MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GREStandardized Admission Tests

Evelyn Boss

Kayla Michelson

Health Sciences Advisors

Tonight’s Agenda

1. Standardized Tests

– MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE

– Scope, structure, content, registration

2. Planning for Spring – Tips and Timeline

3. Kaplan Review Courses

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Standardized Tests

• Required by most HP schools:

– MCAT Med, Osteo, Pod, and some Vet

– DAT Dental schools

– OAT Optometry schools

– PCAT Pharmacy schools

– GRE General Test most PA and Vet

• Predictors of HP school performance

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Test Administration

National organization overseeing each exam. Bookmark websites, follow on social media, and view the official guide for registration, scoring, and test day information.

MCAT: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)– https://www.aamc.org/

– MCAT Essentials

DAT: American Dental Association (ADA)– https://www.ada.org

– DAT Guide

OAT: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)– https://www.ada.org/en/oat

– OAT Guide

PCAT: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)– http://pcatweb.info/

– PCAT Candidate Information Booklet

GRE: Educational Testing Center (ETS)– https://www.ets.org

– GRE General Test Brochure

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Test Time Format TopicsMCAT 7.5h Multiple choice

• 230 Qs

• Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

(95 m; 59 Qs)

• Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

(95 m; 59 Qs)

• Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations of

Behavior (95 m; 59 Qs)

• Critical Analysis & Reasoning (90 m; 53 Qs)

DAT 5h Multiple choice

• 280 Qs

• Survey of the Natural Sciences (90 m; 100 Qs)

• Perceptual Ability (60 m; 90 Qs)

• Reading Comprehension (60 m; 50 Qs)

• Quantitative Reasoning (45 m; 40 Qs)

OAT 4h 50m Multiple choice

• 230 Qs

• Survey of the Natural Sciences (90 m; 100 Qs)

• Physics (50 m; 40 Qs)

• Reading Comprehension (60 m; 50 Qs)

• Quantitative Reasoning (45 m; 40 Qs)

PCAT 3h 40m Multiple choice

• 192 Qs

Written

• Biological Processes(45 m; 48 Qs)

• Chemical Processes (45 m; 48 Qs)

• Critical Reading (50 m; 48 Qs)

• Quantitative Reasoning (50 m; 48 Qs)

• 1 Writing (1 prompt; 30 m)

GRE 3h 45m Multiple choice

• 80 Qs

Written

• Verbal Reasoning (2 sect. - 20 Qs; 30 m ea.)

• Quantitative Reasoning (2 sect. - 20 Qs; 35 m ea.)

• Analytical Writing (2 Essay Responses; 30 m ea.)

Test Scoring

Test Section Scores Composite Score

MCAT 118-132 Total of all sections

DAT 1-30 Not an average of the scores from

all the sections but rather an

evaluation of your performance on

the entire test.

OAT 200-400 Not an average of the scores from

all the sections but rather an

evaluation of your performance on

the entire test.

PCAT Multiple choice: 200-600

Writing range: 1-6

Average of all multiple choice

sections – Writing listed separately

GRE Verbal Reasoning: 130-170

Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170

Analytical Writing: 0-6

None

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What is a good score?

TestTop Score

(90%tile)

Competitive

(75%tile)

Good

(50%tile)

MCAT 514-528 508-513 500-507

DAT AA = 21+

NS = 21-22+

QR = 19+

RC = 23+

PA = 22+

19-20

19-20

17-18

21-22

20-21

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17-18

15-16

19-20

18-19

OAT 390 350+ 300+

PCAT AA = 431+

Writing = 5-6

417-430

4.5

402-416

4.0

GRE Verbal Reasoning = 163-170

Quantitative Reasoning = 165-170

Analytical Writing = 5-6

158-162

159-164

4.5

152-158

153-158

4.0

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When is it offered?

Test Dates

MCAT 31 dates in January, March - September

DAT Year-round

OAT Year-round

PCAT January, February, March, July, September, October

GRE Year-round

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When should you take it?

