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I am a long time lurker on these boards and I thought I would finally contribute since I just took the PTCE yesterday with no experience or formal training and passed with the help of everyone here.
Firstly, it is possible to pass the exam with no experience in a pharmacy setting and no formal training in school. I'm proof of that. So don't worry so much. I spent days on the student doctor network worrying about this, reading every post I could find on the subject matter instead of using that time to study. Don't make the same mistake.
Secondly, to review I used Delmar's "Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam review" and AphA's "the Pharmacy Technician" and AphaA's "The Pharmacy Technician Workbook Certification Review" both published by Morton. However, I am highly critical of both books. The Delmar book is thorough but it has too many errors for a person with no training or experience. AphA's books are an excellent read to get an understanding of the pharmacy technician's role but some sections are unnecessary for the test while other sections leave out important test info. In terms of books I've learned two things from the studentdoc network posters 1) Mosby's book is generally agreed to be the best review. I'd recommend getting this one, even though I haven't used it. 2) Use at least two books as review guides. (People with no experience/training who fail the test usually only used one guide.)
Thirdly, DRUGS- the big question on everyone's mind. Well the best advice is to learn at least the drug class and suffixes/prefix. For example, know that cef or kef in a prefix or suffix usually is an antibiotic.
OR
-olol-beta blockers (example:metoprolol)
-statin-cholesterol lowering medications ( Example atovastatin)
-cillin-penicillins
-floxacin-quinilone antibiotics (cipro)
-cycline-antibiotics (tetracycline)
-mycin- macrolide antibiotics [some of them]- erythromycin
Here are some others:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_parts_of_the_cardiovascular_system_does_high_blood_pressure_medication_target_and_how_would_this_drug_work_on_a_biochemical_level
Here is a complete list of drug class suffixes and prefixes:
http://www.takerx.com/class.html
Fourthly, if you have not memorized the top 200 drugs and info but you have memorized some drug classes (which was my case), it is IMPERATIVE that you have the calculations, conversions, and abbreviations portions MASTERED. I can not stress this enough. I think this is what helped me pass. I have heard a rumor that the calculations questions are weighted more than the drug questions. I think I bombed the drug questions, did decently on law and procedures, and mastered the calculations, conversions, and abbrevs.
Finally, I bought practice exams from eBay because someone on this board recommended them. They were great practice and only cost $5. Search for "PTCB Pharmacy Technician Practice Exams- 400+ questions" on eBay. It's sold by exam-resources. ( by the way, I recieved a 65% 70% and a 76% on the three practice exams i took, so if your scoring in this range on these test i suppose you are on the right track)
I also bought a PTCB practice exam for $30 from the official PTCB website because I was so worried about passing. Even though this is completely unnecessary to purchase, it was very similar to the actually test. It also provides a degree of confidence going into the real thing for the worry-warts such as myself because it tells you if you would hypothetically pass the real exam and gives you a scaled score based on the practice test.
I hope all my rambling helped someone. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. Since the city I'm in is so saturated with pharm techs, it is hard to get a job without training or experience. Now that I'm certified I'll have a better chance at volunteering at smaller chains stores at least. YAYY! On to the PCAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Firstly, it is possible to pass the exam with no experience in a pharmacy setting and no formal training in school. I'm proof of that. So don't worry so much. I spent days on the student doctor network worrying about this, reading every post I could find on the subject matter instead of using that time to study. Don't make the same mistake.
Secondly, to review I used Delmar's "Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam review" and AphA's "the Pharmacy Technician" and AphaA's "The Pharmacy Technician Workbook Certification Review" both published by Morton. However, I am highly critical of both books. The Delmar book is thorough but it has too many errors for a person with no training or experience. AphA's books are an excellent read to get an understanding of the pharmacy technician's role but some sections are unnecessary for the test while other sections leave out important test info. In terms of books I've learned two things from the studentdoc network posters 1) Mosby's book is generally agreed to be the best review. I'd recommend getting this one, even though I haven't used it. 2) Use at least two books as review guides. (People with no experience/training who fail the test usually only used one guide.)
Thirdly, DRUGS- the big question on everyone's mind. Well the best advice is to learn at least the drug class and suffixes/prefix. For example, know that cef or kef in a prefix or suffix usually is an antibiotic.
OR
-olol-beta blockers (example:metoprolol)
-statin-cholesterol lowering medications ( Example atovastatin)
-cillin-penicillins
-floxacin-quinilone antibiotics (cipro)
-cycline-antibiotics (tetracycline)
-mycin- macrolide antibiotics [some of them]- erythromycin
Here are some others:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_parts_of_the_cardiovascular_system_does_high_blood_pressure_medication_target_and_how_would_this_drug_work_on_a_biochemical_level
Here is a complete list of drug class suffixes and prefixes:
http://www.takerx.com/class.html
Fourthly, if you have not memorized the top 200 drugs and info but you have memorized some drug classes (which was my case), it is IMPERATIVE that you have the calculations, conversions, and abbreviations portions MASTERED. I can not stress this enough. I think this is what helped me pass. I have heard a rumor that the calculations questions are weighted more than the drug questions. I think I bombed the drug questions, did decently on law and procedures, and mastered the calculations, conversions, and abbrevs.
Finally, I bought practice exams from eBay because someone on this board recommended them. They were great practice and only cost $5. Search for "PTCB Pharmacy Technician Practice Exams- 400+ questions" on eBay. It's sold by exam-resources. ( by the way, I recieved a 65% 70% and a 76% on the three practice exams i took, so if your scoring in this range on these test i suppose you are on the right track)
I also bought a PTCB practice exam for $30 from the official PTCB website because I was so worried about passing. Even though this is completely unnecessary to purchase, it was very similar to the actually test. It also provides a degree of confidence going into the real thing for the worry-warts such as myself because it tells you if you would hypothetically pass the real exam and gives you a scaled score based on the practice test.
I hope all my rambling helped someone. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. Since the city I'm in is so saturated with pharm techs, it is hard to get a job without training or experience. Now that I'm certified I'll have a better chance at volunteering at smaller chains stores at least. YAYY! On to the PCAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
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