PCAT Study Tips!

Studying for the Pharmacy College Admission Test can be extra stress inducing, we get that. So when you’re feeling especially frazzled, just picture a T-Rex trying to make a bed. After thinking about a bunch of other funny things that guy would have trouble doing and scouring the pre-pharm forums and, here is a carefully selected best of the best compilation of PCAT study tips to help with the stress!

When-youre-upset-just-imagine-a-T-Rex-making-a-bed

 

Give Yourself 3 months of Preparation

This is a big test to say the very least with an immense mountain of material to get through. This isn’t a test you will be cramming for. Brightside is you’ve already been preparing with all the hard work you’ve sure to have done in your classes. So now is the time to prove it. Now all you have to do is prepare for an extremely long exam that tests on all your classes ever in a highly integrated and all encompassing manner. Yeah, not easy so give yourself like 3 months!

 

Set Aside Time Everyday To Study

The tried and true saying of “treat it like a class” is not to be taken lightly you need to be setting out time everyday to study. With your real life (school/work/etc.) it’s understandable if you can’t marathon big block time of like 8-10 hours of study time everyday but you should be doing something each day. You must make the most of your time and focus, sticking strictly to the 50/10 rule! That’s 50 minutes study time and 10 minute break time.

 

Take Several Online Practice Exams

Practice, practice, practice. The endurance and stamina needed just to get through test day is going to take some getting used to. Practice tests like with PCAT Cracker are not only helpful with in content tested but also in getting used to computer testing and exposing you to the time needed for your brain to last through the whole exam. Just a reminder here’s what PCAT day looks like:

PCAT Blueprint

 

Make Your Own Study Guide

Through your college life thus far you know how you best work and study so why not create your own study guide. You do you. Stick to what works just do it on a grander PCAT sized scale. Whether it’s outlining your notes or whatever specific thing you may do it’ll be better take the opportunity to personalize it for you versus sticking to someone rando off the internet’s guide/schedule. So sit down, layout a plan and stick to it. When creating a study schedule make sure to have a review day perhaps once a week or plan a practice test after working on a particular section (with PCAT Cracker you can take practice section tests individually).

 

Try Studying in the Library

Gasp, that awful place? Yes. You want to make your study and practice environment to emulate the test centers. Try finding a place that will have just enough rustling of papers and typing of laptop keys from other students so it not to be too quiet, just like on PCAT day! If this tip sounds familiar that’s because we’ve talked about it before in the blog’s PCAT Study Motivation post a couple months back, check it out here.

 

Tutor Subjects Covered On The PCAT

Once you’ve figured out the subjects you need extra help on tackle them! With the PCAT Cracker diagnostic tests you can pin point specific areas in each section that you’re weakest in. Remember after the scheduled break you’ll have Reading Comp and Quant Ability back to back and if these sections aren’t your strong areas… PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

 

Well there they are now go forth and conquer! Be sure to stay tuned for more tips and the continuation of our breakdown series of each section. Got any other PCAT study tips to add to the list? Share with the class in the comments!

 

P.S. If you don’t already, go ‘Like’ PCAT Cracker on Facebook right here and now.

PCAT Study Motivation!

Hey! How’s studying for the PCAT going? Great? Just all right? Let’s take a minute to talk about motivation. The Pharmacy College Admissions Test is no easy feat and the many (necessary) hours preparing for it can be grueling. The feeling of burning out is a common occurrence for many Pre-Pharmers and can really throw you off track of your path to PCAT domination. When test day arrives, it basically comes down to which Stark you want to be: Tony Stark aka Iron Man aka the badass that walks away from the explosion without looking OR Jon Snow aka the Stark bastard from Game of Thrones aka the guy that knows nothing.

Stark Option One: Tony Stark

Stark Option One: Tony Stark

Stark Option Two: Jon Snow

Stark Option Two: Jon Snow

Let’s get down to business…to defeat the Huns? No. The PCAT! So when motivation wanes, what can you do? (Besides listen to awesome motivation songs like that one!)

 

Here are a few strategies for motivation and keeping yourself on track:

– Stop & Take a Practice Test: If you’re in the middle of a studying block and suddenly hit a brick wall: Take full timed practice test. Your score just might give you the kick in the rear to knock you back into focus. With PCAT Cracker you’ll even pin point exact weak spots in your preparation thus far.

– Change it up: A swift change in the subject you’re studying or change in normal study location can revive your spirits and give you boost in motivation! But don’t change too often be sure you’re sticking to the 50/10 rule…

– Be strict with yourself: The 50/10 rule of studying really does work! That’s 50minutes of straight focus studying then a 10minute break to refresh your brain! Do it. Discipline. “There are no short cuts to any place worth going.”

– Turn off everything: Echoing the last tip, be hard on yourself and put all things you don’t need to study away, really. It may seem harmless to leave open Facebook open in a tab or have your phone lying there beside you but come test time these things won’t be there. You want to your studying environment to emulate that of the test day. So put away all distractions and save them for your breaks!

So study study study and practice practice practice (3x for emphasis) because when test day comes, you’re definitely going to need the confidence of Tony Stark not Jon Snow.

