What to refer for a good PTCB score
The PTCB, also known as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam for candidates aspiring to become pharmacy technicians. It is conducted on a national basis and is very tough. Therefore, students who refer the right books are sure to surge to the top with this exam. All applicants with a diploma in high school can apply. However, candidates with charges and convictions related to drugs and other felonies are not encouraged to apply. Before we discuss the books required to be referred for the exam, let's go through the contents of the exam.
The exam consists of about 90 questions and out of that, only 80 questions count in the scores. The remaining 10 questions consist of pre-test content. Therefore, those 10 questions don't count. The 80 questions gauge a candidate's ability in areas related to pharmacy. About 66% of the questions test an applicant's skill in key areas related to assisting the pharmacist. In addition to that, it also tests one's skill in serving patients, collecting data, processing transcriptions and more. After that, 22% of the questions is about inventory control systems and maintain medication. The remaining 12% covers a technician's role in administration and management.
The exam takes place for about 2 hours and the registration fee is about 129$. If you fail to pass through the exam, you can re-apply again, but the re-application is only limited to three times and this could prove to be expensive if you fail to pass the exam. The scores of the exam depend on how you answer and will benefit you if you answer all the questions. In addition, the scores are announced immediately, which is a bonus as you can gauge your ability immediately.
As the exam is tough, many people fail to pass through it with good scores. It is vital to refer good books and take up practice tests. Just like any other exam, you need to put in your maximum efforts and make sure you are confident before you take it up. As you can re-enter and register to the exam only three times, you have to be sure that you will pass with good scores on the very first attempt.
The only way you can become a certified pharmacy technician is by passing the PTCB test with excellent scores. Additionally, you can register at your local pharmacy state board. More than studying harder, you would be studying in a smarter fashion if you refer to the right books.
Patricia Anthony, a great author has penned a book called the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review, which could help you a lot. This book is very important for people aspiring to clear the PTCB exam. It focuses on many important questions and all the chapters contain a review at the end. This helps you to understand your strength and weaknesses related to the subject. Apart from the reviews, the end of the book consists of two tests that will help you take it up as a practice test. The book also contains fourteen chapters that focus on mathematics, thus enabling you to improve your skills. Mathematical calculations are tough, but this book covers it in great detail. Most importantly, the book discusses pharmacology largely. You can buy this book online and can be sure to pass the exam in flying colors.
Another book you can refer to is the Concise review for PTCB exam, penned by Christopher Ardoin and Brian Tuschl. Although the book doesn't discuss all the areas of pharmacy, it specializes in areas that are required for the exam. It also has many tips and strategies to help you. One of the most common problems students face are the pharmacy calculations, but this book covers the pharmacy calculations and shows you how to solve them. With such vast information about drugs, practice tests and tips, you can be rest assured to clear the exam with great scores.
