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Hi everyone! I thought I would share my personal experience for the 2017 NAPLEX since I know I was on here quite often reading people's comments (and at times wishing there were more specifics or just more thoughts overall). So here is my rather long blurb on how I prepped, what to expect exam day, and some other general thoughts and good to know things throughout your NAPLEX experience.
What is not in here - Specific questions, offer to sell/provide any material, specific exam breakdown beyond a generalization of topics and question types
Outline
I. Exam General Stats
II. Study Material
III. Preparation
IV. Exam Day
V. Post Test and Final Thoughts
I. Exam Stats
Naplex Score - Triple digits
PreNaplex x 1- Slightly higher than my final NAPLEX score although I went into that exam unfairly knowing the types of questions on there already
My Exam Breakdown (Ish)
Roughly 30-40% calculations questions
Lots of HIV
~ 10% biostatistics
~ 5% Anemia questions
~ 5% OTC Questions
~ 5% ceutics type questions (compounding related)
Rest of exam was pretty heavy on infectious disease (ID bugs, choose empiric regimen mainly), and chronic diseases (mostly on diabetes, CKD, HTN, and HL)
~ 5-10 random I have no idea, I've never heard of this type of question
Surprisingly Absent - No epilepsy, only 1 oncology, very little COPD/asthma inhaler specific questions
Question Types
55-65% Multiple Choice
20-25% Enter in an answer (calculations)
5-10% Select all that apply
~5% Were other format (select hot spot, rank order)
II. Study Materials
- RxPrep 2017 Book
- RxPrep Test Bank
- PreNaplex x 1
- Friends
Comments: Overall, I think the RxPrep book did a great job of summarizing and categorizing all the topics you definitely should have an idea about for the exam. Obviously it's an 1100 page book and nobody is going to remember 1100 pages of drug information. Focus on the bold things. Focus even more on the chronic diseases (HTN, Diabetes, CKD) as well as a healthy amount of time on big topics like epilepsy, inhaler use, infectious disease, and HIV/oncology.
I would say that the test bank is essential. I don't think I would have done as well without it. That said, I found the PreNaplex exam by NABP to be much a much better study and helped me understand the exam format over the RxPrep questions. You can take the NABP PreNaplex twice I believe and they have 2 practice test banks with different questions. I was fortunate enough to only take it once but see all the questions and I definitely saw some of the questions or similar on the NAPLEX.
I mention friends because I had people quizzing me or helping explain topics I didn't know. Also, I only used RxPrep but I had friends who used other resources (not sure which ones) and I distinctly remember certain topics we talked about that RxPrep did not emphasize but DID show up on my NAPLEX.
III. Preparation
Time: ~ 1 month - 2 weeks to read and re-write the entire RxPrep book. I wrote the whole thing into summary format in a way I could review later. Ended up condensing 1100 pages into <150 (over 2 x 75 page notebooks). The remaining 2 weeks was spent on reviewing pre naplex material questions and practicing daily calculations and RxPrep test bank questions.
I took my PreNaplex one week before the actual exam and walked out with a really high score. I had read that the score is usually improved on the actual NAPLEX so that was nice. Although, I did end up doing slightly worse on the actual NAPLEX (not by much though). I highly recommend doing 30 minutes - 1 hour of calculations every day if you can. I used RxPrep Test bank, RxPrep book, and SDN 120 to practice.
IV. Exam Day
While you're taking your exam, here are a few things to keep in mind that helped me.
- Many questions are case based. To proceed to a next question, you must scroll through the entire case (left/right, up/down, sometimes there are mini windows you need scroll through as well) before the exam will allow you to advance.
- They may or may not give you a handheld calculator but you can always ask them if this is available. If not, there is an online calculator.
- I believe the two scheduled breaks are determined based on time left in exam. I finished my exam in <4 hours and I was only offered one break at about question #170 something. The test paused and asked if I wanted to use my break. I never received an offer for a second break. I suggest taking the break if you receive it. You do not need to take 10 minutes. That said, after 10 minutes, the timer restarts so make sure you are back in time.
- There will be things on the exam you do not know. Don't worry about it. Take a best guess if you have an idea, or just blow through it. I had 2 questions I never even heard of the disease/condition for. What can you do? I kept a tally of types of questions while I was taking the exam to have an idea of how I was doing (internally at least).
