BCPS Spring 2022
ssPolar520
Full Member
Im a poor exam taker. I used to just memorize everything but its not possible this time.
Can you just elaborate on how to get a hint of the answer from the question?
ssPolar520
Full Member
Just to add on…the questions in the exam throw you many pieces of important information, like pt doesnt have private insurance, and then what’s the best treatment for certain condition….then i became very confused what answer they’re really asking…should I still stick with the guideline or need to consider patient’s factor as what we do in practice
Honestly- if you’re a bad test taker AND you just memorize things (aka not fully understanding and being able to apply it to different scenarios- this isn’t the test for you 100%
Sorry
ssPolar520
Full Member
Ouch it hurts 🙁 still trying to figure out a way to study it effectively. Its just so hard to choose between 2 choices in BCPS when the questions are vague. Don’t see an obvious answer always..
Just trying to save you $1k or more on taking the tests and retesting
Hello ssPolar520: sorry but I agree with kristakoch.
This test is a beast compared to the NAPLEX or the usual midterms in pharmacy school in term of its ability to test your critical thinking skills and clinical application. Knowing that when you see a BP of 95/60, you need to pick midodrine oral / Norepi drip to treat hypotension is right, but BCPS will require you to look at the bigger picture and evaluate to see that pt is in sepsis (lactate lab, vitals with tachy, etc.) or impending shock and fluid resuscitate first-line first with crystalloids is a better choice. Same, ondansetron may be the right agent to use but in a pt with dysphagia or geri, you may need to reach out for ODT dosage form as the best solution/ answer. And unfortunately, yes, to me on my test, it always came down to 2 final choices that looked exactly similar but not identical (e.g. d/c amlodipine and initiate carvedilol 12.5 mg PO BID vs d/c amlodipine and initiate carvedilol 3.125 mg PO BID--better choice d/t titration dosing of carvedilol) that I had to choose.
I've heard that lately, the BCPS got bad rep as a money grabbing scheme (which in a sense it is) and everyone just grabs it for a bunch of letters after their names, thus they make it harder and harder recently to show that it is indeed a higher-level of clinical practice that you need to pass to be considered a specialist. I think this is fair: holding on to the credential will then give you a better sense of confidence as well as a reservoir of basic clinical knowledge to use in your practice.
Same with biostat: knowing how to calculate relative risk and absolute risk is great, but understand the difference between the two and which one you should use to apply for your specific patient in a specific clinical case will be what BCPS asks of you.
This test is a beast compared to the NAPLEX or the usual midterms in pharmacy school in term of its ability to test your critical thinking skills and clinical application. Knowing that when you see a BP of 95/60, you need to pick midodrine oral / Norepi drip to treat hypotension is right, but BCPS will require you to look at the bigger picture and evaluate to see that pt is in sepsis (lactate lab, vitals with tachy, etc.) or impending shock and fluid resuscitate first-line first with crystalloids is a better choice. Same, ondansetron may be the right agent to use but in a pt with dysphagia or geri, you may need to reach out for ODT dosage form as the best solution/ answer. And unfortunately, yes, to me on my test, it always came down to 2 final choices that looked exactly similar but not identical (e.g. d/c amlodipine and initiate carvedilol 12.5 mg PO BID vs d/c amlodipine and initiate carvedilol 3.125 mg PO BID--better choice d/t titration dosing of carvedilol) that I had to choose.
I've heard that lately, the BCPS got bad rep as a money grabbing scheme (which in a sense it is) and everyone just grabs it for a bunch of letters after their names, thus they make it harder and harder recently to show that it is indeed a higher-level of clinical practice that you need to pass to be considered a specialist. I think this is fair: holding on to the credential will then give you a better sense of confidence as well as a reservoir of basic clinical knowledge to use in your practice.
Same with biostat: knowing how to calculate relative risk and absolute risk is great, but understand the difference between the two and which one you should use to apply for your specific patient in a specific clinical case will be what BCPS asks of you.
