What to study for the exam

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onepointtech

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Basically I've got the PCAT coming up in October and the nervousness and anxiety are already starting to settle in. I found similar posts on what to study, but honestly, the posts I have read are different from the advice given to me from grad students that I have talked to and they are very broad. I work in a pharmacy and we have interns and grad students on their rotations(mainly from Midwestern, Duke, and Creighton), so I can say that I have received input from many people since we have two new students in there every two weeks.

Anyways, what I was told was that if your gpa is high, which I would consider to be over 3.8, there isn't really a need to study. Obviously you should look over some practice exams and maybe skim through a review book. I just want to know what everybody thinks if it is enough to just pick up a Kaplan review book and just study that? My science gpa is a 4.0 and my cumulative is a 3.94 so I'm not too worried and I feel like I know the material on the PCAT well enough already. This is my first post and a very helpful site and any input on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
The PCAT is going to just be a part of your application. Obviously the higher your score is the better off you are. Most of the material on the PCAT is from the general level courses and is concept based, other than the bio. Just get a prep book and take practice tests so you know what to expect. Go back to your gen chem, calc, bio courses and review the basic concepts.
 
the nervousness and anxiety are already starting to settle in.

That can be a good thing. You have several months to study....use it to motivate yourself. Kaplan should be good enough for you. Take as many practice tests as you can to see if you really know everything.
 
OP,
i would recommend you sign up for the june or august.It looks like you are more than ready. Skim the kaplan for 1 hour a day. Studying for the PCAT really starts in college (gen chem, o-chem, Bio I, Bio II, A&P, calc I, etc.) Youve done 90% of your studying already by just being in school, so just review a little and youll do fine.