I realize there are plenty of related posts on here about the Naplex, but I know I personally was reading everything that I could on here about other people's experiences to try and console myself, both pre and post exam. SO, here is my (wordy) two cents about it all...
I purposefully scheduled my exam a little over 2 months after I graduated, because I have never been a confident test-taker, and I knew I would need all the time I could get to feel prepared for the Naplex. I used the RXprep 2012 edition, and had access to the RXprep quiz questions online through my employer. Since I gave myself so much time to study, I went through about two topics a day, with a few days off here and there.
I took the pre-Naplex and got a 102 before I went back to really concentrated studying.
I ended up going through the book at a much faster rate 2 times a few days before the exam.
I felt prepared as I could have been going into the exam, but still SUPER nervous. I REALLY took my time with each question, which kind of backfired in the end when I started getting multiple math questions and really kicked up my pace in order to finish all the questions.
I was pretty upset after the exam, but there were many questions about drugs I had never heard of and others that I wasn't confident about my answer. I began sinking into a depression as I started thinking of all the questions that I got wrong... overall I was just super distressed and upset. HOWEVER, I received my score online 2 business days later, and lo-and-behold, I passed! I would have been happy with any passing score, but I ended up getting a 109, which is good enough for me!!
So here is what I would recommend in regards to preparing for the exam:
- I only used RxPrep and the corresponding online quiz questions as a study source. The quiz questions are a nice review and really let you know how much you remembered from the chapter, but I would say they aren't necessary. I took a look at one chapter from the APHA book I got for free, and never looked back... as most people on here say, it is just TOO much info to remember.
- LOOK AT DOSAGE FORMS!!! This was a large chunk of my questions, so really look at the dosage forms available for the drugs. I found it easier to look at a class of drugs and try to rule the odd balls out. For example, KNOW which PPI's are also IV, look at which 2nd generation antipsychotics have injection formulations (and which ones are long acting), ect. For the most part, RxPrep includes the dosage form for all the drugs.
- The math in RxPrep is a good review, but ALSO use the 120 math packet floating around on this forum (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=18022&d=1319498961). I got a question on the Naplex almost exactly like one that was in that packet (regarding Meq of Lithium in Lithium Carbonate). Really understand the relationship of mg/Meq/mmol, which the packet covers. Go through the problems until you are comfortable with them.
- REVIEW TOP 200. There are some good quizzes online (I used http://quizlet.com/2061660/learn/) or you can make them yourself, just be comfortable with them.
- REALLY know which allergies are contraindicated for which drugs... it really helps you to rule out/make a decision on the test questions. DO NOT ignore the patient profile on the Naplex; there were only a couple of questions that gave you a patient profile that asked questions not related to the patient, but in general, there is information about the patient that will determine the most appropriate therapy for the patient... Don't skip over it!
- Know the questions for NNT, ARR, RRR, ect. I had previously looked them up, but it took a major backseat for me right before the exam.... so not only did I get the question wrong, but I got FOUR more questions asking how to calculate ARR, ect, because I kept getting them wrong. That really stressed me out during and after the exam.
- RELAX. I definitely definitely realize this is easier said than done, but as someone who was terrified going into it and terrified coming out of it, but still ended up passing with a decent score, really try to be at ease with it and be pleasantly surprised when you get your score back.
I understand this is a short novel, but I figured I'd describe my experience in case it helps even one person.
GOOD LUCK!
I purposefully scheduled my exam a little over 2 months after I graduated, because I have never been a confident test-taker, and I knew I would need all the time I could get to feel prepared for the Naplex. I used the RXprep 2012 edition, and had access to the RXprep quiz questions online through my employer. Since I gave myself so much time to study, I went through about two topics a day, with a few days off here and there.
I took the pre-Naplex and got a 102 before I went back to really concentrated studying.
I ended up going through the book at a much faster rate 2 times a few days before the exam.
I felt prepared as I could have been going into the exam, but still SUPER nervous. I REALLY took my time with each question, which kind of backfired in the end when I started getting multiple math questions and really kicked up my pace in order to finish all the questions.
I was pretty upset after the exam, but there were many questions about drugs I had never heard of and others that I wasn't confident about my answer. I began sinking into a depression as I started thinking of all the questions that I got wrong... overall I was just super distressed and upset. HOWEVER, I received my score online 2 business days later, and lo-and-behold, I passed! I would have been happy with any passing score, but I ended up getting a 109, which is good enough for me!!
So here is what I would recommend in regards to preparing for the exam:
- I only used RxPrep and the corresponding online quiz questions as a study source. The quiz questions are a nice review and really let you know how much you remembered from the chapter, but I would say they aren't necessary. I took a look at one chapter from the APHA book I got for free, and never looked back... as most people on here say, it is just TOO much info to remember.
- LOOK AT DOSAGE FORMS!!! This was a large chunk of my questions, so really look at the dosage forms available for the drugs. I found it easier to look at a class of drugs and try to rule the odd balls out. For example, KNOW which PPI's are also IV, look at which 2nd generation antipsychotics have injection formulations (and which ones are long acting), ect. For the most part, RxPrep includes the dosage form for all the drugs.
- The math in RxPrep is a good review, but ALSO use the 120 math packet floating around on this forum (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=18022&d=1319498961). I got a question on the Naplex almost exactly like one that was in that packet (regarding Meq of Lithium in Lithium Carbonate). Really understand the relationship of mg/Meq/mmol, which the packet covers. Go through the problems until you are comfortable with them.
- REVIEW TOP 200. There are some good quizzes online (I used http://quizlet.com/2061660/learn/) or you can make them yourself, just be comfortable with them.
- REALLY know which allergies are contraindicated for which drugs... it really helps you to rule out/make a decision on the test questions. DO NOT ignore the patient profile on the Naplex; there were only a couple of questions that gave you a patient profile that asked questions not related to the patient, but in general, there is information about the patient that will determine the most appropriate therapy for the patient... Don't skip over it!
- Know the questions for NNT, ARR, RRR, ect. I had previously looked them up, but it took a major backseat for me right before the exam.... so not only did I get the question wrong, but I got FOUR more questions asking how to calculate ARR, ect, because I kept getting them wrong. That really stressed me out during and after the exam.
- RELAX. I definitely definitely realize this is easier said than done, but as someone who was terrified going into it and terrified coming out of it, but still ended up passing with a decent score, really try to be at ease with it and be pleasantly surprised when you get your score back.
I understand this is a short novel, but I figured I'd describe my experience in case it helps even one person.
GOOD LUCK!
