PCAT Test

The Pharmacy College Admission Test, or PCAT, is the preferred admission test to Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) programs by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). It is generally required as adjunct to admission to colleges of pharmacy in the United States, plus some in Canada. The test measures general academic ability but it also has a heavy emphasis on specific scientific knowledge. Typically a potential candidate would take the PCAT toward the end of their second year of college because, although pharmacy program requirements vary by school, most require at least 2 years of undergraduate school followed by either 4 academic or 3 calendar years of pharmacy study.

While some people may be able to take the PCAT test and succeed with minimal preparation, most test takers will benefit from allocating time to study beforehand and reading through a PCAT Test Study Guide or practicing with a set of PCAT Exam Flashcards. Regardless of your studying techniques, be sure that you plan ahead and leave yourself enough time in advance of the test day to become adequately prepared. Last minute studying is likely to be rushed and does not maximize your chances of being successful.

The PCAT is administered as a paper test about 3 times a year at a variety of centers in the U. S. and Canada. The test is about 4 1/2 hours long with breaks on a Saturday morning; however, if there is a large group of applicants your test could be in the afternoon or on Sunday.

PCAT Practice Tests | PCAT Exam Study Guide | PCAT Test Flashcards | PCAT Prep

Candidates are notified online about acceptance, including printing out a Final Admissions Ticket to the test site 10 days prior to the test. You need to bring No. 2 pencils and two forms of ID to the PCAT, including one form of identification with a signature and picture on it. You may request a No Score option at that time, but you will not receive your scores if this option is selected. Scores and transcripts are sent by mail about 4 to 5 weeks after test completion. Official Transcripts contain all scores from the last 5 years.