Important Quetions You Need to Know in Order to Pass the Ptcb

Becoming a certified pharmacy technician is a huge milestone. Information technology marks the stop of late-night college study sessions and the beginning of a rewarding chemist's shop career. But earlier you lot tin can telephone call yourself a CPhT, you'll demand to pass the Chemist's Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. While the PTCB volition be challenging, the right test prep makes all the difference. This guide gives you everything you need to be test-24-hour interval ready, including a detailed breakdown of the test'due south format, constructive report tips, exercise examination recommendations, and test-taking communication from a certified pharmacy tech.

FAQs About the PTCB Examination

The Chemist's Technician Certification Test is a computerized test offered past the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The test is referred to as the PTCB exam or the PTCE. While is it technically the PTCE, both acronyms are used interchangeably.

It is designed for 2 groups of chemist's technicians:

• Recent graduates of chemist's tech programs or electric current pharmacy techs who need to pass the exam to go licensed and legally work in their state.
• Pharmacy techs working in states without certification requirements who want to become certified to strengthen their resume and amend their chore prospects.

Upon successfully passing the PTCB exam, exam takers tin can call themselves a Certified Chemist's Technician (CPhT). The CPhT designation is proof to employers that y'all take been tested in all areas of chemist's shop work and found to take the knowledge necessary to adhere to chemist's procedures, keep patients safe by spotting drug interactions, know how to handle prescriptions, and more. To learn about certification requirements in your country, look at this map of land regulations.

Candidates must complete one of the following pathways to go eligible for the examination:

Pathway 1: Completion of a PCTB-recognized training programme, or enrolled in ane that volition be completed within 60 days of the exam date. There are more than 1,400 programs to choose from.

Pathway 2: A minimum of 500 hours of work as a pharmacy technician. This pathway aims to help pharmacy technicians who cannot consummate a PCTB-recognized training or pedagogy program. Certain knowledge requirements must be met to pursue this pick.

All candidates must besides provide full disclosure of all criminal or Country Lath of Chemist's shop licensure or registration actions, and comply with all PTCB policies.

The PTCB exam is offered at Pearson Professional person Centers. In that location are more than than one,400 of these centers available nationwide, including on more than 100 military bases. The appointment may be scheduled online.

The test is offered twelvemonth-circular during the usual testing hours of the Pearson Professional Centers. In one case authorized to schedule an engagement, examination-takers can log in to look at the listing of potential dates and times in their area.

The electric current cost of the test is $129. Declining the exam requires yous to take it over again with the aforementioned fee.

A passing score is ane,400, with the range of possible scores on the exam being between 1,000 and 1,600. The scores are shown on the computer screen immediately following the test. Official scores are relayed two to three weeks later.

A quick look at the numbers says that the PTCB exam has gotten more difficult in recent years. In 2009, the national pass rate for the exam was 72% compared to a 58% pass rate in 2019.

If you don't laissez passer the kickoff time, you tin take the exam over again after threescore days have passed. After that second attempt, you must wait six months before taking it again. After four attempts, you must provide evidence of being prepared for the exam earlier taking information technology again.

The 2020 updates to the PTCB exam affect both eligibility requirements and the exam itself. Eligibility requirements now include completion of a PTCB-recognized training/educational programme, or the equivalent work experience before taking the exam. The examination has scaled back from nine cognition domains to iv. To learn more about the 2020 updates, check out the "What to Expect" section below.

What to Wait Before Examination Solar day

Understanding the PTCB test before test day is incredibly important. Knowing how long the test takes to complete will assistance you time your practise tests to ensure y'all reply questions with plenty of time to spare. Call up, there are 2020 updates to the examination, so what you expected concluding twelvemonth might not be the same right at present. Here's what yous demand to know.