HospitalPharm
New Member
I registered to say that I think you should give it at least another shot before giving up,
How long did you study the first time? Did you utilize all the resources this thread suggests? Maybe find a study group you could join? Test taking is a skill that can be improved upon if you practice enough questions and of course study the materials.
Don't give up so easily if you actually want it!
**I am a BCCCP working in the ICU/ED and have known co workers who did not pass their BCPS their first go. I don't think anything less of them.
I wouldn’t listen to the response that says the test isn’t for you. The test is difficult for many people- many smart people. It’s random. I would focus on statistics. Take the practice exam from accp- this exam will assess how you are doing but also when you go through the answers it will help you understand their questioning. Buy the the bcps bullet book off Amazon. And if you choose the best choice for the patient based on cost write a statement in the comments expressing why you picked it. Each question has a comment section.
Please do not give up. You made it through pharmacy school!! I know it is easier said than done. The BCPS is random tbh and I think in addition to knowledge, strategy is key. One of the things I know for a fact helped me was the ACCP stats book. I read it cover to cover and made sure I knew every test, when to use them, RR, OR, ARR, NNH, NNT and all that as well as when they are statistically significant (When some contain zero, when some contain one, they are deemed not significant). The name of the book was "CLINICAL PHARMACIST'S GUIDE TO BIOSTATISTICS AND LITERATURE EVALUATION." Also do not use too many materials to study as it may be more detrimental than helpful. I studied the ACCP book and skipped topics that I knew no matter how much time I spent, it will be hard to remember for me (HIV, Oncology (studied only chemo man with the side effects), Men and Women's Health..). I took my test in 2019.
Please do not give up. At least try again one time. I believe you can do it.
Also review the domains you missed. That may be a good starting point.
All the best!!
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Considering changing from ACCP to ASHP studying materials. What did you all use?
Considering changing from ACCP to ASHP studying materials. What did you all use?
I used both ACCP and ASHP - but I do think that ACCP was more in-depth and worthwhile in the end. ASHP was a bit more surface level and it left me asking questions/seeking other resources for answers. I recommend using ACCP and using ASHP peripherally if you have both resources.
Hi y'all...so I've been religiously reading posts on here for about a year already. For anyone willing to share:
1) What materials did you use?
2) How long did you study for?
3) What did you study schedule look like? (I work full time, and I have to say it's been incredibly hard trying to work and study at the same time)
4) Any other special tips you'd like to offer would be amazing.
Here's some info on my end: I'm using the ACCP 2021 material ONLY. Mostly I've been reading every single chapter word for word, and I'll use the audio/videos if I have some extra time. I've already read the books once...this is my second time reading the chapters. I think I'm already at that burnout stage, and already contemplating postponing the exam for next year :/ BUT, I figured since I paid the fee and have come this far, I may as well.
I have both Inpatient and Outpatient experience. Graduated pharmacy school in 2018...zero residency. I've read other posts regarding study techniques/habits/schedules, but was hoping to hear from those that had a fresher experience.
Thanks y'all!
1) What materials did you use?
2) How long did you study for?
3) What did you study schedule look like? (I work full time, and I have to say it's been incredibly hard trying to work and study at the same time)
4) Any other special tips you'd like to offer would be amazing.
Here's some info on my end: I'm using the ACCP 2021 material ONLY. Mostly I've been reading every single chapter word for word, and I'll use the audio/videos if I have some extra time. I've already read the books once...this is my second time reading the chapters. I think I'm already at that burnout stage, and already contemplating postponing the exam for next year :/ BUT, I figured since I paid the fee and have come this far, I may as well.
I have both Inpatient and Outpatient experience. Graduated pharmacy school in 2018...zero residency. I've read other posts regarding study techniques/habits/schedules, but was hoping to hear from those that had a fresher experience.
Thanks y'all!
May i ask what study material did you use to get a better score in the social issue section?
Hi, I'm also taking BCGP exam this Fall. Can you please add me to the group as well?
