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Certified Technician Test Exam
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Comments (43)

toxictek in Pennsylvania

32 months ago

To anyone who has already taken this exam by way of computer. It is to my understanding that all questions are presented at ramdom. No two test are alike. ?

I have had techs tell me the manuals they studied from were not questions that were asked. What is the best reference to study for this exam.?
Thanks,
Lena
taking test in less then 3 weeks.

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Rebecca Long in New Orleans, Louisiana

32 months ago

I hope it is easy.

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brown_dude34 in Roslindale, Massachusetts

32 months ago

No, the test is not easy. So please don’t go into the test thinking you are going to ace this test on your first try. Unless you prepare for this test there’s a strong possibility you might not pass on your first try. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam consists of the following areas you will be tested on listed below.

Studying for the test is similar to studying for the police officers/firefighters exam. You have to be prepared and the best way to do this is buy the book that’s listed below. Google it for the cheapest price study the book for 3 -4 months, read one chapter each night, and then go sit for the test.
And when you pass the test complete the paperwork for your state board of registration in pharmacy, then volunteer at a local hospital pharmacy( in order to get the experience part out of the way, because a lot of places will not hire you without experience). For the love of god, avoid retail pharmacy like the plague.

Be prepared, study smarter not harder with the right materials and you should pass the pharmacy certification test on your first or second try.

The book you will need is:

“Delmar’s Learning Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review by Patricia K Anthony”.
It comprehensively covers all the sections that are on the pharmacy technician certification exam. I know because I passed this exam with this book and I am a certified/registered pharmacy technician in the state of Massachusetts. Everything that’s on the test is in this book.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam consists of the following areas you will be tested on.

Section I
Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients
Section II
Maintain Medication and Inventory Control Systems
Section III
Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice

The PTCB board combines all the questions from each section of the exam into one comprehensive scaled score. You have to achieve over 650 points in order to pass the exam.
-Good Luck

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Monique Webb 80 in Washington, District of Columbia

27 months ago

Couldyou please send me any information on the pharmacy technician exam. i would like to know the best accredited school in the Washington Dc area.

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Dandridge in Suffolk, Virginia

26 months ago

Yes I'm getting ready take the test Monday I want to know are there alot of math question

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joelyn in Virginia Beach, Virginia

26 months ago

Dandridge in Suffolk, Virginia said: Yes I'm getting ready take the test Monday I want to know are there alot of math question

Good luck!!!!How did you prepare?

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Dandridge in Suffolk, Virginia

26 months ago

I didn't really prepared buy the time
I got the book to study I just took the test be I
will take it over again do anybody have and tips on the test

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Manuel Otero in Albuquerque, New Mexico

25 months ago

896

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Dandridge35 in Suffolk, Virginia

25 months ago

What should I know about the certified Pharmacy Technician Exam

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khristine in Bronx, New York

25 months ago

Candidates must obtain a scaled score of at least 650 to pass the PTCE. Good luck.

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Angie Guevara in Sherman Oaks, California

25 months ago

can anybody tell me how to resolve this, A formula for a cough syrup contains 1/8 grain of codeine per teaspoonful. How many grams of codeine would be needed to prepare 1 quart of the cough syrup?

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venom999x in Brockport, New York

25 months ago

Angie Guevara in Sherman Oaks, California said: can anybody tell me how to resolve this, A formula for a cough syrup contains 1/8 grain of codeine per teaspoonful. How many grams of codeine would be needed to prepare 1 quart of the cough syrup?

192 teaspoons in a quart 192/1 x 8grains
= 24 grains

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Angie Guevara in Sherman Oaks, California

25 months ago

tks

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Angie Guevara in Sherman Oaks, California

25 months ago

plese I need help can anybody tell how to resolve this problem and show me the steps.. In what proportion should 10% and 2% coal tar ointment be mixed to prepare a 5% ointment.

