Week 8 Standardized Test Preparation Kent L. Barrus Pre-professional Advisor

Bio Professional School Preparation Why Take Standardized Tests? Grades Don’t Tell the Whole Story Grades Don’t Tell the Whole Story The Great Equalizer of Undergraduate Education The Great Equalizer of Undergraduate Education More Important for Students Graduating from Schools not Well Known or Schools Who’s Reputation is Less than Other Schools. More Important for Students Graduating from Schools not Well Known or Schools Who’s Reputation is Less than Other Schools. Determine the Test Taking Ability of an Applicant. Determine the Test Taking Ability of an Applicant. Will you Do Well on Medical School Exams? Will you Do Well on Medical School Exams? Will you Do Well on a Licensing Exam? Will you Do Well on a Licensing Exam?

Bio Professional School Preparation What are the Different Tests? MCAT MCAT Allopathic Allopathic Osteopathic Osteopathic Podiatry Podiatry Some Veterinary and Pharmacy Schools Some Veterinary and Pharmacy Schools DAT - Dental DAT - Dental OAT - Optometry OAT - Optometry PCAT – Pharmacy PCAT – Pharmacy VCAT – Veterinary (No Longer Offered) VCAT – Veterinary (No Longer Offered) GRE – Graduate Schools GRE – Graduate Schools

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Essentials When to Take the Test When to Take the Test April 17th or August 14 th April 17th or August 14 th Deadlines: March 12 th or July 9th Deadlines: March 12 th or July 9th Where to Take the Test Where to Take the Test Idaho – Albertsons College (Caldwell), University of Idaho (Moscow), Idaho State University (Pocatello) Idaho – Albertsons College (Caldwell), University of Idaho (Moscow), Idaho State University (Pocatello) Utah – Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, University of Utah Utah – Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, University of Utah Costs Costs Regular Exam Fee - $ Regular Exam Fee - $ Miscellaneous Fees ranging from $10 to $60 Miscellaneous Fees ranging from $10 to $60

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Essentials How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Scope of the Exam Verbal Reasoning (VR) Verbal Reasoning (VR) 65 Questions 65 Questions Score 1 to 15 Score 1 to Minutes 85 Minutes Physical Sciences (PS) Physical Sciences (PS) 77 Questions 77 Questions Score 1 to 15 Score 1 to Minutes 100 Minutes

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Scope of the Exam Biological Sciences (BS) Biological Sciences (BS) 77 Questions 77 Questions Score 1 to 15 Score 1 to Minutes 100 Minutes Writing Sample (WS) Writing Sample (WS) 2 Questions 2 Questions Score of J to T Score of J to T 60 Minutes 60 Minutes

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Preparation Self Study Self Study Class Notes Class Notes Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books AAMC Website AAMC Website AAMC Website AAMC Website Study Groups Study Groups Draw from the skills and knowledge of other Draw from the skills and knowledge of other Support to reach the goal Support to reach the goal May slow the pace of learning down May slow the pace of learning down

Bio Professional School Preparation MCAT Preparation Commercial Courses Commercial Courses Very Expensive Very Expensive Helps you create a course of study Helps you create a course of study Built in financial motivation Built in financial motivation Sense of confidence that you have done all you can do to prepare Sense of confidence that you have done all you can do to prepare

Bio Professional School Preparation DAT Essentials When to Take the Test When to Take the Test Any time of the year Any time of the year Give yourself at least 3 weeks to register Give yourself at least 3 weeks to register Where to Take the Test Where to Take the Test Idaho – Boise Sylvan Learning Center Idaho – Boise Sylvan Learning Center Utah – Ogden, Orem, or Salt Lake City Sylvan Learning Center Utah – Ogden, Orem, or Salt Lake City Sylvan Learning Center Costs Costs Regular Exam Fee - $ Regular Exam Fee - $ Score Sent to 5 schools, NOT AADSAS. Score Sent to 5 schools, NOT AADSAS. Additional score reports are $10 per school. Additional score reports are $10 per school.

