Health Care Grad School Tests
by Robyn Tellefsen
To get into a health care graduate school program (e.g., dental, pharmacy, or optometry), you'll need to take a specific grad school test. Get the lowdown here:
Grad school test: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
What it is: The DAT measures general academic aptitude, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
What it's used for: All dental graduate schools require the DAT for admission to degree programs.
Test format: The DAT is a computer-based test consisting of four multiple-choice sections: survey of natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.
Test tip: DAT scores are based on the total number of correct answers; there is no penalty for guessing.
Test length: 4 hours, 15 minutes (280 questions)
Test fee: $175
Test prep: Download a free sample test at www.ada.org.
Grad school test: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
What it is: The PCAT tests basic scientific knowledge, math skills, and verbal knowledge.
What it's used for: More than 65% of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy institutions require the PCAT for admission to pharmacy graduate schools.
Test format: The PCAT consists of two writing sections and five multiple-choice sections: verbal ability, biology, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, and chemistry.
Test tip: PCAT scores are based on the number of items you answer correctly; points are not deducted for incorrect responses.
Test length: 4 hours (240 questions and 2 essays)
Test fee: $125
Test prep: Take a practice grad school test for $21 at http://harcourtassessment.com.
Grad school test: Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
What it is: The OAT is designed to predict general academic ability and measure scientific knowledge and analytical ability.
What it's used for: All schools and colleges of optometry require candidates to submit OAT scores for admission.
Test format: The OAT is a computer-based test consisting of four multiple-choice sections: survey of natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
Test tip: OAT scores are based on the number of correct responses; there is no guessing penalty.
Test length: 3 hours, 55 minutes (220 questions)
Test fee: $195
Test prep: Download a free sample test at www.opted.org.
Grad school test: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
What it is: The DAT measures general academic aptitude, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability.
What it's used for: All dental graduate schools require the DAT for admission to degree programs.
Test format: The DAT is a computer-based test consisting of four multiple-choice sections: survey of natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.
Test tip: DAT scores are based on the total number of correct answers; there is no penalty for guessing.
Test length: 4 hours, 15 minutes (280 questions)
Test fee: $175
Test prep: Download a free sample test at www.ada.org.
Grad school test: Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
What it is: The PCAT tests basic scientific knowledge, math skills, and verbal knowledge.
What it's used for: More than 65% of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy institutions require the PCAT for admission to pharmacy graduate schools.
Test format: The PCAT consists of two writing sections and five multiple-choice sections: verbal ability, biology, reading comprehension, quantitative ability, and chemistry.
Test tip: PCAT scores are based on the number of items you answer correctly; points are not deducted for incorrect responses.
Test length: 4 hours (240 questions and 2 essays)
Test fee: $125
Test prep: Take a practice grad school test for $21 at http://harcourtassessment.com.
Grad school test: Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
What it is: The OAT is designed to predict general academic ability and measure scientific knowledge and analytical ability.
What it's used for: All schools and colleges of optometry require candidates to submit OAT scores for admission.
Test format: The OAT is a computer-based test consisting of four multiple-choice sections: survey of natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
Test tip: OAT scores are based on the number of correct responses; there is no guessing penalty.
Test length: 3 hours, 55 minutes (220 questions)
Test fee: $195
Test prep: Download a free sample test at www.opted.org.
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Tweet This!Sound Off! Post Your Comments
You are not currently logged on. Please login to add a comment.
Request Free Information
on Colleges Near You
Find