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PCAT
prep by Kaplan
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• 
• 
PCAT Overview
Biochemistry
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Quantitative Ability
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The Chemistry Section
DNA & RNA
Proteins
Practice Questions
The Quantitative Ability Section
Kaplan Key Strategies
Probability and Statistics
Logarithms
Practice Questions
Learn How to Score Higher
Agenda
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
PCAT Overview
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Sec$onName
Time
Ques$ons
Topics
Wri$ng
30min.
1essay
Discussasolu$ontoagivenworldproblem
VerbalAbility
25min.
40
Analogies(60%),SentenceComple$on(40%)
Biology
35min.
48
GeneralBiology(50%),Microbiology(20%),
HumanAnatomyandPhysiology(30%)
Chemistry
35min.
48
GeneralChemistry(50%),OrganicChemistry(32%),
Biochemistry(18%)
BREAK
15min.
----
----
ReadingComprehension
50min.
48(6passageswith8
ques$onseach)
6Passagesfromnaturalsciences,socialsciences,andhumani$es
Quan$ta$veAbility
45min.
48
BasicMath(14%),Algebra(19%),ProbabilityandSta$s$cs(19%),
Precalculus(24%),Calculus(24%)
Biochemistry
PCAT
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The Chemistry Section
Overview
• 
• 
• 
• 
48 questions in 35 minutes
8 are passage-based, experimental, and do not count toward your score.
Every operational question counts equally toward your score.
50% General Chemistry, 32% Organic Chemistry, and 18% Biochemistry
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
The Chemistry Section
Biochemistry Topics
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• 
• 
Most Biochemistry content is tested within the Chemistry Section.
Topics include DNA and RNA, Proteins, and Lipids
Some Biochemistry content may also be found within the Biology section.
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Mutations
•  Point Mutation
–  Silent Mutation
–  Missense Mutation
–  Nonsense Mutation
DNA and RNA
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Mutations
•  Frameshift Mutation
DNA and RNA
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Codons for Amino Acids
Proteins
Practice Questions 1–6
Practice Questions 1–6
PCAT
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
1.
What must happen for a mutation to be noticeable in a human?
(A)
The mutation is a point mutation.
(B)
The mutation changes one amino acid to another.
(C)
The mutation is in a region of DNA that is transcribed often.
(D)
The mutation causes a change in function of a protein.
Question 1 of 6
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Practice Questions
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2.
Which of the following mutations is the most likely to cause a protein to be
nonfunctional?
(A)
Nonsense
(B)
Frameshift
(C)
Point
(D)
Silent
Question 2 of 6
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3.
RNA that was supposed to code for serine instead coded for tyrosine. What
mutation most likely resulted in this error?
(A)
Point mutation in the first position.
(B)
Point mutation in the second position.
(C)
Point mutation in the third position.
(D)
Frameshift mutation.
Question 3 of 6
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®
Practice Questions
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4.
The following coding sequence of RNA was found in a gene. What sequence of amino
acids would this correctly code for?
5’—CAAGACGGU—3’
(A)
Tryptophan, Glutamine, Asparagine
(B)
Glutamine, Aspartate, Glycine
(C)
Valine, Leucine, Proline
(D)
Glutamic Acid, Aspartate, Valine
Question 4 of 6
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
5.
In a long amino acid sequence, the codon for a non-terminal isoleucine experiences
a deletion of the third base position. What is the percent chance that this frameshift
mutation results in a nucleotide that still correctly codes for isoleucine?
(A)
0%
(B)
25%
(C)
75%
(D)
100%
Question 5 of 6
PCAT
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
6.
Which of the following would not result in a silent mutation?
(A)
A point mutation in the second position of a codon for threonine
(B)
A mutation changing UAG to UGA
(C)
An insertion of one uracil in a phenylalanine sequence
(D)
A deletion of three nucleotides from an intron sequence
Question 6 of 6
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®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
1.
What must happen for a mutation to be noticeable in a human?
(A)
The mutation is a point mutation.
(B)
The mutation changes one amino acid to another.
(C)
The mutation is in a region of DNA that is transcribed often.
(D)
The mutation causes a change in function of a protein.
Question 1
PCAT
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®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
2.
Which of the following mutations is the most likely to cause a protein to be
nonfunctional?
(A)
Nonsense
(B)
Frameshift
(C)
Point
(D)
Silent
Question 2
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
3.
Question 3
An RNA sequence that originally coded for serine instead codes for tyrosine. What
mutation most likely resulted in this error?
(A)
A point mutation in the first position.
(B)
A point mutation in the second position.
(C)
A point mutation in the third position.
