Failed the PTCB Exam after a 6 year break

by George
(Massachusetts)

I just took the PTCB Exam after having been out of the field for over 6 years. I found that a one-month preparation was NOT enough as I failed the test! How long do I need to wait to retake it? Also, any suggestions on better preparation?

Thanks.

George

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Failed the PTCB Exam after a 6 year break

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Mar 31, 2011
 How was the exam
by: Anonymous

On your exam, what subjects did you find were the most challenging to you? or caught you off-guard?
Mar 31, 2011
 Good luck next time
by: Anonymous

If it is ur first time taking it 3 months and if it is ur 2nd time 6 month they only if u 3 chances (i hope i am right.) try to find were ur weakness is and improve it and have faith good luck!!
Apr 01, 2011
 Dont give up
by: Anonymous

Speaking as a frequent substitute teacher with generations of educators in the family at all grade levels, as well as a Community College Pharm Tech program graduate, I can offer this much.

It depends entirely on what area (or areas) in which the test showed you are weak, and what your personal learning curve is. Everyone is different, has different learning styles and "absorption" rates. How do you learn best - alone or with a study partner? How familiar are you with the material that was presented on the test? How much of it came as a complete surprise to you? Have you sought out and taken advantage of all the online practice tests that are offered on here, and any other study options available? Do you have "Test Anxiety" in situations like this? There is a great deal of material involved in learning enough of it to be successful in passing the test, AND in functioning as a competent, knowledgeable Tech, and it can be fairly intimidating. A lot of that involves rote memorization, as well as intellectual understanding and the ability to apply that knowledge both in a testing environment when you are on your own with only your brains and and a simple calculator to rely on, and in an employment situation where you have Pharmacists, coworkers and reference material to consult in dealing with customers and with your job tasks.
You need to figure out where you came up short and why, and your best methods for filling in those blank spots. Find and take advantage of all possible resources, and most important of all, don't get discouraged or give up! Nobody can quote you a definitive step-by-step process, or precise timetable for being successful on this or anything else, because you are the only one who can honestly answer all those questions and figure out what you need to do by all those answers.
Good luck!
Apr 01, 2011
 What areas are you weak in?
by: Anonymous

I took the test a few weeks ago, and although I passed I honestly feel like 25-30% of the test was stuff I had no clue how to answer and maybe with luck I was able to get some of those correct. I studied for about 3 months real hard and focused one area at a time; math, pharmacy info/laws, meds and so forth. My mom has been in the field for over 20 years and when I would go to her for help on some parts she was amazed at how much new info we needed to know and she was pretty sure if she was to go in and take it now again, she would not pass. Like Shari said, everyone is different in learning the info but I would not give up.
Apr 01, 2011
 Try again
by: Anonymous

I just passed my PTCB exam this afternoon. I took a 2 month course at a local technical college, but I think the facebook page and pharmacy-tech-study.com helped me more than the class. I just kept practicing the math and pulling up the different drugs online so I could read about them. My test had quite a few retail math problems. Does anyone know how to calculate turnover rate for a retail pharmacy inventory? Be sure you know IV calculations and problems with ratios and percentages. I am now probably going to go into study withdrawal.
Apr 01, 2011
 You're not alone
by: Anonymous

There are some pharmacy techs out there working in the field that if they were to take the PCTB exam, most of them would not pass.
Apr 01, 2011
 Good advice!
by: Anonymous

All Good advice !
Apr 01, 2011
 PTCB Preparation
by: E

I took a course at a Tech college, 2 nights a week for over a year. Then i did clinicals at Walgreen's and a hospital (3 months). During my clinicals, I studied 3 hours everyday, with this site being 80 percent of it included Tech Lectures study guide.
Apr 04, 2011
 Thanks for the Encouragement
by: George (Massachusetts)

Thanks all for the encouragement. I have no one to blame except me for thinking I could pass without at least three to four months study and review: it is too short to study for less than a month after being out 6 years. One forgets too much! I plan to do a complete review for the next three to four months and retake the exam in July or August. Age is also a factor, but that's another issue. What does anyone think of going to CVS or Walgreens and ask for tutoring?

Thanks.

George
Apr 05, 2011
 study
by: Anonymous

I recommend pharmacy technicians study guide. I studied it for 40 hours of time. I also studied this gentleman site as well. You must do all practice exams. They want you to think like a pharmacist. I think I took over eight practice exams.
Apr 14, 2011
 found out my weak areas on the PTCB
by: George (Massachusetts)

I just received the scoring back from PTCB and the Math/Drug Names was the worst area (the others were fairly high for a 6 year hiatus). I think a couple of the conversions I didn't think through and I definitely need to memorize the top 200 drugs.

Also, one theme I had no idea about is how many days prescription for starting at 20 tablets reducing by one every 2nd day? I was just totally lost on this one as well as percentages and mixtures. So I now know what I need to work on for the next test.

Thanks.
Apr 22, 2011
 Help, I need advice.
by: Anonymous

I took my PTCB test on Dec 2009. I missed it by 8 points. Should I re-take this test. The test was o.k. I need more help on calculations. Any comments for me.
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Reply: (by Keith) - Yes, please keep trying if being certified is something you want. Most people struggle with the pharmacy math, so you're not alone. And, that's why the website was put together with so much of it dedicated to math. So, if you want to pass it, keep trying. Don't be gun-shy because you failed in in '09. Mistakes are merely stepping stones to get where we want to go. Best of luck. -Keith
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Jun 18, 2011
 Need to Put Health before Exam
by: George from Massachusetts

Greetings all,

I just became aware that both my wife and I are having some very intense health issues which will necessitate the withdrawal from retaking the CPhT Exam at least for the foreseeable future. My cataracts are increasing (from 1.5 to 3.0) and my wife has symptoms of Glaucoma. I am not giving up totally but we need to address these issues first and foremost. Our health is more important than any exam.

Thanks for your support.

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