Question About Studying

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Sparda29

Sparda29

En Taro Adun
Lifetime Donor
Verified Member
Pharmacist
Verified Expert
15+ Year Member
Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
9,847
Reaction score
1,843
Members don't see this ad.
Right, so I was hanging out with a few of the Osteopathic students yesterday during a flag football game, and they were talking about how they don't study for the professors exams, and don't use the professors slides, but study from the book and they study only for the USMLE.

Is this effective for Pharmacy school? Just study for the NAPLEX?
 
Tell me your friends' names, so that I will make a note that I am never to be treated by them.
 
medicalcpa said:
Tell me your friends' names, so that I will make a note that I am never to be treated by them.
Click to expand...

i think it has more merit then you would think. In most cases DO students do not fair too well on the USMLE compared to MD students, as a result, and if you want to compete against MD students for spots in certain residencies, you have to do better on the USMLE. So studying USMLE materials for exams might just be a good idea, plus professors tend to ask those types of questions on the exam. In my opinion, the only the building blocks are learned in medical school (think about being tested on every aspect of the human body in only 2 years, that is a lot of material and compare that to a pharmacy student who only focuses on 1 aspect of patient care and it takes 3 years of class time just for that), its only postgraduate training that really makes you as a doctor.
 
Sparda29 said:
Right, so I was hanging out with a few of the Osteopathic students yesterday during a flag football game, and they were talking about how they don't study for the professors exams, and don't use the professors slides, but study from the book and they study only for the USMLE.

Is this effective for Pharmacy school? Just study for the NAPLEX?
Click to expand...


The naplex tests MINIMAL competency, so if you want to be minimally competent then I suppose you could try that. The naplex is cake though, so if you really want to learn anything I suggest you try and get the most out of your classes or else you may regret it later.
 
RxWildcat said:
The naplex tests MINIMAL competency, so if you want to be minimally competent then I suppose you could try that. The naplex is cake though, so if you really want to learn anything I suggest you try and get the most out of your classes or else you may regret it later.
Click to expand...

Have you ever taken the NAPLEX?
 
Quiksilver said:
i think it has more merit then you would think. In most cases DO students do not fair too well on the USMLE compared to MD students, as a result, and if you want to compete against MD students for spots in certain residencies, you have to do better on the USMLE. So studying USMLE materials for exams might just be a good idea, plus professors tend to ask those types of questions on the exam. In my opinion, the only the building blocks are learned in medical school (think about being tested on every aspect of the human body in only 2 years, that is a lot of material and compare that to a pharmacy student who only focuses on 1 aspect of patient care and it takes 3 years of class time just for that), its only postgraduate training that really makes you as a doctor.
Click to expand...
Put that way, it seems like my initial statement was rash.
 
RxWildcat said:
A practice one, yes. A test is easy when 100% of people at a school pass it 7 years in a row.
Click to expand...

Take the real and see. With a class's size of under 100, from 2003 to 2007, almost 100% of them passing is understandable.
 
kbv said:
Take the real and see. With a class's size of under 100, from 2003 to 2007, almost 100% of them passing is understandable.
Click to expand...


Huh? UK Kills the NAPLEX! Class size does not make 100% pass rate any less awesome.
 
To the OP, why don't you study both ways? NAPLEX for your RPh's license and classes' exams for your distant future as a RPh/Pharm.D. Of course, more time studying.
 
kbv said:
Take the real and see. With a class's size of under 100, from 2003 to 2007, almost 100% of them passing is understandable.
Click to expand...

Eh, I'm far from worried about it. I'm not trying to hijack and turn this thread into a "the naplex is way too easy" thread, but when almost every school out there has a pass rate of over 90%, its NOT hard. If you can pass a practice naplex then you can definitely pass the real thing. Of course, when it comes time to take the test study for it, but otherwise learn whats being taught in your classes (at least the relevant things) like kbv is saying.
 
Last edited:
My 0.02

It says something when people fear the state board exams more than the national exams.

It also says something when all you have to do is pass the exam.

I'm of the mindset that the NAPLEX should be changed such that scores actually matter for residency purposes (much like the USMILE). Perhaps even scheduled so that pharmacy students take it before rotations, (again, like Step 1).

Maybe that was only worth 0.01
 
nikkai said:
My 0.02

It says something when people fear the state board exams more than the national exams.

It also says something when all you have to do is pass the exam.

I'm of the mindset that the NAPLEX should be changed such that scores actually matter for residency purposes (much like the USMILE). Perhaps even scheduled so that pharmacy students take it before rotations, (again, like Step 1).

Maybe that was only worth 0.01
Click to expand...

I think that's a good point. I think I'd prefer that method, so there is more to compare than just GPA and rotations, it adds a little bit more depth. Sadly no one will want to know my PCAT score on my residency applications. Even if it was badass 🙁
 
nikkai said:
My 0.02

It says something when people fear the state board exams more than the national exams.

It also says something when all you have to do is pass the exam.

I'm of the mindset that the NAPLEX should be changed such that scores actually matter for residency purposes (much like the USMILE). Perhaps even scheduled so that pharmacy students take it before rotations, (again, like Step 1).

Maybe that was only worth 0.01
Click to expand...

very good point, in fact it would be a good way to level the playing field, so to say. That way you can more effectively compare student from school A to student at school B. I mean I would like that be fantastic for me.

