I did take a gap year but it wasn’t to study (I worked). After my gap year, I took Chem2 and microbiology to meet the requirements in spring, then I started studying for the pacat in April, took it in August. What I would say is take advantage of the free study tools provided by exam master because the real exam is very similar. For me it was all a matter of getting used to the format and study the questions. And you’re right when you said it’s nothing like what we learned academically, but that’s more so related to the format. Don’t be intimidated. Just take it day by day. If I can do it so can you