Test Dates Scores Returned

MCAT No later than June 4th for first attempt 4 weeks

DAT No later than June 1st for first attempt Immediately

OAT No later than June 1st for first attempt Immediately

PCAT Pick a July test date for first attempt 5 weeks

GRE No later than June 1st for first attempt 10-15 days for written

portion

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How many times can you take it?

Test Retakes

MCAT Up to 3 times in any calendar year

Up to 4 times in 2 consecutive years

Up to 7 times in a lifetime

DAT Up to 3 times (after 3 attempts you need to write for permission)

Must wait at least 90 days from last attempt before retaking it

OAT Up to 3 times (after 3 attempts you need to write for permission)

Must wait at least 90 days from last attempt before retaking it

PCAT Up to 5 times (after 5 attempts you will need to get permission)

GRE Up to 5 times in any continuous 12 month period

Must wait at least 21 days from last attempt before retaking it

Do your best the first time; don’t use your first test as a practice test.

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How much does it cost?

Payment due when you register for the exam

• Fees are good for one calendar year

• Some fees may increase slightly by the time you

register

There are Fee Assistance or Fee Reduction Programs for

all of these tests

• They vary greatly and reduce the test fees, and in

some cases the application fees. See the specific

test websites for details.

Test MCAT DAT OAT PCAT GRE

Cost $320 $475 $490 $210 $205

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Where do you take them?

Test Dates

MCAT Pearson Vue Professional Testing Centers – does not include UND

or any university sites*

DAT Prometric Testing Centers – includes UND

OAT Prometric Testing Centers – includes UND

PCAT Pearson Vue Testing Centers – includes UND

GRE Prometric Testing Centers – includes UND

*MCAT – only testing locations in ND are in Fargo and Bismarck

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When do you register?

Test Test Date Registration Opens

MCAT January and March

April-June tests

July-September

November 10th

February

May

DAT Year-round

Spring/Summer

Year-round

January

OAT Year-round

Spring/Summer

Year-round

January

PCAT February and March

July, Sept, Oct, & Jan

December 21st

April

GRE Year-round

Spring/Summer

Year-round

January

Register as soon as possible to secure your preferred testing date and location

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How do you register?

• You will need an ID/PIN number or an account prior to

registering

• Registration for the exams is online

– You will need your identification and a credit card

• MCAT and GRE: select testing center and date at the

same time

• DAT, OAT, PCAT: select testing center and date after

confirmation email

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Accommodations

• All test websites have information on requesting

accommodations for disabilities or health related needs

• You will need to apply for accommodations

– DAT, OAT, PCAT, & GRE: apply prior to requesting a

test date

– MCAT: apply after registering for your test date

• You may be required to submit additional documentation

verifying your need for accommodations

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Planning for

Spring 2020Tips and Timeline

Things to do now

• Make sure you have a valid form of ID to create your account, get your ID/PIN, and register

• If you need accommodations:

– Review requirements for requesting accommodations

– Be sure to have all medical evaluations completed

this fall

– Complete and submit appropriate paperwork

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Become familiar with your test Download the official guide!

MCAT: MCAT Essentials

DAT: DAT Guide

OAT: OAT Guide

PCAT: PCAT Candidate Information Booklet

GRE: GRE General Test Brochure

Things to do now

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Create a Study Schedule

• Check out test prep handouts on UND pre-health

webpage

• Includes various study resources and

timeline

• Choose and order test review materials or register

for a Kaplan Review Course

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Create a Study Schedule

Most students will begin studying over winter break if they

plan to take the test at the end of the semester

– January: Baseline test

– January-March: Content review

– March-May: Content review wraps up; start practice

tests and review weak areas

• Spring Break/Mid-March: practice tests

– May-June: Take your test

*Adjust schedule as needed based on your test date

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− Assign regular blocks of time each week for review

• 24 hours in a day

– 6 hrs lecture/prep for class

– 3 hrs eat/exercise

– 8 hrs sleep

– Minimum of 20 hours per week for content review

• Additional time for practice tests

− If you need help staying on track, form a study group or

consider the Kaplan Online course

7 hrs left in the day!

