Taking the pharm tech test

How difficult is the test? I am about to complete my first year in college, majoring in biology. Would it be possible to study some books and not take a class and still pass? I dont really have the money for a class. If so, which books would be good to look at. Thank you

I started as a technician at CVS in 1999 without a certification. I worked for the company for a year and left for a position as a clothing store manager. I came back to CVS in January of 2003 and took the test in Nov 2003. I studied the books given to me by the trainer for 2 months previous to the test date. I passed the test with absolutely no difficulties. I do not believe anyone should go to school to learn how to pass the CPhT exam. Work experience and study guides are the best bet.

It was not very difficult to pass, since you only need about 60% to pass.

I bought a book prepping for the test by a company starting with the name M.. Mobley? I've since lost the book.. You don't need a course though. Probably about 40-50% of the test is math, so the majority of the time will be just making sure you know the math 100%. This includes memorizing all the abbreviations (qs = up to, ss = 1/2, etc.), memorizing the more common conversion factors, memorizing the different formulas (which are not complicated at all if you've taken any upper level math ... just easy algebra stuff, and do all the practice problems for math.

After that, just skim through the rest. I found that DEA numbers and Schedule II drugs appeared several times, so learn those. Don't bother learning drug names because there are far too many and would not be an efficient use of time. I started studying two days before the test and passed it with no difficulty.

Lalita in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I started as a technician at CVS in 1999 without a certification. I worked for the company for a year and left for a position as a clothing store manager. I came back to CVS in January of 2003 and took the test in Nov 2003. I studied the books given to me by the trainer for 2 months previous to the test date. I passed the test with absolutely no difficulties. I do not believe anyone should go to school to learn how to pass the CPhT exam. Work experience and study guides are the best bet.

I did a year interning at a CVS/Pharmacy through my high school and I learned and know just as much as any of the techs I worked with. I just won't be certified for another 2 months and im wondering if its possible for me to get a job as a tech trainee anywhere other than where i interned.

hey...but is it possible to get the job first without having a certificated and then going thru an exam........because now adays every pharmacy wants to give jobs as a pharm tech to only those ppl who have got a certificate.

Lalita in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I started as a technician at CVS in 1999 without a certification. I worked for the company for a year and left for a position as a clothing store manager. I came back to CVS in January of 2003 and took the test in Nov 2003. I studied the books given to me by the trainer for 2 months previous to the test date. I passed the test with absolutely no difficulties. I do not believe anyone should go to school to learn how to pass the CPhT exam. Work experience and study guides are the best bet.

I;ve a pharmacy tech for 17 years without certification, I have been out of work for 1 year. What do I need to do to get certified?

Study & become a cpht it will help when they begin to reorganize. Short code for letting you go for not bein certified.

can i take the certification without going to school? i have 17 yrs as a tech.

Yep you sure can. I am actually doing that at the beginning of September. If you have been a pharmtech 17 years, it seems that it should be easy for you, but I havn't taken the test yet, so I can't say for sure

i wud think so since u have all that knowledge and experience. but since ive heard they have certain material covered on the test id recommend buyin a study guide just in case

Just be sure to go over the hospital stuff if you've been working in retail- i.e. IV drip rates/conversions etc.

thank you ill be sure to study thos

I'll be taking the test on friday!

please let me know how it went

I think its better to buy this book called Reference Guide for Pharmacy Technician Exam (PTCE) written by Manan H Shroff (Price $ 40). I guess its a really Good book with loadz of practice questions similar to that asked in the exam. That Way you'll be safe.

As per my research iquestions appearing in PTCE are based on MATH skills (40%); Generic names of drugs, their therapeutic uses, adverse effects, their short names...etc....

If you have passed High School Chemistry and taking Calculus or even College Algebra level of Math classes then you are good to go.

I just took it. It was 100 questions. There wasn't as much math as I'd hoped because that is what I knew best. This was my scenario: I was in summer school and worked on the weekends all the way until a week before my test. I worked graveyard sunday night, so studying monday was out. I had to work on my truck tuesday, so studying that day was out too. So I studied a total of two days. I learned the math pretty well and I knew most of the laws, but that was about it. So i'm not sure how well I did. Hopefully i was good at guessing. I get my results in a week

Oh God !!!lol you remind me of my High School days..lol

well lets hope for the best to come out.

hi i had a question if u are certified through cvs or walgreens is that the same test as the cpht? somone told me it was only good for cvs and not a national wide thing.

