Pearson Practice Test Scores

[MSUPharmacy2012]

Hey all, I just took my first Pearson Practice Test. It said Test #1 on their website but on my score report, it says Test #3. Anyways, I wanted to share these, in the hopes that someone might be able to tell me how they translated to the PCAT for them, how you studied to improve, and how each section compared to the actual PCAT, in terms of relative difficulty??

Verbal - 70-90% (These are approximates.)
Chemistry - 78-98%
Biology - 70-90%

I will post my other scores shortly.

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[kies89]

How did you get a composite of 75-95? And how did you get it to only score your test for only 40 questions?

the composite i just got it from the diagnostic report after the test. graph tell me "you are here" around 75-95ish

Original scores were
Bio: 33/48
Chem: 33/48
RC: 27/48
QA: 41/48

but like i said, i skipped all experimental passage questions for bio, and chem, so the report tells me i got 33/40 (graded ones)

RC: 24/40
QA: 35/40.

These are because we cannot tell which ones are graded and which are not. so i just did all and the report once again gave me the scores for only graded ones.

 

[HarshR]

The second practice Test for math section seemed impossible to finish in 45 mins.... I guessed on about 7-8 questions but still made a 33/40.. surprisingly but what if i run out of time on real pcat what are some tips for math section?

Anyone else take second test for math? please share your opinions... Thanks

 

[kies89]

The second practice Test for math section seemed impossible to finish in 45 mins.... I guessed on about 7-8 questions but still made a 33/40.. surprisingly but what if i run out of time on real pcat what are some tips for math section?

Anyone else take second test for math? please share your opinions... Thanks

the second practice test means pearson test #3? or the first one (which is pearson test #2).
i just finished first two pearson test and math was okay. the second pearson test (that is marked as #3) was easier

 

[kies89]

Just finished the second pearson practice test.

Test 1
Verbal: 22/40 18-38ish%
bio: 33/40 80-99%
chem: 33/40 80-99%
reading: 24/40 18-38ish%
QA: 35/40 80-99%

composite about 75-95%

Test 2
Verbal: 22/40 20-40%
bio:28/40 50-70%
chem:35/40 80-99%
RC: 27/40 40-60%
QA 37/40 80-99%

Composite 80-99%
all the sections except reading i had plenty of time left.
For reading i finished about just in time (like 1-2 minutes to spare)

my composite percentile went up to 80-99% from 75-95ish.
i did worse on bio, but did better on chem RC and QA so i guess it raised the composite a little bit.

still concerned about low VC got same as the first practice test.

 

[bmclinn]

Just finished the "first" practice test. Been studying with dr collins and pcat destroyer, about 3hrs/day since mid may

Composite: 80-99%
Verbal: 60-80% 30/40
Biology: 80-99% 34/40
Chemistry: 80-99% 37/40
RC: 44-64% 29/40
QA: 66-86% 27/40

Thought QA was pretty difficult, ended up guessing on like 7-10. Think I can do better on RC I felt drained on it so didn't have great concentration.

 

[HarshR]

dont the tests go by difficulty? last one is hardest?

 

[bmclinn]

I've been going over my missed questions on QA and notice some of the correct responses pearson gives they use a calculator. For example the miles/gal problem on the first test. I got it wrong because I estimated and the difference b/t my answer and the correct one was like 0.3. What the hell, I thought we aren't allowed to use a calculator? I find it hard for someone to estimate to that accuracy

 

[vpanopoulos]

I thought the PCAT doesn't test geometry anymore, yet there were questions on the 1st Pearson test about volume and surface area. Am I wrong?

 

[Girlinthewindow]

My Pearson test scores went from:
(1st practice test)

To:
(2nd practice test)

Should I be concerned, or this type of variance typical with Pearson's exams?

 

[blueheron]

Just means I would expect closer to a low 80 than a 97.

 

[Cauris]

from my personal experience, the pearson portrays a pretty accurate score to your official PCAT score.

I got a 79 and i scored 80-99 on all 3 tests.
My biology, chemistry, and reading scores were spot on within the range of Pearson's
PCAT math score was lower than projected.


IF you can't score in 80-99 range on Pearson's biology and chemistry, don't expect a sexy pcat score.

