What is the PCAT: A Complete Breakdown of The Admissions Exam

The PCAT (The Pharmacy College Admission Test) is a standardized test designed to help pharmacy school admissions committees determine qualified candidates for their PharmD programs. It assesses academic ability and competency in five key areas fundamental to a pharmacy school curriculum.  If a candidate is proficient in these five areas, they have a scientific and written communication base they can build throughout their pharmacy school journey. 

The PCAT is a test specifically designed for pharmacy schools. It is structured to measure the precise scientific knowledge and academic understanding necessary to enter pharmacy school. 

Many pharmacy college admission offices still use the PCAT test to gauge the strength of pharmacy school candidates. 

So, What Does the PCAT test?

The PCAT tests competency in five areas: writing, biological processes, chemical processes, critical reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. 

The test lasts 3 hours and 40 minutes (220 minutes) and consists of 192 multiple-choice questions and one writing sample.  There are four multiple-choice sections, each with 48 questions and one writing section. 

Within each multiple-choice section, 8 out of the 48 questions are experimental (do not count towards the overall score and are present to assess for use in future tests). Still, test takers must know which questions are experimental and which contribute to their scores. 

Please work through each subsection in its presented order.  If you finish one subsection early, you can’t return to a previous subsection or have more time for a future subsection.  There is no penalty for guessing.  It would be best to answer every question to optimize your PCAT score.

The Structure of the PCAT Test

Writing Sample

• 30 minutes, 1 topic

Biological Processes

• 45 minutes, 48 questions

• Answering 1 question every 50 seconds will allow 5 minutes to review this section

• General Biology: 50% (pie chart?)

• Human Anatomy and Physiology: 30%

• Microbiology: 20%

Chemical Processes

• 45 minutes, 48 questions

• Answering 1 question every 50 seconds will allow 5 minutes to review this section

• General Chemistry: 50% (pie chart?)

• Organic Chemistry: 30%

• Basic Biochemistry Processes: 20%

Optional 15-minute Rest Break (not included in the total 220-minute testing time)

Critical Reading

• 50 minutes, 48 questions

• Answering 1 question every 55 seconds will allow 6 minutes to review this section

• Analysis: 40% (pie chart?)

• Comprehension: 30%

• Evaluation: 30%

Quantitative Reasoning

• 50 minutes, 48 questions

• Answering 1 question every 55 seconds will allow 6 minutes to review this section

• Basic Math: 25% (pie chart?)

• Algebra: 25%

• Probability and Statistics: 18%

• Precalculus: 18%

• Calculus: 14%

Biological Processes

The Biological Processes section of the PCAT contains stand-alone questions or multiple questions associated with a single passage.  Each question or fill-in-the-blank statement will have a single correct answer from a list of multiple options.

The Biological Processes section of the PCAT includes:

General Biology

Cellular and Molecular Biology

1. Structure and functions of cells

2. Gene expression

3. Cell division and growth

4. Energy transformations

5. Metabolism

Diversity of Life Forms

1. Genetics

Health

1. Nutrition

2. Diseases

3. Drugs

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Structure 

1. Cells

2. Tissues

3. Organs

Systems

1. Skeletal/muscular/nervous

2. Circulatory/respiratory

3. Excretory/digestive

4. Endocrine/reproductive

5. Integumentary/immune

Microbiology

1. Microorganisms

2. Infectious Diseases & Prevention

3. Microbial Ecology

4. Medical Microbiology

5. Immunity

Chemical Processes

The Chemical Processes section of the PCAT contains stand-alone or multiple questions associated with a single passage.  Each question or fill-in-the-blank statement will have a single correct answer from a list of various options.

The Chemical Processes section of the PCAT includes:

General Chemistry

Atomic Theory

1. Structure

2. Ions

3. Periodicity

Chemical Bonding

1. Nomenclature/formulas

2. Bonding

Reactions and Reaction Mechanisms

1. Types of reactions

2. Balancing equations

3. Equilibrium

4. Stoichiometry

Kinetic Theory

1. States of matter

2. Gas laws

3. Causes and effects of changes in states

Solutions

1. Concentration (pH)

2. Solubility

3. Acid-base theories

Nuclear Chemistry: Radioisotopes

Organic Chemistry

Structure and Properties

1. Structural formulas and bonding

2. Properties of organic compounds

Reactions of Organic Compounds

1. Oxidation–reduction reactions

2. Hydration and dehydration

3. Hydrolysis

4. Addition/substitution/elimination

Basic Biochemistry Processes

1. DNA and RNA

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

Critical Reading

The Critical Reading section of the PCAT consists of passages followed by one or more associated questions.  These passages range in type, tone, and voice.  These passages typically refer to applied or basic natural science concepts, social science concepts, or the area of the humanities.

The Critical Reading section of the PCAT includes:

Analysis (inference and interpretation)

1. Understanding Relationships Between Ideas

2. Identifying the Author’s Purpose

3. Deciphering the Author’s Tone

4. Separating Facts from Opinions

5. Recognizing Rhetorical Strategies user by the Author

Comprehension (recognition and understanding)

1. Defining Words From Contextual Clues

2. Identifying Main Themes

3. Recognizing Supporting Details

4. Drawing Conclusions

Evaluation (judgment through reason)

1. Recognizing Bias

2. Assessing the Effectiveness of the Argument

3. Identifying the Overarching Theme

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the PCAT consists of questions, statements that require completion, or incomplete statements that must be solved ending with "=."

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the PCAT includes:

Basic Math

1. Fractions, Percentages, and Decimals

2. Unit Conversions

3. Log Base 10

4. Ratios

Algebra

1. Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities

2. Functions

Probability and Statistics

1. Measures of Central Tendency

2. Variation

3. Graphical

4. Probability

5. Statistical Concepts

Precalculus

1. Functions

2. Complex Numbers

3. Vectors

Calculus

1. Limits

2. Continuity

3. Derivatives

4. Integrals

5. Integration

Writing

The Writing section of the PCAT consists of a problem or situation related to health, science, or social/cultural/political issues. The test taker is prompted to discuss the problem or formulate a solution to the problem or situation.  

When is the PCAT Test Offered?

The PCAT was retired in January 2024.

How Much Does the PCAT Test Cost?

The registration fee is $210.  Online multiple choice official PCAT practice test(s) are available from $50 (1 test) to $90 (3 tests).  Online writing official PCAT practice test(s) are also available from $30 (1 test) to $90 (4 tests). 

PCAT Test Prep

The pharmacy college admission test should not be taken lightly.  Achieving a great score on the PCAT is the best way to strengthen an application if you are deficient in other areas, such as your GPA.  Utilizing a study guide or test prep service can greatly improve your score.  Taking an official PCAT practice test, which includes a writing practice test, is one of the best ways to improve your PCAT score. 

PCAT prep can be in the form of flashcards to improve your verbal ability, reading comprehension, or quantitative ability, taking a practice test to make you more comfortable on test day, or working through a variety of practice problems to fine-tune your skills in the main competencies that the exam tests.  While a popular PCAT test prep is a Kaplan PCAT course or Kaplan test prep study guides, taking the official PCAT exam or an actual PCAT practice version is the best preparation.