I was wondering if anyone else became a certified pharm tech and if so what materials did you use to study? There are quite a few books and guides out there and I wanted to know which would be the best investment. Thanks.😛
PTCB Certification
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I used these two:
The Pharmacy Technician, 2nd Edition by Perspective Press (Paperback - Jan 1, 2004)
Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician by Jahangir Moini (Paperback - Dec 28, 2004)
The first one seems like there's not that much material because the layout kinda wastes space and it doesn't get into as much scientific gibberish as the second book. But seriously, if you're a completing a science major in college... this test should be no sweat and that book is fine
I'm still glad i got that second book, just to give me another perspective/angle on studying for the test. I like the second book for it's description of drug classes and what not.
The Pharmacy Technician, 2nd Edition by Perspective Press (Paperback - Jan 1, 2004)
Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician by Jahangir Moini (Paperback - Dec 28, 2004)
The first one seems like there's not that much material because the layout kinda wastes space and it doesn't get into as much scientific gibberish as the second book. But seriously, if you're a completing a science major in college... this test should be no sweat and that book is fine
I'm still glad i got that second book, just to give me another perspective/angle on studying for the test. I like the second book for it's description of drug classes and what not.
Unless you plan to study for this exam in its entirety, I'd just focus on your math. Math is extremely vital in being a pharmacy technician, especially knowing how to convert between units and diluting bulk quantities. Math questions comprised much of my exam.
In addition, there were questions regarding what your job as a technician would entail. That can be found in books and through experience, but books will suffice. This would include things like receiving a new prescription, what type of information would you look for, what responsibilities are you legally allowed to perform, etc.
As for the pharmaceutical aspect of the exam, it would be way too much information to just simply memorize if your exam is soon... for instance the question can list a series of medications in which you had to pick out the odd med out. This requires knowledge of drug classifications, mechanisms of action, etc. This is what pharmacists learn in school and what technicians generally learn through work...
Focusing on your math and job performance should give you enough points to pass the exam; it requires less than 700 I believe. Hope this helps.
In addition, there were questions regarding what your job as a technician would entail. That can be found in books and through experience, but books will suffice. This would include things like receiving a new prescription, what type of information would you look for, what responsibilities are you legally allowed to perform, etc.
As for the pharmaceutical aspect of the exam, it would be way too much information to just simply memorize if your exam is soon... for instance the question can list a series of medications in which you had to pick out the odd med out. This requires knowledge of drug classifications, mechanisms of action, etc. This is what pharmacists learn in school and what technicians generally learn through work...
Focusing on your math and job performance should give you enough points to pass the exam; it requires less than 700 I believe. Hope this helps.
It's not any time soon, I'm in no rush. I am studying for the exam in it's entirety. I work in a retail pharmacy so I am sure I know much of that part, I will be mainly focusing on the hospital pharmacy parts and math. I just didn't know where to start with looking for study materials. I will definitely buy the two books suggested. Thanks!
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Yes, practice the math--I've worked retail and now hospital, be well versed with the Laminar flow hood and the aseptic technique. Just as an FYI, once you get certified apply to an inpatient hosptial pharmacy, the doubled my CVS pay!! Plus it looks great on the application.
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I got certified in September and I have two books that I reviewed in one of my blogs and another blog about what is going to be on the PTCE.
Just click the blog link on the left hand below my screen name.
Good luck!!
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Moving to L&E, more PTCE study material threads for your perusal there.
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To become a Pharmacy Tech, do you just need to take the PTCB, or do you need to take some class(es) as well? I heard it may differ between states. I am in SC. I just applied to pharmacy schools but am not a tech. I also just got my PCAT scores in the mail and they are horrible, so I don't plan on getting into any of the schools I applied to this year. I am going to try to become a pharmacy tech and apply again in a year. Let me know if how the test went and if you had to do anything else.
