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MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GREStandardized Admission TestsEvelyn BossKayla MichelsonHealth Sciences Advisors

Tonight’s Agenda1. Standardized Tests– MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE– Scope, structure, content, registration2. Planning for Spring – Tips and Timeline3. Kaplan Review Courses2

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 performance3

Test AdministrationNational organization overseeing each exam. Bookmark websites, follow on socialmedia, and view the official guide for registration, scoring, and test day information.MCAT: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)– https://www.aamc.org/– MCAT EssentialsDAT: American Dental Association (ADA)– https://www.ada.org– DAT GuideOAT: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)– https://www.ada.org/en/oat– OAT GuidePCAT: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)– http://pcatweb.info/– PCAT Candidate Information BookletGRE: Educational Testing Center (ETS)– https://www.ets.org– GRE General Test Brochure4

Test TimeFormatTopicsMCATMultiple choice 230 Qs 7.5h Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems(95 m; 59 Qs)Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems(95 m; 59 Qs)Psychological, Social & Biological Foundations ofBehavior (95 m; 59 Qs)Critical Analysis & Reasoning (90 m; 53 Qs) DAT5hMultiple 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)OAT4h 50mMultiple 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)PCAT3h 40mMultiple choice 192 QsWritten 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)GRE3h 45mMultiple choice 80 QsWritten 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 ScoringTestSection ScoresMCAT118-132Composite ScoreTotal of all sectionsDAT1-30Not an average of the scores fromall the sections but rather anevaluation of your performance onthe entire test.OAT200-400Not an average of the scores fromall the sections but rather anevaluation of your performance onthe entire test.PCATMultiple choice: 200-600Writing range: 1-6Average of all multiple choicesections – Writing listed separatelyGREVerbal Reasoning: 130-170Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170Analytical Writing: 0-66None

What is a good score?TestTop T514-528508-513500-507DATAA 21 NS 21-22 QR 19 RC 23 PA 22 390350 300 PCATAA 431 Writing 5-6417-4304.5402-4164.0GREVerbal Reasoning 163-170Quantitative Reasoning 165-170Analytical Writing 5-6158-162159-1644.5152-158153-1584.07

When is it offered?TestDatesMCAT31 dates in January, March - SeptemberDATYear-roundOATYear-roundPCATJanuary, February, March, July, September, OctoberGREYear-round8

When should you take it?TestDatesScores ReturnedMCATNo later than June 4th for first attempt4 weeksDATNo later than June 1st for first attemptImmediatelyOATNo later than June 1st for first attemptImmediatelyPCATPick a July test date for first attempt5 weeksGRENo later than June 1st for first attempt10-15 days for writtenportion9

How many times can you take it?TestRetakesMCATUp to 3 times in any calendar yearUp to 4 times in 2 consecutive yearsUp to 7 times in a lifetimeDATUp to 3 times (after 3 attempts you need to write for permission)Must wait at least 90 days from last attempt before retaking itOATUp to 3 times (after 3 attempts you need to write for permission)Must wait at least 90 days from last attempt before retaking itPCATUp to 5 times (after 5 attempts you will need to get permission)GREUp to 5 times in any continuous 12 month periodMust wait at least 21 days from last attempt before retaking itDo your best the first time; don’t use your first test as a practice test.10

How much does it cost?TestMCATDATOATPCATGRECost 320 475 490 210 205Payment due when you register for the exam Fees are good for one calendar year Some fees may increase slightly by the time youregisterThere are Fee Assistance or Fee Reduction Programs forall of these tests They vary greatly and reduce the test fees, and insome cases the application fees. See the specifictest websites for details.11

Where do you take them?TestDatesMCATPearson Vue Professional Testing Centers – does not include UNDor any university sites*DATPrometric Testing Centers – includes UNDOATPrometric Testing Centers – includes UNDPCATPearson Vue Testing Centers – includes UNDGREPrometric Testing Centers – includes UND*MCAT – only testing locations in ND are in Fargo and Bismarck12

When do you register?TestTest DateRegistration OpensMCATJanuary and MarchApril-June testsJuly-SeptemberNovember yPCATFebruary and MarchJuly, Sept, Oct, & JanDecember ryRegister as soon as possible to secure your preferred testing date and location13

How do you register? You will need an ID/PIN number or an account prior toregistering Registration for the exams is online– You will need your identification and a credit card MCAT and GRE: select testing center and date at thesame time DAT, OAT, PCAT: select testing center and date afterconfirmation email14

Accommodations All test websites have information on requestingaccommodations for disabilities or health related needs You will need to apply for accommodations– DAT, OAT, PCAT, & GRE: apply prior to requesting atest date– MCAT: apply after registering for your test date You may be required to submit additional documentationverifying your need for accommodations15

