PCAT Study/prep POLL

[gapeach427]

How much time are you preparing for the PCAT each day?

What materials are you using?

Me: Haven't really started yet (took it last October), but I'm planning to go through my Kaplan book, review chemistry & bio text books, and review math.

 

[2bpharmD]

How did you end up doing in October........b/c I am going to take them in June and i am using Kaplan. I heard 2 hours is really necessary. But, If you haven't started studying yet then 5 to 6 hours are minimum. I am pretty sure you probably know more of it anyway b/ you took it in October.

 

[gapeach427]

I admit I didn't study as much as I should have, and my score reflects that (from October)...composite 59. Now I realize I need to put more effort toward studying !

 

[binghamkid]

I admit I didn't study as much as I should have, and my score reflects that (from October)...composite 59. Now I realize I need to put more effort toward studying !

You should also focus on the way you study as well. If your score reflects a lack of knowledge of the material, then you need to study. But if your score reflects more a lack of knowledge about the test itself and its format, then you should prep for that.

 

[Bhavesh]

not sure...just taking it as it comes

I hear Kaplan is the best review material (and generally a little more difficult if not, on par with, the actual test) in addition to the cliffs practice tests.

what are people using to improve their verbal scores?

 

[Chokita]

what are people using to improve their verbal scores?

I bought Word Smart for the GRE The Princeton Review for 12$ in B&N back in January. (thank this forum for giving me this idea) There are about 1000 words there, 10-15% out of them I already had known before. The hard part is to commit yourself to daily memorization and practice. 😡 I am definitely happy so far with my results on the practice tests. It really takes time, so I advice starting as early as possible. 😉

 

[Magikarp]

As for me, I'm trying to force myself to do nothing but Eat, sleep, work and study for 3 weeks, but it ain't going too well. On my days off from work, I planned to study for 15 hours but after around 5 hours, my mind is mush.

I also took the test in october without studying...yaa....retaking this june..
Anyways, I'm using Kaplan review book (2006), Cliff's 5 PCAT test, Barron's PCAT review, and also "Word Smart for the GRE" but I seriously doubt I can learn all the words in the time left.

I'm focusing on speed, espcially on math. When they called 5 minutes, I still had half the math problems to do. My plan is to take as many practice exams as I can under timed conditions and beable to just recognize the type of problem and know how to solve them.

 

[manutdmax]

am now studying from Kaplan book for the October exam..i am still in biology section..am taking each section by itself trying to concentrate on each topic alone...i will try to study hard and hopefully i can get a good score...but does it really depend on other students testing with you...and i heard people saying you need luck...can someone give me advise ..thanks

Mike

 

[xshooshix]

Kaplan class (starts on the 23rd), Kaplan books/flashcards/workbook, Barrons, MCAT Examkrackers for Biology, The Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry, my Father, Aunt, and Uncle (all doctors, who are trying to steer me away from this profession 😡) for Anatomy and Physiology/Microbiology since I have not taken it yet.

 

[Knickerbocker]

Kaplan class (starts on the 23rd), Kaplan books/flashcards/workbook, Barrons, MCAT Examkrackers for Biology, The Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry, my Father, Aunt, and Uncle (all doctors, who are trying to steer me away from this profession 😡) for Anatomy and Physiology/Microbiology since I have not taken it yet.

Why are they trying to steer you away? Is it because they don't feel that it is as prestigious as being an MD?

 

[xshooshix]

Why are they trying to steer you away? Is it because they don't feel that it is as prestigious as being an MD?

One, my Father's work hours have turned me off as far as persuing this profession. As far as my intermediate family is concerned, my Aunt is afraid that down the line, i'm going to end up like her husband; who regrets going into dentistry instead of medicine. Plus they always throw the salary card... 🙄

Point being, you have to really think about what you want to do, because 15 years down the line, you could possibly get sick/tired/bored of what you're doing because it gets monotonous and old. What I like about pharmacy is that you can branch out into other specialties, geriatric pharmacy for instance.