MCAT and PCAT

[StrawPipes]

Just a quick question. I'm trying to get into medical school and I have a pretty solid study guide I found on studentdoctor.net that I'm going to use next summer.

By next summer I'll have classes done that I think will help my MCAT score. classes include immunology, pathology, biology, chems, organic chems, parasitology, genetics, etc.

My ordeal is that if I don't get into Med school I would like to get into Pharmacy school.

How much different is the PCAT compared to the MCAT? I know there's no Math section on the MCAT like there is on the PCAT.

So with that being said, it would be likely that my studying for the MCAT would also help me when I take the PCAT, correct?

The only thing I would need to study a little more would be mathematics. Are there any pharmacists out there that could elaborate about the PCAT, as well as any Medical students who could elaborate about the MCAT?

Please don't merge, I'm just asking for a comparison. From my research it appears that I wouldn't need to study anything else for the PCAT (besides math) if I'm studying for the MCAT. Any other opinions?

 

[RedLeader]

How much different is the PCAT compared to the MCAT? I know there's no Math section on the MCAT like there is on the PCAT.

Ya, the PCAT has math and verbal as specific sections. The math section is basically SAT/GRE math plus basic (and I do mean basic) calculus. No real idea about how hard the verbal part is (or even what it's like). Hopefully someone else knows.

The bio section is a bit different on the PCAT also, I have heard. It's more geared toward a survey of undergraduate general biology, and not specific topics from genetics, physiology, etc. Also, it's said to be more "trivial" or "quantitative" with random bio facts, whereas the MCAT goes more in depth and my try to trick you.

So with that being said, it would be likely that my studying for the MCAT would also help me when I take the PCAT, correct?

It cannot hurt, no. But just keep in mind that the MCAT is much, much harder. So really try and get a feel for the difference, so you don't overkill yourself with the studying! You said you're taking the MCAT as well, correct? I'd definitely do the MCAT first if you have a choice! Then this would make the most sense concerning the studying.

Please don't merge, I'm just asking for a comparison.

Won't merge, but you have seen the MCAT mega-thread, right?

 

[StrawPipes]

Yeah I've seen it and was going to put this thread in there, but I figured it's more of a comparison of MCAT and PCAT over just the MCAT. And I usually do all my medical research on studentdoctor.net. Great info to read there.

I plan on doing the MCAT first. I just don't feel like studying for the PCAT as well if I don't have to. So that's why I'm hoping to get some reinforcement from some one saying that if I just study the MCAT I basically studied for the PCAT as well, minus the math section.

EDIT: I'll try hard for the MCAT. Maybe buy a sample PCAT test online and juxtapose the two..

 

[RedLeader]

How good are you at math? If you took the SAT or GRE, didn't find the math that hard, and can find the derivative of 2x^2+3x, then you'll be fine. If not, I'd probably get a PCAT book and only look at its math section.

 

[23536]

Bump. I took the PCAT the other day after getting an unimpressive score on the MCAT and I can tell you that the PCAT is SO MUCH EASIER!!! I got a ludicrously high score after thinking I had bombed it. I almost had a serious car accident because while driving home I looked at the paper they had given me at the testing center and saw that it was my scores. MCAT made you wait a month for the scores, but PCAT gives them to you right after I found out. I saw the scores and screamed and was sure there was some kind of error as I did not think myself capable of getting scores like that.

Verbal is simple analogies plus fill in the blanks. Maybe not so simple, but language is a strength of mine.

Reading comprehension passages are about 3 grade levels lower than MCAT's, and shorter too.

Biology section doesn't have long passages and is pretty comprehensive, but seems to focus a lot on viruses, bacteria and genetics.

The essay topics were right in my wheelhouse (whatever that is).

Chemistry was pretty straightforward and again, no long passages! A little calculation, but nothing obscene. Leave the long problems for last as you may have trouble finishing this section.

Quantitative ability was by far the most challenging section because of the amount of stuff they throw at you. Unless you are super fast, you will struggle to finish this section. I had to guess on a bunch because of the clock, and I thought I had bombed this section.

Overall, I seriously encourage anyone to consider this as a career choice if the MCAT is onerous to you. I swear you'll be surprised by how easy the test is.