 

[rshah816]

Could you guys interpret my score? I took the second Pearson exam (or #3.. whichever way you want to look at it). I know they give a rough estimate, but 80-99%ile is quite a big gap in my opinion and I was wondering how people who scored similarly did on the actual exam.

Verbal: 33/40
Biology: 35/40
Chem: 39/40
RC: 35/40
Quant: 39/40

It says 80-99%ile for all subjects except verbal, which is about 78-98.

 

[Cauris]

The 3rd exam is closer to the PCAT than the first 2.

Good score tho!

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Could you guys interpret my score? I took the second Pearson exam (or #3.. whichever way you want to look at it). I know they give a rough estimate, but 80-99%ile is quite a big gap in my opinion and I was wondering how people who scored similarly did on the actual exam.

Verbal: 33/40
Biology: 35/40
Chem: 39/40
RC: 35/40
Quant: 39/40

It says 80-99%ile for all subjects except verbal, which is about 78-98.

That looks like a 99%ile to me

 

[Minokim2512]

Dude, how come your RC is so high? I got 21, 27, 31 respectively

 

[rshah816]

Dude, how come your RC is so high? I got 21, 27, 31 respectively

I know this isn't helpful, but I think it's just because I have always been an avid reader. However, I do find that Dr. Collins' tip of moving the cursor or your pen over the words while you're reading them helps. It engages me more and I don't have to worry about losing my place in the passage. I just skim over the passage and then if a question specifically asks about a certain paragraph, then I will read it. Sometimes, I can get through a passage section without having to read it in its entirety and still do well on the questions. Other times, the questions are more conceptual and broad so I need to read the full passage, sometimes even twice. You are improving though! Maybe just practice reading some and use different techniques each time and find which one works best

 

[HarshR]

I know this isn't helpful, but I think it's just because I have always been an avid reader. However, I do find that Dr. Collins' tip of moving the cursor or your pen over the words while you're reading them helps. It engages me more and I don't have to worry about losing my place in the passage. I just skim over the passage and then if a question specifically asks about a certain paragraph, then I will read it. Sometimes, I can get through a passage section without having to read it in its entirety and still do well on the questions. Other times, the questions are more conceptual and broad so I need to read the full passage, sometimes even twice. You are improving though! Maybe just practice reading some and use different techniques each time and find which one works best

yeah I def. plus one with the pencil thing.. also try reading scientific news... with atleast 11th grade reading level if not higher..

 

[blueheron]

Unfortunately those ranges are big, so you never really know. I got 80-99 on all subtests on all 3 practices. Still pulled a 79 on bio (no AP) so 25-30% of that was best guess. Ended up with a 97 though. Some people do fall to the low end, but even an 80 is decent.

 

[kies89]

just took my last pearson test

Verbal: 25/40
Bio 35/40
Chem 34/40
RC 29/40
QA 36/40

Composite 80-99

did better on RC and verbal compared to last time
even tho i think my score isnt that bad, i am still worried because some of the questions i got correct, i wasnt 100% sure about them.
yeah i eliminated some answer choices down to 2 but you know this 50/50 chance can hurt me later too if i am unlucky
im just going to go over questions i got wrong and from this point relax and just read notes and stuffs.
hopefully i will do good on my pcat on 17th

goodluck everyone!

 

[bmclinn]

Just finished the "first" practice test. Been studying with dr collins and pcat destroyer, about 3hrs/day since mid may

Composite: 80-99%
Verbal: 60-80% 30/40
Biology: 80-99% 34/40
Chemistry: 80-99% 37/40
RC: 44-64% 29/40
QA: 66-86% 27/40

Thought QA was pretty difficult, ended up guessing on like 7-10. Think I can do better on RC I felt drained on it so didn't have great concentration.

Here are my scores for "second" practice test, compared to first.

Composite: 80-99%
Verbal: 67-87% 31/40
Biology: 80-99% 34/40
Chemistry: 80-99% 35/40
RC: 55-75% 29/40
QA: 75-95% 28/40

Somehow my QA went up, even though I ran out of time and literally left 7-10 blank. I guess I still need to get my timing down for the real test.

