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Resources > Testing  >  PA-CAT

PA College Admission Test (PA-CAT)

What is the PA-CAT?

The PA-CAT is a specialized exam designed to assess foundational knowledge needed for success in PA school. It focuses on the natural, behavioral, and social sciences rather than general reasoning skills. The test is intended to give programs a standardized way to evaluate applicants' readiness for rigorous PA curricula.

Overview

  • Computer-based test administered year-round at Prometric centers.

  • Approximately 4 hours total, including breaks.

  • 240 multiple-choice questions with content heavily weighed toward Anatomy, Physiology, General Biology, and Chemistry-related disciplines.

  • Questions test both factual recall and application of science-related concepts.

Scoring

Scaled Score Range: 200-800, with each section contributing to the overall score.

Competitive Scores for PA Applicants:

  • Total Score: 500 or higher

  • Note: Many schools have not started accepting the PA-CAT. Review the requirements of target schools of interest.

Study Resources

Official Practice & Resources

  • Exam Master PA-CAT Website: Register for the exam and view official test details at pa-cat.com.

  • Free Prep Bundle (included with registration): 9 subject-specific practice exams, two 120-question full-length practice tests, 30+ hours of video lessons, and a bank of 3,200+ practice questions.

  • Sample Questions & Exam Blueprint: See real example questions and how content is weighted across each of the 9 subject areas.

Free Guides & Downloads

  • PA-CAT Candidate Handbook: Official guide (via Pearson VUE) covering registration, test-day policies, and what to expect.

  • PA-CAT Study Guide: A concise overview of test structure and scoring - a good starting point before deeper review.

  • Blueprint Prep Blog: Free articles like "How to Crush the PA-CAT Exam" and "PA-CAT vs. GRE" covering strategy, timing, and score comparisons.

Online Prep Courses & Apps

  • Blueprint Prep PA-CAT Qbank: 500 practice questions with explanations and a personal analytics dashboard, the only Qbank endorsed by the exam's creators.

  • Blueprint Prep Mock PA-CAT: A 250-question full-length simulated exam with custom teaching images, the closest experience to the real test.

  • Mobile & flashcard apps: "PA-CAT: King of the Curve" (adaptive Qbank, flashcards, and predicted scoring), plus community flashcard decks on Quizlet and Brainscape.

  • Community & video guides: r/prephysicianassistant (Reddit) for score discussions and timelines, plus free "Intro to the PA-CAT" walkthrough videos from pre-health advising offices on YouTube.

Inside the PA-CAT

Anatomy & Physiology

**heaviest weight category

  • Body systems and structure-function relationships

  • Application questions on clinical scenarios

Biology

  • Cell biology, genetics, and ecology

  • Emphasis on molecular and cellular function

Chemistry

  • General: stoichiometry, bonding, and solutions

  • Organic: functional groups, reactions, and mechanisms

  • Biochem: metabolism, enzymes, and biomolecules

Microbiology

  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and immune responses

  • Lab techniques and clinical applications

Behavioral & Social Sciences

  • Psychology concepts, human behavior, and development

  • Sociology and health-related social systems

Statistics

  • Probability, distributions, and interpretation of data

  • Graphs, tables, and applied problem-solving

Preparing for the PA-CAT

A General Study Timeline

  WEEKS 1-2: FOUNDATIONS               

  • Anatomy & Physiology — Begin system-by-system review (skeletal, cardiovascular, muscular). Create flashcards for terminology.

  • Biology & General Chemistry — Review core principles (atomic structure, cell biology, DNA/RNA). Do 10-15 practice problems per day.

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End of Week 2: Complete a mini practice set across anatomy, biology, and chemistry. 

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  WEEKS 3-4: BUILDING SKILLS          

  • Anatomy & Physiology — Add nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Apply knowledge to short clinical-style questions.

  • Organic & Biochemistry — Introduce functional groups, biomolecules, and metabolism basics.

  • Microbiology: Cover bacterial structure, growth, and immune responses.​

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End of Week 4: Take your first full-length practice test. Review all mistakes in detail and note areas for improvement.

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WEEKS 5-6: TEST READINESS                

  • Statistics & Data — Practice interpreting graphs, distributions, and probabilities.

  • Genetics & Molecular Biology — Review inheritance patterns, gene expression, and DNA replication and repair mechanisms.

  • Behavioral/Social Sciences: Cover core psychology concepts (conditioning, memory, social influence).

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End of Week 6: Take a full-length practice test. Analyze timing and accuracy.

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  WEEKS 7-8: FINAL PREPARATION         

  • Target Weaknesses — Prioritize the lowest-scoring subjects.

  • Integration Practice — Do mixed sets pulling from all science domains.

  • Review Summaries: Condensed notes, charts, and formula sheets only.

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Final Week: Light review only. 

PA-CAT PREPARATION TIMELINE

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