Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
The PCAT is required for all PharmD applicants. There is no minimum PCAT score required to be admitted, but applicants are encouraged to review admissions statistics from previous classes.
PCAT Registration & Scheduling
- PCAT is offered in July, September, October, November, January, and February
- The final PCAT exam window for scholarship consideration for Fall 2019 is October 22-November 2, 2018
- The final PCAT exam window for Fall 2019 admission is January 3-4, 2019
*Note: applicants wishing to take the PCAT during the February 1-14, 2019 window should contact us at pharmacy@umn.edu for advance approval - It's best to register for the PCAT at least two months before your test date
- PCAT scores expire after 5 years
- An official PCAT score must be sent to PharmCAS at code 104 (when registering for the PCAT, select PharmCAS as the score recipient).
- Scores reported in prior years, starting with the 2017-2018 cycle, can be pulled forward to the next application cycle; applicants must apply through PharmCAS as a reapplicant and choose to pull test scores forward rather than starting a blank application. Applicants who had a score report sent to PharmCAS prior to the 2017-2018 cycle must order a new score report to be sent during the current application cycle.
PCAT Test Blueprint
| PCAT Subtests | Number and Approximate % of Item Types |
| 1. Writing (30 Minutes) | 1 prompt |
| 2. Biological Processes (45 Minutes) | 48 Items |
| General Biology | 50% |
| Microbiology | 20% |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | 30% |
| 3. Chemical Processes (45 Minutes) | 48 Items |
| General Chemistry | 50% |
| Organic Chemistry | 30% |
| Basic Biochemistry Processes | 20% |
| 4. Critical Reading (50 minutes) | 48 Items |
| Comprehension | 30% |
| Analysis | 40% |
| Evaluation | 30% |
| 5. Quantitative Reasoning (50 minutes) | 48 Items |
| Basic Math | 25% |
| Algebra | 25% |
| Probability & Statistics | 18% |
| Precalculus | 18% |
| Calculus | 14% |
| Total Test (220 minutes): 192 multiple-choice items, 1 writing promt |
Note: Each multiple-choice subtest consists of 40 operational items and 8 experimental items
Selection Criteria
Once you have submitted a complete application, your application is reviewed within three weeks according to the first seven selection criteria.
Our selection criteria include: academic achievement, understanding & motivation for pharmacy, work experience, letters of recommendation, community service & leadership, application essays, unique factors that contribute to a diverse student body, and the interview.
Resources
It’s common for students to study at least a few months before they take the PCAT. Aside from using a PCAT study book, you can also take a PCAT prep course. Kaplan offers online PCAT prep courses year-round and free practice tests. Current pharmacy students also strongly recommend taking the Pearson online practice tests as good preparation for the PCAT.