PCAT score question

[JenPenUT]

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How important are the subtest scores compared with the composite score? I'm trying to decide if I should re-take the PCAT:
Composite: 91%
Math: 98%
Chemistry: 97%
Biology: 55%
Verbal: 87%
Reading: 52%

I hadn't taken ANY biology when I took it, which accounts for the low score there, and I can't really say what happened in the reading section! I THOUGHT I knew how to read!

Thanks!

 

[binghamkid]

How important are the subtest scores compared with the composite score? I'm trying to decide if I should re-take the PCAT:
Composite: 91%
Math: 98%
Chemistry: 97%
Biology: 55%
Verbal: 87%
Reading: 52%

I hadn't taken ANY biology when I took it, which accounts for the low score there, and I can't really say what happened in the reading section! I THOUGHT I knew how to read!

Thanks!

That's a good score. Check with the schools that you are interested in applying to. Some schools require a minimum percentage in specific subsets (chemistry is usually one of them if they require it). You may want to retake it if you know you can do better on biology if the schools require it. Otherwise, don't bother. The score's already terrific. (Although...if you know your biology now, i imagine your composite score can shoot up to a 95+, which would greatly increase your chances of getting in).

 

[Omegadramon]

Wow...those are great scores. Although, I've read on this website that some adcoms will bring up this issue during the interview. You already have a great response for the biology section, but you'll need to think of something to explain your reading score.

Still, all in all, that's a score I'd want to have.

 

[omnione]

Some schools do have subset minimums, but testimony from accepted applicants have me wondering if those are just for people who do relatively poorly all around instead of people who bombed one or two sections like you did.

From my experience, those who can get a 95%+ on any section probably isn't a fluke or due to the whole "good standardized testing" argument. I got a 96 on the math when I took it, and I know that I'm really good at math. So, you wouldn't be "betting" many points if you retook the exam after taking biology. The "return" in a 20 or even 30+ score increase will solidify your score even if you drop a few percentiles here and there. Of course, you have to be sure that you'll do better in the biology section by studying.🙂

On the other side of the argument, the baseline goal every PCAT taker wants is that 80th percentile as that percentage falls in the average and/or middle 50% of accepted applicants. Your 91 is superb.

If I were you, then I'd retake the PCAT if you felt that I will do better on the bio section.

 

[acetyl]

How important are the subtest scores compared with the composite score? I'm trying to decide if I should re-take the PCAT:
Composite: 91%
Math: 98%
Chemistry: 97%
Biology: 55%
Verbal: 87%
Reading: 52%

I hadn't taken ANY biology when I took it, which accounts for the low score there, and I can't really say what happened in the reading section! I THOUGHT I knew how to read!!

Your score is solid. Don't worry about taking it again unless you want to apply to schools that have sub-section minimums like Texas, Michigan, or VCU(which I can attest aren't steadfast rules!). I think your biology score would definetly rise after taking micro and a physiology course, and your composite may rise to something like 94-96.

But it won't make that big of a difference in the grand scheme of things, because my scores were similar to yours and I didn't have any problems getting in anywhere.

 

[penguins429]

when I first applied (and got rejected) -- I contacted the schools to see what I should improve on ... and they said to try to improve my PCAT score (which was an overall 95% at the time) ... like yours, my Biology and Reading sections were a bit lower than the rest of them (77 and 58 respectively i believe) ...

when I did retake it, I knew I was better prepared for the Biology and Reading sections ... but I didn't spend more than five minutes preparing for the Math and Chemistry sections; so coming out of the exam, I was worried that although my Bio/Reading scores would undoubtebly improve, my Math/Chem scores would suffer ... fortunately for me, I wound up with great scores (99% overall and >95% in each subsection) --

so if I were you, I would retake it ... but make sure you are prepared all around -- because if you do wind up doing worse, you might be worse off than you started ...