They prep you for the PTCB exam- this is the National Certification. In other words, yes, it is the same thing- you earn the designation "CphT"

CphT in Smyrna, Georgia said: They prep you for the PTCB exam- this is the National Certification. In other words, yes, it is the same thing- you earn the designation "CphT"

Thank you very much apprecatie it

I passed!!!! I don't know what my score is yet, but I passed. Im very excited. I would strongly recommend against what I did. It would have been better to know my stuff and not worry about passing or failing.

Good luck to all you taking the test

Hi,

Is the book needed to study, always the same book?

Megan in Chico, California said: Hi,

Is the book needed to study, always the same book?

there are many types of books the mosby book Mosby's Pharmacy Technician with Back of Book CD-Rom: Principles and Practice

Mosby's Pharmacy Technician with Back of Book CD-Rom: Principles and Practice by Theresa Hopper
thats a really good book i got it from class (only useful thing that came out of it) i would recommend gettign that book if u havent gotten on its really worth it.

Right now I'm a college student majoring in nursing and would love to work as a pharmacy technician as well. So if i decide to take and pass the exam, what is the chance of me getting hired as a technician without experience? Will they not hire me? So do employers hire pharmacy technicians who have experience? or can they hire those who have past the exam but without experience whatsoever?

I am about to take the test in less than a week. I had worked as a pharmacy tech for about 3 years and then had a baby so its been about a year since I have worked in this field and I fill like i have forgotten ALOT! Can anyone kind give me some highlights on what I need to study and freshen up on the most??!

Just to let you know about a website specifically for Pharmacy Technicians that offers a great review manual/workbook for those preparing for the national exam with FREE email support. Also Pharmacy Technician SPECIFIC CE for those already certified.

And so much more...

Check it out!

www.techlectures.com

Math, laws, generic/brand names, and What symptoms each drug is used for

What is the best available book to study for the test, and how do I find out where and when the test is administered, and the cost?
Thanks in advance

I just took the test less than 2 hours ago. It was 100 questions (my study guide said there would be 150) and we were given 2 hrs to complete the questions. Some of the questions were super easy, and others I had never seen before in life about the hospital setting and the info wasnt in my study guide. Hopefully I passed. On my test there was mostly math, lots of laws, hardly any brand/generic names. But they did ask about some adverse effects and which drug would be used to treat a given illness. Be familiar with verification of DEA numbers and all the laws and associations within an institutional setting.

Can anyone who has taken the computer-based test tell me when my pass/fail grade will be available to me online? My printout said that the results would be mailed to me by Oct 12th, but I think I can find out something before then.

Best book I found is Concise review for the ptcb exam. Tons of practice questions.

I PASSED MY TEST!!!!

but, sorry goodluck to everyone whos still have to take it and those waiting for their scores. it definitely was tough stuff

How do you find out where and when the test can be taken?

the easiet way is going to ptcb.org and under the PTCBexam it gives you PTCB links and info plus a phone number to call if you'd rather talk to someone.
Good luck!

Can I get the pre-test to study and then take the actuall test without going through the courses?

dhara in Canton, Michigan said: hey...but is it possible to get the job first without having a certificated and then going thru an exam........because now adays every pharmacy wants to give jobs as a pharm tech to only those ppl who have got a certificate.

well i think in most states, all u need is a high school diploma. but in california you have to be licensed, by the state, and being PTCB certified is a plus for getting hired, also in certain pharmacies they will give you a raise for being certified. Current pay at walgreens is $14.75 i think here in visalia + .75 for being certified, after one year its another .50 on top of ur yearly raise.

does anyone know a web address that i could use to find a testing site in detroit/ NE Michigan area ? i need a new job!!!!

Im getting ready to go to texas school of bussi. for pharmacy tech and Im not that good at math I was wondering is there a chance I Can pass the test and is tedxas school of bussi. a good school?