• The PCTB exam is a computer-based test. It's administered year-round at one,400 verified examination centers.
• The exam has 90 multiple-pick questions: 80 scored questions and ten unscored questions (placed randomly throughout the examination).
• You lot'll take virtually ii hours to complete the exam (5 minutes for the tutorial, 1 hour and 50 minutes for the exam, and 5 minutes for a post-test survey.
• Exam takers see their unofficial exam scores immediately after finishing the examination. Official test results will exist posted online ii to 3 weeks later on.

The Four Cognition Domains of the PTCB Exam

The PTCB exam will exam your knowledge in four dissimilar areas, officially chosen cognition domains. Let's have a deeper expect at what you can expect from each knowledge domain and how much they'll contribute to your total score.

forty% of test

Medications

Since dispensing medications is the well-nigh vital part of the job, this department takes up the biggest percentage. Expect questions concerning names and classifications, therapeutic equivalents, drug interactions and side effects, drug stability, proper storage, strength and dosages, proper handling, and similar topics.

12.5% of exam

Federal Requirements

This covers federal regulations for pharmacies, including handling and disposal, how to handle controlled substances, restricted drug programs, recall requirements, and rules for prescriptions.

26.25% of exam

Patient Safety and Quality Balls

These questions focus on high-risk medications, event reporting procedures, how to prevent errors, pharmacist intervention for certain events, types of prescription errors, and cleaning and hygiene standards.

21.25% of exam

Order Entry and Processing

This section tests knowledge on formulas, calculations, ratios, conversions, and other important points of procedure, as well as the equipment and supplies required for administering drugs, identifying and returning expired or otherwise unusable medications, expiration dates, lot numbers, and more.

8 Test-Prep Tips for the PTCB Test

The PTCB exam can be tough and beingness prepared is the cardinal to success. As with whatsoever other important exam, studying before the big day tin can make a big departure in your terminal score. Follow these written report tips to make sure you feel confident once test twenty-four hours arrives.

1

Focus on the height 100 drugs

Aye, at that place might exist some obscure questions on the examination. Merely the whole point is to ensure you lot accept the knowledge to handle day-to-mean solar day piece of work in a pharmacy, and that work includes dispensing many of the same drugs. Rather than focus on the wide formulary, look at the virtually commonly prescribed and work your way out from there.

2

Make sure your math skills are solid

Many PTCB questions involve conversions, formulas, and other calculations. Learn the math within and out, and exist able to work through them quickly.

iii

Utilize flashcards

There are many in-depth terms chemist's shop technicians must know. Study up on them whenever you lot accept a spare moment with a stack of flashcards, or download some on your phone for on-the-go peeks.

iv

Schedule study fourth dimension

Life is busy. When volition you discover time to study? Brand the time happen by scheduling information technology into your calendar, just as yous would a meeting or a class.

5

Read all the manuals

There are many pharmacy manuals out there that focus on drugs, procedures, and regulations. Read them comprehend-to-cover and highlight the parts you don't empathise.

6

Schedule in breaks

Studying can eventually brand you feel similar you're going crazy with drug names and formula numbers, so take the fourth dimension to take a breather. Schedule a niggling downtime to go your mind off the test.

vii

Sign up for a review class

Need a little assistance staying on track? If yous detect yourself not getting the studying done like you should, sign upward for a review course that will concord you lot accountable.

viii

Practice!

You can't possibly take enough practice tests, so get started right now with quizzes. The more yous accept, the more questions y'all'll exist exposed to that might be on the test. Find the best practice tests below.

Best PTCB Do Exams for the 2020 Updates

The post-obit listing of PTCB practice tests and questions tin help you principal the PTCB test's new format in 2020. Yous'll get a swell idea of what to expect on test day, including questions from previous tests, a

* There are very few do tests and study guides that have incorporated the new 2020 changes. This list volition exist updated with more than practice exams and study guides as they become updated.