(D)
A frameshift mutation.
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
4.
Question 4
The following coding sequence of RNA was found in a gene. What sequence of amino
acids would this correctly code for?
5’—CAAGACGGU—3’
(A)
Tryptophan, Glutamine, Asparagine
(B)
Glutamine, Aspartate, Glycine
(C)
Valine, Leucine, Proline
(D)
Glutamic Acid, Aspartate, Valine
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
5.
Question 5
In a long amino acid sequence, the codon for a non-terminal isoleucine experiences
a deletion of the third base position. What is the percent chance that this frameshift
mutation results in a nucleotide that still correctly codes for isoleucine?
(A)
0%
(B)
25%
(C)
75%
(D)
100%
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
6.
Which of the following would not result in a silent mutation?
(A)
A point mutation in the second position of a codon for threonine
(B)
A mutation changing UAG to UGA
(C)
An insertion of one uracil in a phenylalanine sequence
(D)
A deletion of three nucleotides from an intron sequence
Question 6
Quantitative Ability
PCAT
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the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
The Quantitative Ability Section
Overview
• 
• 
• 
48 questions in 45 minutes
8 are experimental and do not count toward your score.
Every operational question counts equally toward your score.
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
The Quantitative Ability Section
Topics
Basic Math
•  Fractions, Percentages, & Decimals
•  Unit Conversions
•  Log Base 10
Algebra
•  Expressions, Equations, & Inequalities
•  Functions
Probability & Statistics
•  Measures of Central Tendency
•  Variation
•  Probability
•  Statistical Concepts
Precalculus
•  Functions
•  Complex Numbers
•  Vectors
Calculus
•  Limits
•  Continuity
•  Derivatives
•  Integrals
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Kaplan Key Strategy
Backsolving
• 
• 
• 
When: Answer choices are numbers.
How: Plug each answer choice into the question stem to see which works.
Why: Save time with lengthy arithmetic and eliminate need for difficult algebra.
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
7.
Question 7
In 6 years, Johnny’s age will be five-sixths of Alicia’s age and Johnny will be 8 years younger than
Jessica. If Alicia is currently 3 years younger than Jessica, what will Alicia’s age be 20 years from
now?
(A)
19
(B)
24
(C)
32
(D)
44
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Probability and Statistics
Probability
• 
Experiment: a situation involving probabilities that leads to results called
outcomes.
• 
Outcome: the result of a single trial of an experiment.
• 
Event: a set of one or more outcomes of an experiment.
• 
Probability: the measure of how likely an event is.
numberofdesiredoutcomes
totalnumberofoutcomes
– 
Probability =
– 
The sum of the probabilities of a complete set of mutually exclusive possible outcomes is 1.
PCAT
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the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Probability and Statistics
Word Problems
• 
To find the probability of one event OR another event occurring: ADD the probabilities.
• 
To find the probability of one event AND another event occurring: MULTIPLY the probabilities.
• 
Other common phrases:
– 
Addition:
–  Subtraction:
–  Multiplication:
–  Division:
PCAT
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®
Probability and Statistics
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Statistical Concepts
• 
Permutations: arrangements of items into ordered groups.
Formula:
• 
nPk=
n!
(n−k)!
Combinations: arrangements of items into unordered groups.
Formula:
nCk=
n!
k!(n−k)!
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
8.
Question 8
Melanie is lining up her collection of coffee mugs on a shelf. If Melanie has 6 coffee mugs but can
only fit 3 on the shelf, how many different arrangements can she make?
(A)
20
(B)
120
(C)
216
(D)
720
Practice Questions 9–12
Practice Questions 9–12
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
9.
A bag contains only purple, yellow, and orange marbles in a ratio of 3 purple to 1 yellow to 2 orange
and has a total of 30 marbles. You pull one marble out and then pull a second marble out without
replacing the first. What is the probability that both the first and second marbles you pulled are
purple?
(A)
1
6
(B)
7
29
(C)
1
4
(D)
13
30
Question 1 of 4
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
10.
When receiving your change at the grocery store, you drop three pennies on the counter. What is
the probability that at least two of the pennies land heads-up?
(A)
1
8
(B)
3
8
(C)
1
2
(D)
7
8
Question 2 of 4
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
11.
A bowl of fruit contains an assortment of apples, pears, and bananas for a total of x pieces of fruit.
If there are 2 pears and 3 apples, what is the probability of randomly picking either an apple or a
banana?
(A)
x–5
x
(B)
x–2
x
(C)
x+3
x
(D)
x+3
x+5
Question 3 of 4
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
12.
