So You Want To Be A Pharmacist... First Step- PASS THE PCAT

Now that you've graduated college, you've decidedprospective pharmacist's general, non-scientific word
to take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissionknowledge. It tests these things using analogies and
Test) and become a pharmacist. What do you needantonyms (opposites). Time for this section: 35
to do to prepare? Where do you take the PCAT?minutes to answer 58 questions.
Can the PCAT be taken online? All are questions thatQuantitative Ability - This is a fancy way of saying
need to be answered before taking the next step.the student will be tested on math, including:
And while you are waiting for your test date,fractions, percentages, decimals, algebra, pre-calculus,
remember...PRACTICE!geometry and probability and statistics. Time for this
But first, let's take a better look at what you'resection: 50 minutes to answer 58 questions.
getting yourself into.PCAT Biology - The student will be tested on general
What Is The PCAT?biology concepts including: general biology,
The PCAT, like the MCAT (Medical College Admissionmicrobiology and anatomy and physiology. Time for
Test), the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) andthis section: 35 minutes to answer 58 questions.
the DAT (Dental Admission Test), is a standardizedPCAT Chemistry - the PCAT organic chemistry
test that prospective pharmacists are required tosection tests the student on both general chemistry
take before entering pharmacy college. The PCAT isand organic chemistry. Time for this section: 35
given just three times a year at various collegesminutes to answer 58 questions.
across the United States. The test includes fiveReading Comprehension - Measures the student's
different categories including Verbal Ability,ability to interpret and understand relevant reading
Quantitative Ability, Biology, Chemistry and Readingpassages and scientific concepts. Time for this
Comprehension. Before going any further, let's take asection: 50 minutes to answer 45 questions.
look at the different types of PCAT questions youThere is also a short writing topic (the ever-popular
will likely be hit with during the test:essay question). The prospective pharmacist is given
Verbal Ability - This section measures the30 minutes to complete this section.