PCAT Test Study Guide

PCAT Test Flashcards

PCAT Test Practice Questions

Free Report on PCAT Test Preparation

PCAT Test Dates

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is the general admission test for Pharmacology school and is endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacology (AACP). This test is slightly more expensive than most general occupational exams ($150); however, this fee includes the dissemination of official transcripts, along with the test scores, to three institutions of the tester’s choice.

Pearson, the parent company, is currently testing a computer-given version of the test, which will be available in the January, 2011 test session. The test will be identical to the paper-based version in content, scoring, and in all areas other than the medium in which it is given. As of July, 2011, all PCAT tests will be computer-based unless to fulfill a special need. More information on registering for a computer-based test can be found on the main PCAT URL.

The PCAT is rigid regarding registration and deadlines. After initial registration, the tester is locked into the test location and test time. No changes are accommodated, and cancelling before the deadline provides a partial refund only. Also, keep in mind that the following deadlines expire after 8:59 p.m. on the night of the printed deadline. Word to the wise: meet the deadlines at least a day in advance.

PCAT 2013 Testing Dates

January 8 and 9

July 17 and 18

September 3, 4, 16, 17, 18

January 7 and 8 (2014)

Math Practice Quizzes

Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Averages & Rounding
Basic Operations
Exponents
Fractions
Geometry
Interpreting Graphs
Measurements
Percents and Ratios
Quantity Comparison
Sequences
Word Problems

Additional information about special registration, accommodations, and cancellations may be found on the Pearson website Fees and Special Services Page. You can also find more information by telephone by calling Pearson customer relations at 1-800-622-3231.

**Correspondence with payment should be directed to:**

Pearson
Pharmacy College Admission Test
16885 Collections Center Drive
Chicago, IL 60693

**Correspondence without payment should be sent to:**

Pearson
PSE Customer Relations—PCAT
19500 Bulverde Road
San Antonio, TX 78259

PCAT Math Video Review Tips

Basic Operations & Number Sense

Adding Two Large Integers:

Adding Two Large Integers
Subtracting Two Large Integers
Adding and Subtracting Multiple Dollar Amounts

Conversions

Converting Roman Numerals to Arabic
Converting Arabic Numerals to Roman Numeral

Ratios

Finding the Whole Given Part + Ratio
Finding a Part Given Ratio + Part
Finding a Part Given Ratio+ Whole

Percentages

Finding a Number Given Percentage of Whole
Finding Percentage of Number Given Whole
Finding Whole Given Other Number's Percentage
Finding the Percentage Increase
Finding the Percentage Decrease
Finding Amount Changed Given Original Amount and Percent
Finding Original Given New Amount Changed and Percent
Finding New Amount Given Percent and Original
Finding a Whole Given Part + Percent
Finding a Compound Percentage

Word Problems

Finding New Amount Given Percent and Original:

Finding New Amount Given Percent and Original
Finding Original Given New Amount Changed and Percent

Unit Conversions

Converting Kilograms to Pounds
Converting Pounds to Kilograms

Scaling

Finding Actual Distance from Scale Distance
Finding scale distance from actual distance

PCAT Biology Practice Questions

1. Which of the following do certain bacteria and green plants have in common?

photosynthesis
mitochondrial electron transport
the ability to live in the absence of molecular oxygen
all of the above

2. Which of the following is a consistent difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

multicellularity
the presence of a cell wall
the presence of a nucleus
motility

3. Choose the set of terms that does not correspond to a monomer and the polymer built from it.

sucrose; glycogen
nucleotides; RNA
amino acids; protein
fatty acids; lipid

4. Which of the following is a TRUE statement concerning the origins of human cancers?

most are due to inherited mutations.
most are caused by viruses.
most arise during embryonic development.
most occur after a series of spontaneous mutations.

5. Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of the male and female reproductive tracts?

meiosis
response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone
production of gametes beginning at puberty
the need for accessory cells to allow maturation of gametes

PCAT Chemistry Practice Questions

1. Carboxylic acids (R-COOH) and alcohols (R’-OH) undergo a condensation reaction to form

esters and water
ethers and water
a diacid
a lactone

2. Propanol, propanal and propanone

have equal molecular weights
are not reactive compounds
have a three-carbon molecular backbone
none of the above

3. When drops of a solution of Br2 in CCl4 are added to a similar solution of an unknown compound, the color due to Br2 disappears. This indicates that

a carbonyl group is present in the unknown molecule
the unknown compound is a carboxylic acid
the unknown compound has C=C or C≡C bonds
an amide has been formed

4. When a solution of 4-t-butylcyclohexanone is treated with two equivalents of a strong base, followed by addition of a two-fold excess of 1-bromobutane, then quenched with water the product is

2-butyl-4-t-butylcyclohexanone
2-butyl-4-t-butylcyclohexanol
2,6-dibutyl-4-t-butylcyclohexanone
2,6-dibutyl-4-t-butylcyclohexanol

5. Substituent groups can be added to benzene rings by a

Claisen condensation reaction
Wittig reaction
Friedel-Crafts reaction
bicycloannulation reaction

PCAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

Read the following passage. Then choose the best answer to each question that follows.

Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance used by the body to cushion nerves and manufacture cell membranes. It is also useful in the production of vitamin D, the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, and bile acids. But too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can clog arteries, leading to strokes and heart attacks.

The most common ways to measure cholesterol are these:

· Total cholesterol—all the types of cholesterol in the bloodstream combined into one measurement.

· LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol—carries cholesterol to the organs and tissues for use by the cells. When LDLs are in excess, cholesterol is deposited on arterial walls, which is why it is referred to as the “bad cholesterol.”

· HDL (high-density lipoproteins) cholesterol—transports cholesterol away from the artery walls and other tissues to the liver where it is removed from the bloodstream and broken down or excreted in bile. This is why it is called the “good cholesterol.”

Unhealthy cholesterol levels do not in themselves cause pain or any other symptoms. The only way to know if your cholesterol levels are too high (or too low, regarding HDLs) is to have your blood analyzed by a lab. It is important to monitor blood cholesterol because, over time, unhealthy levels can cause atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries. Such build-up can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Total cholesterol levels of less than 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) are considered low, which is good. Levels above 200 mg/dL indicate an increased risk of heart disease. If there are no other risk factors, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, hypertension, or greater than 30% overweight, cholesterol levels of 200–239 mg/dL are considered borderline. If one or more of these risk factors are present, cholesterol levels of 200–239 mg/dL are considered high. Total cholesterol levels of greater than 239 mg/dL are considered high for anyone, regardless of other risk factors. LDL levels should be below 100 mg/dL, and HDL levels should be above 40 mg/dL.

What causes high total cholesterol and high LDL? These conditions have been linked to a diet high in fat (especially trans fats and saturated fat) and cholesterol. Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, has also been linked to high cholesterol. Other causes are smoking and a lack of exercise. Low HDL has been linked to too little exercise, obesity, or smoking.

For most patients, these conditions can be treated by a diet low in cholesterol and fat (particularly saturated fat and trans fats) and high in fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking are usually effective. However, if these changes do not improve the cholesterol numbers sufficiently, medications such as statin drugs (for example, Lipitor or Crestor) may be prescribed.

1. The reason too much cholesterol in the bloodstream is dangerous is that it

causes weight gain.
causes weight loss.
produces too much vitamin D.
can clog the arteries.

2. The function of LDL is to

carry cholesterol to the liver to be broken down or excreted.
carry cholesterol to the organs and tissues for use by the cells.
cushion the nerves.
cushion the nerves.

3. The function of HDL is to

transport cholesterol to the arteries.
deposit cholesterol on the arterial walls.
transport cholesterol to the liver for excretion.
break down cholesterol into bile.

4. A healthy level of total cholesterol is

200–239 mg/dL of blood.
greater than 239 mg/dL.
less than 200 mg/dL of blood.
below 100 mg/dL of blood.

5. A healthy level of LDL is

below 100 mg/dL.
above 40 mg/dL.
below 200 mg/dL.
greater than 239 mg/dL.

PCAT Quantitative Ability Practice Questions

1. In a relay race, Ben ran the first mile in minutes. John ran the second quarter mile in minutes. Nathan ran the third quarter mile in minutes. Hunter ran the final quarter mile in 59 seconds. What was the average speed of the four runners on the relay team?