MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GREStandardized Admission Tests

Evelyn Boss

Kayla Michelson, M.S.

Health Sciences Advisors

Katie Meyer

Academic Core Advisor

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

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

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

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

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

18

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

When is it offered?

Test Dates

MCAT 30 dates in January, March - September

DAT Year-round

OAT Year-round

PCAT July, September, October, November, January, February

GRE Year-round

When should you take it?

Test Dates Scores Returned

MCAT No later than June 5th 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

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, but one retake is usually OK

How much does it cost?

Test Cost

MCAT $315 to $370, depending on when you register

DAT $460

OAT $465

PCAT $210

GRE $205

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.

Where do you take them?

Test Dates

MCAT Pearson Vue Professional Testing Centers in ND, MN – does not

include UND or any university sites*

DAT Prometric Testing Centers in ND, MN – includes UND

OAT Prometric Testing Centers in ND, MN – includes UND

PCAT Pearson Vue Testing Centers in ND, MN – does not include UND*

GRE Prometric Testing Centers in ND, MN – includes UND

*MCAT/PCAT – The closest testing centers to Grand Forks are Fargo and Bismarck.

When do you register?

Test Dates

MCAT Registration for January-June tests opens late October (currently

open)

Registration for July-September tests opens in February

DAT Registration is open year round

OAT Registration is open year round

PCAT Registration opens in April, September or December depending on the

testing dates

GRE Registration is open year round

For MCAT, register as soon as possible, seats can be limited and fill up quickly!

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

Need 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

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

Become familiar with your test Download the official guide!

MCAT: MCAT Essentialshttps://aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net/production/media/filer_public/66/4c/664c14ab-f87e-435a-82ff-d112a89cc3f9/essentials_2019_final_10262018.pdf

DAT: DAT Guidehttps://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/2019_DAT_Guide.pdf?la=en

OAT: OAT Guidehttps://www.ada.org/~/media/OAT/Files/2019_OAT_Guide.pdf?la=en

PCAT: PCAT Candidate Information Booklethttps://www.pcatweb.info/downloads/CIB_MNL_FNL_on-line.pdf

GRE: GRE General Test Brochurehttps://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_test_taker_brochure.pdf

Things to do now

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

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: A good time to do practice tests

– May-June: Take your test

− 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 Live Online course

7 hrs left in the day!

Create a Study Schedule

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 2020 courses

Spring 2020: 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 Guide/Planners 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 2019) you are on track to graduate in S 2021

78 credits + 12 credits (S ‘20) + 15 credits (F ‘20) +15 credits (S ‘21) = 120 credits

Spring 2020: Scholarships

Do you have a UND Scholarship that requires 15 credits?

• You can petition to take <15 credits for one semester

– Contact OneStop to request the Scholarship Enrollment

Appeal form

• You will need an advisor (major or health sciences) to fill out

page 2

• You do not need to make an appointment to sign it

– Bring this form to spring advisement meeting, or

– Drop it off in the main office (Columbia Hall room 1000) and it will

be it will scanned/emailed it to you within a few days

• Deadline for appeal is Jan. 16th aim to get it done before

winter break

Spring 2020: Scholarships

Non-UND scholarships may also have minimum

credit requirements

• Check your financial aid awards and contact the

scholarship distributor if you have questions

• Common outside scholarships:

– ND Academic Scholarship

– ND Career and Tech Education

− Call the NDDPI (State of ND) at 701-328-4156 before

taking less than 15 credits

Spring 2020: Test Prep

Practice Effectively:– Most test guides and websites have sample questions

and/or practice tests

– Be sure to do most full length tests in one sitting

– Go through each question answered incorrectly

• Kaplan • AAMC.com

• Princeton • Crack (DAT, OAT…etc.).com

• ExamKrackers • Destroyer

• Barrons

Spring 2020: 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

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

Kaplan Review Courses

Spring 2020

Kaplan Course Offerings

• UND has an Institutional Agreement with Kaplan for their Review Courses

– Offers substantial discount for UND students

– LiveOnline or Self-Paced courses for MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT and GRE

– LiveOnline UND MCAT course• Option to meet in this lecture hall (Columbia 1360) for live

sessions via video

Kaplan Course Cost and Registration

UND students pay a discounted rate for the Self-Paced

and Live Online Kaplan 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 Self-Paced Live Online

MCAT $1,799 $1,899

DAT $1,099 $1,199

OAT $1,099 $1,199

PCAT $899 $1,199

GRE $629 $1,149

Kaplan Live Online Courses

MCAT DAT OAT PCAT GRE

Classroom

Sessions12 14 12 12 7

Practice

Tests15 5 5 5 7

Each Kaplan Live Online course comes with additional study

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

videos). More info on our website.

Kaplan Live Course Guarantee

• Kaplan stands behind their programs and student

results with the Kaplan Higher Score Guarantee

• In order to take advantage of this guarantee,

students must meet Kaplan’s basic study

requirements:

– Attend all classes (2 online make-ups allowed)

– Do all the homework

– Take all the required practice exams

– Take official exam within 30 days of course end

Kaplan MCAT Live Course Timeline

• Diagnostic Test

– Take online before the start of spring semester

• Course begins January 16, 2020– 12 Core Sessions

• Watch live online on specified dates

• Full length Online Practice MCAT’s

• MCAT Live Online course: option to meet Tues & Thurs nights in the Spring – Intro and Orientation (MCAT)

• Meet here, Columbia 1360, for brief session on January 14, 2020

MCAT Course Info/Reminders

• Register by Nov 14, 2019 to get your online access and

printed materials on time

• Absolute last day to register is Dec 10, 2019

• Pick up books at A&S Advising Office (Columbia Hall, Rm 1000)

before you leave for winter break

– You will receive an email when the books have arrived

• Do Diagnostic Test before Jan 16, 2020

• Class orientation: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 6:00 pm

• Online class begins: Thursday, January 16, 2020, 6:00 pm

To-do

• Make sure you sign in, we will send out an e-mail that provides the registration link and instructions

• For late spring/early summer exam dates:

• MCAT – limited seats, register ASAP

• Other tests – register by early January

• Narrow down HP schools of interest

• Review prerequisites

• Review LOR requirements and choose authors

• Make your plan for next semester

Upcoming Information Sessions

• More information to come!– April 2020: Writing your personal statement,

letters of recommendation, application processes

– September 2020: Health professional school

interviewing tips