PTCB - questions for those who have already taken the test

[ws0013]

I'm going to be taking the tech test in a few days and have a couple questions:

1. In the new 120 minute test that's computerized, are the scores generated immediately after the exam? I read that they will begin doing this on April 1st, but some people have claimed that they were doing this a few months ago.

2. Is the new shortened version more difficult that the previous 4 hr exam?

3. Can we skip a question and come back to it later, or is it strictly a forward-moving test (i.e. like the GMAT where the next question is dependent on if you answered the previous question correctly/incorrectly?)

4. I've been told by many people to focus on the math and law portions. I think I'm set on math as well as the acronyms, but what exactly is "law"? Does this mean I should memorize all the "____ Act of 1983"? Should I know what each manual contains (Red/Orange book)? Or what information is on a prescription label? I've asked a couple people and no one has been able to give me any examples.

5. I've been using Mosby's PTCB study guide and about 50% of the practice exam's questions are drug related. Will the actual test have that many drug questions?


ANY help on this would be much appreciated!!!

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[aboveliquidice]

Bump - Unfortunately, I have not taken the exam so cannot provide input - Anyone else?

~above~

 

[Haleyzx]

I'm going to be taking the tech test in a few days and have a couple questions:

1. In the new 120 minute test that's computerized, are the scores generated immediately after the exam? I read that they will begin doing this on April 1st, but some people have claimed that they were doing this a few months ago.

2. Is the new shortened version more difficult that the previous 4 hr exam?

3. Can we skip a question and come back to it later, or is it strictly a forward-moving test (i.e. like the GMAT where the next question is dependent on if you answered the previous question correctly/incorrectly?)

4. I've been told by many people to focus on the math and law portions. I think I'm set on math as well as the acronyms, but what exactly is "law"? Does this mean I should memorize all the "____ Act of 1983"? Should I know what each manual contains (Red/Orange book)? Or what information is on a prescription label? I've asked a couple people and no one has been able to give me any examples.

5. I've been using Mosby's PTCB study guide and about 50% of the practice exam's questions are drug related. Will the actual test have that many drug questions?


ANY help on this would be much appreciated!!!

just study the math, the laws and regulation and you are all set. and yes to those:"Does this mean I should memorize all the "____ Act of 1983"? Should I know what each manual contains (Red/Orange book)? Or what information is on a prescription label? "
And yes.. test itself is very easy...mostly math,pharmacy labels, laws and regulations....
I spent about 8 hours of studying...completely ignored the drug section(which is most of the book lol)...got 760ish out of 900 (650 is passing)

 

[etspinner]

I thought it was primarily math when I took it. And by math I mean calculating day supply (VERY common), figuring out dosing, calculating appropriate quantities, etc. No calculus, lol. Interpreting sigs was part of it if I remember correctly. I thought even the PTCB Review Guide book went WAYYY overboard. There was like 2 questions on specific forms you would use for different scheduled drugs (administrative-type questions that a head tech/pharmacist should know), but as far as law goes I wouldn't go memorizing the acts and laws, at least I don't recall any questions about what law did this etc etc.

Oh, and it's helpful to know conversions. Like 1 teaspoon = 5 mL and 1 oz = 30 grams = 30 mL.

Hope this helps, and I wish I could remember more from 1 1/2 years ago (it was computerized then, too)

I believe a lot of books try to teach you more about the drugs than you actually need to know/care - anything past knowing stuff is used for cholesterol/bloodpressure/etc is pretty useless as a tech since you cannot counsel patients in a lot of states (at least not legally) and thus you wouldn't be expected to know it for a national exam.

 

[farmD4me]

I'm going to be taking the tech test in a few days and have a couple questions:

1. In the new 120 minute test that's computerized, are the scores generated immediately after the exam? I read that they will begin doing this on April 1st, but some people have claimed that they were doing this a few months ago.

2. Is the new shortened version more difficult that the previous 4 hr exam?

3. Can we skip a question and come back to it later, or is it strictly a forward-moving test (i.e. like the GMAT where the next question is dependent on if you answered the previous question correctly/incorrectly?)

4. I've been told by many people to focus on the math and law portions. I think I'm set on math as well as the acronyms, but what exactly is "law"? Does this mean I should memorize all the "____ Act of 1983"? Should I know what each manual contains (Red/Orange book)? Or what information is on a prescription label? I've asked a couple people and no one has been able to give me any examples.

5. I've been using Mosby's PTCB study guide and about 50% of the practice exam's questions are drug related. Will the actual test have that many drug questions?


ANY help on this would be much appreciated!!!

to answer your questions..

1) i took the ptcb test in december and got my score about 3 weeks after the test by mail but they gave us a date about a week after your test date so you can check whether you passed or failed online (no score, just a p/f).

2) i passed on my first try so i can't answer..but i felt the test was easy. i studied for 4 hours prior to the exam and it was enough, however i have worked in a pharmacy for the past 2 yrs so a lot of it was review.

3) yes you can skip and go back later. you can actually make notes on problems and then when you get to the end question it shows you a screen with all your answered/unanswered questions w/ those notes so you can revisit problems.

4) yes you need to know those law questions! yes know what should be on a label.

5) they will name a disease and ask you which medication should the patient take...if you don't know your drugs by now, i don't think you will have enough time to study since they choose just a few but these recur throughout other questions in the test.

ps. i heard there are several versions of the test..some focus more on the law aspect while others are more oriented towards calculations. know how to calculate things like a 10% ointment from a 5% and 20% strength..i got a few of those. also, like the person above said you should know those conversions for ts -> tbsp -> mL otherwise you'll be screwed on a lot the calculations

goodluck! 🙂