Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) Info
Approximately two-thirds of U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy require the PCAT for admission. To
determine whether a college requires the PCAT, contact each program individually.
Test Dates & Registration Deadline
Go to www.pcatweb.info/ for test, registration, and cancellation deadlines.
PCAT Contact Information
Harcourt Assessment
Customer Relations-PCAT
19500 Bulverde Road
San Antonio, TX 78259
1-800-622-3231
www.pcatweb.info
scoring.services@harcourt.com
Test Content
The PCAT consists of 240 multiple-choice items and 2 writing topics, and you are given four hours to
complete the test (plus administrative time for instructions and time for a short rest break about halfway
through). There are six content areas measured by the PCAT in seven separate subtests:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Verbal Ability measures general, non-scientific word knowledge and usage using analogies and sentence
completion.
Biology measures knowledge of the principles and concepts of basic biology, including general biology,
microbiology, and human anatomy and physiology.
Reading Comprehension measures ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate reading passages on sciencerelated topics.
Quantitative Ability measures skills in mathematical processes and the ability to reason through and understand
quantitative concepts and relationships, including applications of algebra, geometry, probability and statistics,
pre-calculus, and calculus.
Chemistry measures knowledge of principles and concepts of inorganic and elementary organic chemistry.
Written Essay measures language skills in terms of sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. One is included as
an experimental item. All of the prompts state a problem involving a health issue, a science issue, or a social,
cultural or political issue. You will be scored on how well you explain a solution to the problem.
Experimental Items: Your test may contain experimental multiple-choice items that are embedded within the
subtests, or it may have a separate section with experimental items. The experimental items are being tested for
future use on PCAT test forms and will not affect your score. You will not know which items are experimental and
which count toward your score, so do your best on all the items and sections of the test.
Practice tests (with answers/explanations) can be obtained at harcourtassessment.com for a nominal fee.
Sending your PCAT scores to PharmCAS–CODE 104
You must arrange for Harcourt Assessment to send your PCAT scores directly to PharmCAS–CODE 104.
Harcourt will send PharmCAS your most recent set of PCAT scores along with up to four other previous
attempts over a five-year period. Enter your PCAT CID on your PharmCAS application. This number
appears on your PCAT registration confirmation, admission ticket, and personal score report. If your PCAT
CID is missing, PharmCAS cannot match or forward your PCAT scores. Applicants who do not report a PCAT
CID must contact PharmCAS at 617–612–2050 or info@pharmcas.org. If you are applying to a school
that does not use PharmCAS, arrange for your PCAT test scores to be sent directly to the institution.
For more information go to
harcourtassessment.com
www.aacp.org