Just got back from June PCAT......

[Omegadramon]

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I'm a first time taker....I felt good about it, until I reached the math section. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THE MATH WAS HARSH. Seriously, I had to guess about 8-10 questions (better than leaving them blank). What surprised me was how many physics based questions there were.

The books I found helpful: Kaplan and Cliffnotes books for the biology and chemistry. I was always good at the reading comprehension, so I didn't really study it. The analogies verbal section just tests how wide your vocabulary is...I like doing sentance completions. But Kaplan and Cliffnotes has good practice.

For the math, I'd reccomend Kaplans AND the official PCAT practice test. Seriously, I would've been seriously screwed without taking the official PCAT practice test. It's very helpful.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

I finished each section before time was up and was thinking that the PCAT has gotten much easier, then bam! the math section! wth? Only one stat problem, and like 5 questions concerning vectors, like one derivative problem, and the rest was I don't know what!

 

[dpenney]

First time taker here too, the math was brutal, too many derivatives. I dunno how they expect you to do some of those problems without a calc. Specially the some of the chemistry ones. Guess I should have studied for more than a few hours.

 

[Omegadramon]

I finished each section before time was up and was thinking that the PCAT has gotten much easier, then bam! the math section! wth? Only one stat problem, and like 5 questions concerning vectors, like one derivative problem, and the rest was I don't know what!

omg...that's exactly how I was feeling. I finished the reading section with 15 minutes to spare (tried to get a headstart on the math). The first part of the chemistry exam was time consuming, but then the proctor said there was only 10 minutes left, I whized through the second half because it was so simple (and not many 'tricks'. I'm a chemistry major, so I was waiting for them...)

 

[omnione]

Hmm...looks like the shortened exam still created problems.

If you guys can respond to the questions about the changes in this THREAD, that would be great!

 

[gapeach427]

Oh my gosh---so glad it's over! I'm about to register for the August test! Don't feel too strongly about this one. Compared to the PCAT I took last October, I felt like I was always running out of time. The math section was brutal! Nice that geometry isn't on there anymore. I was surprise by how few people took it today compared to last October.

 

[Benzoic Acid]

I was kind of mad that there was only like 2-3 questions on calc. Same with organic chemistry, the was maybe 5 tops. There was a load of log problems.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

omg...that's exactly how I was feeling. I finished the reading section with 15 minutes to spare (tried to get a headstart on the math). The first part of the chemistry exam was time consuming, but then the proctor said there was only 10 minutes left, I whized through the second half because it was so simple (and not many 'tricks'. I'm a chemistry major, so I was waiting for them...)

none of the pcat practice books adequately covered the types of math questions on that exam. they need to revert back to the type of problems from last year because i distinctly remember it being the easiest section and recieved a high score in math. i was really confident and happy that it wasn't too difficult but then the math just completely ruined it for me. 😡

 

[Lindsey129]

Did anyone find the Chemistry section to be hard???
I thought Math was hard too, but at least the first half of Chemistry was tough for me. Reading, verbal, and essays were ok I thought.

 

[gapeach427]

Did anyone find the Chemistry section to be hard???
I thought Math was hard too, but at least the first half of Chemistry was tough for me. Reading, verbal, and essays were ok I thought.

I thought it was too...it seems like everything I reviewed wasn't on there.

 

[jasonargos]

can anyone elaborate on what was so hard about the math section? I had many questions that weren't hard at all, but just took too much time to work out. Also, physics? I can't recall ANY physics on it at all. They had some physics formulas they wanted you to toy with, but that was all math, just getting the formula equal to a different variable or such.

 

[Bhavesh]

done! I'm w' gapeach...so glad that it's over!

frankly, I thought:
-the verbal was of the same difficulty as the January
-the biology was a little more difficult
-the chemistry was more difficult
-the reading comprehension was easier (as a matter of fact, TWO of the passages were EXACTLY as I had seen in the January exam)
-the math was actually EASIER than January's test...but still a time cruncher

what made the math even scarier, is the proctor said "5 minutes left" @ 25mins when we were supposed to have another 15 mins left! I mentioned it aloud in extreme panic, he corrected the time, and apologized...(which is FAR better than being consistent and only giving us 5 mins)...it ended up being good for me because my brain really starting to fart out until that fear raced through me and helped me get through the math faster

 

[Bhavesh]

can anyone elaborate on what was so hard about the math section? I had many questions that weren't hard at all, but just took too much time to work out. Also, physics? I can't recall ANY physics on it at all. They had some physics formulas they wanted you to toy with, but that was all math, just getting the formula equal to a different variable or such.

just like you mentioned: time...none of the problems you get on the PCAT will EVER involved anything more than simple, non-calculator math...but some of the questions take a long time

for physics, didn't you have any vector problems? wasn't there also a problem of a type that gave an equation for position, and asked your for instantaneous velocity?