Bio Professional School Preparation DAT Essentials How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test Registration is good for 12 months Registration is good for 12 months

Bio Professional School Preparation DAT Scope of the Exam Survey of Natural Sciences Survey of Natural Sciences 90 Minutes 90 Minutes Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Perceptual Ability Perceptual Ability 60 Minutes 60 Minutes Angle discrimination, form development cubes, paper folding, etc. Angle discrimination, form development cubes, paper folding, etc. Scoring of the Test Scoring of the Test Standard scores range from 1 to is considered average. Standard scores range from 1 to is considered average.

Bio Professional School Preparation DAT Scope of the Exam Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension 60 Minutes 60 Minutes Read, organize, analyze, and remember new information Read, organize, analyze, and remember new information Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning 45 Minutes 45 Minutes Mathematics, Numerical Calculations, Conversions, Probability and Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Word Problems Mathematics, Numerical Calculations, Conversions, Probability and Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Word Problems

Bio Professional School Preparation DAT Preparation Self Study Self Study Class Notes Class Notes Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books ADA Website ADA Website ADA Website ADA Website Other Online Other Online Other Online Other Online Study Groups Study Groups Commercial Courses Commercial Courses

Bio Professional School Preparation OAT Essentials COMPUTERIZED IN 2004 COMPUTERIZED IN 2004 When to Take the Test When to Take the Test February 7 th 2004 and October 16 th 2004 February 7 th 2004 and October 16 th 2004 Deadlines: December 29 th and September 7 th Deadlines: December 29 th and September 7 th Where to Take the Test Where to Take the Test Idaho – Idaho State University Idaho – Idaho State University Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo) Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo) Costs Costs Regular Exam Fee - $ Regular Exam Fee - $ Score Sent to 5 schools. Score Sent to 5 schools. Additional score reports are $10 per school. Additional score reports are $10 per school.

Bio Professional School Preparation OAT Essentials How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test How and Where to Register for the Test

Bio Professional School Preparation OAT Scope of the Exam Survey of Natural Sciences Survey of Natural Sciences 90 Minutes 90 Minutes Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension 50 Minutes 50 Minutes Read, organize, analyze, and remember new information Read, organize, analyze, and remember new information

Bio Professional School Preparation OAT Scope of the Exam Physics Physics 50 Minutes 50 Minutes Quantitative Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning 45 Minutes 45 Minutes Mathematics, Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Word Problems Mathematics, Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Word Problems Scoring of the Test Scoring of the Test Standard scores range from 200 to is considered average. Standard scores range from 200 to is considered average.

Bio Professional School Preparation OAT Preparation Self Study Self Study Class Notes Class Notes Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books OPTED Website OPTED Website OPTED Website OPTED Website Other Online Other Online Other Online Other Online Study Groups Study Groups Commercial Courses Commercial Courses

Bio Professional School Preparation PCAT Essentials When to Take the Test When to Take the Test January 24 th 2004, March 27 th 2004, and October 25 th 2004 January 24 th 2004, March 27 th 2004, and October 25 th 2004 Deadlines: December 5 th, February 13 th, and September 12 th Deadlines: December 5 th, February 13 th, and September 12 th Where to Take the Test Where to Take the Test Idaho – Idaho State University Idaho – Idaho State University Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo) Utah – Weber State (Ogden) or BYU (Provo) Costs Costs Regular Exam Fee - $69.00 Regular Exam Fee - $69.00 Score Sent to 1, 2, or 3 schools. Score Sent to 1, 2, or 3 schools. Must arrange for PCAT score to be sent to PharmCAS if applying to PharmCAS schools. Must arrange for PCAT score to be sent to PharmCAS if applying to PharmCAS schools.

Bio Professional School Preparation PCAT Essentials Register By Mail Register By Mail Application Packet Application Packet Register Online Register Online Register Online Register Online Only For March Test 2004 and later. Only For March Test 2004 and later.

