Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

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*As of 2023, no Pharmacy School in the U.S. requires that you take the PCAT.  No PCAT testing dates will be offered during the 2024–2025 admissions cycle or beyond.*

The final Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) testing cycle will be offered during the 2023–2024 (next) admissions cycle on the following dates: July 6, 2023; October 16–27, 2023; and January 3–9, 2024. No PCAT testing dates will be offered during the 2024–2025 admissions cycle or beyond. Applicants who have previously taken or plan to take the PCAT during the 2022–2023 (current) admissions cycle will not be affected. All test-takers may continue to request Official Transcripts and Personal Score Reports through the Pearson website until February 2026. No pharmacy schools currently require the PCAT for admission. Please visit the PCAT and Other Tests page to determine whether a pharmacy school will consider the PCAT in the current admissions process.

Click Here to go to the PCAT site for more information.

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The test, conducted by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is offered on computer and standard administration of the PCAT occurs on one or more dates in July, September, October, November, and January. Taking the test later than November may not give the student the best opportunity to gain acceptance, as by the time official scores are reported pharmacy school (approx. 5 weeks) classes have already begun to fill.

The Candidate Information Bulletin is the official policy and procedure guide to everything you need to know about the PCAT exam. It is recommended that you read the bulletin before scheduling the exam.

It is important that the student prepare adequately for the test. While taking PCAT courses may or may not be helpful to you, it is important that you have finished your chemistry (four semesters), math (calculus I) and biology (one semester as well as general microbiology and human anatomy and physiology).

The PCAT is composed of six sections: 1) Writing (30 minutes) 2) Verbal Ability (25 minutes); 3) Biology (35 minutes); 4) Chemistry (35 minutes); 5) Reading Comprehension (50 minutes); and 6) Quantitative Ability (45 minutes). The PCAT has a current scaled score range of 200-600. A 430 composite score is an excellent score and typically represents the 90% ile.