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Preparing for Entrance Exams in Health Sciences Explore Center Love South 127 [email protected] 402-472-3605 Entrance Exam • Different exams – Science based – General critical thinking and analytical ability – Timed, standardized, multiple-choice • Science based exams (MCAT/OAT/DAT/PCAT) – Designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills • Content areas can represent a combination of the subjects – – – – – Biological Sciences Physical Sciences (not just physics) Reading Comprehension/Verbal Reasoning Writing Perceptual Ability (DAT) Preparing for the Exam • Complete all content related course work for exam – Program prerequisites may not be same as EXAM prerequisites • Review materials will not teach the information if you do not already have it – Examples • PCAT requires 2 semesters of organic chemistry • MCAT has cell structure and physiology • DAT has cell structure/biology, math • Review topic guides and information materials to assess if all material has been covered – Examples Preparing for the Exam • Full-Length Practice Test – Assess what you know – Understand testing format • Learning style – Individual v. Commercial • Practice – Content – Timed conditions – Exam format (computer vs. paper/pencil) General Exam Details • Registration on line • Timing – Generally 1 year in advance of matriculation – Set dates (PCAT, MCAT) – Flexible scheduling (DAT, OAT) – Consider potential exam repeat – policies differ when you can sit for another exam General Exam Details • Fees – Range by exam – Good for single setting – Good for specific # of score releases also called Official Score Transcripts or Official Score Reports • Release scores – Centralized application (MCAT – allopathic; request release to AACOM, CASPA, VMCAS, or other services that accept MCAT) – Schools through centralized application (DAT, OAT, PCAT) – Schools specifically (PCAT if not participating in PharmCAS) – Advisers Break Down Specific Exam Details • Survey of attendees • Who will be taking – MCAT? – PCAT? – DAT? – OAT? MCAT MCAT Exam Details • Required for almost all U.S. medical schools – Check school specific information • Searchable MSAR guide available through AAMC www.aamc.org/students/mcat • ½ day, multiple choice exam • 3 content areas (scored 1-15 with 45 composite maximum) – Verbal Reasoning, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences • Writing Sample (scored J-T) MCAT Exam Details continued • Requires at least – 1 year each - general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics – College level reading and writing across curriculum • AAMC Website – great prep information – On-line practice exams – MCAT Essentials – the official MCAT exam policy guide as PDF on website – The Official Guide to the MCAT Exam – http://www.aamc.org/students MCAT Exam Details continued • Test Dates – 25 sessions in 2013 • Morning, afternoon, double administrations – Computer Based Test • Take up to 3 times per year – Only one registration open at a time • Fees – $270 • Scores reported in approx. 30-35 days MCAT 2015 • Essential information – Completely new MCAT – AVOID THE RUMOR MILL – Use www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/ as a resource for learning more about it • Preview Guide available • Videos with more information • Timeline for the new test roll out • BIOC will be required for this MCAT PCAT PCAT Exam Details • Not required for all schools – Check school specific information • Table 9 on PSAR guide on AACP website http://www.aacp.org/resources/student/pharmacyforyou/admissions /Pages/PSAR.aspx • ½ day, multiple choice exam • 5 content areas (48 questions each – 40 are scored and 8 are experimental) – Verbal Ability, Biology, Quantitative Ability, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension – (200-600 per subset; 400 average) • 1 writing section (scored 1.0-6.0) – Conventions of language and problem solving skills PCAT Exam Details continued • Requires at least – 1 year general biology • Includes topics in microbiology, genetics, anatomy and physiology – 1 year general chemistry – 1 semester organic chemistry (2 strongly recommended) • Includes basic BIOC processes – 1 semester calculus • Main Website - http://www.pcatweb.info • Candidate Information Booklet (CIB) • Practice Exam available at main website – Examinees who took the Official PCAT Practice Test scored higher on actual PCAT (per AACP) PCAT Exam Details continued • Test Dates – Offered 9 times a cycle • July (2 dates), September (5 dates), January (2 dates) • When you take exam depends on course work and last one accepted by schools • Fee (includes 3 score releases) – $199 • Unofficial score of multiple choice sections available at time of exam • Official M/C and Essays still scored by Pearson (within 6 weeks from day of test) • Request official scores to individual schools (if not PharmCAS) or schools through PharmCAS DAT DAT Exam Details • Required by all U.S. dental schools • ½ day (5 hours), multiple choice exam • Requires at least 1 year of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry • ADA Website http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx • DAT Guide online has content and test information • DAT Sample Test Items • Practice test available DAT Exam Details continued • 4 content areas (score range 1-30; 17 average) – Natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry) (100 questions - 40, 30, 30 respectively) – Perceptual ability (two- and three-dimensional problem solving (90 questions) – Reading comprehension (science based) (50 questions) – Quantitative Reasoning (mathematical problems in algebra, numerical calculations, conversions, etc.) (40 questions) • Take as much biology and chemistry content as possible before the exam • Physics is required for dental school, not the DAT DAT Exam Details continued • Computer based exam • Examinees who have attended three or more tests must apply for special permission to retest • No set testing dates – 90 day wait period for re-examination • Fee - $360 – Releases scores to all selected on application • To register for exam, must first request DENTPIN – DENTal Personal Identifier Number – http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dentpin/index.asp OAT OAT Exam Details • Required by all U.S. optometry schools • ½ day, multiple choice exam • Requires at least 1 year of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, college level math • ASCO Website http://www.opted.org/ https://www.ada.org/oat/index.html OAT Exam Details continued • 4 content areas (scored 200-400 per section; 300 average) – Natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry) (100 questions – 40, 30, 30 respectively) – Reading comprehension (science based) (40 questions) – Physics (40 questions) – Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions OAT Exam Details continued • Computer based exam • No set testing dates • No limit on # of times taking exam – 90 day wait period for re-examination • Fee – $226 Contact Us! Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center “THE EXPLORE CENTER” Love South 127 402-472-3605 [email protected]