- Redo EVERY calculation 2-3 times. You do have time to do this. Work backwards and see if you get the original values you started with too. Read very carefully for rounding instructions as well. It may be tenths, hundredths, whole number, tens...
- I personally believe it is best to read the questions first before the case. Some questions are so straightforward you don't need 95% of the case to answer it. If the questions asks for a best regimen, or if the answers suggest changing or considering to change regimen or make some other pharmacotherapeutic decision, then definitely make sure you read the case in full. Otherwise, I just found myself getting confused every time a case popped up. Do see note above about scrolling through cases.
- Above said, DO glance at the patient case info. It is not always obvious when the case changes to another case. You'll be working on patient 1 who has 5 problems and answer 3-4 questions when suddenly the case changes to patient 2 but you may not realize it. So double check that your case is still the same even when advancing through questions.
V. Post Test and Final Thoughts
- Immediately afterwards, go buy yourself something nice to eat/drink. 4-6 hours or however long you spend in there is no joke. And no food is allowed inside although I think you can store in a locker.
- As I understand, score results for some states are not posted by NABP per the BOP of that state so check NABP's page and they will tell you if your state is one of those. If you are, I have no idea when you will get your result but I am sure there are state specific threads that discuss that. If your state does allow NABP to post, I am seeing a 2-4 day turnaround time on average from everyone I know.
Rumor tip: As I understand, if after your NABP registration changes to closed AND you can re-register for the NAPLEX, it means you most likely passed. This is because you cannot register for NAPLEX after failure for a certain period (45 days?). There are some threads around that talk more in depth about this. So for those especially that are in states that mail out results, this may be an indication you passed. So far I have not found any evidence this is false.
Final Thoughts - Honestly, the exam is not bad. Do a lot of practice problems. Calculations calculations calculations until your hand hurts and you can do problems without a second thought. Understand the biostatistics since there are definitely quite a few questions on calculating ARR, RRR, NNT. Trust your gut while taking the exam. If selecting regimen, or if answers are suggesting a pharmacotherapeutic change, always check allergies and DDI on current medications. Know a little bit of everything (everyone will get a different exam). Everyone I spoke to had different exam breakdowns with many people not even getting a certain topic that others did. You just don't know what you will get.
GOOD LUCK!
What is not in here - Specific questions, offer to sell/provide any material, specific exam breakdown beyond a generalization of topics and question types
Outline
I. Exam General Stats
II. Study Material
III. Preparation
IV. Exam Day
V. Post Test and Final Thoughts
I. Exam Stats
Naplex Score - Triple digits
PreNaplex x 1- Slightly higher than my final NAPLEX score although I went into that exam unfairly knowing the types of questions on there already
My Exam Breakdown (Ish)
Roughly 30-40% calculations questions
Lots of HIV
~ 10% biostatistics
~ 5% Anemia questions
~ 5% OTC Questions
~ 5% ceutics type questions (compounding related)
Rest of exam was pretty heavy on infectious disease (ID bugs, choose empiric regimen mainly), and chronic diseases (mostly on diabetes, CKD, HTN, and HL)
~ 5-10 random I have no idea, I've never heard of this type of question
Surprisingly Absent - No epilepsy, only 1 oncology, very little COPD/asthma inhaler specific questions
Question Types
55-65% Multiple Choice
20-25% Enter in an answer (calculations)
5-10% Select all that apply
~5% Were other format (select hot spot, rank order)
II. Study Materials
- RxPrep 2017 Book
- RxPrep Test Bank
- PreNaplex x 1
- Friends
Comments: Overall, I think the RxPrep book did a great job of summarizing and categorizing all the topics you definitely should have an idea about for the exam. Obviously it's an 1100 page book and nobody is going to remember 1100 pages of drug information. Focus on the bold things. Focus even more on the chronic diseases (HTN, Diabetes, CKD) as well as a healthy amount of time on big topics like epilepsy, inhaler use, infectious disease, and HIV/oncology.
I would say that the test bank is essential. I don't think I would have done as well without it. That said, I found the PreNaplex exam by NABP to be much a much better study and helped me understand the exam format over the RxPrep questions. You can take the NABP PreNaplex twice I believe and they have 2 practice test banks with different questions. I was fortunate enough to only take it once but see all the questions and I definitely saw some of the questions or similar on the NAPLEX.