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Bo Lwin in Feasterville Trevose, Pennsylvania

24 months ago

Angie Guevara in Sherman Oaks, California said: plese I need help can anybody tell how to resolve this problem and show me the steps.. In what proportion should 10% and 2% coal tar ointment be mixed to prepare a 5% ointment.

x = the amount needed for the stronger solution
y = the amount needed for the weaker solution

y is caculated by subtracting the desired solution concentration from the concentration with the highest solution

x is calculated by subtracting the weaker solution concentration form the desired solution concentration

Then get the ration x/y = 5-2/10-5 = 3/5

which mean 3 part of 10% solution and 5 part of 2% solution is needed to get the 5% solution

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Angie Guevara in North Hollywood, California

24 months ago

Thank you, it can't be easier than this so well explanation,

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Yohsef in Atlanta, Georgia

24 months ago

How many questions are there

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dly in Arlington, Texas

23 months ago

Bo Lwin in Feasterville Trevose, Pennsylvania said: x = the amount needed for the stronger solution
y = the amount needed for the weaker solution

y is caculated by subtracting the desired solution concentration from the concentration with the highest solution

x is calculated by subtracting the weaker solution concentration form the desired solution concentration

Then get the ration x/y = 5-2/10-5 = 3/5

which mean 3 part of 10% solution and 5 part of 2% solution is needed to get the 5% solution

just use the aligation formula it is easier..and 3/5 is not the complete total anwer.. there are a few more steps to take to find the total answer

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carolyn freeman in Fayetteville, North Carolina

22 months ago

aligation is the easier way.

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carolyn freeman in Fayetteville, North Carolina

22 months ago

I went to a school in Va the math is the hardest part. The conversions and knowing which formula to use was the hardest part for me. I completed the course but i definetly have to brush up on my math skills before I take the test,and working in retail isn't as bad as people make it, I did it for about a year it's fast pace but i enjoyed it I just didn't enjoy the pay that's why im trying to get certified now.

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amanda in Kansas City, Kansas

22 months ago

please help what am i doing wrong the technician needs to prepare 2 liter of 0.25% acetic acid irrigation solutioin. the stock concentration of acetic acid is 25%. how may milliliters of stock solution are needed and sterile water?

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Pufik in Santa Ana, California

22 months ago

ok you need to prepare 0.25%. You have 25% of your solution and sterile water. Remember sterile water always is 0% , NaCL is always 0.9%

ignore points

25%............0.25 parts of H2O 0.25-0 = 0.25
.......o.25.........
0%.............24.75 parts of solution 25-0.25=24.75

The total part 0.25+24.75 = 25 parts
Then we take part of H20:

(0.25/25)* 2000 (2L=2000ml) = 20 ml H20

Solution:

(24.75/25)*2000 = 1980 ml

Hope this was helpful

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

22 months ago

Thanks. I am taking my certifiaction exam on may 1st is there any thing i should study more of? Also how hard is it really? I have been a pharmacy technician for 4 years but it has been all retail so i'm not familar with the hospital part ivs and compounding. i have study a little about iv flow rates, the laminar airflow hood. im not sure if thats going to hurt me during the test or if most of it is math and laws?

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Pufik in Santa Ana, California

22 months ago

test will be easy for you if you work at the pharmacy. There are more questions about prescription, couples about laminar flow, aboout recalls, also easy math. I passed it, but i can't find a job in CA .

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

22 months ago

thank you very much for your help!! That makes me feel a little better still nervous but i guess thats expected. Good luck finding a job. Did you go to a pharmacy school?

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carolyn freeman in Fayetteville, North Carolina

22 months ago

yes i did but may math sucks and i need to study more so i can take the exam

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carolyn freeman in Fayetteville, North Carolina

22 months ago

thanks, there are lots of jobs here for it but im gettn no response,its really getting fustrating

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

22 months ago

sorry that sucks! i hope i pass i didnt go to school for it though. i taught myself the math part as far as the percentages and iv flow rates. the questions i have a problems with are percentages and compouning mixtures to get the strength the dr ordered when it dosent come that way and you have to mix two different one. Any part with retail im fine its the hospital parts that concern me.

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carolyn freeman in Sanford, North Carolina

21 months ago

yeah cause in the hospital they can move u anywhere u may not what u gonna do from one day to the next. i have my math book u wanna try some problems

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

21 months ago

yea that would be great im going to take the pratice test tomorrow they offer if you want you can email them to me at tgriggs.ufc@mail.com if not i'll just keep checking on here thanks that will really help

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

21 months ago

sorry the email is tgriggs.ufc@gmail.com thanks

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amanda griggs in Kansas City, Kansas

21 months ago

i took my test today and passed its not bad if you know your stuff yea!!! good luck to anyone getting ready to take it!

