Physician Assistant College Admission Test — Information & Free Practice
150 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required
Exam Review
About Physician Assistant College Admission Test
Physician Assistant College Admission Test · US
Key exam facts
- Provider
- Exam Master Corporation owns, developed and administers the PA-CAT; Pearson VUE delivers it at testing centers and through OnVUE live remote proctoring.
- Format
- Computer-based, single-best-answer multiple-choice assessment at Pearson VUE testing centers or by live remote proctoring.
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 240; Scored questions: 200; Unscored questions: 40; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
- Time limit
- Four-hour standardized assessment within a 4.5-hour total exam window for standard administration; approved accommodations may extend testing time.
- Passing score
- No universal passing score: norm-referenced composite and three subject-group sub-scores are reported as scaled scores and relative rankings. PA programs interpret scores within their admissions decisions; these are not raw percentages.
- Exam fee
- US$257 for a standard administration, including the test-center fee; approved fee assistance reduces the payable amount to US$178. Additional attempts cost the full US$257; assistance coupons must be used within 30 days.
Topics covered
Anatomy (16%)
Physiology (16%)
Chemistry (16%)
General Biology (11%)
Microbiology (11%)
Genetics (11%)
Biochemistry (5%)
Behavioral Sciences (9%)
Statistics (5%)
How to prepare
Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.
These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exam format?
Computer-based, single-best-answer multiple-choice assessment at Pearson VUE testing centers or by live remote proctoring.
How many questions are on the exam?
Total questions: 240; Scored questions: 200; Unscored questions: 40; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
How long is the exam?
Four-hour standardized assessment within a 4.5-hour total exam window for standard administration; approved accommodations may extend testing time.
What is the passing score?
No universal passing score: norm-referenced composite and three subject-group sub-scores are reported as scaled scores and relative rankings. PA programs interpret scores within their admissions decisions; these are not raw percentages.
How much does the exam cost?
US$257 for a standard administration, including the test-center fee; approved fee assistance reduces the payable amount to US$178. Additional attempts cost the full US$257; assistance coupons must be used within 30 days.
Official sources and references
- PA-CAT Bulletin of Information
page 4, PA Admissions Exam Blueprint
- PA-CAT Candidate Handbook
Test Format and Content, Table 1, text lines 414-447
- PA Admissions Exam Blueprint and Sample Questions
page 2, content categories and applicability
- PA-CAT Bulletin of Information
page 4, blueprint explanation and footnotes
- PA-CAT Bulletin of Information
pages 3-4, Table 1 with percentage-change footnote
- PA-CAT Candidate Handbook
Areas Assessed on the PA-CAT, text lines 368-373
- PA-CAT Bulletin of Information
page 3, Test Structure
- PA-CAT Scoring and Reporting
How is the PA-CAT scored?
- About the PA-CAT
What is Covered on The PA-CAT Exam?
- PA-CAT Candidate Handbook
Introduction, text line 68
- Interpreting your PA-CAT scores
Does the PA-CAT have a passing score and if so, what is it?
- Interpreting your PA-CAT scores
What is meant by a scaled score?
- PA-CAT Register and Schedule
PA-CAT exam facts, Cost
- PA-CAT Fee Assistance
PA-CAT Fee Assistance
- PA-CAT Fee Assistance
Additional exam attempts
Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.