Average PCAT Scores

Classification of PCAT Scores

PCAT scores are the marks secured by a PCAT examinee. The scores of this test are awarded for individual sections of the test, as well as, for all its sections together. The scores are awarded on a total score basis and on percentile basis. Individual scores, composite scores, and percentiles are shown on the Score Report of the test. The scores are interpreted as good, bad and average by Pharmacy colleges, which grant admission to Pharmacy aspirants based on these scores. The scoring system of the test development involves a complicated procedure. This scoring system is designed to map simple test scores, attained by a PCAT examinee, to scaled test scores. The eventual test scores, displayed on the Score Report, are based on the scores attained on the scaling system of the test.

Classification of PCAT Scores

The classification of PCAT scores is based on the scores noted on the scoring scale. Good, bad and average scores are calculated, based on the scores obtained on the scoring scales, for the different sections of the test.

The classification of PCAT scores is as follows:

  1. Writing Section- The scores for the writing section range from 1-6, with the highest score that can be attained being 6 and the lowest score that can be attained being 1. A score of 0 is also awarded when the essay that is written does not follow the essay writing norms laid down by the examination authorities. The good, bad and average scores for the Writing section can be interpreted as follows:
    • Good Scores- Scores ranging from 6-4 can be considered as good scores. The following scores are interpreted in a standardized way as follows:
      • Score 6- Superior
      • Score 5- Proficient
      • Score 4- Effective
    • Average Scores- Scores ranging from 2-3 can be considered as average scores. The following scores are interpreted in a standardized way as follows:
      • Score 3- Satisfactory
      • Score 2- Marginal
    • Bad Scores- Scores ranging from 0-1 can be considered as bad scores.
      • Score 1- Inadequate
      • Score 0- Disqualified

    This section is marked by two examiners. In the case of a dispute between the scores awarded, an intermediary fractional score is also awarded. For example, if a PCAT examinee is awarded 5 points by one examiner and 6 by another, then a final score of 5.5 is awarded to the examinee.

  2. Multiple-Choice Questions- Scores from the multiple-choice questions section are scaled from 200-600. Good scores can be interpreted to range from 400-600 on the scale; average scores can be interpreted to range from 200-400; and bad scores can be expected to range from 0-200. Percentile scores range from 1-99. Percentiles ranging from 70-99 can be considered good; 50-70 can be considered as average; and scores below 50 can be considered as bad. However, you can verify this information by contacting the examination authorities about this.

What are Average PCAT Scores and What is Their Significance?

The term “average scores of PCAT” can be interpreted in a couple of ways. In one way, the average score is the score that is awarded to a candidate whose performance was average in the test. The second interpretation of average score can be considered to mean the Composite PCAT Score which is a weighted average of the scores obtained by PCAT examinees in the different sections of the test. The significance of the Composite PCAT Score is that it presents the overall score attained by an examinee to the college to which one is applying for admission. If one performs badly in one section of the test, but well in the other, the score of the badly done section will not be shown individually. It will be masked by the scores obtained in the good section.

Conclusion

PCAT scores are developed and marked by using a complicated system. Average scores are the overall scores obtained by PCAT examinees in this test, and they help in masking the scores obtained in individual sections, which is an advantage if a one performs well in one section and badly in another section of the test.