how do i study for the bcps exam

Preparing for the BCPS Exam: 5 Tips For Success

Full Answer

How long should you study for BCPS exam?

Many professionals recommend candidates allocate at least six months for studying for the BCPS, so keep this in mind when registering.

How difficult is BCPS exam?

It is really difficult to get through all of these topics in less than a month or two. I recommend a minimum of 3-6 months to give yourself a good opportunity to get a broad overview of all the clinical topics and spend some serious time studying statistics and regulatory topics.

What is a passing score on the BCPS exam?

The individual score report will indicate whether the candidate passed or failed the examination. Scores will range from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 800. The minimum passing score on BPS examinations is 500.

How many questions is the BCPS exam?

There are 175 questions on each BPS specialty certification examination.

Is BCPS graded on a curve?

The Bcps is graded on curve.... Don't forget that.

What happens if you fail BCPS exam?

What happens if I fail an exam? If you fail an exam, you are eligible to retake the exam at a reduced rate ($300) within one year of your original test date.

What type of pharmacist gets paid the most?

The highest paying pharmacists jobs are in-store pharmacist (average salary: $156,000), compounding pharmacist ($150,000), hospital pharmacist ($148,000), and pharmacometrician ($142,000).

What percent of pharmacists are board certified?

Thirty-six years after the administration of the first exam, greater than ten percent of licensed pharmacists currently are board certified by BPS.

How do I prepare for a pharmacy exam?

Go through the complete SBI Pharmacist Syllabus and Exam Pattern very carefully and do not avoid any important points. Prepare each topic of all the relevant subjects and try to not leave any topic. Make short notes for last-minute revision of all the important topics you have read.

Is BCPS multiple choice?

The BCPS exam is MULTIPLE CHOICE ONLY. This is nice in the fact that you know that the answer is on the “page” (actually computer screen). There are 4 potential answers provided with only one being correct (or the most correct). Drug naming is also a major difference.

Is High Yield MED review worth it?

I highly recommend High Yield Med Reviews to anyone who is looking to advance his/her career. I purchased the review course to prepare for the BCPS exam and it was worth every cent! The format of the review cours... HYMR is great content, helped a lot and the clinical context is greatly appreciated!

How many bps certifications are there?

Over 55,350 pharmacist certifications across fourteen specialties worldwide.

What is a good score on Naplex?

Scores on the NAPLEX range from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better performance; 75 is considered the minimum passing score.

What does BCPS stand for in pharmacy?

The BPS Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) program is a credential for pharmacists who have met the eligibility criteria below and who in their unique practice ensure the safe, appropriate, and economical use of medications as part of interprofessional treatment teams in a variety of settings, including ...

How to learn better in a study group?

Implement your preferred study methods. If you learn best in a study group, form one and meet regularly to hold each other accountable . If you work best on your own, diligently carve out time in your schedule to study. If you think you don’t have time, you are probably not being straight with yourself.

How much experience do you need to be a board certified?

Unless you have completed a PGY-2 residency in the area you are looking to be certified in, the eligibility criteria require that you have a certain amount of experience with at least 50% of your duties in the requirements for your desired certification area. If you are uncertain as to the specific duties that meet requirements, refer to the content guide.

Does the Hospital Pharmacy Academy help with BCPS?

Many pharmacists have told me that supplementing their studies with my Hospital Pharmacy Academy has helped them prepare for and pass their BCPS and BCCCP exams.

Is statistics a specialty exam?

By all reports I’ve heard, knowledge of statistics is a major part of every specialty exam. I focused heavily on statistics when I took my exam, and it paid off extremely well. Find a good primer on biostatistics, read it, and read it again. Take advantage of the optional 45-minute break in the exam, and consider reviewing your statistics material during this time if it is allowed by the testing site.

Do you have to be a pharmacist to take the BCPS?

When you are determining your eligibility, don’t shortchange yourself and your experiences in the process. A common misconception is that you have to be practicing in an advanced clinical role prior to taking the exam, but this is not necessarily the case, especially for the Pharmacotherapy exam. For example, the required tasks in the content outline for the BCPS are broad enough that a hospital-based pharmacist practicing in a staff, decentralized, or clinical role for the required amount of time would easily meet the eligibility requirements.

What is BCPS exam?

Preparing for the board certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS) exam from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties takes time and planning. Here, a pharmacist who recently passed the exam provides some BCPS study tips and discusses his experience.