While playing a dice game, Austin realized his probability of rolling the winning combinations
is
1
. How many faces do each of his three, identical, non-standard dice have?
512
(A)
3
(B)
4
(C)
6
(D)
8
Question 4 of 4
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
Question 9
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
9.
A bag contains only purple, red, and orange marbles in a ratio of 3 purple to 1 red to 2 orange and
has a total of 30 marbles. You pull one marble out then pull a second marble out without replacing
the first. What is the probability that both the first and second marbles you pulled are purple?
(A)
(B)
1
6
7
29
(C)
1
4
(D)
13
30
×
×
×
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
10.
Question 10
When receiving your change at the grocery store, you drop three pennies on the counter. What is
the probability that at least two of the pennies land heads-up?
(A)
1
8
(B)
3
8
(C)
1
2
(D)
7
8
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
11.
Question 11
A bowl of fruit contains an assortment of only apples, pears, and bananas for a total of x pieces of
fruit. If there are 2 pears and 3 apples, what is the probability of randomly picking either an apple or
a banana?
(A)
x–5
x
(B)
x–2
x
(C)
x+3
x
(D)
x+3
x+5
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
12.
Question 12
While playing a dice game, Austin realized his probability of rolling the winning combinations
is
1
. How many faces do each of his three, identical, non-standard dice have?
512
(A)
3
(B)
4
(C)
6
(D)
8
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Kaplan Key Strategy
Estimation
• 
• 
• 
When: Questions that involve difficult or lengthy calculations.
How: Use logic, rounding, and shortcuts to eliminate incorrect choices.
Why: Save time and prevent mistakes with lengthy arithmetic.
PCAT
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®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
Logarithms
If 10a = x, then log10(x) = a.
log(1) = log(100) = 0
log(10) = log(101) = 1
log(100) = log(102) = 2
Kaplan Shortcut
log(n × 10m) ≈ [m] . [n + 1]
Manipulating Logarithms
log(ab) = log(a) + log(b)
a
) = log(a) − log(b)
b
log ( 1 ) = –log(a)
a
log (
log(ab) = b log(a)
Basic Math
PCAT
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Logarithms
p Function
p(anything) = –log[anything]
pH = –log[H+]
pKa = –log(Ka)
Kaplan Shortcut
–log(n × 10–m) ≈ [m – 1] . [10 – n]
Basic Math
Practice Questions 13–16
Practice Questions 13–16
PCAT
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
13.
What is the pH of 450 mL of a 3.0 × 10–5 M solution of HCl?
(A)
1.9
(B)
3.0
(C)
4.5
(D)
5.1
Question 1 of 4
PCAT
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Practice Questions
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14.
log(6.1) + log(104) – log(310) =
(A)
–2.2
(B)
0.31
(C)
2.1
(D)
2.3
Question 2 of 4
PCAT
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Practice Questions
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
15.
Decibels can be calculated using the equation below, where I is the intensity of a sound as compared
to Io, a reference intensity set at the minimum threshold of hearing, 1 × 10–12 W/m3. If two
identical jackhammers have a combined sound level, β, of 100 dB, what will be the new sound level
after one jackhammer is turned off?
β = 10 log
(A)
50 dB
(B)
76 dB
(C)
90 dB
(D)
97 dB
I
Io
Question 3 of 4
PCAT
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Practice Questions
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16.
If log(x) = 13.2, then x =
(A)
6.31 × 10–14
(B)
1.32 × 101
(C)
6.80 × 1012
(D)
1.58 × 1013
Question 4 of 4
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
13.
What is the pH of 450 mL of a 3.0 × 10–5 M solution of HCl?
(A)
1.9
(B)
3.0
(C)
4.5
(D)
5.1
Question 13
PCAT
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the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
14.
log(6.1) + log(104) – log(310) =
(A)
–2.2
(B)
0.31
(C)
2.1
(D)
2.3
Question 14
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
Question 15
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
15.
Decibels can be calculated using the equation below, where I is the intensity of a sound as compared
to Io, a reference intensity set at the minimum threshold of hearing, 1 x 10–12 W/m3. If two identical
jackhammers have a combined sound level, β, of 100 dB, what will be the new sound level after
one jackhammer is turned off?
β = 10 log
(A)
50 dB
(B)
76 dB
(C)
90 dB
(D)
97 dB
I
Io
PCAT
prep by Kaplan
®
the only PCAT prep endorsed by AACP
16.
If log(x) = 13.2, then x =
(A)
6.31 × 10–14
(B)
1.32 × 101
(C)
6.80 × 1012
(D)
1.58 × 1013
Question 16
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