When should I start studing for PCAT?

Started by inquirer89
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
I

inquirer89

Full Member
Verified Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
The answer is ASAP I know,

But realistically- I am currently a freshman and hope to get into Pharmacy School by my Junior Year (2 years Prerequisites). I'm thinking of buying a practice book and start looking at it, then start seriously studying about 3 months before my first test.

Does this sound good? How long before did you guys study?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
In the years you have leading up to the PCAT, just concentrate on doing really well in your prerequisites. A high GPA is a boost to anyone's application, plus if you learn all the prerequisite information in class, you won't have to spend all that much time on review.

A few people have posted about having difficulty with the verbal and/or reading sections. If you even get a feeling that this might be the case with you, that's one thing you can really start on now: read. Read a lot. It's much harder to cram 200+ vocab words from a list into your head than it is to learn them from context in a book, article or journal.

As for when it's closer to test time, only you will be able to decide if three months is enough, too little or too much. I personally studied for about four months because I hadn't taken a science or math class in years and felt rusty. Maybe if the information is fresher for you, you won't need quite so long.

Anyway, good luck on the path to pharmacy school!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
plus if you learn all the prerequisite information in class
Click to expand...

This is huge. Getting all A's doesn't mean you necessarily learned the material. Don't cram and dump, you need to actually learn the material. Do this and you won't even need to study for the PCAT.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
azPharmD2B said:
This is huge. Getting all A's doesn't mean you necessarily learned the material. Don't cram and dump, you need to actually learn the material. Do this and you won't even need to study for the PCAT.
Click to expand...

The most ridiculous and obvious thing I've ever heard.


I crammed like mad for the PCAT and really only studied for 2 weeks and still ended up with 93% comp. After the PCAT I dumped all useless information like the verbal stuff, the gizzard, crops and evolutionary biology crap from my head.

Please don't be oblivious, although everyone says that you should learn the material blah blah blah, it doesn't matter if you know the material and get C's either. I'd rather cram and get an A and get into pharmacy school than really know the material and get a C and be a bum. But to be fair, if you really know the material, you're not going to get a C, but then if everyone knew their stuff, then everyone would get an A. Me on the other hand, I know my stuff, but anything that's useless gets kicked out the old noggin.

PS: getting A's really do mean you know the material... it's impossible to get an A without actually knowing the stuff and if it wasn't, why bother testing in the first place?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ben1988 said:
The most ridiculous and obvious thing I've ever heard.


I crammed like mad for the PCAT and really only studied for 2 weeks and still ended up with 93% comp. After the PCAT I dumped all useless information like the verbal stuff, the gizzard, crops and evolutionary biology crap from my head.

Please don't be oblivious, although everyone says that you should learn the material blah blah blah, it doesn't matter if you know the material and get C's either. I'd rather cram and get an A and get into pharmacy school than really know the material and get a C and be a bum. But to be fair, if you really know the material, you're not going to get a C, but then if everyone knew their stuff, then everyone would get an A. Me on the other hand, I know my stuff, but anything that's useless gets kicked out the old noggin.

PS: getting A's really do mean you know the material... it's impossible to get an A without actually knowing the stuff and if it wasn't, why bother testing in the first place?
Click to expand...

lol, good luck with that. you try that in pharmacy school; you will flunk out your first quarter in pharmacy school. there is so much drugs out there; there is no way you can cram all the drugs into your head in 2 weeks.

i do, however, agree with the fact that you need to understand the materials even you get an A. I would suggest that, since you are still a freshmen, you should go through the prereqs first and some upper div (such as anatomy and physio) and take some practice pcat. you should take your pcat, if you decided to take it, before the start of your senior year (like june or august). that way, it will give you ample of time to retake the october one if you do mess it up.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
there's a difference between knowing the material to take an exam then forgetting it right after and actually learning the material and retaining the information.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
islander01 said:
lol, good luck with that. you try that in pharmacy school; you will flunk out your first quarter in pharmacy school. there is so much drugs out there; there is no way you can cram all the drugs into your head in 2 weeks.

i do, however, agree with the fact that you need to understand the materials even you get an A. I would suggest that, since you are still a freshmen, you should go through the prereqs first and some upper div (such as anatomy and physio) and take some practice pcat. you should take your pcat, if you decided to take it, before the start of your senior year (like june or august). that way, it will give you ample of time to retake the october one if you do mess it up.
Click to expand...

freshman? nice try.


Don't tell me what I would flunk or not.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ben1988 said:
freshman? nice try.


