Pharmacy College Admission Test

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a computer-based, 4-hour examination taken by those individuals interested in applying to pharmacy school. The PCAT is required by many, but not all, pharmacy schools. For example, the University of Washington requires the exam but neither Oregon State University nor Oregon Health and Science University do. This exam is administered four times a year: June, August, October, and January. Each pharmacy college designates an appropriate time(s) in which to take the examination. The current format of the PCAT includes the following sections:

  • Writing – conventions of language and problem solving.
  • Verbal Ability – analogies and sentence completion.
  • Biology – general biology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology.
  • Chemistry – general chemistry, organic chemistry and basic biochemical processes.
  • Reading Comprehension – comprehension, analysis and evaluation.
  • Quantitative Ability – basic math, algebra, probability & statistics, pre-calculus and calculus.

Your score report will contain six separate scores (one for each section of the test) and a composite score. The five multiple choice sections—Verbal Ability, Biology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Ability—are scored based on the number of correct answers. Your initial “raw score” is then converted to a scaled score ranging from 200-600. Your composite score is calculated by taking the average of your scaled score on each multiple choice section. Pharmacy schools will see both your individual section scores and your composite score.

Your Writing Sample will also be scored, but separately. Your essay is reviewed by two graders, whose scores are averaged. You will then receive a score on a scale from 1-6.

Please visit the AACP (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) Pharmacy College Application Service PharmCAS where you will find information on testing and application requirements for each pharmacy school.

You may check the test date schedule, sign up for a test and take a practice test at the PCAT website. The cost of the exam is $199.

We encourage you to register early since seating is on a first-come first-serve basis.