- Joined
- Apr 12, 2016
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 22
Preparation
1. Dr Collins self-study package (both 2015-2016, 2016-2017 are fine).
2. Kaplan PCAT 2016-2017
3. Pearson Practice Exams 5, 6, 7.
Schedule
Start 37 days before your scheduled PCAT.
Step 1. Go over Dr. Collins practice exams first. (It is not necessary to go over the Biology, Math, or Chemistry self-study guides)
- 2 Biology practice exam packets everyday for 5 days, then
- 2 Math practice exam packets everyday for 5 days, then
- 2 Chemistry practice exam packets everyday for 9 days
Days spent: 19 days
Step 2. Go over Kaplan Biology section.
- 30 pages everyday for 6 days. (the number may seem scary and unreasonably large, trust me, Kaplan freaking uses font 20, you will be able to finish 30 pages fairly quick)
Days spent: 6 days
Step 3. Pearson exams.
-Peason exam 5 Biology and Chemistry -1 day
-Pearson exam 5 Reading and Math - 1 day
-Pearson exam 6 Biology and Math - 1 day
-Pearson exam 6 Reading and Math - 1 day
-Peason exam 7 Biology and Chemistry -1 day
-Pearson exam 7 Reading and Math - 1 day
Days spent: 6 days
Step 4. Go over Dr. Collins practice exams again! not just the ones you got wrong the first time doing them.
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-Finish the rest of the chemistry packets.
Days spent: 4 days
Step5. Go over the practice exams. 1 day.
Total days spent: 36 days.
Rest and get ready for PCAT the next day.
My preliminary score:
Biology: 96 (finished everything with 10 mins to spare)
Chemistry: 96 (finished everything with 3 mins to spare)
Reading: 20 (finished everything with 35 mins to spare. I did not read any of the passages, I guessed everything. As you can see, Reading weighs very little compare to other sections, I decided to test my luck and save some brain cells for Math - strategic planning )
Math: 94 (finished everything with 5 seconds to spare. sigh...good ol math)
Composite: 90
The Chemistry section had way too much emphasis on organic chemistry, they need to revise the blue print.
The Biology section had way too much emphasis on A&P, they need to revise the blue print, again.
Could my composite be higher if I read the passages from the CR section? Sure! But having a 90% composite is good enough for me..... not to mention.....CR is unreasonably long.
Q&A
1. What version of Dr. Collins did you use?
I used the 2016-2017 version with Fall 2015, September 2015, and January 2016 updates.
2. I have the older version (older than 2015-2016) of Dr. Collins, can I use it?
I tried to use the 2014-2015 version in pdf format, and it was very disorganized. I would highly recommend the newer version.
3. Are the Real PCAT questions similar to those of Dr. Collins or Pearson Practice Exams?
Good question. Yes and No. You will find 2-3 questions that are exact duplicates, around 10 that are similar, and something you have never seen on either Collins or Pearson. Dr. Collins helps get you prepared mentally for the exam and teaches you the basic knowledge you must know for the exam. Pearson helps you with time management.
4. Are Pearson Practice Exams more difficult than real PCAT?
In my opinion, yes. I only scored around 65-80% on all of the practice exams. Remember to learn from the mistakes you have made on the practice exams.
5. Are Dr. Collins practice exams easier than real PCAT?
In my opinion, not necessarily. I made many mistakes on the Collins practice exams the first time I went through them. The practice exams teach you at least 70% of the real PCAT and you need to find the rest somewhere else.
6. Are the newest updates that reflect the changes a must-have?
No. To be honest, I did not read any of the Bio or Chem passages. You CAN answer the passage related questions without reading the passages.
7. Man oh Man, Kaplan book is too comprehensive, I have no time to go over the whole thing!
Don't worry, I only went through the Biology section. It is not necessary to go over the other sections, especially the Math section.
