Dental
DAT: The
Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is administered on computer and is offered on most days throughout the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability. All U.S. dental schools require applicants to take the DAT. The examination is multiple choice and consists of four separate examinations that cover the following:
- Survey of Natural sciences: biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry
- Perceptual ability: two- and three-dimensional problem solving
- Reading comprehension: dental and basic sciences
- Quantitative reasoning
For more information check www.ada.org
Medical
MCAT: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is offered 28 times per year on 24 test dates. At most U.S. medical schools, your MCAT scores are given as much weight as your GPA. The lowest total score you can receive on the MCAT is a 3, and the highest is a 45.
The MCAT test is comprised of four primary sections:
- Physical Sciences
- Verbal Reasoning
- Biological Sciences
- Writing Sample
The physical science, verbal reasoning, and biological science sections of the exam each include a series of multiple-choice questions that are related to basic biology, chemistry, physics, and reading comprehension skills. The writing sample is not multiple-choice rather it requires the individual to write two essays based on two separate statements. The information covered in each section of the exam may not necessarily be directly related to medicine, as most of the information covered on the exam is related to basic verbal and scientific topics rather than specific medical concepts.
Optometry
OAT: The
Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized examination designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information in four areas:
- Survey of the Natural Sciences: Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Physics
- Quantitative Reasoning
It is offered in a computerized format, and testing is available year round.
Information about the OAT can be obtained online at
www.opted.org
Pharmacy
PCAT: The
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a specialized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges by measuring general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for a pharmaceutical education. The PCAT is offered four times a year in January, August, October and June.
The PCAT consists of approximately 300 multiple-choice questions and essay that test general ability and scientific knowledge. The information tested includes:
- Verbal Ability: nonscientific word knowledge using antonyms and analogies
- Quantitative Ability: arithmetic processes including fractions, decimals, and percentages and your ability to reason through and understand quantitative concepts and relationships, including applications of algebra (but not of trigonometry or calculus)
- Biology: your knowledge of the principles and concepts of basic biology, with a major emphasis on human biology
- Chemistry: inorganic and organic
- Reading Comprehension: your ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret reading passages on scientific topics
- Information can be obtained on the PCAT web site: www.pcatweb.info
GRE
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a multiple-choice, standardized test. Many professional programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Veterinary Medicine and Physician Assistant and advanced Nursing programs require the GRE. It is offered in many locations and often. The GRE is comprised of 3 sections:
- Analytical Writing: (2 essays. One asks students to "present their perspective on an issue," the other asks them to "analyze an argument.")
- Quantitative: high-school level math(arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis)
- Verbal: (sentence completion questions, analogies, antonyms, and reading comprehension questions)
- For more information go to the GRE website: www.gre.org