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The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required for most US pharmacy graduate programs. The registration process involves completing a detailed form, paying a fee, and nominating up to three schools to receive official score reports. Changes to the registration are limited, and special forms are required for unusual requests.
Students interested in attending graduate programs in pharmacy in the US must, in most cases, take the Pharmacy College Admission Test. This test, known as the PCAT, is a series of standardized tests that take an entire morning or an entire afternoon to complete. The PCAT registration process is relatively simple, but precise: it requires several steps and a lot of information, which means that registrants must approach it with care. PCAT registration forms typically span several pages and must be completed completely and correctly. They can be submitted online or by mail, but must be received within the published time frame and with all necessary fees and supporting documentation to be processed.
All PCAT registration requirements are set forth in a guide published by the creators of the PCAT test. This guide is available for free download from the official PCAT admissions testing website, or candidates can contact the test center office to request a free copy by mail. Many guidance counselors and career centers also have copies.
Most PCAT registration forms are submitted online through the official PCAT website. There is always an application fee, which must be paid before a form can be processed. Online registration and paper registration require exactly the same information, but submitting online is faster and costs less. PCAT administrators typically charge an additional hard copy premium in addition to the normal registration fee for participants who choose to submit their materials.
PCAT registration gives participants the opportunity to nominate up to three schools to which official PCAT score reports will be sent. The application form requires more than just the school name. All pharmacy schools that require the PCAT have codes, consisting of numbers and letters, that serve as PCAT identifiers. In order for scores to be sent to schools, applicants must correctly enter the school codes and their names on the application form.
Most of the time, once a registration form is submitted and received, nothing about it can be changed. The date and location of the test cannot be changed without definitively canceling the registration. Mistakes in the name and address are an exception, but can still only be corrected within a certain limited window and usually only in writing. School reports generally cannot be canceled or redirected. Exam takers can always choose to add additional schools for a fee, but once submitted, nominated schools will receive any registered PCAT scores.
PCAT exam administrators limit the number of times a test taker can take standardized tests to five. Taking the PCAT for the sixth time usually requires a special petition. This petition must be supported by the faculty of pharmacy or staff of advisors and should normally be submitted by mail – most of the time, the PCAT online registration system will not allow automatic registration of applicants desiring a sixth session.
Special forms must also be submitted for unusual requests, including alternative test dates, for religious reasons; special accommodations for test days, such as for candidates with special needs; or alternate testing locations, such as for candidates who live in remote locations. If these forms are not submitted with the regular PCAT registration, the registration may not be processed correctly. Like most graduate entrance tests, the PCAT requires a certain degree of detail in the application process. Students who take the time to read the instructions before completing and submitting forms can ensure a smooth registration and avoid headaches later in the process.
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