10 Physician Assistant Programs that Require the PA-CAT

10 Physician Assistant Programs that Require the PA-CAT

The Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT) is a specialized test that is designed to measure applicant knowledge and application in key prerequisite science subjects typically required for PA school.

The PA-CAT measures general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for success in the demanding Physician Assistant curriculum. The PA-CAT has been developed specifically for use by PA educators and admissions experts as part of a holistic admissions process.

Facts About the PA-CAT

  • A 240-item assessment covering 9 science subject areas
  • Field-tested with over 1700 examinees at 36 PA programs
  • Available May of 2020 at over 5,000 Prometric testing centers
  • Cost: $228 (includes the test center fee for standard administration)
  • Includes free study resources including 8 subject-specific practice exams and PA Pre-Matriculation Course

Physician Assistant Programs Requiring the PA-CAT

As of September 2020, there are ten physician assistant programs requiring the PA-CAT as part of their admission criteria.

  1. AdventHealth University Sciences Physician Assistant (PA) Program
  2. Central Michigan University Physician Assistant Program
  3. College of Saint Scholastica Physician Assistant Program
  4. Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant Program
  5. Harding University Physician Assistant Program
  6. Miami-Dade College Physician Assistant Program
  7. Pfeiffer University Physician Assistant Program
  8. Stephens College Physician Assistant Program
  9. Theil College Physician Assistant Program
  10. Wake Forest University-Boone Physician Assistant Program

Click here to sort by PA program PA-CAT requirements.

Why do we need the PA-CAT?

Along with a burgeoning clinician demand for PAs, there is an even more significant burden placed on PA academic programs to recognize those individuals best prepared for the rigors of a graduate PA program.

It is, therefore, increasingly important that academic institutions can identify student characteristics associated with success in PA school.

Despite a rigorous screening process, PA programs still experience a 5.2% attrition rate (the percent of students forced to drop out). Developing a screening standard will help PA programs find students able to complete the program and provide students with a fair and equitable metric by which to gauge their competencies.

I have written before about my feelings regarding the PA-CAT and its utility in predicting PA school success.  Yet, despite strong evidence that standardized exams such as the GRE have been determined inadequate and inconsistent predictive measures of PA school success. I predict by this time next year, the list above will have likely doubled.

About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

Site admin and creator of The Physician Assistant Life and the Physician Assistant School Finder PA School Program Directory.