resting? looking over quick study guides?
 
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Plans for the week leading to 6/19 PCAT:

6/12: Take my third and final practice test via Pearson
6/13: Review Verbal
6/14: Review Bio
6/15: Review Reading Comp
6/16: Review Chem
6/17: Review Quatn
6/18: Morning, review any final notes to myself then get a massage and relax for the day

In reviewing each section, I've saved two Dr. Collins practice tests for each section which I'll take in the morning (thus far, I've completed them in a lot less time than should be allotted). I'll go over notes, concepts, and any problems I have previously missed. In the evening, I'll have a conversation with my husband "explaining" topics verbally to him. He usually asks me questions. This "dialogue" reinforces my knowledge about the subjects.

Eat well starting now - no crap, good protein, clean sources of carbs, lots of water...I'm 6 months pregnant - so I need to eat consistently in order to avoid a day of feeling like crap on the 19th.
 
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I don't think I'll be resting! at least not until this is over 🙂 I think I'll use these 10 days to basically review and repeat the tests that I have done so far. And also listening to a lot of NPR for current topics/issues for writing since I really didn't study for that.

Good Luck to Everyone!
 
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Yeah I think I'm going to be reviewing different sections each day next week. Hopefully I retained all the info ive been studying up till now...hahahaha....

good luck to everyone!!!
 
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I've been studying around four hours a day at least five days a week for the last month. I still have some topics that I want to review a little more. My plan:

Tomorrow: Formulate a giant "notecard" of the chem concepts/formulas that I really need to have down before the exam. Study some of the A & P II topics that were my weak area on the first Pearson Practice PCAT.

6/12: Study in AM - Chem and Quant (we have a "Smell Ya Later, School!" party planned for my elementary-aged stepdaughter and her classmates that afternoon). I still have a few Dr. Collins exams left, plus I plan on retaking some of them over the course of the week.

6/13: Study in the AM - Chem and Quant, a little bio. Try to watch a few of Chad's organic chem videos on the substitution and elimination rxns in the afternoon at home.

6/14: Take my second Pearson practice PCAT, review weak areas

6/15: Do a final review of any areas that I feel need additional attention, most likely chem concepts

6/16: Take my third Pearson practice PCAT, review weak areas

6/17: Final cram! Last chance studying - it will be an all-day affair.

6/18: Check into hotel Friday night (one of my children is still a baby that night-wakes - the only way I am guaranteed a full night of sleep is if I sleep elsewhere). Read mind-numbing magazines, relax in the hot tub, get a crapload of sleep.

6/19: 😱
 
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sounds intense. question: did you watch all of chad's orgo videos? because I didn't just because of the fact that it covered too many advanced topics for PCAT... which ones do you think i should watch?
 
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just letting you guys know if you haven't already seen the notice or thread, the ticket for june 19 pcat is up!!

anybody taking it in MD?
 
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hwaiting said:
sounds intense. question: did you watch all of chad's orgo videos? because I didn't just because of the fact that it covered too many advanced topics for PCAT... which ones do you think i should watch?
Click to expand...

I watched the nomenclature one and the SN1/SN2 one. I want to watch the E1/E2 section, and see what some of the other reactions are. I thought that the PCAT was only supposed to cover basic orgo, but some of the questions on the practice PCAT that I took were throwing around terms like "Diels-Alder" and "Grignard." I recognized the names, but could not for the life of me remember the reactions. So I think I will try to look at a few more of the orgo videos. They just changed the server, so you can "fast forward" without waiting for the whole video to load.

It has been ten years since I had chem, and Chad's videos have been a lifesaver.
 
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haha yeah. chad's vids are great! i watched most of the chem vids and they were great review...i thought the orgo ones would be too much, but now that u say that...i think ill review those vids also!
 
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I want to make sure I understand how Chad's videos work... it's all a pay site right?

So I can either download individual units for $1.60 each or pay $20 for a month and download a copy of everything to my hard drive?

And how long is each video?
 
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jnmnh said:
I want to make sure I understand how Chad's videos work... it's all a pay site right?

So I can either download individual units for $1.60 each or pay $20 for a month and download a copy of everything to my hard drive?

And how long is each video?
Click to expand...

I know that back in the old days (before March), everything was free. I downloaded quite a few videos, but not all. I had a feeling that I should have made it a priority to get them all before they disappeared, but I never thought they would make it a pay site. However, I will gladly pay for them. For the $20/month, you get access to watch the videos as many times as you want. I paid $35 for a two-month subscription, and it has been one of the best things that I have bought with regard to PCAT prep.