 

[jasonargos]

just like you mentioned: time...none of the problems you get on the PCAT will EVER involved anything more than simple, non-calculator math...but some of the questions take a long time

for physics, didn't you have any vector problems? wasn't there also a problem of a type that gave an equation for position, and asked your for instantaneous velocity?

Vector... hmm, I guess there was one with vectors, but the answers were not numerical, it just wanted to know which way something would point. We covered basic vectors in a math class. Same with the instantaneous velocity question, covered it in a calc class. (School not Pcat prep)

 

[Jess111]

what were the writing topics for all of you guys? I think I did ok on math and chemistry section but I know that I really did bad on writing section. i had no idea what to write for first 5~10 mins of writing section.

 

[jessicaholland1]

none of the pcat practice books adequately covered the types of math questions on that exam. they need to revert back to the type of problems from last year because i distinctly remember it being the easiest section and recieved a high score in math. i was really confident and happy that it wasn't too difficult but then the math just completely ruined it for me. 😡

I totally agree. I studied kaplan, barron's, cliff's and did the harcourt online practice test and the math wasnt even remotely similar to what's on the test! I was so mad! A ton of calc (who remembers how to do integrals of trig functions??), like 4 vector questions (wtf), other weird questions that i'd never even seen. The math wasnt this bad last time i took it (last june). grr.

I thought chem sucked too. Definitely a lot more reactions and orgo.

Bio, verbal sections, and essays were really easy.

 

[CaliRx]

can anyone elaborate on what was so hard about the math section? I had many questions that weren't hard at all, but just took too much time to work out. Also, physics? I can't recall ANY physics on it at all. They had some physics formulas they wanted you to toy with, but that was all math, just getting the formula equal to a different variable or such.

Do they give you certain formulas or any constants in the math or chemistry section? Or do we have to basically memorize everything?

 

[Bonbon2007]

I totally agree. I studied kaplan, barron's, cliff's and did the harcourt online practice test and the math wasnt even remotely similar to what's on the test! I was so mad! A ton of calc (who remembers how to do integrals of trig functions??), like 4 vector questions (wtf), other weird questions that i'd never even seen. The math wasnt this bad last time i took it (last june). grr.

I thought chem sucked too. Definitely a lot more reactions and orgo.

Bio, verbal sections, and essays were really easy.

I'm totally bummed. The exam was not what I thought what it would be. I wasn't expecting the math to be that hard. It felt way more analytical with all the charts. I thought every question should have been solved in 30 sections or just a little more, not for me, I was probably averaging a minute.

With chemistry, I'm crossing my fingers that some of my guesses are going to be correct when I get my scores back. It was not pretty. I hate rushing too.👎

 

[rx27563]

i took it today as well...it was going good until math - i just cant believe how different it was than i expected (first timer here). :-( totally bummed

 

[FaBpHaRm2Be]

First time taker here....

Wow, what a test. I felt the verbal, reading comp (surprisingly interesting, I thought) and the chemistry were ok sections. The Bio I'm a lil' iffy about and that math section was unbelievable. Granted, I did not study as hard as I should have, therefore I will be taking the August PCAT.

Good luck to all, the waiting begins!!!!

-FaB 🙂

 

[keval010]

out of service

 

[4frogger]

First time taker, I thought the math section was okay until I saw the vector questions. Those threw me off a bit. As for the rest, I wasn't confident in the chem, but bio, verbal, reading, writing was nothing new. Im glad its over but I might take it again.

When do we expect scores?

 

[eleanor_rigby]

i do not wish to take this again and hope they scale intensely.

??

Does Harcourt scale the sections if the average score is particularly low?

 

[Omegadramon]

First time taker, I thought the math section was okay until I saw the vector questions. Those threw me off a bit. As for the rest, I wasn't confident in the chem, but bio, verbal, reading, writing was nothing new. Im glad its over but I might take it again.

When do we expect scores?

Six weeks from today is August 4th.....

 

[markk122]

All I can say is that math was terrible. Everything else went as I planned and was basically the same as my review books (Kaplan and Barron). Overall it was an alright test, not easy, but not impossible. That is until the math section.

