PCAT stuff (obviously)

[sadface]

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Sooooooooo I took the PCAT during this semester without a lot of studying. I read through the chem, math, and verbal sections of the kaplan book, took a practice test, and that was about it. I got:

Verbal 73
biology 84
reading comprehension 81
quantitative ability 59 T_T
chemistry 53 T_T
writing 2.5/2.5
composite 74

I don't think the Kaplan book was very good for the chem/quant and that's all I used it for.

ANYWAY I'm trying to figure out how I can study to get a 90+ comp next time, and 3/3+ writing
A lot of people talk about dr collins? It's really expensive.. is it just an improved version of the kaplan book?
Found the 99%th thread which was helpful but I'm still unsure if people think collin's is the best time efficient way.. I have some textbooks but it seems really hard to pick what sections to study. It doesn't seem like anyone used things besides collin's/kaplan as main study tools :\

 

[Rouelle]

Don't be sad...a 74 composite is okay. I know a lot of pharmacy students (at several schools) who got in with lower scores.

 

[xtsukiyox]

A 74 composite with no score less than 50 is a good performance. I'm not sure why you're retaking, unless there's something pressing you're trying to make up for on your app.

 

[sadface]

I have very low volunteering and pharm experience and average grades too 🙁

 

[xtsukiyox]

I have very low volunteering and pharm experience and average grades too 🙁

So fix those things. Volunteering & pharmacy experience are things you have control over. Are you applying for this cycle?

 

[sadface]

No.. but my adviser told me they like to see a history of volunteering which I will not have by the 2012 application cycle (maybe will have 1 year of volunteering at one place by then, trying to get in at a food pantry). I figured having a better PCAT score might help strengthen my application on top of whatever volunteering I can manage after I finish undergrad? The test is expensive, but cheaper to retake it now than have to wait around another year if I don't get in :S

 

[JonPrePharmD]

No.. but my adviser told me they like to see a history of volunteering which I will not have by the 2012 application cycle (maybe will have 1 year of volunteering at one place by then, trying to get in at a food pantry). I figured having a better PCAT score might help strengthen my application on top of whatever volunteering I can manage after I finish undergrad? The test is expensive, but cheaper to retake it now than have to wait around another year if I don't get in :S

Try to volunteer at one place but make the reason count. Why did you choose to volunteer there? Why is it important to you?

Also if you cant work at a pharmacy, shadow a pharmacist or a doctor at a local hospital.

While 74 might not be competitive for the #1 school in the nation, it is for the top 25. There is a reason why top schools accept 65 or higher. You've met the mark. It's one expensive, in my opinion, ridiculous test. I've seen someone with a 4.0 graduate Summa Cum Laude with tons of volunteer experience get a 25 on that test.

 

[sadface]

Thanks for the feedback guys, maybe I'll try to talk to my adviser about how beneficial a retake would be. My two local schools are hard to get accepted to I think :S I knew i would get into my undergrad college so I'm not used to having average stats