At this point, it is all streaming (as far as I know). I can't quite tell if you get to actually download the video if you pay by the video. Each video seems to run about 35 minutes. The topics are much better organized than they were even a few weeks ago (now that they have the new server).

One caveat - the videos work great at home, but at a busy coffee shop, the bandwidth is spread a little too thin to watch them well. I have found that I have to play the video, do something else, then rewind. So if you do not have a decent home connection, if they let you download a single video, it might be the best route. Just pick and choose what you really need.
 
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pinksparkly said:
I know that back in the old days (before March), everything was free. I downloaded quite a few videos, but not all. I had a feeling that I should have made it a priority to get them all before they disappeared, but I never thought they would make it a pay site. However, I will gladly pay for them. For the $20/month, you get access to watch the videos as many times as you want. I paid $35 for a two-month subscription, and it has been one of the best things that I have bought with regard to PCAT prep.

At this point, it is all streaming (as far as I know). I can't quite tell if you get to actually download the video if you pay by the video. Each video seems to run about 35 minutes. The topics are much better organized than they were even a few weeks ago (now that they have the new server).

One caveat - the videos work great at home, but at a busy coffee shop, the bandwidth is spread a little too thin to watch them well. I have found that I have to play the video, do something else, then rewind. So if you do not have a decent home connection, if they let you download a single video, it might be the best route. Just pick and choose what you really need.
Click to expand...

i didn't realize you had to pay for it now...i downloaded these a long time ago... *phew* ;p but yeah..like said above..i would have been more than happy to pay for it...they are one of the best chem reviews
 
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Saiyo said:
wow, everyone's studying soooo much!!!
How am I gonna compete with that! 😱
Click to expand...

I'm not so we are together in that sense.

I am trying to sell our house right now so I spend about 3 hrs/day cleaning it and keeping up with the laundry etc.. I actually spent 6-7 hours the other day/evening doing yard work, cleaning, etc...I am so paying someone to pressure wash stuff for me next time.

We have an upcoming interstate military move and all of the crap that goes along with it that I have to deal with.

I have four kids out of school for the summer, continuously messing up the house and needing to be fed and cleaned (pesky little things kids are).

I am taking Organic Chem 1 lecture right now and in order to finish it before our move, I have to spend 1-2 hrs per day on it. I am halfway through the course and figure it does help a bit with the PCAT prep.

Add in my regular every day stuff I have to do, which keeps me busy all day.

I am trying to review general chem stuff for the PCAT, mostly. I might average 30 min per day, if that.

I will take my 2nd practice test this weekend, probably Sunday, and see how I do. I am hoping I have absorbed some general chem stuff from my studying.

The kids are up at 6 and in bed between 8 and 9pm. Its hard to get much studying done in between those hours - I try but cannot sustain concentration with all of the noise etc... plus I have to keep them busy. I am tired by bedtime and still have that organic chem class to keep up with.

I'm just hoping for a decent showing on this session b/c I can't take it in Aug and it is quite possible I won't in Oct due to my husband's work schedule at the new assignment. This is my one shot, my one cycle to apply and then I am SOL pretty much for another 8 yrs, if ever again.

I am just trying to go with the flow b/c I have so much that could freak me out right now and if I let any of it get to me (finishing my class, what if we can't sell the house, what is taking the military paperwork so long to come back, what if our move delays, what if I bomb the PCAT,...) I will not be able to do anything.
 
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adma826 said:
The kids are up at 6 and in bed between 8 and 9pm. Its hard to get much studying done in between those hours - I try but cannot sustain concentration with all of the noise etc... plus I have to keep them busy. I am tired by bedtime and still have that organic chem class to keep up with.

I'm just hoping for a decent showing on this session b/c I can't take it in Aug and it is quite possible I won't in Oct due to my husband's work schedule at the new assignment. This is my one shot, my one cycle to apply and then I am SOL pretty much for another 8 yrs, if ever again.
Click to expand...

I can empathize with trying to get studying done with kids - it just. does. not. happen. I have to leave the house.

I am lucky that my husband is marginally employed right now and starting school in the fall - he is home with the kids during the day so I can study.

Having just one chance is pretty high stakes - good luck! I would be freaking out if I were in your shoes.:luck:
 
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good luck to all! especially you guys with kids... wow im surprised you guys get things done! best of luck!!! hopefully we wont have to retake in later....

what composite scores are you guys going for? I know some people who said if they get over 75% they're not goign to retake...and i was thinking if I don't get over 80%, ill have to retake.
 
