Winging the PCAT?

[OMP]

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Did anyone here just wing it/didn't prepare for the test at all? If so, what was your score?

 

[ally07]

yeah I did actually.....the first time I took it I didn't study, I just wanted to get a feel for the test and all that. My composite score was a 49. Obviously I retook it! Did much better 🙂 I would definitely recommend studying!

 

[chemnerd99]

OOOOooo. Me, Me. 93.

Disclaimer: However I have a PhD in chemistry and spent the last 5 yrs teaching chemistry and biology.

 

[Kansas Pharmer]

OOOOooo. Me, Me. 93.

Disclaimer: However I have a PhD in chemistry and spent the last 5 yrs teaching chemistry and biology.

Now, thats just cheating 😀

 

[chemnerd99]

Tell me about it. I got razzed cause I didn't get a 99. Darn quant kicked my butt - 48 there. They called time and I was on question 29.

 

[kcwang]

They gave me the 5 mins warning when I was on question 17 for Chemistry, I was like #$%^. I was solving questions like my life was on the line.

End up with a 62 on that section. =[

 

[JonPrePharmD]

I know people who did and they got below 40 composite the first time. I would definitely not recommend taking it without at least some studying, even if it's here and there for a few weeks, it's better than simply not studying.👍

 

[Aircraftnoise]

Yeah...dont just wing the PCAT. Unless you're like one of those posters above and you have a PhD. in chemistry. The first time I took the PCAT, I didnt study and I figured that I would wing it. What a mistake, I ended up with a 58 composite. This year, I studied my ass off and retook it for an 84 composite.

Dont gamble with your future.

 

[xtsukiyox]

The only reason I'd suggest winging it is if you had some serious, life-altering trauma that caused you to be unable to study, but you paid for the test & can't reschedule. Otherwise, even casually reading a prep book or some of your texts to brush up on what you might have forgotten would be helpful.

OOOOooo. Me, Me. 93.

Disclaimer: However I have a PhD in chemistry and spent the last 5 yrs teaching chemistry and biology.

😆

This is the best sort of trolling. 👍

 

[UMterps]

I originally signed up for a January PCAT and then a spot opened up in November. I decided to sign up to just get an idea of how it was administered and what the questions where. I did end up with a 94 composite, but only because i had 97-99 on the comprehension/vocab/math, and my chem score was in the 85th percentile. I bombed the bio part with a 42. I did call the schools I planned to apply to and each told me it was a great composite score, not to worry about the bio section, and recommended to not take the January PCAT as 1 took the most recent PCAT score and the other averaged PCAT scores. I'd only recommend winging it if you think you're competent in most of the subject matter.

 

[dhrunir]

I originally signed up for a January PCAT and then a spot opened up in November. I decided to sign up to just get an idea of how it was administered and what the questions where. I did end up with a 94 composite, but only because i had 97-99 on the comprehension/vocab/math, and my chem score was in the 85th percentile. I bombed the bio part with a 42. I did call the schools I planned to apply to and each told me it was a great composite score, not to worry about the bio section, and recommended to not take the January PCAT as 1 took the most recent PCAT score and the other averaged PCAT scores. I'd only recommend winging it if you think you're competent in most of the subject matter.

i m from asia , i m new in united states, i m having hard time in verbal and reading section can u please tell me how to prepare for this 2 section. i m good in bio, chem and maths. i m going to give pcat june 2012 so i have 6 month to prepare. i have special kaplan classes books to prepare but i don't understand where to start reading and verbal section. right now i m doing 5 new word everyday but not touched reading section.

 

[Rxbuddy]

i m from asia , i m new in united states, i m having hard time in verbal and reading section can u please tell me how to prepare for this 2 section. i m good in bio, chem and maths. i m going to give pcat june 2012 so i have 6 month to prepare. i have special kaplan classes books to prepare but i don't understand where to start reading and verbal section. right now i m doing 5 new word everyday but not touched reading section.

I believe they have different testing windows now, January, July and September. Try Dr.Collins materials. Kaplan didn't work for me at all. Also, try reading science articles and newspapers to improve on reading. If you don't know a word, look it up.

All the best and good luck! 👍

 

[Atank]

I plan to wing , I have three interviews at schools that don't require pcat's, so I don't see the point in trying to study for it. I could have an acceptance letter before I get my results

 

[armorking]

If you want to wing the PCAT, my best suggestion is to just take a few practice exams. Might as well get a feel for it especially if you do not have much time to study for it. I personally bought a Kaplan book, read through the entire thing as fast as I could, took a few practice tests, and took the PCAT. I scored an 89 when I was aiming for an 80. Trust me, I know plenty of people who did not even score a 70 on the PCAT and got into pharmacy school. Good luck to you all!

 

[Corpseman]

What is the point of winging the PCAT if you do not have a PhD in Chemistry or something like that?

