Score Good Enough?

[Rxbound]

Similar question about composite score on PCAT...
I got an 80 composite, but the Quantitative section was only 31. (I had not had Calculus at the time I took the test).
Would you take it again?

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[bananaface]

debateable. What does the rest of your application look like? That makes a big difference in whether your scores are adequate.

 

[blueclassring]

it you really, really want to get into pharm school and you think you can bump up that score by all means take the test again. if you have a great gpa, i wouldn't worry so much about it.

 

[Rxbound]

The GPA is not so hot...I finished my BA in 2002, so the best I can get GPA-wise with the remaining classes I have to take is a 3.25. I can't afford to retake any of the classes I took during my undergrad at this point in time. So, all of this to say that I am at the low end of the spectrum for GPA.

 

[FunnyPHARM]

A 3.25 is still not too bad depending on the school you wish to attend.
If you have some health-care experience I definitly wouldn't be too
worried. Just be prepared to explain the reason for the lower math score.

 

[bananaface]

3.25/80th percentile is still in the lower middle of the pack. I'd retake the PCAT.

 

[J ROD]

Similar question about composite score on PCAT...
I got an 80 composite, but the Quantitative section was only 31. (I had not had Calculus at the time I took the test).
Would you take it again?

How did you do in the other sections of the exam? I am in a similar boat. I had Calculus, but it was eight years ago and looks like another language to me. I was hoping to do well everywhere else and hopefully it would make up for it. Thanks,

 

[Rxbound]

I made a 70 in Chemistry, an 82 in Biology, and a 97 on the Verbal. I have talked to some schools and they have mixed opinions about what to do...hope that helps.

 

[dana92085]

I know that I have been working at all of the different parts of applying so hard so I am sure most people have. I know I'd hate to blow it by one little thing like the math section.

 

[crossjb]

Rxbound, 97 in Verbal??? That's off the hook! Read a lot?

If you take it again -- and prep for your weakest sections -- you will improve.

 

[KUMoose]

With a 70 in Chem, you'll want to take it again. I think you could explain away a low quantative score if you did say 90s in Chem. Get the Kaplan book from the Library and study Chemistry, Biology and Math, you should have enough time.

 

[PHARMD_Maybe?]

I made a 70 in Chemistry, an 82 in Biology, and a 97 on the Verbal. I have talked to some schools and they have mixed opinions about what to do...hope that helps.

How about your reading comp or is that included in your verbal score?

 

[Rxbound]

Rxbound, 97 in Verbal??? That's off the hook! Read a lot?

If you take it again -- and prep for your weakest sections -- you will improve.

Does it show? Yeah, I read a whole lot....nerdy, I know. But it paid off here...

 

[Rxbound]

How about your reading comp or is that included in your verbal score?

I got a 91 on the reading part (I think)...I don't know. It was either an 97 in reading or a 97 in verbal, with the other on being a 91. Either way, those were my strongest scores.

 

[DownonthePharm]

Reading is the secret weapon for verbal tests. Your other option is memorizing the dictionary, which is a lot more boring IMO.

 

[crossjb]

Reading is the secret weapon for verbal tests. Your other option is memorizing the dictionary, which is a lot more boring IMO.

It's true. I read voraciously, but only nonfiction -- news, sports, history, etc.

Problem is, most of the words you'll see in a section like verbal are contained in the classics or fiction. That, and I feel women are better than men at verbal/reading and men are better at math. It's a right brain, left brain thing. So if you're a dude and suck on verbal, cut yourself a little slack as long as your other scores are there.