Bio Professional School Preparation PCAT Scope of the Exam 300 multiple-choice questions with 3½ hours to take it. 300 multiple-choice questions with 3½ hours to take it. Verbal Ability Verbal Ability 50 Questions 50 Questions Quantitative Ability Quantitative Ability 65 Questions 65 Questions No Trig or Calculus No Trig or Calculus Biology Biology 50 Questions 50 Questions

Bio Professional School Preparation PCAT Scope of the Exam Chemistry Chemistry 60 Minutes 60 Minutes Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension 45 Questions 45 Questions Additional Experimental Section Additional Experimental Section You will not know which section is experimental You will not know which section is experimental Scoring of the Test Scoring of the Test Standard scores range from 100 to is considered average. Standard scores range from 100 to is considered average.

Bio Professional School Preparation PCAT Preparation Self Study Self Study Class Notes Class Notes Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books PCATWEB Website PCATWEB Website PCATWEB Website PCATWEB Website Study Groups Study Groups Commercial Courses Commercial Courses

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Essentials When to Take the Test When to Take the Test Any time of the year Any time of the year Deadlines: December 5 th, February 13 th, and September 12 th Deadlines: December 5 th, February 13 th, and September 12 th Where to Take the Test Where to Take the Test Idaho – Pocatello, Boise Idaho – Pocatello, Boise Utah – Ogden Utah – Ogden Costs Costs Regular Exam Fee - $115 Regular Exam Fee - $115 Score Sent to 4 institutions. Score Sent to 4 institutions. Additional Score Report $15 per Institution. Additional Score Report $15 per Institution.

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Essentials Register By Mail Register By Mail Application Packet in CAC Application Packet in CAC Register by Phone Register by Phone Register by Phone Register by Phone

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Scope of the Exam 300 multiple-choice questions with 3½ hours to take it. 300 multiple-choice questions with 3½ hours to take it. Verbal Ability Verbal Ability Analyze and evaluate written material Analyze and evaluate written material Analyze sentence relationships Analyze sentence relationships Recognize word and concept relationships Recognize word and concept relationships Quantitative Ability Quantitative Ability Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis Reason Quantitatively Reason Quantitatively

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Scope of the Exam Analytical Writing Analytical Writing Essay Portion Essay Portion 45 minute “Present your perspective on an issue” 45 minute “Present your perspective on an issue” 30 minute “Analyze an Argument” 30 minute “Analyze an Argument” Scoring of the Test Scoring of the Test Verbal Score in 10-point increments Verbal Score in 10-point increments Quantitative Score in 10-point increments Quantitative Score in 10-point increments Analytical Writing Score 0-6 in half-point increments Analytical Writing Score 0-6 in half-point increments

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Scope of the Exam GRE Subject Tests GRE Subject Tests Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Biology Biology Chemistry Chemistry Computer Science Computer Science Literature in English Literature in English Mathematics Mathematics Physics Physics Psychology Psychology

Bio Professional School Preparation GRE Preparation Self Study Self Study Class Notes Class Notes Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books Preparation Books GRE Website GRE Website GRE Website GRE Website Study Groups Study Groups Commercial Course Commercial Course

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills Pace Yourself Pace Yourself Don’t forgo answering easy questions because you spent to much time on harder questions. Don’t forgo answering easy questions because you spent to much time on harder questions. Mark up the Test Booklet (for paper-based tests) Mark up the Test Booklet (for paper-based tests) Underline important points Underline important points Strike through wrong answers Strike through wrong answers Make calculations or drawings Make calculations or drawings Read the Entire Question Carefully Read the Entire Question Carefully Don’t make an assumption as to the answer with thoroughly reading the question. Don’t make an assumption as to the answer with thoroughly reading the question.