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hey guys...i was wondering what % of the questions you guys are getting correct to get an 85+ compositae?

thanks
 
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hwaiting said:
good luck to all! especially you guys with kids... wow im surprised you guys get things done! best of luck!!! hopefully we wont have to retake in later....

what composite scores are you guys going for? I know some people who said if they get over 75% they're not goign to retake...and i was thinking if I don't get over 80%, ill have to retake.
Click to expand...

I'm shooting for 80% of better. If I hit that mark, I'm never looking at PCAT material again. If I'm just below, I have to strongly weigh my options. My GPA is only a 3.4...which I am praying will be enough. I have a feeling this is going to be a touch year for applications though.

Yikes!
 
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hwaiting said:
good luck to all! especially you guys with kids... wow im surprised you guys get things done! best of luck!!! hopefully we wont have to retake in later....

what composite scores are you guys going for? I know some people who said if they get over 75% they're not goign to retake...and i was thinking if I don't get over 80%, ill have to retake.
Click to expand...

I am hoping for above an 80 composite but I need a strong showing in all of the areas or I may retake even with a decent composite. My verbal areas are almost 100% when I do the practice PCAT so that will pull up my overall score. I am more concerned with the scores in Chem and Quant. I need decent numbers in those areas or even with an 80 composite my scores will look bad. I don't want 95s or 99s in verbal and RC and then 50 in Chem. To me that says "and why do you want to go to Pharmacy school, which is heavy science?"
 
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BelleMD2B said:
I'm shooting for 80% of better. If I hit that mark, I'm never looking at PCAT material again. If I'm just below, I have to strongly weigh my options. My GPA is only a 3.4...which I am praying will be enough. I have a feeling this is going to be a touch year for applications though.

Yikes!
Click to expand...

This is my exact situation. My number one choice had an average PCAT composite score of 77, so I would prefer to do a fair amount better than that to offset my GPA, which is about 0.2 GPA points lower than their average.

I know that last year several schools extended their deadlines due to not enough/not enough quality applicants. I sure hope that trend continues.
 
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pinksparkly said:
Having just one chance is pretty high stakes - good luck! I would be freaking out if I were in your shoes.:luck:
Click to expand...

Yeah I have a bazillion back-up plans b/c I have four years to get something done before we either move (likely overseas where I can't get any in-person school done) or my husband retires from the AF and one of us has to get a good-paying job to replace the lost income.

If I do well on the PCAT and actually get an interview to the one school to which I am applying, that is when I will freak out.
 
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So my apt number on my ticket does not match my ID...is this going to be a problem on the 19th? I would think that it would not matter but who knows??
 
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PharmaBug said:
So my apt number on my ticket does not match my ID...is this going to be a problem on the 19th? I would think that it would not matter but who knows??
Click to expand...

I don't think the address matters. But to be safe, bring a form of ID that has your apartment number, such as bill summaries or something related to your place. The second form has to have a photo ID.
 
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adma826 said:
I am hoping for above an 80 composite but I need a strong showing in all of the areas or I may retake even with a decent composite. My verbal areas are almost 100% when I do the practice PCAT so that will pull up my overall score. I am more concerned with the scores in Chem and Quant. I need decent numbers in those areas or even with an 80 composite my scores will look bad. I don't want 95s or 99s in verbal and RC and then 50 in Chem. To me that says "and why do you want to go to Pharmacy school, which is heavy science?"
Click to expand...

It says the same thing to me, maybe you should be an english major.
 
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justhanging said:
It says the same thing to me, maybe you should be an english major.
Click to expand...

Hehheh you are not scaring me away that easily.

English major? Barf!!!! What a snoozefest that would be.

Didn't say I got a 50 in chem; said I did not want to get a 50 in chem! I took a second practice PCAT last night and got over 80% of the Chem questions correct. I aced the Organic section with all of those correct, and did better on the Gen Chem now that I have had a review of it since taking my first practice PCAT (where I had not really reviewed Gen Chem at all). Considering I took Gen Chem in 1994 (I remember watching the OJ trial while studying for it), I think its coming back to me. Had I just taken it and could not remember anything, I would think that would be an ominous sign.

I know I want my HC professional to be able to speak with proper English and communicate well, so I am not bailing on Science just because my verbal communication is good.
 
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hahaha... hopefully 80% or better... im hoping for >80% in chem, bio, and quant. as for english sections...well...gota hope for the best.
 
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adma826 said:
Hehheh you are not scaring me away that easily.

English major? Barf!!!! What a snoozefest that would be.