Lesson Learned: Be Iron Man.

Lesson Learned: Be Iron Man.

Applying for Pharmacy School: PharmCAS 2015 Is Now Open!

First thing is first, if you are planning to take the PCAT during the September testing window (Sept. 3-5) late registration is open until August 26th, and yes, there is late fee! Go now. The next PCAT testing windows are in October and November; registration opens on September 4th for both. The test is computer-based and testing centers/dates are first-come first-serve so register early, here! Keep in mind that before registering you need to have narrowed down the schools you want your scores sent to. Also be sure to choose a testing window that ensures that your scores will be received before the pharmacy programs’ registration deadlines. Whew! With the time-sensitive info covered, maybe you’re feeling a bit stressed. Perhaps a puppy could help…

prescribing a puppy

For anyone applying to enter pharmacy school next fall, the PharmCAS 2015 is officially open! The Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) is a centralized application service to apply to multiple degree programs offered by schools and colleges of pharmacy. Basically it’s THE pharm school application for programs in the U.S. They’ve actually just launched a whole new website for this application cycle and it’s beautiful, check it: www.pharmcas.org/! If you’re thinking you want to get in on Early Decision (ED), get a jump on the application now; the early decision deadline is September 2nd! Not all programs offer ED and keep in mind it’s for applicants that have an absolute first/only choice school and you’re only able to apply to the one program with this option. It is a ‘binding option’ meaning if you get accepted through ED you are obligated to accept.

The entire PharmCAS application process itself can be a challenge. Thankfully that new revamped website lays it out pretty clear. There’s even an official checklist for BEFORE you even get started with your application journey, here. Step one is to get through the PharmCAS Instructions in full and it’s a lot. No, really it’s a lot. Check out the thoroughly done 70-page Instruction Guide, here. It’s all good and important so read it, understand it, and make this whole process easier for yourself. Doing your research on specific programs you want to apply is crucial before this journey and this nifty new PharmCAS site (obviously I love it) has a wonderful directory for not only Pharm.D but also research graduate programs, here.

Feeling a little stressed? Here’s that puppy prescribed:

doc puppy

When completely the PharmCAS it is $150 for first school you apply to and then just goes up from there for each school after that, whoa. In fact, the whole application process can quickly become expensive with taking the PCAT, submitting the PharmCAS, then individual schools secondary application fees, possibly traveling to interviews, etc. so you really want to do your research and narrow down the programs you really want to apply to. Here’s what you’re looking at with just the PharmCAS fee:

PharmCAS fees

With all this expense, here’s a little something to ease the load: you can still upgrade your PCAT Cracker account and unlock the all the practice tests for $39 instead of the regular $99! This is all pretty stressful, google ‘puppies’ to cope. Plus one less thing to worry over can be that PCAT score! Get it right with PCAT Cracker y’all!

Prepping for the PCAT!

Summertime is here and, not to ruin the party but, it’s actually the perfect time to study for the Pharmacy College Admission Test. No bummer summer here, you can still have a relaxing break and get the edge over the PCAT with lots of practice! We suggest at least three months of preparation before tackling the PCAT in all its glory and summer really is a perfect time to start! This test won’t be like any other you’ve ever taken. The PCAT is designed to test not only your academic knowledge of the sciences but it also assesses how well you might fit into the ever-changing role of a pharmacist. No need to panic, you can do this!
test stress

Not to add to your stress but just like the changing world and advancing scope of pharmacy, the PCAT has developed into a pretty encompassing exam of all you studied in college. Well, don’t want to scare you with it all but it’s a lot. Check out the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy aka AACP’s PCAT Blueprint that breaks down the test by subject and time allotted below and here’s their full guide to all things PCAT here. FYI if you’re applying to enroll in Pharm School next fall now is the time to register for the September testing window, do it here.
PCAT Blueprint

Panicking yet? Preparing for this monstrous undertaking is no east feat. So what do you really need, one of those big books or some expensive software? No, what you need is practice and the smart way to prepare is with PCAT Cracker. The practice tests on PCAT Cracker are designed to look and feel like the real PCAT and are made to match the difficulty level. So you are really practicing for test day both in content and in design! Log on to PCAT Cracker and take free diagnostic tests of each section to see where you stand and pin point your weaknesses. Upgrade your membership to unlock all the practice tests, each complete with helpful tutorials and clear explanations of answers to really give you the edge in studying for the PCAT. Plus, little piece of advice: right now you can upgrade and unlock the tests for $39 instead of the regular $99! There’s even support 24/7/365 to help you all along the way.

The Pharmacy College Admission Test is a monstrous undertaking but with PCAT Cracker you can test-drive the exam and get real feedback! Preparation is key and although you can read through and through and study tons of test prep material, the real preparation comes from practice. Taking timed PCAT practice tests will not only greatly help you in studying concepts and content but you’re also practicing for the actual test day seeing how the test is structured and getting accustomed to the test section times. With the right kind of preparation, *cough PCAT Cracker cough*, you can spend more time poolside and still be ready for test day!