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills Use the ‘dot’ method Use the ‘dot’ method Put a small dot on the answer sheet for a question that will require significant time to answer. Put a small dot on the answer sheet for a question that will require significant time to answer. Put a question mark next to this question in the test booklet. Put a question mark next to this question in the test booklet. If you run out of time on the test, you can go back quickly and fill in the answer sheet where you placed the dot. If you run out of time on the test, you can go back quickly and fill in the answer sheet where you placed the dot. This helps reduce the possibility of missing questions due to totally random guessing. This helps reduce the possibility of missing questions due to totally random guessing. Helps prevent frame shifting errors. Helps prevent frame shifting errors.

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills Answer Every Question Answer Every Question Unlike the SAT, there are no penalties for guessing. Unlike the SAT, there are no penalties for guessing. Your first instinct is more likely to be correct. Your first instinct is more likely to be correct. Don’t change answers unless it is obvious that you misinterpreted the question. Don’t change answers unless it is obvious that you misinterpreted the question. Approximate the answer Approximate the answer If the possible answers differ significantly from each other it is possible to approximate for quicker calculations. If the possible answers differ significantly from each other it is possible to approximate for quicker calculations. Adjust the numbers to be calculated by rounding off or move to a close number with a known trig function. Adjust the numbers to be calculated by rounding off or move to a close number with a known trig function. With most problems you will be able to tell which answer is a reasonable estimate. With most problems you will be able to tell which answer is a reasonable estimate.

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills For Reading and Verbal Tests For Reading and Verbal Tests Answer the question only on the basis of the information given, NOT from prior knowledge. Answer the question only on the basis of the information given, NOT from prior knowledge. Sometimes reading the questions and answers first can alert you as to what you should be looking for in the passage to be read. Sometimes reading the questions and answers first can alert you as to what you should be looking for in the passage to be read. For the Writing Sample For the Writing Sample Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice, Practice, Practice. Read the Op-Ed pieces in major newspapers. Read the Op-Ed pieces in major newspapers. Typical Structure Typical Structure Explain what the statement means Explain what the statement means Describe some situation in which you disagree with the statement Describe some situation in which you disagree with the statement Provide justification for your disagreement. Provide justification for your disagreement.

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills For Reading and Verbal Tests For Reading and Verbal Tests Answer the question only on the basis of the information given, NOT from prior knowledge. Answer the question only on the basis of the information given, NOT from prior knowledge. Sometimes reading the questions and answers first can alert you as to what you should be looking for in the passage to be read. Sometimes reading the questions and answers first can alert you as to what you should be looking for in the passage to be read. For the Writing Sample For the Writing Sample Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice, Practice, Practice. Read the Op-Ed pieces in major newspapers. Read the Op-Ed pieces in major newspapers. Typical Structure Typical Structure Explain what the statement means Explain what the statement means Describe some situation in which you disagree with the statement Describe some situation in which you disagree with the statement Provide justification for your disagreement. Provide justification for your disagreement.

Bio Professional School Preparation Test Taking Skills Study for the test like you would a 4 credit class. Study for the test like you would a 4 credit class. There are no ‘tricks’ or ‘strategies’ that can substitute for knowledge of a subject. There are no ‘tricks’ or ‘strategies’ that can substitute for knowledge of a subject. Get a good nights sleep Get a good nights sleep Arrive in plenty of time so you are not hurried. Arrive in plenty of time so you are not hurried. Eat well before the test and during. Eat well before the test and during. If you are a poor standardized test taker, you can improve. If you are a poor standardized test taker, you can improve. Visit the Learning Assistance Lab Visit the Learning Assistance Lab

Bio Professional School Preparation Should You Retake a Test? Are your scores consistent with your grades? Are your scores consistent with your grades? Did you prepare adequately for the test? Did you prepare adequately for the test? Will you have the time and motivation to prepare for a second test? Will you have the time and motivation to prepare for a second test? Doing the same or worse a second time will hurt you. Doing the same or worse a second time will hurt you.