What is the PCAT?

[LAsFinest]

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Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post, so forgive me if I am asking something that has already been posted. I have a general idea what the PCAT is but I would like to know more. Does everyone have to take it? What subjects does it cover and up to what level of that subject (ex. chem 101). And when and where and how can I take it and how can I best prepare for it? I am planning on applying to Western pharmacy school this fall for the 2010 fall term, so anyone know anything about this university please share.

Thanks

Karo

 

[tommyVoltage]

I posted this in another posting:

"Your dreams of becoming a pharmacist rely heavily on your performance on the PCAT (with the exception of those applying to pharmacy schools in California). You have 4 hours to answer 240 multiple-choice questions and 2 writing topics. The multiple-choice questions are taken from the following courses: Biology (Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Biology, and Microbiology), Chemistry (General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry), English (Reading and Vocabulary) and Mathematics (Algebra, Calculus, and Statistics). I have researched what the topics are for the 2 writing topics, but haven't found an answer. If anyone has any information about this section please contact me.

I have asked several other students, who have received a 90+ composite score on the PCAT, what books they used in preparation for the PCAT. I have compiled the following list of books that were most used by those students: KAPLAN 2008-2009: Pharmacy College Admission Test (2010-2011 edition will be released on June 2nd), Cliff's Quick Review Biology, Cliff's Quick Review Chemistry, Baron's Essential Words for the GRE, and The Wall Street Journal (newspaper). Using your original textbooks, notes, and previous exams from the courses was also highly recommended as studying material."


For registration check on the PCAT website (http://pearsonassess.com/haiweb/Cul...nity/PostSecondary/Products/pcat/pcathome.htm), but I don't think Western requires the PCAT.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Have you read the stickies?

 

[trailrider400]

www.[B]pcat[/B]web.info/

 

[LAsFinest]

Thank you tommy voltage, greatly appreciated, although why don't students applying in California have to take it?

 

[Farmercyst]

Thank you tommy voltage, greatly appreciated, although why don't students applying in California have to take it?

Check the requirements for anyone of the 6+ schools of pharmacy in CA and you'll notice none require it. (At least at last check.) USC, UCs, Western, LLU, Touro are all PCAT free. I don't know about Cal Northstate or the school that's supposed to be opening up in Bakersfield in the near future. I'd guess they'll follow suit. You might read up on Western's requirements so you're at least versed in the school you're interested in. Otherwise you'll find a lot of people less inclined to answer questions that could easily be looked up. Not accusing, just a word of advice.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Check the requirements for anyone of the 6+ schools of pharmacy in CA and you'll notice none require it. (At least at last check.) USC, UCs, Western, LLU, Touro are all PCAT free. I don't know about Cal Northstate or the school that's supposed to be opening up in Bakersfield in the near future. I'd guess they'll follow suit. You might read up on Western's requirements so you're at least versed in the school you're interested in. Otherwise you'll find a lot of people less inclined to answer questions that could easily be looked up. Not accusing, just a word of advice.

The PCAT is not required at any California schools in lieu of every California school requiring a Bachelor's degree (or at ones that don't, they very strongly recommend a Bachelor's degree, as in 99-100% of their entering student body for a given year have a BA/BS already).

 

[LAsFinest]

The PCAT is not required at any California schools in lieu of every California school requiring a Bachelor's degree (or at ones that don't, they very strongly recommend a Bachelor's degree, as in 99-100% of their entering student body for a given year have a BA/BS already).

so basically if i dont have a bachelors i gotta take the pcat? and if i dont then i dont need to take it.... and thank you everyone for bothering to respond to something that i am sure has been asked many times in the past... thanks a lot.

 

[Farmercyst]

so basically if i dont have a bachelors i gotta take the pcat? and if i dont then i dont need to take it.... and thank you everyone for bothering to respond to something that i am sure has been asked many times in the past... thanks a lot.

Nope, you either have to have a BS/BA or be better than the other 98+% who get in that have to have one to get in. PCAT is optional regardless.

 

[LAsFinest]

Nope, you either have to have a BS/BA or be better than the other 98+% who get in that have to have one to get in. PCAT is optional regardless.

thank you Farmercyst, and from your experience, do you know what or how a person without a bachelors might be accepted? By that I mean when reviewing applications is there ONE main thing that would make the school say "oh ok lets give this guy a shot even though he has no bs/ba"

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Moved to PCAT forum because of topic.

 

[Farmercyst]

thank you Farmercyst, and from your experience, do you know what or how a person without a bachelors might be accepted? By that I mean when reviewing applications is there ONE main thing that would make the school say "oh ok lets give this guy a shot even though he has no bs/ba"

Not really, at USC the only non-BS/BA holding students are the ones that came in through the TAP program. Not sure what other SOPs do.

 

[trustedon]

The PCAT is an exam developed by PsychCorp, a brand of Pearson. The PCAT is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges. It measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. The PCAT is constructed specifically for colleges of pharmacy.
The PCAT consists of 240 multiple-choice items and two Writing topics. Candidates are given four hours to complete the test (plus administrative time for instructions and time for a short rest break about halfway through the test).