Planning forSpring 2020Tips and Timeline

Things to do now Make sure you have a valid form of ID to create youraccount, get your ID/PIN, and register If you need accommodations:– Review requirements for requesting accommodations– Be sure to have all medical evaluations completedthis fall– Complete and submit appropriate paperwork17

Things to do nowBecome familiar with your test Download the official guide!MCAT: MCAT EssentialsDAT: DAT GuideOAT: OAT GuidePCAT: PCAT Candidate Information BookletGRE: GRE General Test Brochure18

Create a Study Schedule Check out test prep handouts on UND pre-healthwebpage Includes various study resources andtimeline Choose and order test review materials or registerfor a Kaplan Review Course19

Create a Study ScheduleMost students will begin studying over winter break if theyplan to take the test at the end of the semester– January: Baseline test– January-March: Content review– March-May: Content review wraps up; start practicetests and review weak areas Spring Break/Mid-March: practice tests– May-June: Take your test*Adjust schedule as needed based on your test date20

Create a Study Schedule 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 sleep7 hrs left in the day!– 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 orconsider the Kaplan Online course21

Later this Fall Finalize school choices and look at:––––GPA and test scores of matriculantsCourse requirements/recommendationsLetters of recommendation author requirementsAny residency requirements Send in ND WICHE applications– Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Plan your Spring 2021 courses22

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 yourtest 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 thissemester (F 2020) you are on track to graduate in S 202278 credits 12 credits (S ‘21) 15 credits (F ‘21) 15 credits (S ‘22) 120 credits23

Spring 2021: Scholarships Do you have any UND scholarships?– UND scholarships typically require 15 credits/semester– Minimum credit requirement changed to 12 credits for the2020-2021 academic year– No petition needed to enroll in 12 credits and keepscholarship Do you have any outside scholarships?– Make sure that you still meet any of their requirements ifyou enroll in 12 credits this spring– Contact the scholarship distributor directly with questions24

Spring 2021: Test PrepPractice Effectively– Suggested prep resources for each test on thepre-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 incorrectly25

Spring 2021: Test PrepPractice Effectively– Consider taking a review course Learn with an expert instructor Access to review materials Live courses provide structure to help pace you throughthe review material over a 5 month period Become familiar with test style and format to reduce testanxiety26

Before Testing Day Visit your testing center ahead of time to know how to getthere/where to park.– If traveling to the testing center, consider stayingovernight in that town Look up testing center restrictions– In general, no calculators, watches, or phones Remember to bring 1-2 forms of identification (Will varydepending on testing center. Read the fine print!) The name on your ID needs to match exactly to thename you used to register for the test27

Kaplan Review CoursesSpring 2021

Kaplan Course OfferingsUND has an Institutional Agreement with Kaplan fortheir Review Courses– Offers substantial discount for UND students– Online (prev. Live Online) or DIY (prev. Self-Paced)courses for MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT and GRENew this year: There will not be a specific MCAT Onlinesection for UND students. Can select any MCAT Onlinesection that works best for you.29

Kaplan Course Cost and RegistrationUND students get a discount on Kaplan review courses You can register and pay through the UND Office ofExtended Learning Register by the 14th of the month prior to when you wantto begin your course will take 2 weeks to get materialsExamKaplan Online CourseUND PriceReg. PriceMCAT 1,699 2,499DAT 999 1199OAT 999 1199PCAT 999 1199GRE 799 999

Kaplan Online PracticeTests155557Access toOnlineAssets180 days 180 days 120 days 150 days 120 days( 6 months) ( 6 months) ( 4 months) ( 5 months) ( 4 months)Each Kaplan Online course comes with additional online assets and studymaterials (eg. course books, adaptive question banks, review videos).31

Recommended Timeline forOnline CoursesRegister for a course whose online assets will expire around thetime you plan to take your test(Deadline to register is by the 14th of the month prior to the course start date)MCATAccess toOnlineAssetsDATOATPCATGRE180 days 180 days 120 days 150 days 120 days( 6 months) ( 6 months) ( 4 months) ( 5 months) ( 4 months)Example:MCAT test date: June 1Kaplan Live Online MCAT course begins: January 1Deadline to register for course: December 1432

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 forspring/summer test dates Narrow down schools of interest Review prerequisites Review LOR requirements and choose authors Make your plan for next semester33

Upcoming Information Sessions More information to come!– April 2021: Writing your personal statement,letters of recommendation, application processes– September 2021: Health professional schoolinterviewing tips34

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