Taking the PCAT

The dreaded PCAT – it is not as bad as you think. The PCAT website, where you sign-up to take the test, has all the info you could imagine about the PCAT. Honestly, I did okay on the PCAT but not as well as I wanted to. Mainly due to the fact that I did not review for the test like I had planned. I bought the Kaplan PCAT Test Prep Book and had all of my old class notes and planned to do a little each day a month or so before the test. Needless to say, I did not stick to that. I did however take a few practice tests that the PCAT website offered. There are a multitude of resources out there to help get you as prepared as you want to be. Here are a few great ones:

• Kaplan’s PCAT Test Prep Book
• BenchPrep PCAT Review (there’s an app for that)
• Past classwork (if you kept that kind of stuff)
• Loads of other books (Kaplan is top-of-the-line though)
• Audio books
• Practice tests from PCAT website

I would recommend viewing all of the resources available on the PCAT website first. Buy the Kaplan book and actually use it (you can have the one pictured if you would like). Develop a plan to study and stick to it. Use whatever you can to get prepared. As far as taking the test:

• Make sure to get plenty of sleep
• Eat a full breakfast
• Arrive to your testing site early
• Make sure you have everything you need before leaving home (ID’s, paperwork, etc.)
• Pace yourself (do not spend too much time on one question)
• Remember you are not penalized for wrong answers (if you are running out of time…start clicking)

Do not stress over the test. You, most likely, will not do well if you do. I suggest taking it as soon as you can so that you can take it again if needed. Admissions are dependent on various factors such as, GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, letters of recommendations, research, publications, experience, character, etc., not just your PCAT score. PCSP does a great job of considering all the factors of what makes a great future pharmacist. I know you will do well on the PCAT, along with everything else, and look forward to meeting you all as P1s next year. Take care and good luck.

Stephen

P1 - Class of 2018