General Instructions for the PCAT Practice Tests

The Structure of the Practice Tests

• Both PCAT Practice Tests consist of 240 multiple-choice items across five subtests. The Practice Tests also include detailed descriptions of the Writing subtest, including information about how you will be expected to compose your essays, how your essays will be scored and reported, sample Writing topics, and actual sample essays to give you an idea of what essays look like and how they are scored.
• The table below shows the structure of each Practice Test, including the number of test items in each of the five subtests, the number of test items covered by each content objective within each subtest, and the suggested time limits for each subtest.

• Just as on the actual PCAT, 40 of the items in each subtest are core items that count toward your score, and 8 are experimental items that do not count toward your score. All core items have appeared on actual PCAT test forms.
• A timed session in which you take each subtest in the same sitting should last about three hours, plus time to move from one subtest to another. As you begin each subtest, you will see the suggested time limit and instructions for answering the items in that section. The number of items and the suggested time limits are the same as the actual PCAT.
• Unlike the actual PCAT, no time limits are enforced on the Practice Tests. You are encouraged to time yourself using the built-in timer provided. In this way, you can attempt to duplicate the timed conditions under which you will take the actual PCAT.
• Each question on the Practice Tests has four answer choices listed, only one of which is correct. The answer to each question can be determined independently of the answers to other questions.
• On the actual PCAT, each subtest is administered and timed separately in a fixed order. On each of the Practice Tests, you will have the flexibility to complete each subtest in the order indicated, move from one to another as you choose, or view a Diagnostic Report for a subtest just completed.
• Each Subtest Diagnostic Report displays a percentile score range that is based on the number of core items answered correctly in a subtest, and based on the assumption of a timed testing session. Each Diagnostic Report also shows the numbers and percentages of core items answered correctly for the entire subtest and for each content objective within the subtest.

Taking the Practice Tests

• Work on only one subtest at a time, and do not revisit work on earlier sections or proceed to subsequent subtests until the suggested time limit has elapsed.
• Do not view the correct answers or explanations for the items until you have completed all subtests.
• Try to complete a subtest before the suggested time limit expires. However, if you are unable to complete a subtest within the suggested time limit, write down how many items you had completed before the suggested time elapsed. Then answer the rest of the items in the subtest so that your Subtest Diagnostic Report will include responses to all of the items.
• On the actual PCAT, there will be one rest break halfway through the test. Because the actual PCAT includes two Writing subtests that are not included in the Practice Tests, it is recommended that you take your rest break after completing Part 3 of the Practice Tests.
• You may use scratch paper for calculations or other scratch work, but you should not use calculators, dictionaries, or any other aid or reference materials because these are not allowed on the actual PCAT.
• Try to complete the entire test in one sitting.

• When you complete each Practice Test—or if you prefer, when you complete a subtest—you may review all of the items and view the correct answers and explanations for each item. You will not have the option to print out any of the Practice Test items.
• When you are finished with an individual subtest, you may choose to score your responses and view a Diagnostic Report for that subtest, or continue on to another subtest and see your scores later. As soon as you choose to see your scores for a subtest, you will be presented with a printable Diagnostic Report. When you have completed and chosen to see your scores for all five subtests, you will be presented with all five Subtest Diagnostic Reports, plus a separate Composite Diagnostic Report that includes all five subtests. 

Test-Taking Strategies

• Be physically and mentally prepared—well rested, fed, and comfortably dressed.
• Familiarize yourself with the test by reviewing the content descriptions and sample questions that are available on the PCAT website.
• Most of the test involves knowledge, skills, and abilities accumulated over years of study and learning, so “cramming” probably will not help much.
• Work quickly but carefully, not dwelling on questions that are unfamiliar or seem too difficult. All the items count the same.
• As you answer the items, you may skip those that are most difficult and return to them as time allows. Points are not deducted from your score for incorrect responses. If you are unsure which answer choice is correct for an item, first eliminate as many incorrect options as you can. Then if you still have doubts about the response to an item, use your best judgment. For items that you choose to review, change an initial response only if you have a valid reason for doing so. Your “instinctive” response to an item may often be correct.

Using the Practice Test Website

Note that to use all of the functionality available on the Practice Test website, you will need to disable any pop-up blockers on your browser. If you have active pop-up blockers, you may not be able to open the “Get Answer/Explanation” for an item or view your Diagnostic Report unless you hold down the “Ctrl” key when you click on the hyperlink.