PA-CAT? GRE? What PA applicants should be preparing for.

Are you applying to PA school and wondering which exam you should be taking?

There has been a lot confusion about exam requirements for the past few years since the introduction of the PA-CAT exam. While this exam was initially intended to roll out in 2020, it was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many schools do not require the PA-CAT, but there are a handful that have implemented this exam into their admissions process. 

A common question we get from PA applicants is “Which exam should I be taking before I apply? Do I need to take an exam at all?”

The answer to this question is of course that it depends…it mostly depends on which schools you are applying to. 

For our applicants who are hoping to stay in California for PA school, there are only two schools in CA that require the GRE. Technically, only one as Chapman University requires the GRE and Dominican University recommends the GRE. For those planning to apply to Chapman or Dominican, we would advise you to take the GRE. However, the remainder of California schools DO NOT require the GRE or the PA-CAT (great news if standardized exams are not your thing!). 

That being said, if you are applying to PA schools in different parts of the country, many are still requiring the GRE, and it might be in your best interest to take it. 

There are currently only a handful of PA schools requiring the PA-CAT and most are smaller programs that accept the PA-CAT or the GRE. Be sure to check out the PA Exam Requirements resource we have compiled to see if your school is on that list. 

Ultimately, which exam you take and if you need to take an exam is an individualized decision, and we recommend meeting with Susana, our Pre-PA advisor, to discuss which is best for you. 

***Also don’t forget to check if a school on your list requires the Casper!