Qualifying Exams

The PCAT Basics

The PCAT (the Pharmacy College Admissions Test) is the entry-exam for pharmacy school. The intent of the PCAT is to ensure that individuals who enter pharmacy school are qualified, and thereby to ensure that excellence in pharmaceutical education is maintained.

The PCAT is a computerized exam that is administered by Harcourt Assessment.  three months out of the year: in July, September, and January, with multiple dates throughout the month (especially September) and registration dates two months before the actual exam. We recommend that applicants take the PCAT in either summer or fall so their scores can be sent to PharmCAS and their applications completed as quickly as possible. That way, you can submit your scores and your application by September and qualify for early submission. January tests for the following fall are not favored. If you think you will need to take it multiple times, take it earlier. However, taking the PCAT multiple times is not ideal and may work against you in applying for pharmacy school. Register early to make sure you get the exam date that you need.

Register to take the PCAT at the PCAT Website (http://www.pcatweb.info/) Each exam costs $150.00.  Inquire about test fee-reduction plans if you believe you are eligible. The score reports are sent out 6 weeks after taking the exam.

The PCAT Content

All the content areas (verbal ability, writing, biology, chemistry, reading comprehension and quantitative ability) should be given due consideration. None of the skills should be neglected.

The PCAT tests six content areas: Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Biology (general biology, microbiology, and human anatomy and physiology), Chemistry (both inorganic and organic chemistry), Quantitative Ability (basic math, algebra, probability and statistics, precalculus, and calculus).

The PCAT test is divided into seven sections:

1. Writing : first section, 30 minutes, 1 essay writing question.  This section gives you a prompt with a problem, and you must provide a solution to the problem through the essay. It tests: Problem solving skills, Skills dealing with conventions of language.

2. Verbal Ability: second section, 30 minutes, 48 multiple-choice question.  This section tests students for their vocabulary and usage of words in language. This is done through questions based on: Analogies, Sentence completion.

3. Biology: third section, 30 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions. This section tests material from: General biology, Microbiology, Anatomy and physiology.

4. Chemistry: fourth section, 30 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions.  This section tests material from: General chemistry, Organic chemistry. *A short break is administered after the chemistry section.*

5. Writing: fifth section, 30 minutes, 1 essay writing question.  The content of this section is similar to the writing section administered at the start.

6. Reading Comprehension: sixth section, 50 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions on 6 passages. This section tests the ability of students to understand scientific passages, answering questions based on the reading. It tests: Comprehension, Analysis, Evaluation of the given material.

7. Quantitative Ability: seventh section, 40 minutes, 48 multiple-choice questions.  The quantitative ability section is a section that is based on testing the students for their mathematical skills. It tests: Math, Algebra, Probability and statistics, Precalculus and Calculus. No calculators are permitted. 

Preparation

Preparation for the PCAT is extremely important and takes several months of dedicated work. For tips on preparing, view the bottom of this page

You might consider a PCAT-specific study guide (e.g. Dr. Collins PCAT Study Guide) to help guide your studying.

The MCAT Basics

The MCAT is the entry exam for Medical (and some Veterinary) schools and is known as one of the most difficult exams ever developed. It is primarily a critical thinking test, primarily because it requires you to think about and understand basic scientific principles and their applications instead of concentrating only on facts and information.

It is offered 22 times per year.  Take the test at least by the spring (April) before your senior year (a year and a half before you enter school). That way you can take the August if necessary. If you think you will need to take it multiple times, take it earlier. However, taking the MCAT multiple times is not ideal and may work against you in applying for medical school. DO NOT wait until August the year before you plan to attend and certainly don't wait until April the spring before classes start.

To register for it, fill out a registration packet, which can be obtained after February 1 from your college advisor or the MCAT Program Office at (319) 337-1357. Each exam costs $210.00.  Inquire about test fee-reduction plans if you believe you are eligible. Scores are reported 30 days after taking the test.

MCAT Content

Score information: Scores for the three multiple-choice sections range from 1 to 15. The numerical scores from each multiple-choice section are added together to give a composite score. The maximum composite score is 45. There is no penalty for incorrect multiple choice answers, thus even random guessing is preferable to leaving an answer choice blank (unlike many other standardized tests). Your scores are given in relation to that of other test-takers.

The MCAT test is divided into three sections:

1. Physical Sciences : first section, 70 minutes, 52 multiple-choice questions. Assesses problem-solving ability in general chemistry and physics through problem-solving skills (not rote memorization). It gives you 200- to 300-word passages, formatted like journal or textbook articles, experimental research, data analysis, or scientific-style editorials, followed by questions. It is designed to test your ability to understand scientific concepts in new situations.