I mention friends because I had people quizzing me or helping explain topics I didn't know. Also, I only used RxPrep but I had friends who used other resources (not sure which ones) and I distinctly remember certain topics we talked about that RxPrep did not emphasize but DID show up on my NAPLEX.
III. Preparation
Time: ~ 1 month - 2 weeks to read and re-write the entire RxPrep book. I wrote the whole thing into summary format in a way I could review later. Ended up condensing 1100 pages into <150 (over 2 x 75 page notebooks). The remaining 2 weeks was spent on reviewing pre naplex material questions and practicing daily calculations and RxPrep test bank questions.
I took my PreNaplex one week before the actual exam and walked out with a really high score. I had read that the score is usually improved on the actual NAPLEX so that was nice. Although, I did end up doing slightly worse on the actual NAPLEX (not by much though). I highly recommend doing 30 minutes - 1 hour of calculations every day if you can. I used RxPrep Test bank, RxPrep book, and SDN 120 to practice.
IV. Exam Day
While you're taking your exam, here are a few things to keep in mind that helped me.
- Many questions are case based. To proceed to a next question, you must scroll through the entire case (left/right, up/down, sometimes there are mini windows you need scroll through as well) before the exam will allow you to advance.
- They may or may not give you a handheld calculator but you can always ask them if this is available. If not, there is an online calculator.
- I believe the two scheduled breaks are determined based on time left in exam. I finished my exam in <4 hours and I was only offered one break at about question #170 something. The test paused and asked if I wanted to use my break. I never received an offer for a second break. I suggest taking the break if you receive it. You do not need to take 10 minutes. That said, after 10 minutes, the timer restarts so make sure you are back in time.
- There will be things on the exam you do not know. Don't worry about it. Take a best guess if you have an idea, or just blow through it. I had 2 questions I never even heard of the disease/condition for. What can you do? I kept a tally of types of questions while I was taking the exam to have an idea of how I was doing (internally at least).
- Redo EVERY calculation 2-3 times. You do have time to do this. Work backwards and see if you get the original values you started with too. Read very carefully for rounding instructions as well. It may be tenths, hundredths, whole number, tens...
- I personally believe it is best to read the questions first before the case. Some questions are so straightforward you don't need 95% of the case to answer it. If the questions asks for a best regimen, or if the answers suggest changing or considering to change regimen or make some other pharmacotherapeutic decision, then definitely make sure you read the case in full. Otherwise, I just found myself getting confused every time a case popped up. Do see note above about scrolling through cases.
- Above said, DO glance at the patient case info. It is not always obvious when the case changes to another case. You'll be working on patient 1 who has 5 problems and answer 3-4 questions when suddenly the case changes to patient 2 but you may not realize it. So double check that your case is still the same even when advancing through questions.
V. Post Test and Final Thoughts
- Immediately afterwards, go buy yourself something nice to eat/drink. 4-6 hours or however long you spend in there is no joke. And no food is allowed inside although I think you can store in a locker.
- As I understand, score results for some states are not posted by NABP per the BOP of that state so check NABP's page and they will tell you if your state is one of those. If you are, I have no idea when you will get your result but I am sure there are state specific threads that discuss that. If your state does allow NABP to post, I am seeing a 2-4 day turnaround time on average from everyone I know.
Rumor tip: As I understand, if after your NABP registration changes to closed AND you can re-register for the NAPLEX, it means you most likely passed. This is because you cannot register for NAPLEX after failure for a certain period (45 days?). There are some threads around that talk more in depth about this. So for those especially that are in states that mail out results, this may be an indication you passed. So far I have not found any evidence this is false.
Final Thoughts - Honestly, the exam is not bad. Do a lot of practice problems. Calculations calculations calculations until your hand hurts and you can do problems without a second thought. Understand the biostatistics since there are definitely quite a few questions on calculating ARR, RRR, NNT. Trust your gut while taking the exam. If selecting regimen, or if answers are suggesting a pharmacotherapeutic change, always check allergies and DDI on current medications. Know a little bit of everything (everyone will get a different exam). Everyone I spoke to had different exam breakdowns with many people not even getting a certain topic that others did. You just don't know what you will get.
GOOD LUCK!
