PCAT Scoring and Registration
The PCAT occurs in February,
March, and October. Of the 79 pharmacy schools in the U.S., 42
schools currently require or recommend the PCAT for admission.
Test Sections
The exam lasts for
approximately three to four hours depending on the presence of an
experimental section. With 270 scored questions, the breakdown
follows:
As a thinking test, you must
apply basic science knowledge, math skills, and verbal knowledge.
Basic science courses needed for t he PCAT include one year of
college-level general chemistry, introductory organic chemistry, and
biology with an emphasis on human physiology. The math for the PCAT
requires a basic understanding of algebra and geometry (calculus and
trigonometry are NOT covered). The PCAT also tests reading
comprehension skills and word knowledge through its reading
comprehension and verbal ability (antonyms & analogies) sections,
respectively.
|
Section |
Time (min) |
Questions |
|
verbal |
30 |
50 |
|
biology |
30 |
50 |
|
reading comprehension |
45 |
45 |
|
quantitative ability |
45 |
65 |
|
chemistry |
30 |
60 |
|
experimental (not scored) |
varies |
varies |
-
The reading comprehension section contains 6 passages with 6-8
accompanying questions. Subject matter may cover any area in the
Natural Sciences, Sciences, and Humanities. This section
requires no outside knowledge.
-
The chemistry section tests mostly general chemistry; however,
it also tests some basic organic chemistry.
-
The biology section tests biology and human physiology, with a
greater emphasis on physiology.
-
The quantitative ability section is approximately 75% basic math
concepts and algebra and 15-20% geometry. Only 5-10% test
advanced math skills (logs, factorials, etc.).
-
All of the questions, in the one-best answer multiple-choice
format, have four answer choices (A - D).
-
All questions are worth one point, so you should not spend too
much time on any one question. With no penalty for guessing,
never leave any question blank.
Scoring
The PCAT is scored on a scale
from 100 to 300. The mean occurs around a score of 200 with a sta
ndard deviation around 30 points. You receive percentile scores
based on the strength of the applicant pool.
Registration
The Psychological
Corporation
Pharmacy College Admission
Test
P.O. Box 91581
Chicago, Illinois 60693
1-800-622-3231 Exam Cost: $35
(currently)
For more information on
careers in pharmacy, consult the following sources:
American Association of
Colleges of Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2841
Phone: (703) 739-2330
http://www.aacp.org
American Pharmaceutical
Association
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037-2985
Phone: (800) 237-2742
http://www.aphanet.org
American Society of
Health-System Pharmacists
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 657-3000
http://www.ashp.org |
