Studying with Pcat Kaplan Book

[yiwen615]

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Did anybody study from the previous kaplan books as well as the newest edition? And would it help?

In addition, if you used the kaplan pcat book, did you look over it many times before taking the actual pcat? THanks.

 

[manutdmax]

Did anybody study from the previous kaplan books as well as the newest edition? And would it help?

In addition, if you used the kaplan pcat book, did you look over it many times before taking the actual pcat? THanks.

am now studyiing from kaplan 2007 book..biology section ,,taling each section alone, i think its awsome book..but we have to hear from people who took the real exam

 

[charon]

I used the Kaplan 2007 PCAT book (not the course books, the one you can buy at Borders) and I took the test in June. I think the Bio section was pretty good and covered most of the material on the test, minus Microbio. There were like 5-7 microbio q's on the test and kaplan did not prepare me at all for them.

Basic chem was covered pretty well in the kaplan book (most q's were actually harder in kaplan) but completely lacked organic review (which comprises 40% of the pcat). So def do something else to prepare you for orgo.

For math, kaplan covered geometry, which you should really just skim through. The rest is good although you should brush up on integration/diff polynomials, e^x, ln(), log(), and trig functs. Also know the LOG properties.

The reading comp was actually harder in Kaplan, (I finished way early on the actual test) and the vocab was about equal.

 

[RNtoPharmD]

For math, kaplan covered geometry, which you should really just skim through.

The Quantitative Ability subtest will no longer include geometry items but will now include basic math items, and the number of probability and statistics items will be increased.

 

[pharmacyanalyst]

Anybody have suugestions for Organic prep? Other than getting out the old Org text book... 😱

 

[Louisiana Girl]

Is there anyone who studied from the Kaplan book that felt confident with the June PCAT? If not is there anyone who used another source and felt confident? If so could you please say which one?

 

[Knickerbocker]

Is there anyone who studied from the Kaplan book that felt confident with the June PCAT? If not is there anyone who used another source and felt confident? If so could you please say which one?

The Kaplan book was fine for me, except for a couple areas - organic and math.

I knew the organic in the book was very incomplete, so I found several university websites that had interactive tutorials. These were better than textbooks because they cut straight to the point and were quick to learn.

There are some Calculus concepts that were missing from the Kaplan book. I didn't know ahead of time, unfortunately, but it wasn't that bad. Anyone who has had Calculus in recent years should be fine.

 

[CaliRx]

The Kaplan has about 7 passages for the Reading Comp. Is this true for the actual pcat?

Also, If I am familiar with most words on the Vocab section of the Kaplan practice test, would I be fine on the actual test or should I still memorize random words?

 

[Kingstun]

I used the latest version of the kaplan pcat study guide, for the june pcat. I thought the materials were very clear and the intext review was good. I studied it for a good 3 months, and i feel very confident in my test. the best part for me was that it up'd my test endurance. Although when i initially came in I was so nervous i almost messed up my own signature. When it got to taking the test I felt very comfortable.

 

[cassiegal21]

i am in the Kaplan Course right Now so I have the coirse book an it has a section on O Chem we have not got there yet but just so you know the course just skims over everything So I hope when I take the Pcat in auagust I am not going to feel like i wasted a bunch of money. I have heard O chem for dummies is good beacuse it give you the basics.

 

[panzer]

Is there any good book for organic as I haven't taken organic [take it in coming fall]. I did Calc 1 with emphasis on differenciation and some integration? We don't get stuff from Cal 2 [integration class] do we? I also have the Flash Cards [don't remember the exact title] and the verbal abiloity words there were kind of hard. Are there any special techniques that you guys used because frankly I want to worry less about this part when I have sciences to worry about.

Thanks

 

[AMO69657]

yeah anyone know any good books for orgo prep?

 

[azPharmD2B]

The Kaplan has about 7 passages for the Reading Comp. Is this true for the actual pcat?