 

[owlegrad]

What is the point of winging the PCAT if you do not have a PhD in Chemistry or something like that?

Many study guides cost more than the test. I winged it and did fine. Why waste money/time when you don't have to? That was my philosophy anyway. The PCAT is a far more trivial thing than many people seem to realize (IMO).

 

[Corpseman]

Many study guides cost more than the test. I winged it and did fine. Why waste money/time when you don't have to? That was my philosophy anyway. The PCAT is a far more trivial thing than many people seem to realize (IMO).

Fair enough, I just see it as a test that your career possibly balances on... especially if you have a low GPA or have not taken the required courses by the time you take the PCAT.

 

[owlegrad]

Fair enough, I just see it as a test that your career possibly balances on... especially if you have a low GPA or have not taken the required courses by the time you take the PCAT.

And I have no issue with people who prepare studiously for what they consider A Very Important Exam. 🙂

To each their own. For reference this is how premeds prepare for the MCAT: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=623898

No one should have to study that hard for anything, ever.

 

[armorking]

And I have no issue with people who prepare studiously for what they consider A Very Important Exam. 🙂

To each their own. For reference this is how premeds prepare for the MCAT: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=623898

No one should have to study that hard for anything, ever.

I concur. I'd rather put that much effort into what I'll really be using in the future. That study guide was insane.

 

[Rouelle]

Many study guides cost more than the test. I winged it and did fine. Why waste money/time when you don't have to? That was my philosophy anyway. The PCAT is a far more trivial thing than many people seem to realize (IMO).

I agree with the idea that one can succeed without study guides. It seems to be conventional wisdom on SDN that working through a formal study guide is the best way to prepare. This is probably true for some. But I know of a number of people who have done great by simply reviewing (over the course of several weeks) relevant topics from undergrad classes or by making their own study guides for specific sections of test. Although I did not do it, I also know of several people who winged it and did well also.

 

[owlegrad]

I concur. I'd rather put that much effort into what I'll really be using in the future. That study guide was insane.

Have you ever met premeds?

But seriously, it is completely normal for them to apply to 10-20 schools hoping to get into 1. The competition is crazy. Supposedly the MCAT is a real killer (I am skeptical, but my sources are good). Pharmacy school admission is nothing like what they go through (thank God).

 

[armorking]

Have you ever met premeds?

But seriously, it is completely normal for them to apply to 10-20 schools hoping to get into 1. The competition is crazy. Supposedly the MCAT is a real killer (I am skeptical, but my sources are good). Pharmacy school admission is nothing like what they go through (thank God).

Hahaha premeds were so unnecessarily stressed at TCU. TCU had a "pre-health" department when it was really "pre-med." What bothered me was that the department put such an emphasis on going the MD track that the other health professions were deemed unimportant or that you weren't up to being a MD so you went for the "easier" option which was all bull. In my opinion, you got to do something that makes you happy and that was pharmacy in my case!!! =)

 

[owlegrad]

Hahaha premeds were so unnecessarily stressed at TCU. TCU had a "pre-health" department when it was really "pre-med." What bothered me was that the department put such an emphasis on going the MD track that the other health professions were deemed unimportant or that you weren't up to being a MD so you went for the "easier" option which was all bull. In my opinion, you got to do something that makes you happy and that was pharmacy in my case!!! =)

I remember the first time I heard about how stressful the premed track is. Some time back I met a cool guy at a camp I volunteer at. He mentioned that he was applying to grad school (code for med school).

Me: Oh really? How many schools are you applying to?
Him: Not that many, only 8.
Me: 😱 (speechless)
Him: Yeah, I know I am risking it, hopefully I get lucky.

And he wasn't kidding. 8 is not considered a high number at all. Up until then I had only meet the uptight premeds who make me want to and I figured they were just exaggerating or being anal.

I agree about premeds thinking their major is the most important and and everything else you said.

Interestingly, med students seem much more tolerable to me than premeds used to. Not sure why.

 

[dhrunir]

I believe they have different testing windows now, January, July and September. Try Dr.Collins materials. Kaplan didn't work for me at all. Also, try reading science articles and newspapers to improve on reading. If you don't know a word, look it up.

All the best and good luck! 👍

i purchase dr.collins material from amazon it came in loose binding.

according amazon site it is 2011 edition but when i got dr.collins by mail and open it doesnot mention that it is 2011 edition so can anyone tell me how should i know that what i got from amazon is that truly dr. collins2011 eiditon or its a fake ?

 

[BSet]

I got a 67 and a 71 winging it. I got accepted into 3 of the 4 schools I applied, so I guess it isn't all that bad sometimes. I wouldn't advise it, though.

 

[rjosh33]

I got a 67 and a 71 winging it. I got accepted into 3 of the 4 schools I applied, so I guess it isn't all that bad sometimes. I wouldn't advise it, though.

Why would you retake it only to wing it again?

