PCAT Exam & PCAT Certification Info
What is PCAT?
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a standardized exam that is recognized by leading pharmacy colleges in the United States as a measure of a student’s aptitude and potential for success in the rigorous pharmacy curriculum. The PCAT is administered by Pearson Education, Inc.
Where do you take the PCAT certification exam?
The PCAT certification exams are conducted at Pearson VUE test centers across the United States and in a few select locations abroad.
Step 1: Eligibility and Application
Before you can take the PCAT, you must first be eligible. To be eligible, you need to be planning on applying to a pharmacy college or school that requires the PCAT for admission. Once you have determined your eligibility, you can apply for the PCAT exam on the Pearson's official website. You will need to create a Pearson VUE web account for PCAT.
Step 2: Scheduling the Exam
After your application is accepted, you can schedule your PCAT exam. This can also be done through the Pearson VUE website. You will be able to choose the date and location that works best for you. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended to schedule your exam as early as possible.
Step 3: Taking the Exam
On the day of the exam, arrive at your chosen testing center at least 30 minutes early. You'll need to bring two forms of identification. The exam itself takes about four hours to complete and is divided into multiple sections, including writing, biological processes, chemical processes, critical reading, and quantitative reasoning.
Website
The PCAT exam is conducted by Pearson and they have a dedicated website for all the information related to the PCAT exam. The website link is https://www.pcatweb.info/
Location Information
To find the nearest Pearson VUE test center where you can take the PCAT exam, visit https://home.pearsonvue.com/pcat and click on the “Find a test center” link.
Pharmacy College Admission Test
PCAT Exams
The Pharmacy College Admission Test - Biology certification test is a standardized examination designed to assess the understanding and knowledge of biological concepts and principles. It evaluates the candidate's proficiency in general biology, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. The test is crucial for admission into pharmacy colleges, as it gauges readiness for the rigorous curriculum. It is typically a multiple-choice exam, with questions focusing on problem-solving and critical thinking in biology. Scoring well on this test is a key step towards a successful career in the pharmacy field.
Microbiology - 20%
Human Anatomy and Physiology - 30%
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) - Chemistry certification test is a standardized exam designed to evaluate the aptitude and knowledge of prospective pharmacy students in chemistry. It covers general and organic chemistry topics, including chemical processes, reactions, and principles. The test is crucial for admission into most pharmacy colleges in the United States. It assesses the candidates' understanding and ability to apply chemical concepts, thus ensuring they are equipped for the rigorous pharmacy course. The PCAT - Chemistry certification test is a critical step in the journey to becoming a professional pharmacist.
Organic Chemistry - 30%
Basic Biochemistry Processes - 20%
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) - Math certification test is a standardized examination that measures a student's mathematical abilities and knowledge relevant to pharmaceutical studies. It covers topics like algebra, precalculus, basic calculations, and statistics. The test is designed to evaluate the candidate's skills in problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking. The results are used by pharmacy colleges to assess a candidate's suitability for the challenging curriculum. This rigorous test is a crucial component in the pharmacy school admissions process.
Algebra - 20%
Probability & Statistics - 20%
Precalculus - 22%
Calculus - 22%
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) - Reading certification test is a standardized exam utilized by pharmacy schools to assess a candidate's aptitude and skills in general academic subjects. It includes a Reading Comprehension section that evaluates the ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate reading passages on scientific topics. It tests critical reading skills necessary for success in pharmacy school. The section consists of several passages with multiple-choice questions. The PCAT is administered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and is a significant criterion for pharmacy school admissions.
Analysis - 40%
Evaluation - 30%
The Pharmacy College Admission Test - Verbal (PCAT-Verbal) certification test is a standardized examination utilized by pharmacy colleges in assessing an applicant's capacity for advanced educational success. This essential section of the PCAT evaluates a student's ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate reading passages. The test, which is typically MCQ-based, measures verbal reasoning skills, vocabulary, and critical thinking ability. The PCAT-Verbal score plays a significant role in admissions decisions, reflecting a student's potential for success in pharmacy college. It is vital for prospective pharmacy students to prepare thoroughly for this examination.
Sentence Completion - 50%
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Combined certification test is a standardized examination that assesses a student's aptitude and skills in pharmacy education. It tests areas such as writing, biological processes, chemical processes, critical reading, and quantitative reasoning. This exam is used by pharmacy schools as a part of their admission process, with the scores being a significant determinant in the selection process. The test is designed to indicate a student's ability to succeed in a pharmacy program and their potential to excel in the pharmaceutical profession.
General Biology - 50%
Microbiology - 20%
Human Anatomy and Physiology - 30%
Chemistry
General Chemistry - 50%
Organic Chemistry - 30%
Basic Biochemistry Processes - 20%
Math
Basic Math - 15%
Algebra - 20%
Probability & Statistics - 20%
Precalculus - 22%
Calculus - 22%
Reading
Comprehension - 30%
Analysis - 40%
Evaluation - 30%
Verbal
Analogies - 50%
Sentence Completion - 50%