PREHEALTH PROFESSIONS STANDARDIZED TESTS

The application process to professional school usually begins one year prior to matriculation. This cycle begins in the spring of the junior year with the standardized national exams. Each of the four year health professions (with the exception of Chiropractic) requires the completion of a standardized admission test as part of the admission process. The following is a list of the tests required by the corresponding professional program:

Dentistry	DAT	Dental Admission Test
Allopathic Medicine	MCAT	Medical College Admission Test
Osteopathic Medicine	MCAT	Medical College Admission Test
Optometry	OAT	Optometry Admission Test
Pharmacy	PCAT	Pharmacy College Admission Test
Podiatry	MCAT	Medical College Admission Test
Veterinary Medicine	VAT	Veterinary Aptitude Test OR
	GRE	Graduate Record Exam

Most of these tests are offered twice each year and are designed to measure skills and knowledge considered important for successful completion of the professional school curriculum. Students are encouraged to take the spring exam whenever possible. The scores will then be available as part of your complete applicant file early in the decision making process; however, taking the exam at the optimal time for the evaluation process makes little sense if you have not completed the appropriate course work or test review to perform at your best. Please consider reducing your course load during the spring semester of your junior year if you plan to take a standardized national exam at that time.

The exams typically include sub-tests which cover areas such as chemistry, biology, physics, science problems, verbal reasoning, and/or a writing sample. The DAT includes a perceptual motor ability sub-test and the OAT evaluates vocabulary through a verbal ability sub-test. It is recommended that you take the appropriate test in the calendar year PRIOR to the year that you plan to enter professional school.

Do NOT take a standardized national exam "to see what it's like." Ideally, a student should take this exam ONCE, although many students do take it twice. It is a difficult, ambitious test which requires adequate preparation, and we strongly recommend formal review courses.