 

[gadlo]

The only reason I'd suggest winging it is if you had some serious, life-altering trauma that caused you to be unable to study, but you paid for the test & can't reschedule. Otherwise, even casually reading a prep book or some of your texts to brush up on what you might have forgotten would be helpful.




😆

This is the best sort of trolling. 👍

I was planning on studying for the PCAT, but I'd just never buckle down and study. I decided to sign up for a test and wing it because I wasn't studying. I'd either do well or not. If I did well, then great! If I did badly, then I'd have great motivation to study. I ended up getting a 94. Now for my disclaimer-I have a PhD in Pharmacology.

My background definitely kept all the concepts fresh in my head, but I did so well because I killed the reading and vocab sections. Ha! I went into science because I hated writing.

I wouldn't suggest winging it unless you think you could do decently on the first try.

 

[crackpcat]

I plan to wing , I have three interviews at schools that don't require pcat's, so I don't see the point in trying to study for it. I could have an acceptance letter before I get my results

Do you have to have a bachelors degree to apply those non-pcat schools?

 

[Nelcovp]

yeah I did actually.....the first time I took it I didn't study, I just wanted to get a feel for the test and all that. My composite score was a 49. Obviously I retook it! Did much better 🙂 I would definitely recommend studying!

I did the same thing. I took the test without studying to get a feel for it and to see exactly where I needed improving. I got 65 composite without studying last January. After studying, I retook it in July and got and 87.

Your GPA and PCAT scores are to two most heavily weighted criteria for admissions. These schoosl want to know that you ave the academic ability to pass. You could have 10,000 volunteer hours in a pharmacy, and that will not overcome a 25 composite. This info came right from an admissions coordinator.

Someone not wanted to study for the most important test of their life up to this point, is someone telling me they really need a different career path.

 

[Iconoclastic]

I took it today, 79 composite 'winging' it. My QA was abysmal because I ran out of time way early (guessed on almost half of the questions) and my Chemistry was way below par for the same reason. QA was 34, Chemistry was 62... everything else was decent (82, 94, 81).

I'm not sure what made me think not studying (or practicing, at least) was the way to go. It seems like I did better than most though, excluding the odd PhD here and there. I'm definitely brushing up on the math (and some older gen. chem) for July.

 

[NickW9682]

Tuesday was my first time taking it. I started studying last sunday and took it on tuesday. I'd say I maybe put in 12 hours of studying over those 2 days. Got a 74 composite.. 96 in bio, 89 in verbal, and low 70s or high 60s for the rest. However, I absolutely bombed the QA and got a 13. I think i actually finished maybe 17 problems? I havnt had calc or any real math class since 2001 so needless to say I will be focusing on that before I retake this summer. Overall the exam really wasnt as bad as I was expecting.

 

[rei1088]

i m from asia , i m new in united states, i m having hard time in verbal and reading section can u please tell me how to prepare for this 2 section. i m good in bio, chem and maths. i m going to give pcat june 2012 so i have 6 month to prepare. i have special kaplan classes books to prepare but i don't understand where to start reading and verbal section. right now i m doing 5 new word everyday but not touched reading section.

I was in the same boat as you! New to the US (migrated here 4.5 years ago); good in bio, chem and math; horrible in verbal! lol. I winged it hoping that I'm going to get high enough scores in other areas than verbal that it will negate whatever grade I get from verbal section. It did. I got a composite of 92 the first try. 😀 I had a 48ish on my verbal section. My advantage was that I just graduated when I took the PCATs. I graduated last May 2011 and took the PCATs in September 2011.

Regarding your question, I don't really know. I suppose you could buy review materials for the verbal and reading sections. I tried calling some reviewing companies like Kaplan and Princeton but they don't do just verbal and reading sections. They do it for MCATs but they don't recommend that review for pre-pharmacy students.

 

[anonmember]

I only studied for the 2 days before the test, and even that was mostly just a single practice test out of a fairly crappy McGraw-Hill book. I scored a 91 composite, but to be fair I also already have a bachelor's degree, and dual-majored in biochemistry and math, so I was fairly well-prepared anyway.

Interestingly, the section I suffered most on was chemistry (418/72, my worst subsection PR by 10 points). I attribute this mostly to the fact that I was quite weak on organic synthesis, having not really thought about it at all for 5 years before taking the test.

 

[Rxbuddy]

I only studied for the 2 days before the test, and even that was mostly just a single practice test out of a fairly crappy McGraw-Hill book. I scored a 91 composite, but to be fair I also already have a bachelor's degree, and dual-majored in biochemistry and math, so I was fairly well-prepared anyway.

Interestingly, the section I suffered most on was chemistry (418/72, my worst subsection PR by 10 points). I attribute this mostly to the fact that I was quite weak on organic synthesis, having not really thought about it at all for 5 years before taking the test.

You must be uber smart.