http://sos.georgia.gov/acrobat/PLB/03 Candidate Information Bulletin - Licensure Exam.pdf
3. The Georgia Practical Examination: Consist of 3 Parts
· The Compounding Examination--- Candidates are presented with two
prescriptions, which may or may not contain errors. They are given the materials
with which to compound and fill the prescription. They are required to note any
errors with the prescription as written, although they are required to fill it as written.
Candidates are required to write down the calculations they used in filling the
prescriptions. Candidates have one and one-half hours to complete both
prescriptions. Then, each candidate meets with an examiner and is asked a series of
questions about the compounded prescription. The criteria used for scoring the
compounding process include: 1) the appearance of the product, 2) the accuracy and
appearance of the label, 3) the correctness of the procedure, 4) the correctness of the
calculations, and 5) consumer information and patient counseling about the
prescription.
· The Patient Care Module is a counseling/communications form of the exam that
mimics the actual day-to-day practice of pharmacy. Included in the Patient Care
Module candidates will be provided information regarding the patient profile and
drug history, they are required to counsel during the interview with an examiner.
· The Errors and Omissions Examination is a 30-item practical examination.
Candidates are presented with a copy of a prescription and a prepared prduct for two
(2) minutes each. They are to judge that one of following errors or omissions have
been committed, or that the prescription has been written and filled without error.
The errors and omissions are:
A. You need to contact the physician regarding an error in the prescription as
written, or, there is insufficient information to fill the prescription.
B. Prescription is filled with the wrong drug or the wrong strength of the correct
drug.
C. Error or omission by the pharmacist on computer-generated label.
D. Controlled substance prescription does not meet legal requirements (assume a 2-
compartment filing system).
E. The pharmacist has attempted an improper substitution based on Georgia's drug
product substitution law and regulations.
And, if there is no error, the sixth choice is:
F. None of the above problems exist.
The Errors and Omissions Examination is answered directly on a customized temporary
answer sheet. After the examination has ended, each candidate is given sufficient
time to transfer his or her answers to a machine-scanned answer sheet. Only the machine scanned answer sheet will be scored. There is no penalty for guessing.
AFTER THE EXAMINATION
A. PASS/FAIL STATUS
Candidates must pass the NAPLEX, MPJE and the Georgia Practical with a minimum
passing score of 75 on each exam. Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 60 on
each section of the Georgia Practical. Any scores less than 60 on each section invalidate all
the scores from that administration of the Georgia Practical.
The Practical Exams Grading Criteria
· Compounding - The Compounding Examination is graded clinically. The criteria
and weight for each prescription are listed below.
Criteria Percent
Product appearance 10%
Label accuracy and appearance 10%
Compounding procedure 20%
Compounding calculations 40%
Prescription presentation/patient counseling 20%
Each of the two prescriptions counts for 50% of the compounding portion of
the exam, so that the two compounding prescriptions together, total 100%.
PLEASE NOTE: The calculations and the total outcome must be accurate to
receive credit for the calculation portion.·
Patient Care Module -The Patient Care Module is scored by counting the number
of questions correctly answered and converting that number to a percentage score.
There is no penalty for guessing.
· Errors and Omissions - The Errors and Omissions examination is also scored by
counting the number of questions correctly answered and converting that number to
a percentage correct score. There also is no penalty for guessing.
To pass the Georgia Practical portion (the Compounding Examination, the Patient Care
Module, and the Errors and Omissions Examination), candidates must achieve scores of
60% or greater on each portion and must average 75% on the overall examination. (The
75% is computed by averaging the percentages of the three practical tests. Each test
percentage contributes one-third to the equation.) Candidates who fail to achieve a
minimum score of 60% on any of those three parts or who fail to obtain an average score of
75% or greater on the combined Compounding Examination, Patient Care Module, and
Errors and Omissions Examination, must re-take all three parts of the examination.
B. SCORE REPORTING
Candidate's results are mailed, approximately 4-6 weeks following the examination.
Scores are confidential and cannot be released over the telephone please do not call the
Examination Development and Testing Unit or the Georgia Board of Pharmacy for this purpose. Candidate's who fail the exam will receive a breakdown of their areas of weakness.
This breakdown provides a synopsis of the performance for that administration.
C. STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE EXAMINATION
After each administration of the Georgia Board of Pharmacy Examination, a statistical
analysis and candidate's comments are reviewed. This analysis assures the validity and
reliability of the examination.
D. RE-EXAMINATION
NO Review is permitted of the Georgia Practical Examination: Compounding, Errors and
Omissions Examination, and Patient Care Module.
Candidates who fail the examination may request a hand-score within 30 days of the result
notice. Please note that if your score was within five points of passing, your answer sheet
has already been hand scored.
To request a hand-score, send a cashier's check or money order for $20 payable to the
Secretary of State to the following address: Professional Licensing Boards Division, Attn:
Examination Development and Testing Unit, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon GA 31214.
To reapply, contact the Georgia Board of Pharmacy at 237 Coliseum Dr., Macon, GA,
31217, or call at (478) 207-1640. Policies regarding review of the NAPLEX Examination
or receiving a breakdown of NAPLEX Examination scores come from the NABP.