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hi everyone
i am new on here... but anyways... i am taking the certification on saturday december 13th 2008... coming up... i am ok with the math and good with what the tech job is.... but i am kinda confused on what to convert sometimes.... but i guess as long as you remember your formulas its good. like... 1 kg equals 2.2 pounds and the clarks rule and youngs rule.... and plus now days you need experience to work and i have my medical background just not pharmacy and i really want this as a career but i dont know where can teach and not always experience..
kelly-
i am new on here... but anyways... i am taking the certification on saturday december 13th 2008... coming up... i am ok with the math and good with what the tech job is.... but i am kinda confused on what to convert sometimes.... but i guess as long as you remember your formulas its good. like... 1 kg equals 2.2 pounds and the clarks rule and youngs rule.... and plus now days you need experience to work and i have my medical background just not pharmacy and i really want this as a career but i dont know where can teach and not always experience..
kelly-
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I used Mosby's PTCB Review book with the CD included. The book and CD have many practice exams and helpful tools. The CD is very helpful, and it has an interactive flash card feature too.
All in all, I actually only studied for 2 days(was busy with finals) and passed the exam fairly easily. It isn't all that hard, 90 questions and 1 hr 45 min long. A 650 out of 900 score is needed to pass.
All in all, I actually only studied for 2 days(was busy with finals) and passed the exam fairly easily. It isn't all that hard, 90 questions and 1 hr 45 min long. A 650 out of 900 score is needed to pass.
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Glad to hear. I just picked this book up today and I am scheduled to take the exam in two weeks. No previous pharmacy experience has me a little nervous though.
I have a question about the exam, I know they ask you about brand vs. generic names on the test, but do they ask you things like side effects of the drug; things beside just names? If that makes sense...
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I took the PTCE today, I didn't feel confident about the test. Most of the questions were guessed. So, when I finished the test, I got a piece of paper telling me the date of my test results will be avail and also on the piece of paper, it said result😛ass??? That's not the actual result of my test, right?😕
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I received the same thing when I took the test on the 6th of Jan. I did question the instructor about it because I thought I would be waiting two weeks for results. He said that they used to do that but now you get instant results. He said, "You get your actual number scores in the mail." I am still a bit skeptical because it contradicts what the PTCB website states. I hope I did pass too, like the paper says. 😕
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Me too, thanks for sharing the information. I called the 1800 number, and talked to a representative, she said that wasn't the actual result. I have to wait until Jan 23rd. It contradicts with what the test adminstrator's reponse...so confusing and frustrating.😕
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really? let me know if you are getting the same piece of paper. Good luck!!
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I would like to know too!! I am so stressed out because I cannot get a reassuring answer...lol.
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I used The Pharmacy Technician 2nd Ed and its companion Workbook, and I studied in the month of August of '08. Took the test and passed in September of '08 with the following scores:
Total 818
Assist Pharmacist in Serving Patients 828
Maintain Med. Inventory Control Systems 836
Admin. Mgmt. of Pharmacy Practice 737 (yikes!)
Passing score is 650, and it's out of 900.
Know calculations, law, and pharmacy management guidelines.
I was also asked about generic/tradenames.
for some odd reason they asked about medical conditions and asked which one of the four drugs should be given. Pretty lame if you ask be since that is beyond the scope of what a tech does.
Total 818
Assist Pharmacist in Serving Patients 828
Maintain Med. Inventory Control Systems 836
Admin. Mgmt. of Pharmacy Practice 737 (yikes!
)Passing score is 650, and it's out of 900.
Know calculations, law, and pharmacy management guidelines.
I was also asked about generic/tradenames.
for some odd reason they asked about medical conditions and asked which one of the four drugs should be given. Pretty lame if you ask be since that is beyond the scope of what a tech does.
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Well, I took the test this morning. As soon as I finished the 90 questions I hit submit. After a couple seconds my results were right there on the screen and when I signed out they handed me a paper with the result as well. Very strange! I hope I don't find out later that I actually failed!
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Well congrats....I hope....I can let you know on the 23rd or maybe before, when the paper said I could view my results online. Hope they don't contradict my "pass" result.
Did you feel you did well on the test?
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congrats!!!! You have 90 questions on your test too? me too. I guess they really changed the exams, because my friend took the test last year, she said there were 140 questions..
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Woo hoo....I passed. I got the results back from the official PTCB site today.
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i passed the test too...🙂 i want to tell those who are preparing for the test to really focus on practicing the calculations, because that part is the portion that u don't want to lose points on. Especially if u are doing a 2-wk intensive studying like i did. Try to memorize the sig codes...those are the more manageble questions if one doesn't have a lot of time memorizing the brand-generic and other pharmacology related stuff. 🙂