Also, If I am familiar with most words on the Vocab section of the Kaplan practice test, would I be fine on the actual test or should I still memorize random words?

I don't remember how many passages it was, but there's 48 questions, and I thought each passage had around 7-10 questions.

For Verbal, check this list out. If you can safely say you know most of these words you should be golden for both the verbal and reading sections. Its long so it'll take a moment to load.

http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat/chapter7section6.rhtml

 

[panzer]

yeah anyone know any good books for orgo prep?

Looks like everyone is MIA now.. 😡

Thanks Pharm2b! Thought the words are SAT, I presume they must come into PCAT as well. I remember some words from this list that I saw in my PCAT flashcard book.

 

[Knickerbocker]

yeah anyone know any good books for orgo prep?

*cringes at someone using the word 'orgo,' which makes no sense as an abbreviation of 'organic chemistry.'*

If you've already taken two semesters of organic chemistry, I think that you could probably find enough free tutorials (some interactive) on various university websites.

 

[panzer]

But what about people who haven't taken "orgo" genius? 😀
Maybe you like Orga or Orgie as better?

Someone posted an orgo book but I was unable to find it either in the library or even for buying [publisher isn't publising anymore?].

 

[Brandie28]

what flashcards did you guys buy? Do they help? Are they better than making your own?

 

[AMO69657]

*cringes at someone using the word 'orgo,' which makes no sense as an abbreviation of 'organic chemistry.'*

If you've already taken two semesters of organic chemistry, I think that you could probably find enough free tutorials (some interactive) on various university websites.

Sorry, its not an abbreviation, it's just what some people at my school call it, I got used to it 😕. lol

Yes, what about people who have not taken the course? 🙂 There was a thread called "orgo preparation" with books listed, but I think it got deleted.

 

[azPharmD2B]

If you're extremely confident in your general chem knowledge, you might be able to do decent on the PCAT without having taken o-chem yet by just studying on your own. I would strongly advise against it though. The amount of material you need to cover along with its conceptual difficulty makes learning a full semester of o-chem on your own quite a feat. If anything, I'd recommend not taking the PCAT until you're done with both semesters. The last thing you want is to go into an interview and have to explain why you did so well on the PCAT except the chemistry section, which a lot of schools consider the most important.

To study on your own I'd recommend getting whatever o-chem textbook your school uses to teach o-chem and see if you can track down a syllabus and other material from the instructors. Attempt the problems they recommend. If there's a particular concept you're having difficulty grasping, search the internet for the various interactive tutorials. My school used O-chem by Wade, and the solutions manual was awesome.

 

[Knickerbocker]

But what about people who haven't taken "orgo" genius? 😀
Maybe you like Orga or Orgie as better?

Someone posted an orgo book but I was unable to find it either in the library or even for buying [publisher isn't publising anymore?].

Unless you are seriously good at teaching yourself complicated things, I wouldn't bother. Just take the courses and then figure out what you need to do to study. It is my opinion that most people would be wasting money trying to teach themselves.

 

[panzer]

But isn't the "orga" stuff that appears on the test not too hard and more to with the structures of the carbon molecules? I believe this is where you would need to know the names of "R" groups that you don't care about in general chem.

 

[jessicaholland1]

what if you havent taken ochem II?
i just took the one in june, and there were questions I didnt know, but I wasnt sure if I just missed them in ochem I or if they were from ochem II

Do you guys remember about how many questions were stuff you learned in ochem II? Are there any key things I could try to teach myself from ochem II before the August test?

 

[Knickerbocker]

You need to know some basic reactions in addition to nomenclature.

I'm not 100% certain, but I think one semester would be enough to get everything.

 

[panzer]

You need to know some basic reactions in addition to nomenclature.

I'm not 100% certain, but I think one semester would be enough to get everything.

WHat functional groups and nomenclature? Is that in the beginning of the class? Do we do any calculations with organic?

