Pharm Tech Exam

[Thestrugglez]

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Hello everyone.

I am trying to apply to pharm school this cycle, but I'm missing an integral part of my application atm: experience. Thus, I am scheduled to take the Pharm Tech Certification Exam in 2 weeks time. I have yet to start studying for it (since my PCAT was in July) and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for studying for this exam. Unlike the PCAT, which consists of a lot of things I was already familiar with from undergraduate courses, I know the PTCE has a lot of stuff that I am not really familiar with.

My questions about the PTCE

1. You only need 60%+ to get certified right?

2. What type of things should I study? Common drugs? Labels? Abbreviations for how to take the drug?

3. What are some good resources for this exam?

4. On average, how much of the test will be general math/science (non-pharm tech specific) questions?

 

[Thestrugglez]

Also, in Texas, I heard that you need to pass the PTCE exam before you can get any sort of pharm tech job/training. Is that correct? How do people prepare for this exam then. That's a part I am really confused about.

 

[Katayyyy]

Passing the exam shouldn't be to difficult. I suggest to go to the library to get a few PTCE book and read them through. When I took the test, there was a lot of laws, abbreviations for taking the drugs, and conversion/maths. Knowing the drugs would be useful for the exam, but I would leave it for last since there are so many and you don't really know which one will be on the exam.

 

[Thestrugglez]

Passing the exam shouldn't be to difficult. I suggest to go to the library to get a few PTCE book and read them through. When I took the test, there was a lot of laws, abbreviations for taking the drugs, and conversion/maths. Knowing the drugs would be useful for the exam, but I would leave it for last since there are so many and you don't really know which one will be on the exam.

Oh ok cool thanks! What percent of the test would you say was laws, abbrvs and math conversion?

 

[Katayyyy]

I would say about ~60-70%.

 

[raeon21]

I took it last year and was able to pass the exam with only 2 days of studying. So, it's not hard to get the certification if you read through any PTCE book. I used this book in old edition just in case you're curious about it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/15768...200_QL40&qid=1405832799&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
I also used website below:
http://www.pharmacy-tech-study.com

Just study over laws and math and you should be well prepared for the test!!
Good luck!

 

[athin001]

I did something similar to raeon21. I studied the Mosbys book for 2 days...knew it inside and out (especially the math...it has a REALLY good math section. if you can go through all the practice questions in the book, you wont miss any math questions on the actual exam)...i didnt go much into details of pharm, but there def are questions that show up. I also used the http://www.pharmacy-tech-study.com/ website...go through everything and do the practice questions...its very good!

 

[raeon21]

I did something similar to raeon21. I studied the Mosbys book for 2 days...knew it inside and out (especially the math...it has a REALLY good math section. if you can go through all the practice questions in the book, you wont miss any math questions on the actual exam)...i didnt go much into details of pharm, but there def are questions that show up. I also used the http://www.pharmacy-tech-study.com/ website...go through everything and do the practice questions...its very good!

I was gonna buy Mosby's but I couldn't find a copy of it from Barnes and Nobles. Based on what I searched, Mosby's is the better book for PTCE! The one that I used had a few errors in math section so I had to see the reviews on amazon to check answers. (More than one person corrected the answers on their reviews)

 

[mocheeka]

Also, in Texas, I heard that you need to pass the PTCE exam before you can get any sort of pharm tech job/training. Is that correct? How do people prepare for this exam then. That's a part I am really confused about.

You can't be a pharmacy technician without state certification (which you can apply for after passing the PTCE).

You can get trained at Walgreen's without being certified and be a pharmacy technician trainee.

 

[mocheeka]

Hello everyone.

I am trying to apply to pharm school this cycle, but I'm missing an integral part of my application atm: experience. Thus, I am scheduled to take the Pharm Tech Certification Exam in 2 weeks time. I have yet to start studying for it (since my PCAT was in July) and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for studying for this exam. Unlike the PCAT, which consists of a lot of things I was already familiar with from undergraduate courses, I know the PTCE has a lot of stuff that I am not really familiar with.

