To interpret Pharmacy College Admission Test® (PCAT®) scores, you may start with considering the five multiple choice sections of the test as well as the writing portion; the multiple choice parts consist of biology, chemistry, reading comprehension, verbal, and quantitative sections. PCAT® scores range from 100 to 300, and higher scores are better. Aside from this range, you may consider your scaled and composite PCAT® scores as well as your percentile ranks in evaluating how well you tested. You may also find it beneficial to contact the pharmacy schools to which you are applying to learn their scoring cutoffs.
PCAT® scoring ranges from 100 to 300 for the test overall, but the individual sections are scored differently. For example, the writing topics are scored on a scale that ranges from zero to five. If you receive a zero, this means your writing was deemed incomplete. Five is the best score you can earn for this part of the PCAT®.
There is also a scaled score for each of the multiple-choice sections on the test. These scores depend on the number of correct answers you select, and they range from 200 to 600. You do not lose any points for incorrect answers when it comes to scaled PCAT® scores.
Your composite PCAT® score is the average score you received on all of the multiple choice parts of the test. The score you see when you consider your composite score is unweighted. There also is a percentile composite score, which is a bit different from your composite score. It provides your composite rank, based on the multiple choice questions, when compared to others who took the test. If your rank is 70 percent, 30 percent of test takers scored higher than you.
PCAT® scoring also includes percentile ranks. These ranks are reported for the different sections on the test. They are figured using the scaled scores and are measured in comparison to a normed group. These PCAT® scores let you know how many in the normed group had lower scores than you earned.
Aside from reviewing your PCAT® scores to evaluate how well you performed and compare yourself with other test takers, you may do well to contact the schools to which you are planning to apply as well. By doing so, you can learn the cutoff scores set by each school on your list. Then, you can evaluate your scores based on the likelihood that they will help you gain admission to the college of your choice.