I passed the test a little while ago. I applied to a few pharmacies, and eventually got an interview with a CVS. Everything was great until they called me and told me I need to be registered in the state of CA as well? Has anyone heard of this? A person becomes automatically qualified when they are a CPhT, so its not that big of a deal, but it takes 8-12 weeks! That means it will be awhile before I can work. I've heard of people working at places like walgreens without even being a CPhT

Many states have Board of Pharmacy or State specific license requirements. You have to fill out some basic information and send a check every year. This is essentially a background check. Michigan didn't have a requirement, but Minnesota and Illinois both have one. I paid for my initial Minnesota BOP registration, but after I started working, the employer paid every year thereafter. It was only $10/yr. in MN. Now I am forking over $40/yr in IL. There is usually some leniency about allowing employees to work without one for a set period of time while they are waiting for the results. Check with your state website.

Hello there! I am currently a pharmacy tech w/ CVS and looking to take the test. Any ideas for tips. So far everythign on her has been a great help! Thanks a lot everyone!

chech out the book- concise review for the ptcb exam. covers everything and lots of practice questions

If you don't mind me asking, what do you make at CVS before and after? If that's personnel I completely understand

No i dont mind answering that. Once i get get my certification i get a five dollar an hour raise. They first started me, at 8$8 when i did basic cashering, then went to $10 once i became a tech after a few months i started billing the insurance companies and counting pills etc. Another thing i like im only 20, and a college student studying pharmacy they are helping pay for my college education as long as i stick with cvs. So that is a heads up. Plus the benefits are decent.

Jake in Riverside, California said: How difficult is the test? I am about to complete my first year in college, majoring in biology. Would it be possible to study some books and not take a class and still pass? I dont really have the money for a class. If so, which books would be good to look at. Thank you

I studied for about months, have worked in the pharmacy years. I passed on the first try, but I was surprised. I was promised a $2.00 an hour raise from my emplyer, but now they are refusing to pay. That's ok. I still trust God.

Nicole in South Bend, Indiana said: No i dont mind answering that. Once i get get my certification i get a five dollar an hour raise. They first started me, at 8$8 when i did basic cashering, then went to $10 once i became a tech after a few months i started billing the insurance companies and counting pills etc. Another thing i like im only 20, and a college student studying pharmacy they are helping pay for my college education as long as i stick with cvs. So that is a heads up. Plus the benefits are decent.

Hi Nicole
Do you have to be full time or part time for them to pay for your schooling.
Please let me know.

Thanks

nycole in Port Huron, Michigan said: does anyone know a web address that i could use to find a testing site in detroit/ NE Michigan area ? i need a new job!!!!

Go to www.pearsonvue.com/servlet/vue.web2.core.Dispatcher?wsid=1193247788944&HasXSes=Y&wscid=41849871

I will be moving back home to mobile Alabama soon,and I just got certified as a pharmacy tech.Does anyone know how much a tech makes there?

2Jazzy in Mobile, Alabama said: I just took the test less than 2 hours ago. It was 100 questions (my study guide said there would be 150) and we were given 2 hrs to complete the questions. Some of the questions were super easy, and others I had never seen before in life about the hospital setting and the info wasnt in my study guide. Hopefully I passed. On my test there was mostly math, lots of laws, hardly any brand/generic names. But they did ask about some adverse effects and which drug would be used to treat a given illness. Be familiar with verification of DEA numbers and all the laws and associations within an institutional setting.

Can anyone who has taken the computer-based test tell me when my pass/fail grade will be available to me online? My printout said that the results would be mailed to me by Oct 12th, but I think I can find out something before then.

2JAZZY I just got certified,and I am moving back home soon.Well, I was hopeing you could tell me how do you make as a tech there retail stores, hospitals ect,ect.Since you live where I'm moving home to maybe you would know.

I am absoleutly new to the Pharmacy field but am very interested in it.

There's alot of helpful information on this forum but can anyone give me the steps to just getting my foot in the door. I have never worked in the field but am willing to intern, get proper schooling and what not.

Just want to know the basics and how I can about it spending as much money and quality time as possible.

please someone help me out.

thanks.

I just got a job at CVS. I start next week. I am so excited. What I was wondering is that I heard they pay for you to become a pharmacy tech is this true or do I still need to buy the book and take the test myself?