 

[xshooshix]

Let me guess: the math portion was no where comparable to what Kaplan was giving? What about PCAT Professor? Barron's study guide?

I've freaking out and i'm considering changing my study schedule to focus more on Math, but I don't know where to begin since the study guides were not quite reflective... 😕

 

[Knickerbocker]

I'm going to agree with pretty much everyone else. Everything was pretty much what I expected, except for the math section. The Kaplan book had math that was much easier. Well, except for the probability questions. I had one probability question and it was really easy.

 

[bibiancheng]

I took my PCAT today. I don't think the materials are hard/complicated, just that they weren't covered in the study guides I bought😡! (I would rather study my textbooks next time.)

 

[Wow Strong Armz]

lol @ math. Reading was a joke 3/5 passages were from the Jan exam. so im guessin if i wrtie down the questions then retake in august and i should have the entire exam infront of me before i even go in

 

[mustang sally]

Thought the test was okay, except for math. I sort of got the feeling that the test prep books were not really going to help with math, so I studied a lot of calc and trig on my own. This probably helped me get more problems right than I would have, but it didn't help me that much. I agree, the math section was brutal. I'm not sure what advice I could give to August test takers for studying for math (since I obviously did not do a good job).

 

[pb323]

I thought it was too...it seems like everything I reviewed wasn't on there.

I found it pretty difficult, esp given the time allowed. I didn't finish. I believe that I had 7 blank answers.

I started to get into a rhythm to get finished then return to the questionable ones. Before I knew it, the announced that only 5 minutes were left

The math, ditto to everybody else. As with chem, it was relatively managable, but time was a factor for me.

I got through the remainder of the sections. I don't dare say "good" until I get my scores

I'm not sure what advice I would give other PCATers. I'm a little jaded at the moment. I worked extremely hard on the math because I am 11 years post calc and I didn't have a great foundation anyway. I have even been working with a tutor over the last month and felt that I had made considerable progress. Some of the practice tests that were kicking my butt a few months ago were much "easier." But, I still had to think things through and the PCAT does not allow this luxury. I'm thinking that I will reinforce the areas so that I can do the problems on a more efficient time table

 

[pulsedriver]

Thought the test was simple, having taken the MCAT. Finished each section early except for math, which i had to guess on the last one. Took it at usc and the lead proctor was.. strange. Overall pretty happy.

 

[chem123]

i thought the math section was EASY...but then i was on number 25 and the proctor says...5 mins left!!!!!!!!!! i was like AHHH....the chem and math sections are easy but i never have time to finish them!..

 

[Tiff1223]

ok.. i have taken this test for the third time and i thought it got EXTREMELY harder than the last two (which i took last year).. i have never even seen some of that math before in my life and i am great in math.where was the calculus and algebra? and TIME TIME TIME wtf ? it was awful. I actually thought that the bio was harder too, all these microbiology questions and unexplained not well identified graphs??? nothing i studied helped..i even studied through the MCAT book. The test makers need to seriously think about the test questions becuase some of them took you two minutes just to read the flippin problem!! sorry just venting😡

 

[stewiefan2006]

ok.. i have taken this test for the third time and i thought it got EXTREMELY harder than the last two (which i took last year).. i have never even seen some of that math before in my life and i am great in math.where was the calculus and algebra? and TIME TIME TIME wtf ? it was awful. I actually thought that the bio was harder too, all these microbiology questions and unexplained not well identified graphs??? nothing i studied helped..i even studied through the MCAT book. The test makers need to seriously think about the test questions becuase some of them took you two minutes just to read the flippin problem!! sorry just venting😡

I completely agree, third time for me yesterday too. Math was so not fair-why does the PCat hurt us so much? Why can't it just be fair? i guess the people who get into pharmacy school are the ones who get a 4.0 and a great pcat score. so far, i have not heard about anyone getting in with less than a 3.4

 

[omnione]

I completely agree, third time for me yesterday too. Math was so not fair-why does the PCat hurt us so much? Why can't it just be fair? i guess the people who get into pharmacy school are the ones who get a 4.0 and a great pcat score. so far, i have not heard about anyone getting in with less than a 3.4

That is inaccurate. Average GPAs for most schools are between 3.4-3.6. Also, you have to remember that "average" should not be the only benchmark as the "average student" may have a few points above or below the average. (Side rant: I still wish schools would report the range of scores and GPA of the middle 50% or 40% of entering students) Likewise, average PCATs for most schools are between 80-85 with a few that are a little higher and a few that are a little lower.

 

[xshooshix]

I read that you some of you have seen vectors on the exam... are they pre-calculus vectors (as seen in kaplans) or calculus vectors?