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Isabell Taylor in Houston, Texas

16 months ago

the information that was stated was very helpful. Thank you

Section I
Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients
Section II
Maintain Medication and Inventory Control Systems
Section III
Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice

The PTCB board combines all the questions from each section of the exam into one comprehensive scaled score. You have to achieve over 650 points in order to pass the exam.
-Good Luck

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henry in Seattle, Washington

12 months ago

amanda in Kansas City, Kansas said: please help what am i doing wrong the technician needs to prepare 2 liter of 0.25% acetic acid irrigation solutioin. the stock concentration of acetic acid is 25%. how may milliliters of stock solution are needed and sterile water?

I have different solution:
We have formula as v1xc1=v2xc2
v1=25%, c1= unknown
v2=0.25%, c2=2,000 mL
25xc1=0.25x2,000
c1=500/25=20 mL
20 mL of solution and 1,800 mL water

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Brokers99 in Stockton, California

10 months ago

I took an Online course in 2008 (East Tennesee State Univ.). It was recorded live lectures. I only received a 618 on the state test. I am now taking a Pharm Tech course via: PennFoster. I will purchase the book through Amazon that you recommended. Question: I am a Senior and probably only want to work part time. Would you recommend getting a Pharmacy Clerk job first (say at Kaiser) for some experience being around a pharmacy? Based on your comment, it appears that you would only work in a hospital pharmacy (??). I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Robert.

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Sarah in Austin, Texas

10 months ago

so i've went over everything but the top 200 drugs..should take the exam or wait till i memorize thm?? i m really bad at memorizing..tht's wht keeping me away from takign the exam...

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Brokers99 in Stockton, California

10 months ago

Not that I am an expert, but I took the test in 2008 (got a 618, so didn't pass) and I remember I had worked for 4 years in the Med D program and knew most of the drugs and categories in United Healthcare's Formulary...and also studied the drugs presented in the online course that I took. In the test- I was faced with drugs that I had actually never heard of. Yes, it is important to - especially note those drugs that are not commonly known or used. That's where they get you. Also; become an expert in metric,apothecary,and the other measurements. I don't remember even one question re: temperature change (from Celsius to Fahenheit or F to C)..but every test is different. I am now taking another online course and I suggest you get one of the prep books-as I plan to do- via: Amazon (or?) and memorize it. Good Luck.

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Pheline in Denver, Colorado

8 months ago

venom999x in Brockport, New York said: 192 teaspoons in a quart 192/1 x 8grains
= 24 grains

You don't really have to prepare in tsp and qts do you? Please tell me that pharmacies use ml and liters?! (and %- that's ok too)

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Chotski in Gulfport, Mississippi

8 months ago

I took the test in April 2011 and got a 830. There are 90 questions, and you have 120 minutes. It was very highly monitored and there were lots of security measures. I studied from several books of certification tests and lots of examples shown for calculations and chapters on all subject areas.
Just make your mind up to get it done once and for all.

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Robert in Stockton, California

8 months ago

What is required to pass? I took it in 2009 and didn't even know what was the passing score (it was 650); I got a 618. Now I am starting from scratch. I found some great information on the web: Pharmacy Tech Study Blog and have been going through the tests (alot to review). I also purchased the Delmar Study Guide...but think that I could have just used the above web...I am learning alot more from that. I would appreciate any other sources that helped you. Thanks, Robert.

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Mariah in Houston, Texas

8 months ago

Hello, well im about to graduate Highschool in three days. I recently found interest in becoming a pharmarcy technician. I would like to get my certification, but i dont know how. Can some one tell me the steps to become one? And how good in math and chemistry do i have to be?
Thank you.

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John in Spring, Texas

7 months ago

Do they provide you with the basic conversions on the test? like how many quarts are in a liter and so on?
Thanks

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natasha in kansas city, missouri in Omaha, Nebraska

2 months ago

How much did the test cost to take it if you fail do you have to pay again or do they give 3 chances to passage the test. Like the driver licence test at the DMV?c

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