Anyone have any advice for improving RC a week before I take the exam? Maybe I'm just not recognizing key words or something.

 

[Cauris]

Here are my scores for "second" practice test, compared to first.

Composite: 80-99%
Verbal: 67-87% 31/40
Biology: 80-99% 34/40
Chemistry: 80-99% 35/40
RC: 55-75% 29/40
QA: 75-95% 28/40

Somehow my QA went up, even though I ran out of time and literally left 7-10 blank. I guess I still need to get my timing down for the real test.

Anyone have any advice for improving RC a week before I take the exam? Maybe I'm just not recognizing key words or something.

MCAT reading passages.

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Alright here are my 3 Pearson exams that I have taken under actual PCAT exam times over the past 1-2 weeks. What should I expect as an actual grade on the PCAT based on these results, and what can I do from now until July 17th? (I apologize for my overly detailed post)

Test 1:
Verbal - (33/40) - 73-93%ile
Bio - (33/40) - 78-98%ile
Chem - (31/40) - 77-97%
Reading - (26/40) - 27-47%ile
Quant - (31/40) - 80-99%ile

-------------------------------------
Test 2:
Verbal - (28/40) - 52-72%ile
Bio - (29/40) - 57-77%ile
Chem - (34/40) - 80-99%ile
Reading - (25/40) - 25-45%ile
Quant - (29/40) - 77-97%ile

-------------------------
Test 3:
Verbal - (29/40) - 57-77%ile
Bio - (35/40) - 80-99%ile
Chem - (32/40) - 80-99%ile
Reading - (22/40) - 18-38%ile
Quant - (32/40) - 80-99%ile

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Also a side question. I did the writing sample for Dr Collins and sent the essay by email and received an email back with it graded by a person from the Dr Collins team. I took it under the correct time, and used Notepad to type it so if I made any grammatical mistakes or spelling mistakes they would count toward the grade. The lady emailed me back and said that I would score from 3-4/6 on the actual thing if what I sent her was the actual PCAT.

Is that a good score for the PCAT? Would getting like a 1 or 2 ruin my chances of getting in somewhere or does no one look at the writing?

 

[bmclinn]

Also a side question. I did the writing sample for Dr Collins and sent the essay by email and received an email back with it graded by a person from the Dr Collins team. I took it under the correct time, and used Notepad to type it so if I made any grammatical mistakes or spelling mistakes they would count toward the grade. The lady emailed me back and said that I would score from 3-4/6 on the actual thing if what I sent her was the actual PCAT.

Is that a good score for the PCAT? Would getting like a 1 or 2 ruin my chances of getting in somewhere or does no one look at the writing?

I've heard that writing isn't a big deal. Even if you have a bad score on the essay if your verbal/RC aren't terribly low it wont matter much. Now if you're essay, verbal, and RC are all low that might be a cause for concern...

I'm also taking the PCAT in a week and I've been taking any of the collin's practice exams I haven't touched yet. Mainly focusing on the stuff I know I'm good at so I can use those as a crutch for my lower sections.

 

[blueheron]

Alright here are my 3 Pearson exams that I have taken under actual PCAT exam times over the past 1-2 weeks. What should I expect as an actual grade on the PCAT based on these results, and what can I do from now until July 17th? (I apologize for my overly detailed post)
Test 1:
Verbal - (33/40) - 73-93%ile
Bio - (33/40) - 78-98%ile
Chem - (31/40) - 77-97%
Reading - (26/40) - 27-47%ile
Quant - (31/40) - 80-99%ile

-------------------------------------
Test 2:
Verbal - (28/40) - 52-72%ile
Bio - (29/40) - 57-77%ile
Chem - (34/40) - 80-99%ile
Reading - (25/40) - 25-45%ile
Quant - (29/40) - 77-97%ile

-------------------------
Test 3:
Verbal - (29/40) - 57-77%ile
Bio - (35/40) - 80-99%ile
Chem - (32/40) - 80-99%ile
Reading - (22/40) - 18-38%ile
Quant - (32/40) - 80-99%ile

Low 80 I would say, since one or two sections usually have a less than 70.

 

[Girlinthewindow]

Low 80 I would say, since one or two sections usually have a less than 70.