 

[Wow Strong Armz]

I read that you some of you have seen vectors on the exam... are they pre-calculus vectors (as seen in kaplans) or calculus vectors?

they were those vectors that u see in physics class.

 

[keval010]

out of service

 

[keval010]

out of service

 

[manutdmax]

oh my god...it seems the exam was tough as everyone said..I dont know what we would do in october and august exams..am using kaplan book and internet sources, for the test takers last saturday who studied from kaplan book,,did u think kaplan was the best source and how far did u benefit from the book during the exam ?

 

[Torkey]

Yeah the test was definitely rough...I felt like the Kaplan book WAY overprepared you for the chem and bio sections..They go so in depth on so many things that 90% of the stuff you end up focusing on you dont even need. The math though..is a whole different story..I worked through kaplans math section and got to the test and was like WTF??? lol...Ill use kaplan to prep for bio and chem again but I need to find another solution for the math..any ideas?? I wish they'd get the scores out sooner so I can see if I need to re-enroll to take the august test...

 

[pb323]

I found Barrons to be helpful as well, not necessarily for the math, but I'm not sure what would have

 

[Omegadramon]

The only thing remotely close to the math section is the official Hartcourt test. Other than that, I don't have anyother reccomendations.

 

[iluvme718]

oh my god, i thought it was only me! The math section was crazy, i had like 10 vector problems and chem was mostly orgo. Biology and reading, writing were what i expected. i took kaplan's class for 3 months and was completely unprepared for the math. 🙁

 

[iwannapushpills]

for most of the test i felt like all the studying i did paid off and felt good about the test. Then "BAM" the chemistry hit me hard, I almost cried. To add to the pain the math was ridiculus. I was a first time taker and the test just made me feel plain stupid. Does anyone know if the chem and math have always been this hard?
😕

 

[Circuspeanut]

I didn't think the test content was extremely difficult, most of it was stuff I'm familiar with, but I really felt rushed! I still have an indentation from where I was holding the pencil so tight. 🙁

I felt OK about the first essay, pretty good about the second. Verbal, Biology, and Reading comp. felt the same as last time. Math, more vectors/graphs than before, still not too hard, but TIME consuming!!! I finished every section, but still had to guess on 5-10 involved questions.

I studied for two months to refresh and took lots of practice tests including the official and initially thought I could finish each section with time to spare. Still can't recreate the pressure of actually taking the test.

 

[binghamkid]

for most of the test i felt like all the studying i did paid off and felt good about the test. Then "BAM" the chemistry hit me hard, I almost cried. To add to the pain the math was ridiculus. I was a first time taker and the test just made me feel plain stupid. Does anyone know if the chem and math have always been this hard?
😕

It's not that it's hard, it's that there's a lot of problems to finish in a short amount of time. Most people approach these two sections (understandably the two toughest sections) incorrectly because they try to solve every problem and find an answer and then check the answers to pick the right one. If you do that, you'll run out of time for the section. Instead, if you utilize your thinking skills a bit and are able to eliminate outlandish and ridiculous answers right from the getgo, in some cases, you can even solve a problem without even having to handle the problem and just understanding intuitively that the problem they're asking you to solve can't have hundreds of grams for the solution when everything is in milligrams.

For example, a balancing equation question might ask you how many molecules of water do you need in the balanced equation. If you sit there actually doing all the math required, you'll waste a good 3 to 4 minutes. Instead, if you reason out with a really rough estimate, it's going to be between 15 and 20 molecules, you can just narrow down and eliminate the wrong answers. Very rarely will the PCAT give you answers that are really close to each other unless there is a common mistake that you might make (sig figs comes to mind) that would lead to a close answer.

 

[stargazzer]

I'm a first time taker....I felt good about it, until I reached the math section. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THE MATH WAS HARSH. Seriously, I had to guess about 8-10 questions (better than leaving them blank). What surprised me was how many physics based questions there were.

The books I found helpful: Kaplan and Cliffnotes books for the biology and chemistry. I was always good at the reading comprehension, so I didn't really study it. The analogies verbal section just tests how wide your vocabulary is...I like doing sentance completions. But Kaplan and Cliffnotes has good practice.

For the math, I'd reccomend Kaplans AND the official PCAT practice test. Seriously, I would've been seriously screwed without taking the official PCAT practice test. It's very helpful.

hey,

I was just wondeirng if you still had your official PCAT material?....Please let me know! Thanks

 

[Omegadramon]

^I don't, sorry.