Didn't say I got a 50 in chem; said I did not want to get a 50 in chem! I took a second practice PCAT last night and got over 80% of the Chem questions correct. I aced the Organic section with all of those correct, and did better on the Gen Chem now that I have had a review of it since taking my first practice PCAT (where I had not really reviewed Gen Chem at all). Considering I took Gen Chem in 1994 (I remember watching the OJ trial while studying for it), I think its coming back to me. Had I just taken it and could not remember anything, I would think that would be an ominous sign.

I know I want my HC professional to be able to speak with proper English and communicate well, so I am not bailing on Science just because my verbal communication is good.
Click to expand...

Hehehe...


BrendanR said:
Been studying forever for this. I'm very excited. Is anyone taking it in Florida?
Click to expand...

Yea am taking it in Ft. Lauderdale in Keiser.
 
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justhanging said:
Hehehe...
Click to expand...

If that is your evil laugh, it is supposed to go Bahahahahaha.

If you are finding something I said funny, then 😕

Good luck everyone!

Trying to remember Calculus is just about killing me. I got a B+ in it many years ago so I know I knew something at some point in time. Unfortunately there are really no experiences in my daily life that even prompt the faintest memory of anything Calculus-related.
 
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adma826 said:
If that is your evil laugh, it is supposed to go Bahahahahaha.

If you are finding something I said funny, then 😕

Good luck everyone!

Trying to remember Calculus is just about killing me. I got a B+ in it many years ago so I know I knew something at some point in time. Unfortunately there are really no experiences in my daily life that even prompt the faintest memory of anything Calculus-related.
Click to expand...

Your right my evil laugh sucks. Anyways, the calc portion is the easiest part in the entire quant section, is as basic as could be. If you understood the rest of the quant section the calc portion should be a breeze. 😎
 
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adma826 said:
I'm not so we are together in that sense.

I am trying to sell our house right now so I spend about 3 hrs/day cleaning it and keeping up with the laundry etc.. I actually spent 6-7 hours the other day/evening doing yard work, cleaning, etc...I am so paying someone to pressure wash stuff for me next time.

We have an upcoming interstate military move and all of the crap that goes along with it that I have to deal with.

I have four kids out of school for the summer, continuously messing up the house and needing to be fed and cleaned (pesky little things kids are).

I am taking Organic Chem 1 lecture right now and in order to finish it before our move, I have to spend 1-2 hrs per day on it. I am halfway through the course and figure it does help a bit with the PCAT prep.

Add in my regular every day stuff I have to do, which keeps me busy all day.

I am trying to review general chem stuff for the PCAT, mostly. I might average 30 min per day, if that.

I will take my 2nd practice test this weekend, probably Sunday, and see how I do. I am hoping I have absorbed some general chem stuff from my studying.

The kids are up at 6 and in bed between 8 and 9pm. Its hard to get much studying done in between those hours - I try but cannot sustain concentration with all of the noise etc... plus I have to keep them busy. I am tired by bedtime and still have that organic chem class to keep up with.

I'm just hoping for a decent showing on this session b/c I can't take it in Aug and it is quite possible I won't in Oct due to my husband's work schedule at the new assignment. This is my one shot, my one cycle to apply and then I am SOL pretty much for another 8 yrs, if ever again.

I am just trying to go with the flow b/c I have so much that could freak me out right now and if I let any of it get to me (finishing my class, what if we can't sell the house, what is taking the military paperwork so long to come back, what if our move delays, what if I bomb the PCAT,...) I will not be able to do anything.
Click to expand...

I'm in similar boat as you - military spouse w/kids. How are you going to get to pharmacy school w/PCS moves? Aside from the PCAT, my challenge is the logistics of attending school!
 
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wow, good luck you guys, esp those with kids--
its only a couple of days away!

I'm gonna try hard to get a 90+ on it ><
 
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justhanging said:
Anyways, the calc portion is the easiest part in the entire quant section, is as basic as could be. If you understood the rest of the quant section the calc portion should be a breeze. 😎
Click to expand...

I did a practice Pearson PCAT the other night and the quant seemed heavy on calc but maybe that was because I was tired and the calc was the only part that was giving me such grief. I just felt like every time I'd click to the next question it was on derivatives of complicated functions. And what I learned from that was I need to go back and review derivatives again and do more problems. They seemed pretty simple in the review I did so I think I need to go find more complicated problems.
 
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JJVmom said:
I'm in similar boat as you - military spouse w/kids. How are you going to get to pharmacy school w/PCS moves? Aside from the PCAT, my challenge is the logistics of attending school!
Click to expand...