How often do you take the BCPS exam?

1. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Plan out the time you intend to take the BCPS exam very carefully. The test is offered only twice a year in the spring and the fall.

Why do pharmacists need BCPS?

There are several reasons pharmacists may desire to achieve BCPS status. Pharmacists that achieve BCPS certification are recognized within the pharmacy field for their enhanced level of pharmacotherapy knowledge and clinical decision making.

What is a BPS?

Established in 1976, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is the foremost post-licensure certification agency worldwide for the pharmacy profession. Establishing its role within the profession, over 26,000 pharmacists have sought to become a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) as of December 2015.

What certifications does BPS offer?

BPS offers board certifications in several areas including pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care, oncology care, nuclear, and critical care pharmacy just to name a few. Furthermore, BPS is looking to add supplemental specialty certification exams over the next few years in areas such as infectious diseases and cardiology.

Why do we ask practice questions?

Answering practice questions may help identify a certain culture in regards to how the questions are asked and what answers they are looking for. Additionally, if you notice you score low on a particular set of questions, this may direct you to focus more on a particular topic that you may have not realized was a problem.

Why do we practice tests?

Most importantly, practice tests can help inspire confidence. By seeing yourself answer correct questions, this can provide a positive feedback loop and reinforce appropriate methods of preparing. After achieving success in these practice exams, I felt more comfortable walking into my exam on test day since I had confidence in my ability to answer correct questions.

How many years can you be in a clinical setting for a PGY1 exemption?

Three years in a clinical setting could be considered for a PGY1 exemption. As a result practicing pharmacist can apply directly to PGY2 positions

Is it hard to pass a pharmacy exam?

I find it's extremely difficult to pass if you only have experience in retail setting. Don't get me wrong. I am sure there are always some geniuses or very smart pharmacists who can pass first time and only had retail experiences .. But the chance is very slim because you compete against most folks who work as inpatient pharmacists who day in and day out practice under clinical protocols and guidelines. The Bcps is graded on curve.... Don't forget that.

Does pat on the back pay for exam?

As for pat on he back, I got the exam paid for and I get an extra week of pay per year for having it, so it offsets the annual fee and then some.

Is the BCPs harder than the CPJE?

The Bcps is harder than California CPJE alone.... NAPLEX is the basic requirement for anyone too pass the minimum competencies in order to be licensed as a pharmacist. Bcps, on the other hand focuses more advanced, analytical thinking in order to pass. Even some of my friends who have worked inpatient for many years, still failed the exam when they didn't study/prep enough.

Is ACCP cheaper than other exams?

Yes, ACCP. Some of the other prep materials are cheaper, and I was cheap and went that route and I failed the first time. The ACCP materials and practice questions are pretty similar to the actual test. Don't be cheap. It's another $300 if you fail.

Does ACCP provide regulatory information?

For Regulatory... I think I guessed on every question on the exam. ACCP doesn’t provide a lot of information for regulatory except that one chapter.

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How to become a BPS board certified pharmacist?

To become a BPS Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist®, a pharmacist must: Graduate from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or a program outside of the U.S. that qualifies the individual to practice in that jurisdiction; and. Maintain a current, active license to practice pharmacy in ...

Why do you need to pass the BPS specialty exam?

Passing the BPS pharmacy specialty examination helps assure knowledge consistent with the validated content outline for the BPS specialty .

What is BCPS in pharmacy?

The BPS Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) program is a credential for pharmacists who have met the eligibility criteria below and who in their unique practice ensure the safe, appropriate, and economical use of medications as part of interprofessional treatment teams in a variety of settings, including hospitals and health systems.

How many BPS certified pharmacists are there?

Currently there are more than 27,600 BPS Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists.

How many hours of continuing education is required for a pharmacy license?

Earning 120 hours of continuing education credit provided by the professional development programs offered by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and/or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Please note, the Pharmacotherapy Review and Recertification Course offered by either of the approved providers may only be completed for recertification credit up to two times, in nonconsecutive years, during the seven-year recertification cycle.

What is the minimum requirement for pharmacotherapy certification?

The minimum requirements for the Pharmacotherapy specialty certification are: Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or a program outside the U.S. that qualifies the individual to practice in the jurisdiction ;

What is the BPS?

In the United States, BPS recognizes the licensure process administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) aims to ensure the public’s health and safety through its pharmacist license transfer and pharmacist competence assessment programs.