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What should I study for the pharm tech certification exam?
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Comments (24)

Cathy Surratt in Davison, Michigan

51 months ago

I'm currently enrolled in the pharm tech program at my college and I was wondering what I should study for my certification exam and what the ups and downs of this career field will be, i.e. salary, hours, job availability, ect...

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Vintrelle Howard in New Orleans, Louisiana

51 months ago

I would like to know the same.

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David Scurlock in Eden Prairie, Minnesota

51 months ago

Ive taken the test and failed by a few points, you should study your math formulas foremost, others have said know how to arrange DEA numbers, know how to determine if it is valid DEA number or not, know scedule II information, most tests are 50% plus of math, some have reported there was hardly any on their test, but bet that you will have math... I would not worry about salary, get what you can get and learn from your experiance, job availabilty, ive been looking for 1 1/2 years after school and im still unemployeed.

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mlp in Warwick, New York

51 months ago

I took the test in september & passed. Definetly study the math calculations, not so much fractions but know how to convert micrograms to milligrams & such. Know your laws. take your time & rethink each question. I used a study guide right from the ptcb website - it's the best $70 I ever spent!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

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BECKY in Naples, Florida

51 months ago

mlp in Warwick, New York said: I took the test in september & passed.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET YOUR RESULTS?

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Rogelio Cisneros in Oakland, California

51 months ago

This is what they have in the exam

-Overview of Technician Duties and General Information(What can a tech do and cant do)

-Controlled Substances ( Schedules and you are expecteded to know the generic name of some of them)

-Other Laws and Regulations (Very Important!)

-Drug Classification (E.x. Which drug does not cause nausea etc.)

-Most Frequently prescription medications ( Only less than 25% of the test consist of this category)

-Preparing Prescriptions (What is included in prescription forms and such)

-Dispensing prescriptions (Knowing abbreviations such as DTD,Prn,PO,OU,AU,solv,bid,qid.etc)

-Calculations (pretty simple algebra 1 stuff plus the answer is there just gotta figure out which one it is.

-Sterile Products, unit does and repackaging

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mlp in Warwick, New York

51 months ago

BECKY in Naples, Florida said:

it only took a week & i found out right on line. it was the worst week of my life!!!

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Becky in Naples, Florida

51 months ago

mlp in Warwick, New York said: it only took a week & i found out right on line. it was the worst week of my life!!!

Is this where you found your result? www.proexam.org
I took mine last Thurs. I keep checking this site no result yet. I hope I will find out within a week like you did. I have been stressing big time.

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Becky in Naples, Florida

51 months ago

I mean this site.
www.proexam.org/ptcb/review/index.page

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mlp in Chester, New York

51 months ago

Becky in Naples, Florida said: I mean this site.
www.proexam.org/ptcb/review/index.page

when you took the test they should have given you a paper at the end that says when to check. go to www.ptcb.org & go to results, you'll have to enter your password. good luck, i'm sure you did fine!!!

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Kristen in Tacoma, Washington

50 months ago

mlp in Warwick, New York said: I took the test in september & passed. Definetly study the math calculations, not so much fractions but know how to convert micrograms to milligrams & such. Know your laws. take your time & rethink each question. I used a study guide right from the ptcb website - it's the best $70 I ever spent!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Are there a ton of questions regarding side effects and contraindications of drugs. I am comfortable with the math stuff, but I am really nervous about the 200 drugs.

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NANCY KIMZEY in Coldwater, Mississippi

49 months ago

ARE THERE ALOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DRUGS AND THIER SIDE EFFECTS AND GENERIC NAME ON THE TEST?

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list in Miami, Florida

41 months ago

Becky in Naples, Florida said: Is this where you found your result? www.proexam.org

lise

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Joe Medina, CPhT in Denver, Colorado

41 months ago

Hi Everyone,

Just a comment to inform you about a review manual/workbook that is specific to the national exam and offers free email support. Not many, actually no other books, offer free email support. What a novel idea....free email support.

Joe Medina, CPhT
www.techlectures.com

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Angela in Indianapolis, Indiana

32 months ago

what book(s) did you order?

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Angela in Indianapolis, Indiana

32 months ago

What book(s) did you use to study?

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Danielle in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

25 months ago

What books should I buy to be able to pass the PTCE?
I have never taken any classes but i hear its easy to pass even with self teaching.
please let me know!!!!

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az2000 in Tempe, Arizona

25 months ago

Mikaela23 in Davao, Philippines said: There are some books you could use as your reference and they are the following
 Mosby’s Review for the PTCB
 Pharmacy Technician Workbook
 APhA’s Complete Math Review
 The Pharmacy Technician
 Mosby’s Review for the Pharmacy

Just a data point:

Folks should check their library. I was surprised that mine has 2 pharmacy tech books, and 3-4 math dosage books. (Math for Nurses by Boyer is pretty good. Concise but not like a reference card.).

And, if you carefully compare editions, etc., you can get smoking deals on used books at Amazon and eBay.

I picked up 4 used books on Amazon. New they would cost $235. I got them for around $70 with shipping.

One was a smoking deal. $3 instead of $60. 9th Edition instead of 10th. I don't think there could be too many errors corrected that late in the book's life. The cover was cut with a razor blade. A little clear packaging tape fixed that.

It's a little risky. But, it's easy to get into some books without the risk of investing big $ in a book that might no resonate with you.

Check out used books!

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joyce le in Cypress, Texas

24 months ago

I'm learning pharmacy tech and almost done and prepare for exam. I heard somebody say have 100 question and i dont know how many question correct and incorrect is be pass .Can someone tell me that.Thanks alot.

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Christian in Laurel, Mississippi

16 months ago

I am studying for the pharmacy tech exam also. I am curious as to the job market . Am i going to be able to find a job if i pass the exam...Please someone let me know. Thanks!

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Miss Fay in Kirkland, Washington

16 months ago

Study Mosbeys Study guides and practice dvd's !! If you master sets 3-7 I guarantee you will pass. I had no problem on my first try.

!!! Also, all that read this comment !! I passed my certification in April and have my first interview next week !!! Let us pray !!

Miss Fay Roswell Georgia

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Miss Fay in Kirkland, Washington

16 months ago

Christian in Laurel, Mississippi said: I am studying for the pharmacy tech exam also. I am curious as to the job market . Am i going to be able to find a job if i pass the exam...Please someone let me know. Thanks!

It depends on where you live!! If you are in an extremely saturated job market it may be harder, I live in Roswell ( a suburb of Atlanta). Here it's about who you know and who you can make friends with.I had help from everywhere. I have my first interview through a friend that manages a store. !! Again !! Pray for me !! I have my first interview next week. I have had more than six months to prepare, :-)

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icelily20 in North Brunswick, New Jersey

5 months ago

mlp in Warwick, New York said: it only took a week & i found out right on line. it was the worst week of my life!!!

Did you get a job in nyc, easily?

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Ms.Martin216 in Cleveland, Ohio

2 months ago

I just recently took the Pharmacy Tech Exam and it was not easy, I won't lie, but I'm not giving up i would like to thank all of you that have posted helpful materials to help those that are still studying I know a good website that I studied from(should of been on there nore than I was obviously) is Pharmacy_Tech_Study.com

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