I am done with Dr. Collins materials and ready to sell them to the next owner. if you are interested, pm me at [email protected]
1. Dr Collins self-study package (both 2015-2016, 2016-2017 are fine).
2. Kaplan PCAT 2016-2017
3. Pearson Practice Exams 5, 6, 7.
Schedule
Start 37 days before your scheduled PCAT.
Step 1. Go over Dr. Collins practice exams first. (It is not necessary to go over the Biology, Math, or Chemistry self-study guides)
- 2 Biology practice exam packets everyday for 5 days, then
- 2 Math practice exam packets everyday for 5 days, then
- 2 Chemistry practice exam packets everyday for 9 days
Days spent: 19 days
Step 2. Go over Kaplan Biology section.
- 30 pages everyday for 6 days. (the number may seem scary and unreasonably large, trust me, Kaplan freaking uses font 20, you will be able to finish 30 pages fairly quick)
Days spent: 6 days
Step 3. Pearson exams.
-Peason exam 5 Biology and Chemistry -1 day
-Pearson exam 5 Reading and Math - 1 day
-Pearson exam 6 Biology and Math - 1 day
-Pearson exam 6 Reading and Math - 1 day
-Peason exam 7 Biology and Chemistry -1 day
-Pearson exam 7 Reading and Math - 1 day
Days spent: 6 days
Step 4. Go over Dr. Collins practice exams again! not just the ones you got wrong the first time doing them.
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-3 Biology packets, 3 Math packets, 3 chemistry packets for 1 day, then
-Finish the rest of the chemistry packets.
Days spent: 4 days
Step5. Go over the practice exams. 1 day.
Total days spent: 36 days.
Rest and get ready for PCAT the next day.
My preliminary score:
Biology: 96 (finished everything with 10 mins to spare)
Chemistry: 96 (finished everything with 3 mins to spare)
Reading: 20 (finished everything with 35 mins to spare. I did not read any of the passages, I guessed everything. As you can see, Reading weighs very little compare to other sections, I decided to test my luck and save some brain cells for Math - strategic planning )
Math: 94 (finished everything with 5 seconds to spare. sigh...good ol math)
Composite: 90
The Chemistry section had way too much emphasis on organic chemistry, they need to revise the blue print.
The Biology section had way too much emphasis on A&P, they need to revise the blue print, again.
Could my composite be higher if I read the passages from the CR section? Sure! But having a 90% composite is good enough for me..... not to mention.....CR is unreasonably long.
Q&A
1. What version of Dr. Collins did you use?
I used the 2016-2017 version with Fall 2015, September 2015, and January 2016 updates.
2. I have the older version (older than 2015-2016) of Dr. Collins, can I use it?
I tried to use the 2014-2015 version in pdf format, and it was very disorganized. I would highly recommend the newer version.
3. Are the Real PCAT questions similar to those of Dr. Collins or Pearson Practice Exams?
Good question. Yes and No. You will find 2-3 questions that are exact duplicates, around 10 that are similar, and something you have never seen on either Collins or Pearson. Dr. Collins helps get you prepared mentally for the exam and teaches you the basic knowledge you must know for the exam. Pearson helps you with time management.
4. Are Pearson Practice Exams more difficult than real PCAT?
In my opinion, yes. I only scored around 65-80% on all of the practice exams. Remember to learn from the mistakes you have made on the practice exams.
5. Are Dr. Collins practice exams easier than real PCAT?
In my opinion, not necessarily. I made many mistakes on the Collins practice exams the first time I went through them. The practice exams teach you at least 70% of the real PCAT and you need to find the rest somewhere else.
6. Are the newest updates that reflect the changes a must-have?
No. To be honest, I did not read any of the Bio or Chem passages. You CAN answer the passage related questions without reading the passages.
7. Man oh Man, Kaplan book is too comprehensive, I have no time to go over the whole thing!
Don't worry, I only went through the Biology section. It is not necessary to go over the other sections, especially the Math section.
I am done with Dr. Collins materials and ready to sell them to the next owner. if you are interested, pm me at [email protected]
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