Spring 2022 BPS Certification and Recertification Examination Results
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), the premier post-licensure certification organization serving the pharmacy profession announces the September/October 2021 certification and recertification examinations results. A total of 3,203 out of 4,990 candidates successfully passed certification...
www.bpsweb.org
Fall 2021 BCPS pass rate (1st attempt) = 62%
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results were reported on 8/8/2022Spring 2022 BPS Certification and Recertification Examination Results
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), the premier post-licensure certification organization serving the pharmacy profession announces the September/October 2021 certification and recertification examinations results. A total of 3,203 out of 4,990 candidates successfully passed certification...
Fall 2021 BCPS pass rate (1st attempt) = 62%
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Hey thanks! I've been looking at the website under 'past results' and on that page, it's still not showing haha.results were reported on 8/8/2022Spring 2022 BPS Certification and Recertification Examination Results
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), the premier post-licensure certification organization serving the pharmacy profession announces the September/October 2021 certification and recertification examinations results. A total of 3,203 out of 4,990 candidates successfully passed certification...
Fall 2021 BCPS pass rate (1st attempt) = 62%
I know...I've been through it twice. One thing I've seen in a few places that needs to be corrected...NONE of the questions are worth more than others. I have a friend that's a writer for the BCCCP exam. They confirmed it...even the 'pick 3 of 7' or the matching questions are not worth more than the regular multiple choice.
Just curious to find out if anyone passed the exam thinking they probably missed all regulatory questions? It really sucks during the exam I guessed one answer and few hours later after the exam, I felt I should have picked a different answer for several questions.
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ssPolar520
Full Member
Passed fall exam with a very satisfying score! Thank you for all the advice and courage again. And just want to tell those who failed, dont get beaten by it!! If i can do it in 8 weeks (after failing spring exam and made almost 100 score difference in fall exam), you can do it in next spring!
ssPolar520
Full Member
For my first attempt, I read through the whole 2021 ACCP book 2-3 times, did the ACCP mock exam and had a score of 6x. I expected I would receive a pass in the real exam but ended up I found the exam difficult and had a score of 476, which was quite disappointing. The spring exam did not have a lot stat questions and there was a lot random question like malaria, acne, psoriasis. Not many questions on cardiac, women/men health topic.
I asked people for advise and found that people may or may not have the same questions and their exam content can be quite different too. So i guess BCPS has a big pool of questions and I decided to start all over again (I believe some may only focus on stat content but i just could not risk it again as my spring exam had only a few stat questions). For fall exam prep, I used 2022 ACCP (they changed some of the content quite a bit. such as vaccination, std) and HYMR review course. I made my own notes this time when I go through the book, since I know I would not have enough time to read the whole book again. I think making my own notes really helps because Accp book has too much information. You wouldn't know what you MUST know, and is impossible to memorise eveything. In order to overcome this you just need to do more question bank, so you know what you missed. I spent quite a lot of time to do HYMR questions bank and found them very useful (despite sometimes they can go really deep then i would skip those questions) I did not finish all the HYMR questions bank (skipped policy, cancer) before fall exam because I only had 8 weeks to study. but in general I think it helped quite a lot in understanding the topic as their explanation was really quite good. and HYMR question bank did help me to be a better test taker. Throughout the whole study journey I also looked up some guidelines myself (not a lot but I did it from time to time), as content in ACCP book can be quite confusing sometimes. (e.g. digoxin therapeutic level for HF vs AF. not enough information on DM chapter. Anti-epileptic drugs/information all over the place)
Then one week before fall exam I took ACCP mock exam 2022 and 2021 (which I bought for spring exam) . Apart from the questions I did wrong, I also studied those questions I did correct. I think this is a good way to learn since sometimes you may make a guess on the answer and fortunately it is a correct choice. But you would never know there is knowledge you are still lacking if you do not review these "correct answers". I also reviewed BCPS content outline (you can find it on their web) and it was also useful! I have no idea on some of the topics it lists, but can be looked up easily and it did help to answer some of the questions in real exam.