We are getting assigned to Nellis for four years (on a special duty assignment that should hopefully make those 4 yrs really last 4 yrs) starting this summer. USN is a 3 yr program. I am applying this cycle to enter next August. I should finish, if I do everything right, on time, and with no setbacks, just as we get ready to move again. At that point, my husband will have 19+ yrs in and will have had to decide whether to re-enlist or retire. I would think if I could get a promising residency or if the job market looked terrific there (I'd really like a residency though) we'd consider retirement, b/c then he would spend the remaining months there til he hit 20 yrs the following spring. I would be working or in a residency. Otherwise, if he re-enlists, I would hopefully be able to find a job at our next duty station (unfortunately as far as work goes, our next assignment from there is highly likely to be overseas and, of the two places we would be 99% certain to go, one has a big hospital that hires contract pharmacists (Kadena) and I could possibly get a job and one I believe does not hire US civilian pharmacists at all (Lakenheath) and my chances of working as a Pharmacist would be slim to none.

There is that one online program that is really competitive but there are on-site requirements that would still need to be worked around your military spouse's work schedule. For me that would not work at all b/c my husband goes tdy a lot.

The benefit of being a military spouse is you have access to a great volunteering opportunity at the MTF pharmacy. They always seem to need help from Red Cross volunteers there.

Good luck!
 
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thanks a lot for the link!!! good reviews are nice right before the exam...

what's everyone doing for the english section? GRE vocab? reading quick articles? personally I just grabbed my brothers GRE book and memorize a few words everyday...and for reading I've been going to teh library and reading science short science articles...hopefully i wont fall asleep reading one of the passages because theyre so boring! :laugh:
 
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Anyone else having trouble prepping now that it is getting so close? I have a lot going on in my life right now so normally I have to make myself settle down and focus on the PCAT preparation but this week it is getting especially hard. Every time I sit down I end up skimming through everything instead of focusing on my most important problem areas! ack!

Discipline, discipline, I need some discipline this week!

Word to the wise for those of you taking it in Aug and reading the thread: make sure you get all of your preparation done by the weekend prior, and use this last week for simply refreshing and getting some rest to take the exam.
 
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Only 3 evenings left... I'm planning to sleep in and be late to work on Friday morning, cause I'm sure I won't be able to get to sleep Friday night.

I assume the writing score has no effect on the composite percentile, is this correct?
 
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The last two nights, my 1 1/2 year old daughter has decided she wants to tangle with sleep regression. I dealt with it yesterday, but this morning, I was HURT-ING! As pregnant as I am, I am not one the does well with less than 8 hours of sleep.

I think I need to find a hotel as well for Friday night to ensure I don't wake up feeling like crap.

I don't want to sound insensitive to anyone else, because I KNOW firsthand everyone's circumstances are different...but what I wouldn't do to be younger, no kids, not pregnant and no job with no classes and taking this PCAT...that would be heaven!
 
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Haha no kidding Belle, I'd love to not have class until after 10 twice a week after work, but my girlfriend and I couldn't imagine adding kids to the equation right now!

Soldier on and do what you gotta do to manage!
 
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Prepharmah said:
Hi
What material did you use to prepare yourself for the test?
Click to expand...

u can search one of my psting/threads...i put a list, but a quick list i used: kaplan pcat, chad's chem and orgo, barrons, cliffs 5 practice test, pcat destroyer, mcat exam kracker - biology, and thepcat.com.
 
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jnmnh said:
Only 3 evenings left... I'm planning to sleep in and be late to work on Friday morning, cause I'm sure I won't be able to get to sleep Friday night.

I assume the writing score has no effect on the composite percentile, is this correct?
Click to expand...

yup! u just get graded out of 5's for the writing! good luck!
 
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Oh y'all I just can't WAIT until Saturday morning is over!! I'm ready to have my life back! I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself. I need to chill. I took the exam TOTALLY unprepared in 2008 and got a 45 composite! I seriously underestimated it. I'm in a much better place now. So that's good. I hope to apply this summer but I'm not sending any applications until there is at least a better PCAT score on my app!

Good luck everyone!! :luck:
 
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I am taking the PCAT on Saturday, yikes!

Good luck, everyone!

I am just wondering if the answers are bubbled in right in the booklet or if there is a separate Scantron form.
Seems that there would be more room for error with a scantron form and having to make sure to bubble in the right number.
Just wondering, to reduce my anxiety a very little bit.
Thanks.
 
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PharmGirl89 said:
I am taking the PCAT on Saturday, yikes!

Good luck, everyone!

I am just wondering if the answers are bubbled in right in the booklet or if there is a separate Scantron form.
Seems that there would be more room for error with a scantron form and having to make sure to bubble in the right number.
Just wondering, to reduce my anxiety a very little bit.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Haven't taken it before but I was under the impression that it was a separate form.
 
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