Nearly every health professions school requires applicants to take a specific aptitude test. These tests evaluate skills such as reading comprehension, essay-writing ability, scientific knowledge, problem-solving ability, analytical ability, and spatial skills. Each profession selects an aptitude test that reflects an applicant's probability of success in that field. Because of the importance that test scores can play in the admissions process, it is important to begin preparing for these tests during your first year of college.
Resources are available at the Institute for Healthcare Professions. Let us know what we can to to assist you!
Allopathic and Osteopathic Medicine: MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
| Contact: MCAT Program P.O. Box 4056 Iowa City, Iowa 52243 Phone: (319) 337-1357 |
The MCAT is administered several times during the year in a computerized format. |
Dentistry: DAT (Dental Admission Test)
| Contact: Department of Testing Services 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60611-2678 Phone: 1-800-621-8099 |
The DAT is administered year-round at a Prometric Contact Center in a computerized format. |
Optometry: OAT (Optometry Admissions Test)
| Contact: Optometric Admission Testing Program 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60611-2637 Phone: (312) 440-2693 |
The OAT is administered year-round at a Prometric Contact Center in a computerized format. |
Pharmacy: PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test)
| Contact: The Psychological Corporation 555 Academic Court San Antonio, TX 78204 Phone: (800) 622-3231 |
The PCAT is administered four timea a year in January, April and October in a paper-and-pencil format. |
Podiatry: MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
| Contact: MCAT Program P.O. Box 4056 Iowa City, Iowa 52243 Phone: (319) 337-1357 |
The MCAT is administered several times during the year in a computerized format. |
Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences: GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
| Contact : 1-800-GRE-CALL | The GRE General Test is offered year-around and only in a computerized format. |
Veterinary: The required test varies among the 27 U.S. schools
GRE or MCAT -- (the MCAT is accepted by 4 schools: Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Missouri, and Louisiana State University)