Is each section weight the same, or do they count a 99%ile in chem higher than a 99%ile in verbal?

 

[rshah816]

I just took the last pearson practice test (#4). This was so much harder for me, especially for biology and math. I overall got 7 more core questions wrong than usual. Here are my results:
Verbal: 32/40
Bio: 37/40
Chem: 37/40
RC: 32/40
QA: 35/40
I'm in 80-99%ile for all except Verbal which is about 75-90%ile.

What do you make of these results? How can I improve in the next few days before my exam? I am taking it on July 17th. I'm thinking of reviewing some math techniques like derivative and integration rules and maybe biology, but I'm not sure how easily I can brush up on bio in a few days. Thanks!

 

[Girlinthewindow]

I just took the last pearson practice test (#4). This was so much harder for me, especially for biology and math. I overall got 7 more core questions wrong than usual. Here are my results:
Verbal: 32/40
Bio: 37/40
Chem: 37/40
RC: 32/40
QA: 35/40
I'm in 80-99%ile for all except Verbal which is about 75-90%ile.

What do you make of these results? How can I improve in the next few days before my exam? I am taking it on July 17th. I'm thinking of reviewing some math techniques like derivative and integration rules and maybe biology, but I'm not sure how easily I can brush up on bio in a few days. Thanks!

How did you find a hard time with the bio and reading but managed to score 37/40 and 35/40 respectively? What are you consistently scoring 40s?

 

[rshah816]

How did you find a hard time with the bio and reading but managed to score 37/40 and 35/40 respectively? What are you consistently scoring 40s?

It was just more challenging in the content. It took me significantly more time than usual and I had to spend more time trying to narrow down answer choices and then making an educated guess instead of knowing exactly what the answer was.

 

[TJPAL]

Where is Pearson test 4??

 

[TimmyRoberts]

Pearson Test 2
Composite: 60-80, Verbal 65-85, Bio 75-95, Chem 30-50, Reading 55-75, Quantitative 60-80
Pearson Test 3
Composite: 60-80, Verbal 25-45, Bio 65-85, Chem 60-80, Reading 75-95, Quantitative 65-85
Pearson Test 4
Composite: 60-80, Verbal 50-70, Bio 50-70, Chem 50-70, Reading 50-70, Quantitative 75-95

I'm just curious what you guys think I will score on the real thing next week? I'm a little nervous at how much some of sub-set scores fluctuate as well.
Finally, any suggestions on what to focus on for the next 5 days?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rshah816]

Where is Pearson test 4??

Pearson only has three exams but they're numbered 2, 3, and 4 because I think I read on here that they made the first one into a study guide.

 

[Minokim2512]

I agree, the first 2 tests have questions that seem like they're extracted from a textbook, just straight up facts. Test 4 truly tests the scope and depth of your basic understanding hence it is more challenging. It asks for mechanisms of drugs, some chem rxn; the maths portion is definitely lengthier. I think you should be ready for the real thing if your test 4 practice score is above >75%

 

[Mimrose]

I think for the Verbal ability section, most practice books have lots of GRE vocab. But after taking the Pearson practice test, it seemed like there was more focus on if you could find the relationship between the words correctly vs. knowing definitions of difficult words.
I've always just had problems with verbal ability since you have to be pretty creative when looking for the 'link' in the analogies...unfortunately I tend to freak out if I don't spot it quickly. xD

 

[Girlinthewindow]

My exam is tomorrow. I have been nervous and stressed out all day. Upset stomach and all

 

[CPham]

My exam is tomorrow. I have been nervous and stressed out all day. Upset stomach and all

I'm freaking out, LOL! Gotta stay calm... gotta stay calm...

 

[ramizlol]

I'm freaking out, LOL! Gotta stay calm... gotta stay calm...

Gotta stay calm, don't panic. Test is tomorrow... zombie apoc would be great.

 

[africanpharmd14]

Just took the verbal section for Test #1
Verbal Ability Details -
Sentence Completion 12/15 (80%)
Analogies 19/25 (76%)

Verbal Ability 31/40 (78%)

It gave you 25 minutes; but I finished it in 11 mins
So with a little more practice from the other two tests , and from cliffnotes i should be able to up my score