Committee Process

Graduate Programs Admissions Tests

Admissions testing for health professions careers serves several important purposes:

Standardization

Admissions tests help standardize the evaluation process, ensuring that all applicants are assessed using a consistent set of criteria. This is particularly important in highly competitive fields where numerous candidates vie for limited spots.

Predictive Validity

These tests are designed to predict an applicant's likelihood of success in their chosen health profession. They often include sections that assess critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and subject-specific knowledge relevant to the field.

Fair Assessment

Admissions tests aim to provide a fair and objective evaluation of all applicants, minimizing the impact of subjective biases that might arise from other components of the application, such as letters of recommendation or personal statements.

Identification of Strong Candidates

By using standardized tests, admissions committees can more easily identify candidates who demonstrate a strong aptitude for the specific skills required in health professions, such as analytical reasoning, scientific knowledge, and communication skills.

Quality Assurance

Admissions tests contribute to maintaining high standards in health professions education. Ensuring that admitted students possess a certain level of academic and cognitive skills helps maintain the quality of healthcare professionals entering the workforce.

Regulatory Requirements

Some health professions have regulatory bodies that mandate certain testing requirements for accreditation or licensure purposes. Adhering to these requirements ensures that graduates meet the necessary standards for practice.

Efficiency

Admissions tests provide a quick and efficient way for institutions to evaluate a large number of applicants. This is particularly important in fields where there is a high volume of applications, such as medicine or nursing.

Curriculum Alignment

Admissions tests may be designed to assess applicants' understanding of core concepts in the field, helping ensure that admitted students have a solid foundation for the curriculum they will encounter in their professional training.

Admissions Tests

MCAT-The Medical College Admission Test^® (MCAT^®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.

DAT-All dental schools require applicants to take the DAT as part of the comprehensive admission process. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is accepted by 66 dental schools in the U.S. and 10 in Canada. It is designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess applicants’ potential for success. The test fee is $525 and it takes 4.5 hours to complete. The DAT is offered year round by Prometric test centers in the United States, its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and Canada.

OAT- The Optometry Admissions Testing (OAT) is a comprehensive exam that enables optometry education programs to assess the knowledge and preparedness of program applicants. OAT test results are accepted by all optometry schools in the U.S. and Canada. The four-part test is administered year-round by Prometric Test Centers in the U.S. and its territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Canada. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is the governing body for the OAT. The test is implemented by the Department of Testing Services (DTS), which is a shared service of the American Dental Association. For complete information on all aspects of the OAT, refer to the OAT Candidate Guide.

VMCAS- VMCAS is the centralized application service for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. Through VMCAS you can complete one application and send all your required materials through this service. Your application is then processed, verified for accuracy, and sent to the veterinary medical schools you designate.

PCAT- The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a specialized, standardized test that helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges and schools. It measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. The PCAT is constructed specifically for colleges of pharmacy and is divided into separate sections, or subtests, each of which is timed separately. During the time allowed for each subtest, you will be permitted to work only on that section. You will not be allowed to go back to earlier subtests or on to later ones. As you work on each section, you may find it useful to first answer the questions that are easy for you, skipping over those questions to which you will need to return for further thought.