Exams

Pre-Health Professional Program Entrance Exams

Many professional health programs require entrance exams for admission. It is highly recommended that you add an “exam” column to the spreadsheet of programs you’re applying to so that you can track each one’s specific exam requirements. Listed here are exams generally required by professional health programs.

Visit the AAMC’s Aspiring Doc Diaries entry from Raya Iqbal on using mind-body medicine techniques to combat test taking anxiety.

This is a sample listing of health-program entrance exams. It is not exhaustive. If you encounter a required exam that’s not listed here, contact the Health Professions & Natural Science Pathways Manager for support.

The MCAT is typically required for Allopathic, Osteopathic, & Podiatric Medicine. Sign up to receive email updates about the testing year and MCAT preparation. 

Registration for January – June 2026 dates open in October. Registration for dates in the second half of the year open in February. Read these tips to make your registration process go as smoothly as possible.

The DAT is typically required for Dentistry programs. Check with individual programs; not all of them require the DAT.

The GRE is typically required for Veterinary Medicine, Occupational & Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant/Associate programs, and others. Check with individual programs; not all of them require the GRE.

  • The GRE – Graduation Record Exam General Test features question types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you’ll do in today’s demanding graduate-level programs, the GRE General Test lets you show schools you are ready to succeed.

The OAT is typically required for Optometry programs.

  • The OAT Optometry Test 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 PCAT has been retired; no pharmacy schools currently require the PCAT for admission.

  • Please visit the PCAT and Other Tests page to determine whether a pharmacy school will consider the PCAT in the current admissions process.

Situational Judgment Tests are sometimes required during the Secondary Application process for Medical Schools. Review individual programs’ requirements to determine which Situational Judgment Test is needed, and by what deadline – these will vary by program.