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Studying for the pcats
Started by sghani
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First of all, if you have the Kaplan book, you should know it's PCAT, not pcats.
Secondly, the PCAT book and your pre-requisite coursework will be more than sufficient for you to destroy the PCAT with an excellent score. I did nothing more than read the Kaplan book and pay attention during class and I did very well on the PCAT - And I am NO science nerd and possess zero special scientific/mathematical aptitude.
Just practice w/ your book and trust it - Kaplan makes their money on these exams and they wouldn't be in the position they are unless they had the right information. Just don't cheat yourself on the practice exams.
I'm going to have to disagree with that. Kaplan doesn't do a very good job on the math section or the organic chemistry section. If you remember a lot of the material from your classes then you won't need to supplement but if you don't, you are going to have to find a better source. It just isn't good enough to do well on those parts unless you already know it.
Here is the official site. The candidate booklet on the left side of the page will give you all the info you need.
http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cul...nity/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm
Here is the official site. The candidate booklet on the left side of the page will give you all the info you need.
http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cul...nity/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm
I explained in my post that the Kaplan book in concert with pre-requisite coursework was the best study method.
I don't think any book could take someone with zero knowledge of Orgo and math to a competitive PCAT score, and it's a tacit assumption that anyone taking the PCAT has at the very least, a working knowledge of the material.
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Even if you had marginal knowledge, it isn't enough of a review. They spend one chapter on all of organic chemistry and twelve chapters on general chem. There isn't even enough there to jog your memory on certain concepts. For example, if I don't remember how to name an aldehyde, there is nothing in that book to guide me. If I don't remember the difference between alpha and beta decay, the book will steer me in the right direction. It is fine for general chemistry but it does a terrible job at organic. Math is the same way. They don't even discuss certain concepts at all. If I used Kaplan alone, my score would have been far worse than it turned out to be.
Moved to PCAT forum due to topic.
When I registered for the PCAT, I only put PharmCAS as a score recipient.
I know that PharmCAS will forward my score to pharmacy schools. But I just found out that some schools (such as USN, University of Missi) don't particpate PharmCAS.
How can I add more recipients? thanks for your help.
I know that PharmCAS will forward my score to pharmacy schools. But I just found out that some schools (such as USN, University of Missi) don't particpate PharmCAS.
How can I add more recipients? thanks for your help.
You are going to have to go to the PCAT website and order additional transcripts for each of the schools. Unfortunately, it is going to cost you $20 a school.
The main pcat registration website has the test sections, and how much each one is timed. If your fine by how your performing in the kaplan book, then try out the real practice exam, again on the registration website..
go home and dig up your old high school and college textbooks that you used for biology, chemistry and calculus.Those REALLY help. I'm studying for the PCATS using Dr. Collins and my OLD textbooks. they have the core concepts and makes life easier😎
Kaplan is basically enough for biology even for someone who does not have adequate knowledge in areas like anatomy/physiology or microbiology. Probably Kaplan's best section of the book.
You definitely need supplements for math and chemistry. Go back to your high school stuff, and go back to your orgo I stuff too.
To outline my studying: I basically peeled through the entire Kaplan book. Bio was obviously most intense with 2/3 of the book about bio stuff, but I try to mix things up by studying some bio and some of the other subjects to keep my brain fresh and maintain a relative degree of interest in the material. Found my old stuff from high school, looked through chemistry and math. Did the practice tests from Pearson, not very well and not in simulated conditions (which I strongly recommend you do them as close to test condition as possible) but still walked out of the real thing and got a pretty decent score. As long as you plan ahead, you'll be perfectly fine.
You definitely need supplements for math and chemistry. Go back to your high school stuff, and go back to your orgo I stuff too.
To outline my studying: I basically peeled through the entire Kaplan book. Bio was obviously most intense with 2/3 of the book about bio stuff, but I try to mix things up by studying some bio and some of the other subjects to keep my brain fresh and maintain a relative degree of interest in the material. Found my old stuff from high school, looked through chemistry and math. Did the practice tests from Pearson, not very well and not in simulated conditions (which I strongly recommend you do them as close to test condition as possible) but still walked out of the real thing and got a pretty decent score. As long as you plan ahead, you'll be perfectly fine.
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