My questions about the PTCE

1. You only need 60%+ to get certified right?

2. What type of things should I study? Common drugs? Labels? Abbreviations for how to take the drug?

3. What are some good resources for this exam?

4. On average, how much of the test will be general math/science (non-pharm tech specific) questions?

You probably will only be able to begin gaining experience (assuming you can start the day you get your state certification in the mail), mid-September. It took me 2 months after passing the PTCE to get my state certification in the mail. Since I applied in October, it might have been faster than normal as most people try to apply during the summer. This is something to be aware of. If you don't line up a position so you can start the day you get your state certification, you might not be able to squeeze in experience in time for the application deadlines and maybe the interviews.

Definitely do your best to get a job/position secured in preparation for getting your state cert. No time to spare.

In regards to the PTCE, don't memorize 200 drug names. Use your library's PTCE books for practice tests. Use them to learn what you need to know. Also, pharm-tech-study.com (or something like this) is great for studying with as well. Know sigs (abbreviations). Know conversions. I remember all questions being pharmacy related.

 

[Thestrugglez]

You can't be a pharmacy technician without state certification (which you can apply for after passing the PTCE).

You can get trained at Walgreen's without being certified and be a pharmacy technician trainee.

Should I start off as a trainee then if I don't get my license in time? Would that be beneficial to my app?

Also, would waiting till mid September/Early October to apply be detrimental to my application, since I know that most schools are on a rolling basis?

 

[Thestrugglez]

So you can be a pharm tech trainee without a license? I heard from a friend that you need a license to even get trained so I am slightly confused.

 

[mocheeka]

Should I start off as a trainee then if I don't get my license in time? Would that be beneficial to my app?

Also, would waiting till mid September/Early October to apply be detrimental to my application, since I know that most schools are on a rolling basis?

You want to get as much pharmacy experience as you can. Get into a pharmacy anyway possible asap whether its via volunteering, shadowing, etc. You need to have something to talk about during interviews and be familiar with the basics of pharmacy.

And waiting is detrimental. You learn more as you spend more time in a pharmacy.

So you can be a pharm tech trainee without a license? I heard from a friend that you need a license to even get trained so I am slightly confused.

You can get trained AS a pharmacy tech or you can get trained to BECOME a pharmacy tech. There's a difference b/t these two. The former allows you to actually work. The latter is more for preparation for actually working. My friend was a trainee in high school without a license.

You'll get the most accurate answers from you local pharmacy. Ask them what opportunities they have for you.

 

[Thestrugglez]

You want to get as much pharmacy experience as you can. Get into a pharmacy anyway possible asap whether its via volunteering, shadowing, etc. You need to have something to talk about during interviews and be familiar with the basics of pharmacy.

And waiting is detrimental. You learn more as you spend more time in a pharmacy.


You can get trained AS a pharmacy tech or you can get trained to BECOME a pharmacy tech. There's a difference b/t these two. The former allows you to actually work. The latter is more for preparation for actually working. My friend was a trainee in high school without a license.

You'll get the most accurate answers from you local pharmacy. Ask them what opportunities they have for you.

Ahhhh ok that makes a lot of sense. Thanks so much for clarifying! I will definitely take your advice to heart and try to get as much experience as possible!

 

[mocheeka]

Ahhhh ok that makes a lot of sense. Thanks so much for clarifying! I will definitely take your advice to heart and try to get as much experience as possible!

Good luck! 🙂 If you're applying to U.Houston or U.Texas-Austin, maybe I'll see you.

 

[Thestrugglez]

Good luck! 🙂 If you're applying to U.Houston or U.Texas-Austin, maybe I'll see you.

I will be applying to all Texas schools and those two are definitely my top two choices. Hopefully, we both get favorable results 🙂.