Rating: 
Summary: buy it for sample tests
Review: I took the 10/23 test and just got my score. The PCAT is very
difficult. This book is way too easy but the sample tests
are useful in that you can use them to help you increase
your speed in taking the test. That's the key. The PCAT
is focused on speed and how you apply common sense that you
already have. Many questions can be answered based on broad
knowledge you have together with common sense to get to the
correct answer. You have to learn the techniques of of taking
standard tests: time mgmt, elimination, focus. But the other
side of it is to put in enough self study time to feel confident
about the subjects so that you don't worry about that aspect when
you take the test. In summary, get these study books from the
library and buy the one you feel is good. But copy the sample
tests to practice your speed. If you realy really want to get
into pharmacy school and get a good PCAT score, start your prep
work 6 month prior to the test. Look outside of PCAT to study.
Study the MCAT test and MAT tests, learn the new vocabs.
I'm didn't get perfect score, but I think doing all the above
definitly help me get my 94 on the test.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT a very good review book for the current PCAT
Review: I took the November 2004 PCAT and found the ACTUAL PCAT more difficult than this review made it out to be. First of all, my greatest weakness with standarized tests is running out of time, and I bought this book to help me prepare to get done in the alloted time. Wouldn't you think the author of this book would coordinate her alloted times for her PRACTICE PCAT with the alloted times for the ACTUAL PCAT? Unfortunately, she did not and I found myself having to work at much faster pace during the ACTUAL PCAT than I did during her two practice exams in this book. I ran out of time in a few parts as well.
Also, her reading comprehension practice questions were MUCH easier than those of the ACTUAL PCAT. With reading comprehension being my weakest objective, I was very disappointed to learn after taking the PCAT that this book's reading comprehension exercises did not help at all.
I gave this book two stars because the author provides detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of ALL of the practice questions. However, the material in this book did not coordinate well with the ACTUAL PCAT.
After already taking the November 2004 PCAT I am going to purchase another review book to help me with the January 2005 PCAT because this one simply did not cut it.
Good luck in your search and I hope you find the best review book for you. Honestly, the most effective way to review would probably be to take a practice PCAT from Harcourt Assessment (the people who administer the test) because you would be getting the closest thing to the real experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book
Review: I took the Oct 2003 PCAT (scored in the 99 percentile) and this book really gives you an idea of what the test questions will look like. The time allotted and # of questions per section don't match up to the real test, but the actual questions are very similar in format and content. This book doesn't have a subject-by-subject review, but the questions that are presented are a good indication of what test questions look like. PS- DO NOT BUY THE ARCO BOOK! This book along with your high school chem and bio books are all you really need. I also recommend the Cliffs Biology Review.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book to review for the PCAT
Review: I took the PCAT in Jan, 2004 and used only this book to prepare for it. I have to say that the material in this book covers all the topics tested on the PCAT. The practice questions for the Quantitative, Biological, and Chemistry sections were comparable. The Reading comp was bit harder on the actual test, but not too bad. I primarily used this review book and only used other texts to further elaborate on specific terms/concepts I was unfamiliar with. Some advise: watch your time on the Reading Comprehension section and the chemistry section. I found myself rushing towards the end even though I knew all the concepts! Also, the time given for the Quantitative section may not be enough, so pace yourself. In the end, I got a 99% composite score (which got me into the two pharmacy schools I applied to), so the book was definitely worth the money. Goodluck!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good outline
Review: I took the PCAT in October 2002. It had been 10 years since my last biology class, 9 years since my last general chemistry class, and 7 years since organic chemistry. This book's outline of topics to study for the PCAT was excellent. Sure, when I actually took the test, I realized that the outline wasn't perfect, but it provided an (almost) complete list of topics to study. The study and sample test questions in the book were a bit easier than the actual test, and using this book alone is not enough to prepare you for the test. I used the book's outline, then went back to my text books to study each subject that was listed. This method worked great for me--I scored in the 99th percentile.
Rating:
Summary: If you wanna get a bad score
Review: I took the PCAT on 10/23/04 and this book completely screwed me over. Nothing in this book was even on the test. This book is wayy to easy. The PCAT was MUCH harder, comparable at a graduate level. You need to know, calculus, physiology, and organic chemistry, there's not enough time even to think because you need to answer 58 questions in 30 minutes. Use the Kaplan one. This one will give you a bad score GUARANTEED!
Rating: 
Summary: Careful.
Review: I use this book and another to help me study for the PCAT. Although this book is a good guide, it does have a few problems. It is really simplified compare to the real PCAT and there are no useful tips or study materials (facts) provided to study for the material needed to prepare for the PCAT. However, it does give a good overview of what to expect on the test and also what to do in applying for pharmacy school.
Rating:
Summary: Sample Test most like the PCAT
Review: I used this review book for taking the sample tests. They were in exactly the same format as the actual PCAT, unlike some of the other books. The biology section was pretty much equal to the test in difficulty. Both the test and the book contained fairly simple questions. The chemistry and verbal analogy sections were also equal in the level of difficulty. The PCAT mathematics was a little harder than the questions in this book, even though it contained only geometry and elementary algebra. You only have 30 minutes to complete 60 questions and they neglect to tell you that fact in this book. I found that the reading comprehension questions were not anywhere as difficult as the actual test. I do recommend this book, even if you just use it to get familiar with the format of the test. I scored at the 98th percentile and I think that part of that is due to this book. When I took the test, it seemed very familiar to me which helped my anxiety levels.
Rating:
Summary: The best prep book for pcat out there!(at least for now)
Review: I've just finished taking the Jan 24th, 2004 pcat. This book is the closest you'll ever find, at least at the moment, to the actual pcat. The biology practice questions in this book are quite similar to the ones you'll encounter on the real exam. I found the verbal and bio sections on the exam quite easy, probably owing to the fact that I did all the practice tests in this book. The reading section on the real exam was alright(too many "what is not true", "what does the author infer/mean" questions). One piece of advice: KEEP TRACK OF YOUR TIME, especially in the math and chemistry sections! The math section is definetely a killer. You have 45min to finish 65 questions(which means you have less than a min for each question). I ran out of time on the chem section. There were a lot of conversion questions..not much organic, though. There is also an experimental section on the test. Anyway, getting to the point, this book will help you master the basic concepts tested in the bio, chem, math, and verbal sections. For the reading part though, I suggest you get the Kaplan book. A fourth or fifth grader can do the questions on the reading part in this book(seriously!) I have a good feeling about this and I'm eagerly awaiting my score(they said it'll take 4-6 weeks...bummer!) I hope this review helped a bit and I wish all you wannabe pharmacists the best of luck!
Rating:
Summary: Another Great PCAT preparation book!!!
Review: Just like the others, this PCAT preparation book is good. Again it has good ideas for test taking strageties, concise and clear examples, good guides on what you need to review to be sucessful in the PCAT and a good acutal PCAT test in which you can take for pratice. Good book, no complaints about it.
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