Math section

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mistdiya

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10+ Year Member
For the math section, do you all see any questions regarding triangles, squares, rectangles , circles, spheres or cylinders


or we just have to study the basic math, algebra, pre-cal, and cal, probability stuff.. plz replyy
 
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mistdiya said:
For the math section, do you all see any questions regarding triangles, squares, rectangles , circles, spheres or cylinders


or we just have to study the basic math, algebra, pre-cal, and cal, probability stuff.. plz replyy
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By "triangles, squares, rectangles , circles, spheres or cylinders" i take it you mean geometry? No there is no geometry, please do your research, this information is readily available to you.
 
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I also have a question for any PCAT veterans... does the calculus portion of the math section have a lot of word problems involving related rates, optimization, etc... or is it just straight-up calculations?
 
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This is not a business exam, there will be nothing dealing with optimization. Also, there will not be anything dealing with rates as far as calculus goes.
 
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harmonidrum said:
This is not a business exam, there will be nothing dealing with optimization. Also, there will not be anything dealing with rates as far as calculus goes.
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Not true on both accounts. I had a question on both topics on my version of the PCAT.

Bottom line, at some point, you need to hedge your bets regarding the PCAT. They CAN ask you anything regarding the examination; However, you should use logic and common sense to think about what they are likely to ask you via practice examinations and such. I would focus more on basic limits, derivatives, and integrals. If you're expecting to see Fourier Series or Laplacian matrices, you will set yourself up for fail.

Furthermore, study what you're weakest at regarding the exam. Most people study concepts that they already know very well, however, if you're going to improve, turn your weaknesses into strengths ... or at least, lesser weaknesses.

For example, my biggest concern was Biology. I spent probably 50% of my time studying for the PCAT reviewing Biology and I ended up in the 96th percentile. How did that happen? I knew what areas I sucked at ... basically, everything, but especially meiosis/mitosis, organelles, etc. ... and made sure that I knew the concepts well. A study guide can teach you concepts, but only you know what concepts you need to improve.
 
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harmonidrum said:
Really, optimization? Not sure I would even take the time to do that kind of problem even if I knew how to do it on the pcat.
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We aren't allowed to say exact questions, but mine was something about what is the largest perimeter that one can make a fence with an area of X meters. It was bizarre, but I think that there was a similar problem in Dr. Collins' study guide, so I was in good shape.
 
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