2. Verbal Reasoning: second section, 60 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions. Evaluates the ability to understand, evaluate, and apply information and arguments presented in prose style.  Includes a strong emphasis on reading comprehension, evaluation, synthesis, and application.

3. Biological Sciences : fourth section, 70 minutes, 52 multiple-choice questions. It presents a number of 200- to 300-word passages, followed by a series of questions, plus a number of stand-alone questions. You will need to draw on your knowledge of basic biology and organic chemistry.
   

Preparation

Preparation for the MCAT is extremely important and takes several months of dedicated work. For tips on preparing, view the bottom of this page.

The DAT Basics

The DAT, the Dental Admissions Test, is the entry-exam for Dental school. It is a standardized exam testing your knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Reading, and Math, as well as a Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) section that tests your visual abilities to determine angles and shapes through logic and visual tests.

It is taken on the computer at testing centers throughout the country and thus can be taken almost any day of your choice. Check on the ADA’s DAT website (http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx) site to find your nearest testing location and dates that have availability for you to take the test. Take the test the summer before your senior year. That way, you can submit your scores and your application by September and qualify for early submission. If you feel you will need to take it multiple times, then take it earlier, because you have to wait 90 days between tests.  However, taking the DAT multiple times is not ideal and may work against you in applying for dental school. 

To register for the DAT, go to the ADA (http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx) website. Each exam costs $285.00. Inquire about test fee-reduction plans if you believe you are eligible. Unofficial score reports, generated at the test center, are provided for the examinee upon completion of the test. The official score report is sent to the dental schools about three to four weeks after the test.

DAT Content

These scores are standardized onto a scale of 1 to 30. Exam score is based on the number of questions answered correctly, so candidates are encouraged to guess on questions they do not know.  Each section is scored individually and then groups of sections are scored collectively. Your Academic Average (AA) will be the average of your three science sections and your math and reading sections. Your PAT is scored separately.

The DAT test is divided into four sections:

1.  Survey of Natural Sciences: first section, 90 minutes, 100 multiple-choice questions. Three subsections:

1. Biology – 40 questions: Cell and Molecular Biology, Life Diversities, Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Evolution, Ecology and Behavior.

2. General Chemistry – 30 questions: Gases, Liquids, Solids, General concepts, Acids, Bases, Solutions, Thermodynamics, Thermochemistry, Atomic and Molecular Structure, Nuclear Reactions and Laboratory Techniques.

3. Organic Chemistry – 30 questions: Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules and Organic Analysis, Stereochemistry, Nomenclature, Acid-Base Chemistry, Aromatics and Bonding, Individual Reactions of Major Functional Groups and Combination of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds.

2.  Perceptual Ability Test: second section, 60 minutes, 90 multiple-choice questions.

Evaluates the ability to understand spatial relationships in 6 subsections, including angle discrimination, form development cubes, orthographic projections, apertures, and paper folding.  It requires the students to possess skills like angle-discrimination, block counting, paper folding, form development, and object visualization. Such skills are considered necessary to judge how students can perceive minute differences.

*optional 15-minute break*

3.  Reading Comprehension Test: third section, 60 minutes, 50 multiple-choice questions.

Consists of passages on dental and other sciences designed to predict if students will be able to read and understand textual information as is required to be read by dental students. The students are required to understand the concepts and ideas presented in the passage and answer the questions. The questions can be answered without any prior knowledge of the subject matter.

4.  Quantitative Reasoning Test: fourth section, 45 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions. Two subsections:

1. Mathematics Problems –30 questions: Algebra, Numeric calculations, Conversions, Probability, Statistics, Geometry and Trigonometry.
2. Applied Mathematics (Word) Problems –10 word problems.

Preparation

Preparation for the DAT is extremely important and takes several months of dedicated work. For tips on preparing, view the bottom of this page.

The OAT Basics

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized exam required by all schools and colleges of optometry. It is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information.  

It is computerized, and while you are allowed to take the OAT an unlimited number of times, you must wait at least 90 days between testing dates.  Take the test the summer before your senior year. That way, you can submit your scores and your application by September and qualify for early submission. If you feel you may need to take the test multiple times, take the test earlier. However, taking the OAT multiple times is not ideal and may work against you in applying for optometry school. In addition, only scores from the four most recent attempts and the total number of attempts will be reported. 

