New July 2016 PCAT change; passages

[atnguy13]

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I am taking the July PCAT in about a month, and I just found out this will be the first PCAT where it is changed a lot with half of the sciences questioned through passages and math based off of mostly word problems. Now that a calculator can be used, the math will also be harder. I have been using Dr. Collins to study everything, and Kaplan for biology but I'm afraid thats not enough. Has anyone experienced or know what the experimental passages are like, and if studying Dr. Collins is enough to do well with the passage problems? Thank you

 

[Teey09]

hi! im also considering taking the pcat in july. what do you by half the science questions are passages now?

 

[LatePrePharm]

If you search "Upcoming PCAT Blueprint Changes for 2016-2017" and "PCAT Basics: Purpose, Structure, and Administration 2016–2017", you can PDFs explaining the changes.

I just took an online practice exam from the Kaplan 2017 book. The Chemistry and Biology sections for Kaplan both had passages and regular questions. Each passage had 4 questions associated it with it. 1-2 of those questions could be answered from general knowledge without the passage. The other 2-3 required you to observe some figure or statement in the passage and combine it with a piece of general knowledge to get the answer. The passages were usually research based.

I don't know how closely this will match the new PCAT. I will take the official PCAT practice tests in a couple weeks.

 

[atnguy13]

If you search "Upcoming PCAT Blueprint Changes for 2016-2017" and "PCAT Basics: Purpose, Structure, and Administration 2016–2017", you can PDFs explaining the changes.

I just took an online practice exam from the Kaplan 2017 book. The Chemistry and Biology sections for Kaplan both had passages and regular questions. Each passage had 4 questions associated it with it. 1-2 of those questions could be answered from general knowledge without the passage. The other 2-3 required you to observe some figure or statement in the passage and combine it with a piece of general knowledge to get the answer. The passages were usually research based.

I don't know how closely this will match the new PCAT. I will take the official PCAT practice tests in a couple weeks.

Thank you, this was helpful. Would you say this is enough to prepare you for the exam? Or do you suggest buying the pearson exams too?