Official PTCB Test Prep Material

• PTCB Practice Test
  Provided directly by the PTCB, this is the aureate standard of practice tests for the PTCE. This practice test reflects the 2020 updates and has the same feel and functionality as the bodily test – so y'all can feel confident the practice exam volition be a good preview of what you'll see on test day.
  Cost: $29 each, or discounted $49 for two versions
• PTCB Calculations Questions Examination Prep App
  This app allows for study at any time, anywhere on Android or iOS devices. The updated version launched in January 2020 and was modified with the new guidelines in mind. The 138 calculation questions can give test-takers a skilful experience of what to expect from the calculations they will exist asked to do on the test itself.
  Price: Free for base of operations version; $fourteen.99 for premium version

Unofficial Practice Questions

• Pharmacy Calculations
  Offered by MeridianExamPrep, this serial of 13 practice tests provides over 200 questions to help exam-takers master tough pharmacy calculation questions found on the PTCE.
  Cost: $1.99 for each examination; $17.99 for entire fix
• Top 300 Drugs Practice Questions
  Test-takers can lock-in their knowledge of prescribed drugs through this set of practice questions. Areas covered include pharmacological category, dosing, brand name, adverse effects, and more than. Offered by MeridianExamPrep.
  Cost: $one.99 for each test; $17.99 for entire set

Programs that might involvement you:

CareerStep
PROGRAM: Pharmacy Technician

CareerStep's Pharmacy Tech Program can have you trained, certified, and earning a professional person salary in simply a few short months. As ane of the only online pharmacy tech programs accredited past the ASHP/ACPE, you'll receive comprehensive online training, full grooming for the national certification exam, and externship and task search assistance upon graduation. Get-go your pharmacy tech journey today!

MedCerts
Plan: Pharmacy Technician Professional person (ASHP/ACPE)

Become a pharmacy technician professional online with the Medcerts Chemist's Technician Certification program. This training programme is accredited past the American Society of Health-Arrangement Pharmacists (ASHP) and ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education), and provides the highest level of training defined by those issuing authorities. Students learn through MedCerts 12 Elements of eLearning too every bit participate in a 160-hr pharmacy externship, applying what they have learned through online classes in a real-world environment. In addition, the preparation, registration, and costs associated with the Chemist's shop Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) administered by the Chemist's Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is covered past MedCerts.

PTCB Exam Tips & Advice from a Certified Pharmacy Tech

Sadie Black, a certified and licensed chemist's technician, passed her PTCB exam on the very beginning try. Here are her tips on how she did it and how you can follow her lead to ace the exam and become a licensed CPhT.

When I say I learned the test, I mean I knew what categories at that place were, how long I would have to take information technology, and the format of the questions. My goal was to walk into the test and not be surprised by anything, I wanted to exist prepared. In that location are 9 categories on the examination, which I and then used to determine what I needed to report more or less of. I had already been working as a Pharmacy Technician for a while, so I was adequately confident with the Pharmacology department, simply I had never compounded so I studied the Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding information as much equally I could. I also knew that you had one hour and 50 minutes to consummate 90 questions, and ten of them were unscored, then I didn't give myself whatever more than 60-to-90 seconds per question. Past doing it that way, I concluded up having fourth dimension left over, and I was able to flag the questions I had trouble with and go back to them. Pearson Vue, the testing heart for PTCB, offers an test tutorial then you know exactly what the test will look similar, and I took total advantage of that. Again, I didn't want there to be any surprises. As well think, the police portion of the examination is for federal police force, not your state'south law.

PTCB offers ii dissimilar practice exams, priced at $29 for 1 or $49 for both and I bought both. Based on the practice exams, I created newspaper flashcards that I would go along with me and if I had downtime at piece of work, home, schoolhouse, really anywhere I could possibly get five minutes of studying, I would pull them out. I kept super easy questions on the flashcards, like the top 200 drugs proper noun brand to generic, medical abbreviations (too known every bit sig codes), and anything else that would be a brusk one- or ii-give-and-take question and respond. The most helpful thing for me was to download and buy the PTCE Pocket Prep app. At the fourth dimension of me purchasing it, there were 700 questions to go through and a new i added every day as a Question of the Twenty-four hours. Using that app, I could create mini-quizzes for myself that were specific to the category or categories I chose. If I got a question wrong, it would tell me why the correct answer was correct, which fabricated me feel like I got double the value.