Register to take the OAT on the ADA website: https://www.ada.org/oat/index.html. Each exam costs $189.00. Inquire about test fee-reduction plans if you believe you are eligible.  At the time of the test, you will be given your own score report. Official score reports will be sent within a three week time period to up to 5 optometry schools of your choice plus your pre-optometry advisor.

The OAT Content

For each section, the candidates' raw score (range from 200-400) is based on the number of correct answers only. All test items carry equal marks in OAT. That means that if a difficult question is taking time, then you should drop it there and move on to the next question.  There is no penalty for incorrectly answered questions, so guess. The score report will contain 8 different scores: quantitative reasoning; reading comprehension; biology; general chemistry; organic chemistry; physics; total science (the natural sciences and physics scores combined); and an academic average.

The OAT test is divided into four sections:

1.  Survey of Natural Sciences: first section, 90 minutes, 100 multiple-choice questions. Three subsections:

1. Biology – 40 questions: cell and molecular biology, life diversity, vertebrate anatomy and physiology, developmental biology, genetics, evolution, ecology and behavior.
2. General Chemistry – 30 questions: general chemistry concepts, solids, liquids, gases, acids, bases, solutions, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, oxidation reduction reactions, atomic and molecular structure, periodic properties, nuclear reactions and laboratory techniques.
3. Organic Chemistry – 30 questions: mechanism, chemical and physical properties of molecules and organic analysis, stereochemistry, nomenclature, individual reactions of the major functional groups of combination of reactions to synthesize compounds, acid-base chemistry, aromatics and bonding.

2.  Reading Comprehension Test: second section, 50 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions. Assesses ability to interpret, analyze and comprehend complex, new scientific information by requiring students to read and interpret short passages of a scientific nature, similar to those encountered in the first year of optometry course. However, no prior knowledge of these topics is required by students.

3.  Physics: third section, 50 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions. Assesses your understanding of basic physics, including units and vectors, linear kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, waves, energy and momentum, fluid statics, thermal energy, thermodynamics, electrostatics, magnetism, D.C. circuits, optics and modern physics.

4.  Quantitative Reasoning Test: fourth section, 45 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions. Tests your skills of reasoning and manipulating numbers and relation between numbers including mathematical problems and quantitative material in algebra, numerical calculations, probability, statistics, geometry, trigonometry, and mathematical word problems.

Preparation

Preparation for the OAT is extremely important and takes several months of dedicated work. For tips on preparing, view the bottom of this page.

The GRE Basics

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is required by most graduate schools, and can be taken throughout the year. The GRE is comprised of 3 sections and is a 2-1/2 hour computer-adaptive test (your performance on previous questions determines which questions come next).  Most schools require the General test, though some require a test over a specific subject (subject tests are paper-and-pencil and are only given three times per year), and require additional fees.

It is offered year-round at computer-based test centers. Take the test the summer before your senior year. That way, you can submit your scores and your application by September and qualify for early submission. If you feel you will need to take it multiple times, then take it earlier. You can only take the GRE once per calendar month. However, taking the GRE multiple times is not ideal and may work against you in applying for graduate school school.

Register to take the GRE online at www.ets.org/gre. Each exam costs $160.00. Inquire about test fee-reduction plans if you believe you are eligible. The official score report is sent approximately 2 weeks after taking the test.

The GRE Content

Scoring is based on how you perform on each section of the GRE:  Verbal Score (200 to 800 points); Math Score (200-800 points); Analytical Writing Assessment (0 to 6 points). When you take the test, guess at answers you do not know - there's no penalty for incorrect answers.

The GRE is divided into three sections:

1.  Analytical Writing: third section, 90 minutes, two questions.  This section will test your ability to construct and put down your thoughts in a logical and coherent manner. You have to construct your analysis for or against a given argument in the test. It measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically the test taker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively. There are two subsections:

1. One Issue task: 45 minutes – Debate a given argument

2. One Argument task: 30 minutes – Support an argument on a given issue

2.  Verbal Reasoning: first section, 30 minutes, 30 multiple-choice questions.  Measures reading comprehension skills and verbal and analogical reasoning skills, focusing on the test taker's ability to analyze and evaluate written material, and tests the application of English vocabulary.

3.  Quantitative Reasoning: second section, 45 minutes, 28 multiple-choice questions.  This section measures computation ability, problem solving and data interpretation and basic math. Speed is very important factor in this section. Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis

Preparation

Preparation for the GRE is extremely important and takes several months of dedicated work. For tips on preparing, view the bottom of this page.