Preparing for an Admission Test:
- Identify the admission test (also known as an entrance exam) required for your health profession. In some cases, more than one exam may be acceptable.
- Plan your timeline for exam preparation and taking the exam. Ideally, plan to receive your score prior to submitting an application so that you can adjust your list of schools in light of the score you received. Allow plenty of time to study and prepare.
- Determine your strategy for studying. Will you self-study using a set of books or take a course? Sign up for an exam prep course or obtain books for self-study. Practice tests are a very valuable tool. Some companies offer a free practice exam and many sell sets of exams. Be sure to include official exams from AAMC.
- Register for your entrance exam well in advance to reserve a spot.
For information about the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), please visit: DAT Exam FAQs
For information about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), please visit: https://www.ets.org/gre.html
For information about the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), please visit: www.aamc.org; MCAT exam schedules
For information about the Optometry College Admissions Test (OAT), please visit: www.opted.org
For information about the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), please visit: www.pcatweb.info
*Important Note: The PCAT is being phased out. Pharmacy applicants should confirm that the pharmacy programs to which they're applying continue to require the PCAT before sitting for the exam.