For fall exam, there were more stat questions (finally!) and had quite a few questions on cardiac, antibiotic, vaccine and ONCOLOGY (almost 10 questions on it). I feel glad that I did try to study all the topics again for fall exam (I know this can be frustrating but you cant risk to fail again can you?). I walked out the exam feeling more confident this time and cannot wait to see my score.
This is my own experience and it had been really tough to study for so many months this year (Feb-May for spring exam and Aug-Sept for fall exam). And I am really thankful to those who gave me advice and support in this thread. I hope this would help you guys to figure out a better way to study for the exam! Trust me. You can do it too.
I asked people for advise and found that people may or may not have the same questions and their exam content can be quite different too. So i guess BCPS has a big pool of questions and I decided to start all over again (I believe some may only focus on stat content but i just could not risk it again as my spring exam had only a few stat questions). For fall exam prep, I used 2022 ACCP (they changed some of the content quite a bit. such as vaccination, std) and HYMR review course. I made my own notes this time when I go through the book, since I know I would not have enough time to read the whole book again. I think making my own notes really helps because Accp book has too much information. You wouldn't know what you MUST know, and is impossible to memorise eveything. In order to overcome this you just need to do more question bank, so you know what you missed. I spent quite a lot of time to do HYMR questions bank and found them very useful (despite sometimes they can go really deep then i would skip those questions) I did not finish all the HYMR questions bank (skipped policy, cancer) before fall exam because I only had 8 weeks to study. but in general I think it helped quite a lot in understanding the topic as their explanation was really quite good. and HYMR question bank did help me to be a better test taker. Throughout the whole study journey I also looked up some guidelines myself (not a lot but I did it from time to time), as content in ACCP book can be quite confusing sometimes. (e.g. digoxin therapeutic level for HF vs AF. not enough information on DM chapter. Anti-epileptic drugs/information all over the place)
Then one week before fall exam I took ACCP mock exam 2022 and 2021 (which I bought for spring exam) . Apart from the questions I did wrong, I also studied those questions I did correct. I think this is a good way to learn since sometimes you may make a guess on the answer and fortunately it is a correct choice. But you would never know there is knowledge you are still lacking if you do not review these "correct answers". I also reviewed BCPS content outline (you can find it on their web) and it was also useful! I have no idea on some of the topics it lists, but can be looked up easily and it did help to answer some of the questions in real exam.
For fall exam, there were more stat questions (finally!) and had quite a few questions on cardiac, antibiotic, vaccine and ONCOLOGY (almost 10 questions on it). I feel glad that I did try to study all the topics again for fall exam (I know this can be frustrating but you cant risk to fail again can you?). I walked out the exam feeling more confident this time and cannot wait to see my score.
This is my own experience and it had been really tough to study for so many months this year (Feb-May for spring exam and Aug-Sept for fall exam). And I am really thankful to those who gave me advice and support in this thread. I hope this would help you guys to figure out a better way to study for the exam! Trust me. You can do it too.
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Nice post...I agree with everything you said except for one thing..both of your tests were 25% stats for sure. I personally know a question writer for the BCCCP exam and they said 'for sure' the tests have the required percentages of stats on them. Maybe you had 'more drug than stats' for questions but they categorized them as stats? Dunno...on my first attempt I literally kept up with the stats questions I saw and I had 43..roughly 25%. For the folks that failed--if you scored 'considerably below average' or 'slightly below average' on the stats domain, I would make sure you become a stats expert because you're guaranteed to see it 25% of the time. IMHO I think that stats is the decider in passing that test. Good luck everyone!
ssPolar520
Full Member
I guess you’re right. Just a fact that I did not have many stat calculations at first attempt, and there were more in the second exam. Maybe there’s more drugs questions that also counted in stats domain. Good luck everyone!
and thank you Any1410s. Your advice has been a great help to me 🙂
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Hello please add me to the group [email protected] Thank you so much!
strawberry2502
New Member
hi Do you have any advice on passing the BCIDP thanks ?