 

[azPharmD2B]

You need to know all functional groups and be able to go between the various naming functions. Questions will be presented in one format and the answers will be in another. Naming in my book was presented regularly in each chapter. ie when we covered alcohols, we went over the naming conventions.

And stop calling it orga, you sound uneducated, call it organic chemistry or o-chem like the rest of world does.

 

[Nellynel1]

How far in advance did you start studying using the Kaplan book? Do you thing a month is a good time?

 

[binghamkid]

How far in advance did you start studying using the Kaplan book? Do you thing a month is a good time?

Each person is different. You will have to gauge how ready you are and how much preparation you need. Some individuals with a strong academic foundation will only need a month. Those who aren't as well prepared will need more time. Only you can gauge that.

 

[CaliRx]

I don't remember how many passages it was, but there's 48 questions, and I thought each passage had around 7-10 questions.

For Verbal, check this list out. If you can safely say you know most of these words you should be golden for both the verbal and reading sections. Its long so it'll take a moment to load.

http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat/chapter7section6.rhtml

Thank you for the link, azPharm!

 

[panzer]

And stop calling it orga, you sound uneducated, call it organic chemistry or o-chem like the rest of world does.

No I won't!! Orga it is..

 

[overhillpharmer]

Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents since it doesn't appear that anyone else has mentioned it. Has anyone here heard of ARCO test guides? They make hundreds of them. One of them is called ARCO Master the PCAT by Gourley. After buying a copy of Kaplan and starting to study it a little too close to test time I sunk into deep despair. I took a few of the Kaplan book's diagnostic tests and was nearly resigned to the fact that after I bombed the PCAT I would only be applying at non-PCAT schools. This Kaplan book scares me to death. Don't get me wrong, Kaplan would probably be great if I could manage my time and not be such a procrastinator. If you have several months to devote several hours a week to this book then you have my blessing. Try doing this and getting straight A's in the 9+ credits your takling while working fulltime. I stumbled upon an 8 year old edition of ARCO Mastering the PCAT in my school library. It is less than one half the size of the Kaplan book. It has sample test questions that would comprise taking about 2 1/2 actual PCAT tests. Instead of having a huge textbook section like Kaplan, ARCO asks you tons of questions in a timed format. The back of the book explains clearly why the right answers are right and why the wrong answers are wrong. This book really helped me get my timing down. Even though this book was 8 years old and had no calculus in it I felt it was very similar to the test I took last October. It gave me the confidence that I could take the PCAT. Long story short, I got a 95 %ile comp with a few less desirable subscores in the liberal arts area of the test and I feel I owe a lot of thanks to ARCO Mastering the PCAT.

 

[shecanfly]

^never heard of it but thanks for the recommendation. I'm currently compiling my pcat prep materials and will look for this in the library. 🙂

 

[panzer]

I think ARCO has discontinued its books now..

 

[overhillpharmer]

I think ARCO has discontinued its books now..

I just saw a 2006-07, 9th edition available at amazon.com. I think they might only update it every 2 years.

The review for the ARCO on the amazon site are not that good but there are only 3 reviews.

I may not be the best judge of study material, but I feel that this book really helped me when I didn't have the time to devote to Kaplan.

The edition I used was at least 8 years old.

Maybe I got lucky, I don't remember there being that much organic chemistry or calculus on my form of the PCAT test. You only get scored against the other people taking the same form of the test though.

 

[panzer]

I did see an ARCO PCAT book but I haven't seen ARCO organic books for example. After this dreadful summer term is over, hopefully I can concentrate on the PCAT for August. I am borrowing a 4th edition [we are going to use 6th] of organic book that I'll use in my fall organic class. I don't chemistry should have changed that much between additions lol.

 

[HeyyouETSU]

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[think]

hi
everyone who is using the kaplan..... for the chem isnt there alot of problems with crazy, time consuming calculations?? and is this how the chem qs are on the pcat ...plz let me know .( even though i took it in jan. i totally forgot everything 🙁 )