In regards to the NAPLEX, from what it seems, all you need to do is be awake through the 4 years that you are a pharmacy student
 
njac said:
I think that's a good point. I think I'd prefer that method, so there is more to compare than just GPA and rotations, it adds a little bit more depth. Sadly no one will want to know my PCAT score on my residency applications. Even if it was badass 🙁
Click to expand...

You could alway sneak in the score somewhere... 🙄
 
We've always considered NAPLEX as a minimum competency exam...with close to 100% passing, what kind of test is that?

CA board used to be different...with 75 to 85% instate passing rate with 50% out of state passing rate.. it definitely wasn't a min competency test.
 
Quiksilver said:
very good point, in fact it would be a good way to level the playing field, so to say. That way you can more effectively compare student from school A to student at school B. I mean I would like that be fantastic for me.

In regards to the NAPLEX, from what it seems, all you need to do is be awake through the 4 years that you are a pharmacy student
Click to expand...

Really? Hmmm...I may be flying solo here (and have no vested interest), so what the heck...but I'm not a big fan of the idea.

I'm not even sure what the NAPLEX even assesses, so it would be the last thing I'd place any weight on to a judge a potential candidate. If you're going to stand out from the crowd, a test score isn't going to be what does it. Personally, I think strong experience and one-on-one interview is your best bet. It really is hard to BS your way into a resident spot if the interviewer holds any weight.

And will candidates start taking the NAPLEX multiple times to up their score à la SAT? Yick.... I'm just not a fan of putting much weight on an exam that's pretty worthless to begin with...and more just a rite of passage.
 
SpirivaSunrise said:
Really? Hmmm...I may be flying solo here (and have no vested interest), so what the heck...but I'm not a big fan of the idea.

I'm not even sure what the NAPLEX even assesses, so it would be the last thing I'd place any weight on to a judge a potential candidate. If you're going to stand out from the crowd, a test score isn't going to be what does it. Personally, I think strong experience and one-on-one interview is your best bet. It really is hard to BS your way into a resident spot if the interviewer holds any weight.

And will candidates start taking the NAPLEX multiple times to up their score à la SAT? Yick.... I'm just not a fan of putting much weight on an exam that's pretty worthless to begin with...and more just a rite of passage.
Click to expand...

For a drug rep, you got a lot to say about ..stuff.
 
I've shot under par..many times.. but not in the 60's...that would be 3 under par.
 
SpirivaSunrise said:
Really? Hmmm...I may be flying solo here (and have no vested interest), so what the heck...but I'm not a big fan of the idea.

I'm not even sure what the NAPLEX even assesses, so it would be the last thing I'd place any weight on to a judge a potential candidate. If you're going to stand out from the crowd, a test score isn't going to be what does it. Personally, I think strong experience and one-on-one interview is your best bet. It really is hard to BS your way into a resident spot if the interviewer holds any weight.

And will candidates start taking the NAPLEX multiple times to up their score à la SAT? Yick.... I'm just not a fan of putting much weight on an exam that's pretty worthless to begin with...and more just a rite of passage.
Click to expand...


i should have been more specific, the key to my train of thought is that i think the exam should be harder, so that its possible to distinguish potential candidates apart from one another. That it isn't just about passing if you want post graduate training, so that you have another thing that will help distinguish you from one student to the next.

If it works for other professions, especially ones that have specialities, it is a great idea. And if pharmacy is ever to expand, specializing is going to be the way to go in my opinion.

So while going forward where post graduate training will be more and more necessary, or at least pushed upon students, another distinguishing factor would be a standardized test (and i think we disagree on this, but I do think standardized tests are beneficial especially in schools who have more challenging curriculums). Lets be honest, you can be Mr. Stud-ly Prince Charming but if you can't get your foot in the door, all that personality means absolutely nothing. You need substance and merit and frankly grades to get in the door

i do not think the profession is necessarily ready for this idea though.
 
Also, they can only take the Step 1 once, correct? There would be no retaking like the SAT/PCAT/GRE etc
 
It also depends on your test taking strategy. Some people are great test takers but they don't really know much. One time, I guessed all Cs on questions I did not know and I ended up doing better than the mean. How? Because I know the professor likes to trick his students and he likes the students to read all the answers before answering. Therefore, Cs and Ds are more likely.
 
SpirivaSunrise said:
Why do you have to break 90? Think the guy this year shot a 114...

You'd do it for the experience! Think Couples is caddieing. Come on...think up 6 words. 🙂

Have you played any of the courses there?
Click to expand...

I won't shoot 114... and no...haven't played Bethpage.
 
Praziquantel86 said:
You should play one of the other courses at Bethpage...they won't spank you, and you get to tell people you played Bethpage! It's a win-win.
Click to expand...

I was just talking to another pharmacist today at work about them!!...said he'd played red and blue, and they were tough enough. Said he couldn't imagine the black course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Cvs rx connect question
Replies
1
Views
2K
Old Timer
Old Timer
E
The Big Question: Pharmacy School or Career?
Replies
3
Views
2K
steveysmith54
S
sunnyandseventytwo
Favorite songs about pharmacists
Replies
14
Views
3K
Xenophylia
Xenophylia
S
hey , I have question to ask ?
Replies
4
Views
1K
bacillus1
bacillus1
Jehmias George
  • Question Question
Studying
Replies
3
Views
986
Dred Pirate
Dred Pirate
Top