Create a Study Schedule

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Later this Fall

• Finalize school choices and look at:

– GPA and test scores of matriculants

– Course requirements/recommendations

– Letters of recommendation author requirements

– Any residency requirements

• Send in ND WICHE applications– Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary

• Plan your Spring 2021 courses

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Spring 2021: Courses

• Take a lighter load (12-13 credits)

– You will need 20-30 hours per week for review

– Make sure to complete courses recommended for your

test in your Pre-Health Guide by test day

• Keep in mind: 120 credits needed to graduate

– If you have at least 78 credits done by the end of this

semester (F 2020) you are on track to graduate in S 2022

78 credits + 12 credits (S ‘21) + 15 credits (F ‘21) +15 credits (S ‘22) = 120 credits

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Spring 2021: Scholarships

• Do you have any UND scholarships?

– UND scholarships typically require 15 credits/semester

– Minimum credit requirement changed to 12 credits for the

2020-2021 academic year

– No petition needed to enroll in 12 credits and keep

scholarship

• Do you have any outside scholarships?

– Make sure that you still meet any of their requirements if

you enroll in 12 credits this spring

– Contact the scholarship distributor directly with questions

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Spring 2021: Test Prep

Practice Effectively

– Suggested prep resources for each test on the pre-health webpage

– Practice tests are the best prep• Be sure to do most full-length tests in one sitting

• Do several tests throughout the spring semester

– Go through each question answered incorrectly

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Spring 2021: Test Prep

Practice Effectively

– Consider taking a review course• Learn with an expert instructor

• Access to review materials

• Live courses provide structure to help pace you through the review material over a 5 month period

• Become familiar with test style and format to reduce test anxiety

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Before Testing Day

• Visit your testing center ahead of time to know how to get there/where to park.

– If traveling to the testing center, consider staying overnight in that town

• Look up testing center restrictions

– In general, no calculators, watches, or phones

• Remember to bring 1-2 forms of identification (Will vary depending on testing center. Read the fine print!)

• The name on your ID needs to match exactly to the name you used to register for the test

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Kaplan Review Courses

Spring 2021

Kaplan Course Offerings

UND has an Institutional Agreement with Kaplan for their Review Courses

– Offers substantial discount for UND students

– Online (prev. Live Online) or DIY (prev. Self-Paced) courses for MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT and GRE

New this year: There will not be a specific MCAT Online section for UND students. Can select any MCAT Online section that works best for you.

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Kaplan Course Cost and Registration

UND students get a discount on Kaplan review courses

• You can register and pay through the UND Office of

Extended Learning

• Register by the 14th of the month prior to when you want

to begin your course will take 2 weeks to get materials

Exam Kaplan Online Course

UND Price Reg. Price

MCAT $1,699 $2,499

DAT $999 $1199

OAT $999 $1199

PCAT $999 $1199

GRE $799 $999

Kaplan Online Courses

MCAT DAT OAT PCAT GRE

Classroom

Sessions12 14 12 12 7

Practice

Tests15 5 5 5 7

Access to

Online

Assets

180 days(~6 months)

180 days(~6 months)

120 days(~4 months)

150 days(~5 months)

120 days(~4 months)

Each Kaplan Online course comes with additional online assets and study

materials (eg. course books, adaptive question banks, review videos).

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Recommended Timeline for

Online Courses

Register for a course whose online assets will expire around the

time you plan to take your test

(Deadline to register is by the 14th of the month prior to the course start date)

MCAT DAT OAT PCAT GRE

Access to

Online

Assets

180 days(~6 months)

180 days(~6 months)

120 days(~4 months)

150 days(~5 months)

120 days(~4 months)

Example:

MCAT test date: June 1

Kaplan Live Online MCAT course begins: January 1

Deadline to register for course: December 14

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To-do

• Register for your exam

• MCAT – register in February for May/June dates

• PCAT – register in April for July test date

• Other tests – register in January for spring/summer test dates

• Narrow down schools of interest

• Review prerequisites

• Review LOR requirements and choose authors

• Make your plan for next semester

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Upcoming Information Sessions

• More information to come!– April 2021: Writing your personal statement,

letters of recommendation, application processes

– September 2021: Health professional school

interviewing tips

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