Pre-Health Advising

Standardized Tests Medical School: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required.  It is given in April and August of each year.  For the 2006 entering class, it is highly recommended you take it in April 2005.  If you need to retake it, you may do so in August.   However, do not use the April test as a practice!  If you are truly not prepared for the April test, wait until August, and study hard over the summer.  If you take it for the first time in August, you will not have a second chance to take it for this application cycle.  Also, the medical schools will not receive your scores until late October.  However, you may (and should!) still apply to AMCAS in June even if you are not taking the MCAT until August.  You can register for the MCAT on-line beginning February 2005.  The on-line address to register is http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/registration.htm Dental School: The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required. The DAT is offered in a computerized testing format.  You may take it year-round, but it is highly recommended you take it by May of 2005 for the 2006 entering class.  Contact individual schools to determine the latest scores they will accept.  For more information on the DAT, please go to https://www.ada.org.prof.ed/testing/dat/Onine/index.html Veterinary School: Most veterinary schools require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  Very few schools will accept the MCAT.  The VCAT (Veterinary College Admissions Test) is no longer available.  Find out now what test(s) is (are) required by the schools to which you plan to apply.  The GRE can be taken by computer during most months of the year.  For the 2006 entering class, it is highly recommended you take it in by the summer of 2005.  Contact individual schools to determine the latest scores they will accept and which tests they prefer.  For information on registering for the GRE please go to http://www.gre.org/ttindex.html Optometry School: Optometry Shools require the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). The OAT is given in February and October. It is recommended that students take it no later than October 2005 for the entering class of 2006. For more information on the OAT please visit http://www.opted.org/ Pharmacy School: The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required for Pharmacy School. The PCAT is given three times in a given application year, usually in October, January and March. For more information on registering for the PCAT, visit http://marketplace.psychcorp.com/PsychCorp.com/Cultures/en-US/dotCom/PCATWEB.INFO.htm Podiatry School: The MCAT is also required for Podiatry School.  Podiatry schools will consider scores from the April test of the year for which you are applying for (April 2005 for the 2005 entering class).  However, it is strongly recommended you take the test no later than August 2005.  April scores are not received until June and August scores are not available until October.  Some schools may accept the GRE in place of the MCAT.  For MCAT registration please go to http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/registration.htm and for GRE registration, please go to http://www.gre.org/ttindex.html Applicants to master's level or doctorate level in the following health profession areas should take the GRE: physician assistant, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Preferably, the admission test should be taken in the spring of your junior year, since that permits early completion of your application and will allow you to correct any deficiencies by taking the exam again in the fall if necessary. Do not use the Spring test as a "practice," however. Even though you will have another chance to take the test, you should take it the first time as if it is your only chance! Grades are the most important initial factor in the selection process for most professional schools. However, different schools place varying emphasis on the results of standardized tests. In general, slightly low DAT, MCAT, PCAT, GRE, or OAT scores can be offset by relatively high GPA's, but the reverse is not as effective. These tests, together with the GPA, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and the results of professional school interviews are used in selecting professional students. As has been stated for the GPA, there is no set cut-off point for admission test scores. If you have concerns about your scores or your test taking skills, please see the pre-health professions advisor. Admission committees may give some consideration to the fact that an applicant has not taken all the prescribed courses prior to taking the DAT/MCAT/PCAT/GRE if they are made aware of that fact in the application. However, you should plan on completing all relevant courses before taking the test. Reviewing for an Admission Test All students should plan for a systematic and thorough review for an admission test. At the minimum, it is strongly recommended that applicants use the review manuals (offered by the testing programs) for at least 3 months prior to taking the test. While high school records usually play no role at all in professional school admission, SAT and ACT scores often correlate to scores on standardized tests in general. Unlike the SAT and ACT, professional admissions standardized exams test on information learned in the sciences.  These are not skills based exams. There are commercial programs and publications available to help prepare students for these tests. Students are advised to research various options and consider their own needs and learning styles before deciding how best to prepare.  There are local companies in Gainesville who specialize in test preparation courses, although you may choose to do a self-directed review of the material.  Because of the high costs of commercial courses, many students choose this option of studying on their own.  Any study program is going to require a considerable amount of effort - give it the attention that you would to an academic course. Try not to let your grades suffer. You can repeat an admissions test, but your academic record is more important and permanent. Repeating an Admission Test The effects of repeating an admissions test depend partly on whether the scores are improved or not. In circumstances where illness or an incomplete sequence of required courses prevailed at the time of testing, later testing under better circumstances might show considerably improved scores. The most recent test reports generally carry the most weight. It is not recommended that any of these tests be taken for practice since some schools make adjustments for repeated exams, some even average all scores. Approach the first test as if it is your only chance to take it. Links for Testing & Preparation Services Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Dental Admission Testing Program Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Preparation GRE Online Kaplan Review Princeton Review Dr. Putzer's MCAT course Should I Retake the MCAT ? Considerations if you are unhappy with your MCAT score.  (. pdf format )