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Pharmacy is an increasingly important field in medicine and clinical studies that plays a vital role in patient care. Preparing for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a crucial step for aspiring pharmacy students. The PCAT exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills in key areas such as biological processes, chemical processes, critical reading, quantitative reasoning, and writing. The following guide is designed to provide an overview of the PCAT, the exam structure, content, and preparation strategies.
Continue reading to learn more about the complete PCAT exam guide!
PCAT Exam Guide: Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
| PCAT full form | Pharmacy College Admission Test |
| Sections | 1. Writing 2. Biological Processes 3. Chemical Processes 4. Critical Reading 5. Quantitative Reasoning |
| Total Questions | 192 multiple-choice questions and 1 written essay |
| Eligibility | Completion of two years of college coursework |
| Required Documentation | Two valid forms of ID- one primary with photo and signature- one secondary with a name |
| Valid Primary IDs | Passport, Driver’s license, Military ID, Government-issued ID card, Alien registration card, Canadian Health Card |
| Secondary IDs | Credit/debit card, Library card, Student ID, Utility bill, or any government-issued ID without a visible signature |
| Registration Fee | USD 210 (Late registration fee: USD 49) |
| Scoring System | Scores range from 200 to 600 for each section 1 to 6 for the writing section |
| Validity of Scores | 3 to 5 years, depending on the university |
| Minimum Required Score | Average: 400-410 |
What Is The PCAT?
PCAT, or Pharmacy College Admission Test, is a standardised test for aspiring pharmacy students to test their knowledge about the field of pharmacy. It is often a necessary entry requirement for most pharmacy schools. It tests the candidates’ skills in the most highly required areas of science-oriented courses, especially pharmacy. Skills like critical thinking abilities, scientific knowledge, verbal and written communication skills, and quantitative reasoning are assessed.
PCAT Exam Guide: Structure Of The Exam
The PCAT exam is divided into 4 major sections and one written essay. The sections are as follows
- Biological processes: General biology, human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology
- Chemical processes: general chemistry, basic biochemistry, and organic chemistry
- Critical reading: analysis, comprehension, and reading evaluation
- Quantitative reasoning: basic math, algebra, calculus, pre-calculus, probability, and statistics
Each section includes 48 questions, bringing the total to 192 questions. Candidates must write an essay on a topic related to health, science, social, political, or cultural issues. The total duration of the exam is 220 minutes. You also get a 15-minute optional break. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the exam duration –
| Section | Duration |
| Writing | 30 minutes |
| Biological processes | 45 minutes |
| Chemical processes | 45 minutes |
| Optional break | 15 minutes |
| Critical reading | 50 minutes |
| Quantitative reasoning | 50 minutes |
The exam syllabus is divided into five separate modules –
- Anatomy and Physiology
- General Biology
- General and Organic Chemistry
- Basic Biochemistry Processes
- Basic Behavioral Sciences
PCAT Exam Eligibility
Fortunately, no specific qualifications are required for this exam. The only sole eligibility is the completion of two years of college coursework. Anyone who has completed this can take the exam. However, it is essential to note that each pharmacy college or university has a separate list of prerequisites that students must fulfil.
Necessary Documentation For PCAT Exam
For the PCAT exam, you need to bring two valid forms of identification. These must be original and unexpired. The primary ID must include your photograph and signature. Valid primary IDs include:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Military ID
- Government-issued identification card
- Alien registration card
- Canadian Health Card
The secondary ID must include your name. Valdi secondary IDs include:
- Credit/debit card
- Library card
- Student ID
- Utility bill
- Any government-issued ID without a visible signature, or with an embedded signature
PCAT Exam Registration Process
Registering for the PCAT exam is quite simple but essential. You must complete all the steps accurately and upload the correct information. Here’s a breakdown of the registration process for you to follow:
- Visit the Pearson Assessment website and create an account.
- You can visit PearsonVue and find the availability of slots at your desired location and date. Once you input the time, you can select the location and find the number of seats available.
- Log into PCAT to begin the registration process.
- Enter the required details. Ensure the details you enter match the ones on your primary ID.
- If you’ve shortlisted your desired schools, enter your preferences. Note that you cannot change this input after registration is complete.
- You can request test accommodation before completing the registration.
- Pay the required fee of USD 210 to complete the registration. The late registration fee is USD 49.
- Once you’ve received the confirmation of registration, schedule the test date and time through PearsonVue.
PCAT Scoring System
After the exam, you will receive your test results within 5 weeks. Each section is scored between 200 and 600. Besides this, a percentile rank denotes your rank relative to other fellow candidates. For instance, if you score a percentile rank of 85, it means you scored better than 85% of the total candidates.
Your final score is also scaled, that is, it is deduced by the number of correct questions and their difficulty. The scoring system for the written section is between 1 to 6. You can compare your score with the average of previous years’s writing scores, mentioned beside your score. The first four sections are graded electronically, whereas a trained scorer/examiner corrects the written section.
Your test results are valid for three to five years, depending on the university you’re applying to.
What Is The Minimum Required Score In PCAT?
When analysing the PCAT exam guide, one essential aspect is checking the score you need to be enrolled into your first-preference college. Although the minimum required score at every university will vary depending on its reputation, course, duration, and standard of education, we can find a standard score that you will need to qualify anywhere.
400 to 410 is the average score, or a percentile of 50%. A score of 411 to 430 is good enough to get you admission to a decent university. For most competitive institutes, you will need a score significantly more than the average.
Important Updates On PCAT Exam
According to a recent update, the PCAT exam will no longer be available after January 2024. The exam will not be offered during the 2024 – 25 admissions cycle and ahead. This is in an effort to
reduce the bias and encourage more applications to pharmacy schools.
PCAT Exam Guide Tips
Similar to any standardised exam, the PCAT requires extensive preparation and study to score well. Here are some of the best tips that will help you study well.
- Create a study schedule that allows you to prepare for each section effectively. At the end of it, you should have enough time to revise.
- Analyse the exam’s structure and format before starting the preparation. Ensure you know everything about the exam well in advance.
- Pay more attention to understanding the concepts rather than rote learning.
- Practise time management effectively. This way, you won’t have to rush through the questions in the actual exam.
- Research and explore online resources, practice papers, study guides, and books through which you can practise more.
- Seek guidance wherever you need. The best way to clear your doubts is to ask someone who knows.
- All the best!
FAQs
1. How hard is the PCAT?
Ans: PCAT is known to be a challenging exam because of its structure and curriculum. It tests the candidates’ knowledge, critical thinking, analytical skills, and scientific accumen. To score well in the exam, you must prepare rigorously.
2. Is 420 a good PCAT score?
Ans: 400 to 410 is the average PCAT score. Scoring 420 in this exam may get you a good university. However, in order to qualify for a competitive college, you must score higher.
3. What is the syllabus of the PCAT?
Ans: The PCAT exam is divided into 5 modules, such as Anatomy and Physiology, General Biology, General and Organic Chemistry, Basic Biochemistry Processes, and Basic Behavioral Sciences.
4. Is the PCAT all multiple-choice?
Ans: PCAT has 192 multiple-choice questions and one written essay. These 192 questions are divided into 4 sections of 48 questions each.
5. Is the PCAT test discontinued?
Ans: The PCAT test has been discontinued since January 2024 as a mandatory requirement to encourage more applicants to enrol to pharmacy colleges. For the 2025 admission cycle, students can submit the results as an optional requirement.
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