Don't tell me what I would flunk or not.
Click to expand...

lol, you should read the first post. i am not talking to you; i am talking to the person who initiated this post and probably care about other people's advice. since you already have taken the pcat, why am i giving you an advice? doesnt make any sense.

and to your 2nd post regarding to gpa. who freaking cares about GPAs? lol. it seems the couple of your previous posts are always talking about people being stupid for getting low GPAs. did you get into a pharmacy school with an extraordinary high GPA?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I believe the key thing you all need to remember is that people learn and retain information at different levels and efficiencies. I honestly didn't study much for the math and I got a 96. I had to really study biology and I only got a 71. Part of it is just talent. I wouldn't assume that people can simply do well on the PCAT with or without studying; retention from classes is one variable, and plain-old innate talent is another variable.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Honestly, it depends on your individual track record as far as standardized testing and even grades goes. I decided to take the PCAT about a month before the test date, checked out a Barron's book from the library, and studied it for about two weeks, looked over my chem textbook, and a bit of orgo. I got a 97 composite. But I also have a really strong background in language/verbal, so I didn't need to review anything for that.

So basically, if you've done well on these types of tests before, no need to study a ton. If you don't rock standardized tests, keep this in mind, and start preparing earlier.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Thanks you all for the additional input.

It turns out that I'll have to take the test sooner than I expected. UNC's (my first choice) application deadline for Fall 09 is due this November, meaning I'll have to take the PCAT at least once sometime before it.

I just bought the Barron's book today. I'm going to start looking at it now so I won't have to cram later.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
inquirer89 said:
Bleedsinblue and Medicalcpa, what material do you recommend?

I brought the Barrons to get a feel for the test, but I'm definitely open to anything that will get me a >90!
Click to expand...

I did not start studying specifically for the PCAT until September 2007. However, I took the MCAT in August, so the knowledge from the one test transferred to the other. As far as studying - and I may get flamed for this - I believe that you should study for the PCAT like you are going to take the MCAT. Use MCAT prep material; just skip the physics. For the math, break out your algebra textbook, and take one semester of calculus. What I do recommend is that you take a stopwatch or some type of timepiece with you to the test. I didn't and did relatively poorly on the Chemistry section because I was on question 29 (out of 48!) when we were told we had 5 minutes to go.

I have never posted my stats before, so here they are:
GPA: 4.0
PCAT
Verbal reasoning: 98
Biology: 94
Quantitative: 95
Reading comprehension: 99
Chemistry: 74
Composite: 98

Good luck on the exam, and try and enjoy college while you are in it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Honestly, I don't have any other suggestions, b/c I didn't do a lot to study. I have heard before though, like in the above post, that studying MCAT materials can be helpful. Also, the math concepts aren't that difficult, but speeding through them is! Practice doing the problems quickly, it'll help you a lot. I wish I had done that. Good luck!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ben1988 said:
That is exactly what people with low GPA's always quote.
Click to expand...

Honestly.. You disgust me! Why is that you think you are so much better than everyone else? Looking through your previous posts reveal you have a huge ego problem and I for one hope you NEVER get in pharmacy school because of it.

You can boost a low GPA but not a crappy personality. :boom:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I have not touch BIO for 9 years. Today is the first day looking at the PCAT material from ARCO review book. I did try to take the 1st practice test (bio) and score horrible 🙁

got ONLY 65% right....argghhhh !!!!!!!!!!
plan - june 23
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
dovebar said:
The june pcat's already freaking me out!! Has anyone started studying yet? Anyone planning on taking it in june?
Click to expand...

I know this is sort of off topic. but nice avatar! vallom kali logo? anyways i think the kaplan book is the best one out there. its got a pretty comprehensive bio section. as a matter of fact, all sections are pretty detailed and actually tougher than the actual pcat questions.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
RxChick said:
I know this is sort of off topic. but nice avatar! vallom kali logo? anyways i think the kaplan book is the best one out there. its got a pretty comprehensive bio section. as a matter of fact, all sections are pretty detailed and actually tougher than the actual pcat questions.
Click to expand...

I agree kaplan gives the best preparation, except for organic chem section, they just breezed thru orgo in the kaplan books, but u could always go back to lecture notes from organic class to review. How many of you guys actually get time NOW to study for PCAT? I have to confess that even though i TRY to study for pcat, i just cant find the time, because of tons of exams and papers that's due for me 🙁. I am sure the situation will remain the same for me until i am done with finals, in that case i will just hv abt a month to fully concentrate on PCAT..oh gosh i am even more scared :scared:

PS: @RxChick malayalee aano? hehe chumma chodhichathaatto...its completely awkward to write malayalam hre in sdn, so i'll stop :laugh:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
alphaRx said:
I agree kaplan gives the best preparation, except for organic chem section, they just breezed thru orgo in the kaplan books, but u could always go back to lecture notes from organic class to review. How many of you guys actually get time NOW to study for PCAT? I have to confess that even though i TRY to study for pcat, i just cant find the time, because of tons of exams and papers that's due for me 🙁. I am sure the situation will remain the same for me until i am done with finals, in that case i will just hv abt a month to fully concentrate on PCAT..oh gosh i am even more scared :scared:

PS: @RxChick malayalee aano? hehe chumma chodhichathaatto...its completely awkward to write malayalam hre in sdn, so i'll stop :laugh:
Click to expand...

hehe...njan malu aaa...k guys sorry for everyone that doesn't understand. 😀
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
inquirer89 said:
The answer is ASAP I know,

But realistically- I am currently a freshman and hope to get into Pharmacy School by my Junior Year (2 years Prerequisites). I'm thinking of buying a practice book and start looking at it, then start seriously studying about 3 months before my first test.

