PCAT 2017: Chemical Processes Section

This is part 2 of our series breaking down the 2017 Pharmacy Admission Test.

Note: This is an updated version of a series we’ve done before on the blog

 

Before we dive in just a quick reminder that the registration and schedule deadline for the September 7th-8th PCAT 2017 test dates is July 10th! If you were planning on that testing window… get on it like yesterday! Also registration for the October and November test dates open on September 5th. More info on important dates here.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program!

 

The third section of the PCAT 2017 you’ll face is… Chemical Processes! 

It’s scheduled right before the official test break meaning you might be feeling a little drained by this point but with the right preparation you will be able to power through! FYI questions presented will be both freestanding and passage-based.

 

The Chemistry Processes section consists of 48 questions

and you will have 40 minutes.

 

Below are detailed outlines of each the objectives tested in the chemistry section:

General Chemistry, 50% of questions

PCAT Gen Chem

 

Organic Chemistry, 30% of questions

PCAT Org Chem

 

Basic Biochemistry Processes, 20% of questions

PCAT Biochem

 

Again, with the freestanding questions the knowledge tested may be more straightforward but the passage-based questions require reading comprehension before you even get the Critical Reading section of the PCAT 2017! With the passages you have to be able to (quickly) break down the information presented and be able to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate the text.

 

Here’s a sample of a freestanding question on Biochemistry Processes of Proteins:

Remember with PCAT Cracker you can take full practice test plus even focus on the sections and objectives you need to hone in on to ace the exam!

 

Happy Practicing! 🙂

PCAT Breakdown: Chemistry Section!

This is part 4 of a series breaking down the Pharmacy College Admission Test.

Go check out the rest of the series (with more to come) here on the blog to get the full lowdown!

 

On the menu today: Chemistry! This is the fourth section you’ll face come test day!

It’s scheduled right before the official test break meaning you might be feeling a little drained by this point but with the right preparation you will power through!

 

The Chemistry section consists of 48 questions

both freestanding and passage-based

and you will have 30 minutes.

 

Below are detailed outlines of each the objectives tested in the chemistry section:

General Chemistry, 50% of questions

PCAT Gen Chem

 

Organic Chemistry, 30% of questions

PCAT Org Chem

 

Basic Biochemistry Processes, 20% of questions

PCAT Biochem

 

As mentioned earlier there are two types of questions, freestanding and passage-based. The addition of the two short passages, each with 4 questions, to the PCAT came in 2014 and brings an added layer of complexity to the chemistry section.

With the freestanding questions the knowledge tested can be straightforward but the passage-based questions require reading comprehension before you even get the Reading Comprehension section of the PCAT! But then with the passages you have to be able to (quickly) break down the information presented and be able to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate the passage. The way to prepare for this is with practice. YES, basically like with all things PCAT Prep… PRACTICE is key!

 

Here’s a sample of a freestanding question:

PCAT Chem Sample

 

With PCAT Cracker you can practice practice practice and you can even take tests focusing in on objectives you need to hone in! So get to it…

Happy Practicing!