Dickinson College Career Center

Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Medical CollegeAdmission Test (MCAT)
Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)

Virtually all graduate and professional schools ask students whose native language is not English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and some also ask for TOEFL's Test of Written English (TWE) or the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

DENTAL ADMISSION TESTING

The DAT Program is conducted by the Department of Testing Services of the American Dental Association. The testing program consists of four examinations covering natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry), perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. The entire test requires one half day. The DAT is given at Prometric Testing Centers nationwide.

Additional information is available from the Department of Testing Services, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846 , Chicago , Illinois 60611-2678 . Information about test centers and test application procedures is available by telephone (312-440-2689).

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS

The GRE General Test and Subject Tests are designed to assess academic knowledge and skills relevant to graduate study. The General Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills, and the Subject Tests measure achievement in particular fields of study. The GRE tests are administered worldwide by Educational Testing Service (ETS) of Princeton , New Jersey , under policies established by the Graduate Record Examinations Board.

Subject Tests , offered only as paper-based tests, are available in eight areas: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; literature in English; mathematics; physics; and psychology. The Subject Test is given on specified days and locations. See the GRE website for details.

The General Test is offered year-round at more than 600 Prometric Testing Centers around the world. As a computer adapted exam, it offers convenient scheduling, immediate viewing of unofficial scores, and faster score reporting. To schedule an appointment in the U.S. , U.S. Territories, or Canada , call 800-GRE-CALL. For international testing, refer to the 2001-2002 GRE Information and Registration Bulletin or the GRE Web site (http://www.gre.org) for a list of the regional registration centers. The GRE Bulletin contains registration and program services information.

Test takers can register by phone, fax, mail, or online. Test takers should consider admission deadlines and register early to get their preferred test dates.

Further information on registration is available from the GRE website or by writing to GRE-ETS, P.O. Box 6000 , Princeton , New Jersey 08541-6000 or by calling 609-771-7670.

MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is designed to help admission committees predict which of their applicants will be successful in medical school and to encourage students interested in medicine to pursue broad undergraduate study in the natural and social sciences and in the humanities. The MCAT assesses mastery of basic biology, chemistry, and physics concepts; facility with scientific problem solving and critical thinking; and writing skills. Four separate scores are reported. The Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences sections of the test are composed of multiple-choice items; scores are reported on a scale ranging from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). The Writing Sample section consists of two 30-minute essays; the score is reported on a scale of J (lowest) to T (highest).

Verbal Reasoning draws upon materials from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to assess students' abilities to comprehend, reason, and think critically. The Verbal Reasoning Section does not test subject-matter knowledge. The two science sections-Biological Sciences, which assesses biology and biologically related chemistry concepts, and Physical Sciences, which assesses physics and physically related chemistry topics-consist entirely of science problems and assess knowledge of basic, introductory-level science concepts through their application to the solution of science problems. Essay questions on the Writing Sample provide specific topics requiring an expository response. Topics are designed to assess skill in the development of a central idea, synthesis of concepts and ideas, cohesive and logical presentation of ideas, and clear writing.

The MCAT is offered numerous times each year. The test is given at test centers located in all of the states, the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico , the Virgin Islands , and selected countries. Additional information may be found in the Career Center’s Pre-Health Advising Office or on the AAMC Web site at http://www.aamc.org.

OPTOMETRY ADMISSION TEST

The OAT is prepared and administered by the Optometry Admission Testing Program for applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of optometry. Given two times each year at established testing centers in the United States and Canada , the test is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge. The test includes sections on a survey of the natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry), reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and physics.

All correspondence and requests for information concerning the OAT should be directed to Optometry Admission Testing Program, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846 , Chicago , Illinois 60611-2678 . Telephone: 312-440-2693.

PHARMACY COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST

The PCAT is published and administered by The Psychological Corporation under the auspices of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge, the test includes sections on verbal ability, quantitative ability, reading comprehension, and knowledge of biology and chemistry. The test is given three times each year, January, March, and October, at established testing centers in the United States and Canada .

Additional information about the PCAT and test application materials are available from colleges of pharmacy or The Psychological Corporation, PSE Customer Relations-PCAT, 19500 Bulverde Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259. Telephone: 210-339-8710 or 800-622-3231 ( 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday, Central time); Fax: 888-211-8278.

VETERINARY COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST

The VCAT is published and administered by The Psychological Corporation for applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of veterinary medicine. Not every school requires the VCAT; some require the GRE instead. The test contains sections on verbal ability, biology, chemistry, quantitative ability, and reading comprehension.

The VCAT is offered in January, October, and November at established testing centers in the United States and Canada . Additional information about the VCAT and test application materials are available from colleges of veterinary medicine or The Psychological Corporation, PSE Customer Relations- VCAT, 19500 Bulverde Road, San Antonio, Texas 78259. Telephone: 210-339-8710 or 800-622-3231 ( 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday, Central time); Fax: 888-211-8278.