This i may sound like a no brainer, but a lot of people don't realize that you have to actually apply to take the test. It may audio silly, simply you don't utilise and get to schedule the exam the same twenty-four hour period. PTCB requires certain eligibility requirements to exist met such equally being a high school graduate, or within threescore days of graduating, a disclosure of whatsoever criminal or Country Board of Chemist's shop licensure actions, and they do actually verify this data. I decided to have my test in Apr, was able to schedule it in May, and really took my exam in September. I'm not suggesting you wait 3 months, but definitely give yourself enough of time to study. There is too much cognition needed to endeavour and cram it in within a week and expect to pass.

By testing skills, I mean the things we all heard growing up in school; read carefully, don't have also much time on whatever one question, don't go out a question blank and just guess as your last option. The biggest takeaway, however, is read advisedly. The PTCE will attempt to fox you and word things strangely to trip you lot up. For instance, a question may say Billy, a large child for his age is 12 years old and in 6th grade. Billy weighs 120 lbs and has an infection. Baton's md has been practicing for thirty years and has prescribed him Amoxicillin 400mg/5mL, how many milligrams will be needed for his dose? That question has over twoscore words, nevertheless only a few are needed: 120lbs, Amoxicillin 400mg/5mL, how many milligrams will exist needed? With actually wordy questions, I would respond the question but flag it and become back to brand sure I really understood the question.

Overall, I know this seems similar a lot, but give yourself enough of time and you will have no problem! The test seems scarier than it actually is. As a bonus, at the cease, you will get an unofficial score and so yous will accept an idea on whether or non you lot passed.

PTCB offers 2 unlike practise exams, priced at $29 for i or $49 for both and I bought both. Based on the exercise exams, I created paper flashcards that I would go on with me and if I had reanimation at work, home, school, really anywhere I could possibly get five minutes of studying, I would pull them out. I kept super like shooting fish in a barrel questions on the flashcards, like the top 200 drugs name brand to generic, medical abbreviations (as well known as sig codes), and anything else that would be a short i- or 2-discussion question and respond.

The almost helpful matter for me was to download and purchase the PTCE Pocket Prep app. At the fourth dimension of me purchasing it, there were 700 questions to become through and a new one added every twenty-four hour period as a Question of the Day. Using that app, I could create mini-quizzes for myself that were specific to the category or categories I chose. If I got a question wrong, it would tell me why the correct answer was correct, which fabricated me experience like I got double the value.

Additional Resources for the PTCB Test

• ASHP: Technician Program Accreditation
  Those seeking an accredited plan on chemist's shop technician work that meets the PTCB standards can await to this bureau for help.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Pharmacy Technicians
  This U.S. authorities website goes in-depth on pharmacy technician chore descriptions, employment, and more.
• Manual for Pharmacy Technicians, 5th Edition
  This is one of the many books out there that focus on what pharmacy technicians need to know. Reading through the book cover to cover can provide a good refresher earlier the test.
• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
  Visit this site for more than data on pharmacy regulations and safety.
• Pearson VUE
  Those looking for a exam center at which to take the PTCB can discover the data they need here.
• PTCB Candidate Guidebook
  Provides even more in-depth data on the test itself, including what to wait from the iv knowledge domains.
• PTCB CPhT Certification Renewal
  Acquire virtually the requirements and process for renewing your chemist's technician certification.
• PTCB State Regulations and Map
  To get the nigh up-to-date data on which states require certification, this is the place.
• PTCE Content Outline
  This guide to what to expect from the four knowledge domains is an excellent way to ensure you're familiar with the fabric covered on the exam.

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Source: https://www.edumed.org/online-schools/pharmacy-tech-programs/ptcb-exam-guide/

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