Does this sound good? How long before did you guys study?
Click to expand...

2-weeks (if you've taken the pre-reqs)


My brother studied for it for the oct one and during midterms, he ended up with 97. I'm dumb so I waited till jan. where it was during reading break and had no midterms. I ended up with 93. We both studied for only 2-weeks.


I just read through kaplan once, did the practice exam, did cliff's exam and that's it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
BADD281 said:
Honestly.. You disgust me! Why is that you think you are so much better than everyone else? Looking through your previous posts reveal you have a huge ego problem and I for one hope you NEVER get in pharmacy school because of it.

You can boost a low GPA but not a crappy personality. :boom:
Click to expand...

Not everyone, just those with low GPA's (~3.0).




As to what I think you hope of me, well, my 'giveafukk-o-meter' is barely registering.


PS: Boosting your GPA is much harder. Do you really think I'm this frank in real life? Jeez, it's the internet.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
islander01 said:
lol, you should read the first post. i am not talking to you; i am talking to the person who initiated this post and probably care about other people's advice. since you already have taken the pcat, why am i giving you an advice? doesnt make any sense.

and to your 2nd post regarding to gpa. who freaking cares about GPAs? lol. it seems the couple of your previous posts are always talking about people being stupid for getting low GPAs. did you get into a pharmacy school with an extraordinary high GPA?
Click to expand...

I never said I got an extraordinarily high GPA, only that people got low ones.


Besides, it's much easier to get into pharmacy in the US. :laugh:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
alphaRx said:
I agree kaplan gives the best preparation, except for organic chem section, they just breezed thru orgo in the kaplan books, but u could always go back to lecture notes from organic class to review. How many of you guys actually get time NOW to study for PCAT? I have to confess that even though i TRY to study for pcat, i just cant find the time, because of tons of exams and papers that's due for me 🙁. I am sure the situation will remain the same for me until i am done with finals, in that case i will just hv abt a month to fully concentrate on PCAT..oh gosh i am even more scared :scared:

PS: @RxChick malayalee aano? hehe chumma chodhichathaatto...its completely awkward to write malayalam hre in sdn, so i'll stop :laugh:
Click to expand...

njanum oru mallu future pharmacist aanu. yeah that was kind wierd. typing in malayalam. anyways good luck to all u mallus with pharmacy and of course also to non mallus.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ben1988 said:
Not everyone, just those with low GPA's (~3.0).




As to what I think you hope of me, well, my 'giveafukk-o-meter' is barely registering.


PS: Boosting your GPA is much harder. Do you really think I'm this frank in real life? Jeez, it's the internet.
Click to expand...

Ben1988, if you have nothing positive to say and insist on bashing everyone, then you have no place on this forum, as no one will listen to anything you say. It has been shown that even if proven wrong, you refuse to accept what is the facts and continue bashing everyone. I don't know if you had a bad day or were raised this way, but please, if you really have nothing positive to contribute, it is best to not say anything at all.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
My verbal section tip: Study latin word roots. That way, if you see a word and can ID the root you at least get an idea as to what a word may mean if you've never even seen it before. I thought it was very helpful, especially when it came to some of the analogies. 🙂
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
phuang06 said:
Ben1988, if you have nothing positive to say and insist on bashing everyone, then you have no place on this forum, as no one will listen to anything you say. It has been shown that even if proven wrong, you refuse to accept what is the facts and continue bashing everyone. I don't know if you had a bad day or were raised this way, but please, if you really have nothing positive to contribute, it is best to not say anything at all.
Click to expand...


Amen to that! He has to be the most immature person on this board...🙄 Good luck getting into a pharmacy school with that kind of attitude - even with the easy pharmacy schools in the US. (No really...I encourage you to apply even though I am sure your PS would be laughable at best)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
InternDoc said:
I have not touch BIO for 9 years. Today is the first day looking at the PCAT material from ARCO review book. I did try to take the 1st practice test (bio) and score horrible 🙁

got ONLY 65% right....argghhhh !!!!!!!!!!
plan - june 23
Click to expand...


woW, i think i'll get even worse grade
i have pcat in august and i haven't started studying for it yet...
i'm just freaked out or maybe im just too stressed out😱
the fact that i don't have enough time during school when i'm trying to maintain my gpa high; i forget the equal importance of pcat in my pharmschool application...🙄
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Hello! 2024 PCAT and applicant here
Replies
17
Views
5K
PharmtoCS
P
BC_89
  • Sticky
Retirement of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and PCAT forum
Replies
4
Views
8K
WildWing
WildWing
dorl618
  • Question Question
Should I retake PCAT?
Replies
9
Views
5K
zster90
Z
S
PCAT to PharmCAS
Replies
2
Views
3K
BC_89
BC_89
D
  • Question Question
Should I retake the PCAT?
Replies
31
Views
6K
mentos
mentos