PCAT Test Preparation

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is the Key to Admission

Jun 27, 2009

Getting into pharmacy school requires genuine interest in the career. A high PCAT score shows admissions committees a willingness to learn and work hard.

The PCAT is a standardized test used by most pharmacy schools in making admissions decisions. It is designed to test applicants' ability to excel in courses commonly required in pharmacy school. A high score shows a deep commitment to the field, and validates the rest of the application. Keep in mind that a high score won't save an application if the admissions committee does not believe that the applicant has a genuine interest in a pharmacy career, or does a poor in the rest of the application.

PCAT Preparation Books and Courses

Just like with the SAT exams taken in high school, there is a huge industry in test preparation. Students can choose from a myriad of PCAT specific test preparation books and courses. Well known test companies such as Kaplan have a book and course to sell to any motivated student.

Before doing any preparation for the exam, students should have recently completed all prerequisite courses required to get into pharmacy school. It is difficult and time consuming to prepare for the PCAT without recent mastery of the subjects being tested on the exam.

PCAT Study Timeline

The test is offered four times a year in June, August, October, and January. After the junior year of college, most students take the June or August test administration, which both allow for the October testing date if initial test results are not satisfactory. Many schools will not accept results from the January test date because it is too late into the pharmacy school admissions process. This means all prerequisite courses need to be completed by the end of the junior year.

If the student plans on applying to pharmacy schools with rolling admissions, there is a significant advantage in scoring well in the June test administration so that the student's admissions file is complete. On the other hand, if most of the schools one is applying to are not on rolling admissions, then the August test would be fine, leaving the October test date if a retake is necessary.

Depending on how long ago the pharmacy prerequisite courses were completed, studying for the PCAT may take only two weeks, or it may take much longer due to reviewing forgotten material. Study for the June test may conflict with spring term coursework. August is ideal for many, since the studying is done during the summer and often does not conflict with coursework.

PCAT Practice Tests

Pearson, the maker of the PCAT, sells two online PCAT practice exams that were used in previous test administrations. Unlike practice tests given by test preparation companies, the exams from Pearson are calibrated closely to account for minor differences between test administrations. Unfortunately, many students need more than just two practice tests.

The most valuable skill gained in practice tests is the ability to work under time pressure. Therefore, it is not necessary for the PCAT practice material to be calibrated exactly in difficulty to the real exam. Most students find it helpful to get additional practice exams from other vendors such as Cliff Notes, Barron's, and Kaplan.

Most students finish all remaining pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses in the junior year. After the junior year, pre-pharmacy students study for a few weeks before either the June or August test date. If a retake is necessary, the October date is available. Assuming scores are high, the student stands a good chance at gaining admission to a pharmacy school.

Peck, Anna. The Student Doctor Network Pharmacy School Admissions Guide. MedRounds Publications Inc. (2008).

The copyright of the article PCAT Test Preparation in College Degrees/Programs is owned by John Wu. Permission to republish PCAT Test Preparation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.