FPGEE® tips

NAPLEX® & MPJE® Tips and FAQs

2011-01-24T09:24:00.001-05:00

NAPLEX® Tips & FAQs

How long must I prepare for NAPLEX®?

In our opinion, at least 2 months (6 hours/day)

Do I need to study from different books?

Limit yourself to fewer references, our recommendations are: Comprehensive Pharmacy Review by Shargel, Appleton and Lange's Review of Pharmacy, APHA complete review.

Does internship help in passing the NAPLEX®?

Yes, in fact you come to know about different drugs and Brand Names during your internship, none of it is taught to you in the classrooms!

What is the passing rate for NAPLEX®?

National average for NAPLEX® pass rate is about 90% whereas NAPLEX® passing rate for foreign graduates is about 70%.

Is it essential to know the brand names of the drugs?

Yes, you must pay special attention to brand names during your internship since most of the NAPLEX® questions refer to a drug by it's brand name. In our opinion, top 200 must suffice.

Do I need to study calculations?

NAPLEX® contains a lot of questions on calculations, be familiar with pKa, milliequivalents, ratios, proportions, alligation, creatinine clearance, conversions, dropper rates, calories calculations, etc. Calculations are the most time consuming and carry a lot of weightage. They can play a crucial role in passing the NAPLEX®.

Can we use our own calculator?

No, you must use the on-screen calculator provided during your test.

What constitutes most part of NAPLEX®?

Pharmacology: Classifications, MOA, ADRs, Interactions. Ensure that you pay more attention on specific characters of the drugs such as ADRs, special contraindications, interactions, etc. Study selective, don't try to jam up your brains with every small detail, take it easy, make it less confusing for yourself.

Are there specific topics I should pay more attention to?

Yes, pay more attention on drugs in the following categories: Cardiology, Nervous System, Diabetes, Depression, Asthma, Diuretics.

Do I need to know about OTCs?

Very selective, cough, cold, antacids, laxatives.

Are there any management questions in NAPLEX®?

Not in our opinion.

How about antibiotics?

Be very selective, you can easily get mixed up with them if you read too much.

And medicinal chemistry?

Almost none, don't bother.

I have been preparing for a while now but how can I find out how well I am prepared for the test?

Do practice questions from Appleton & Lange, see how you fare in them.

But, how will I know if I am ready to take the test, or ready to score more than 75 on NAPLEX®?

Try practice tests available at http://PharmSuccess.com and experience the test before you take the actual NAPLEX®. In our opinion, if you can score well on the practice test, you will score well in the actual NAPLEX®.

How soon is the NAPLEX® evaluated?

Your scores are usually sent to your state board within 2-5 days, every state board then has it's own processing time, call them to enquire if it's been more than 7 business days since you took the test.

Any special instructions for the day of the exam?

Yes, take it easy, if you have done your homework right, you will ace the exam. Relax, take the test with full stomach, cheerful face and confident mind. Take one of your friends or family members to accompany you to the test center, it helps. Good luck!

MPJE® Tips & FAQs

How can I prepare for MPJE®?

Again, use fewer resources, our recommendations are: Guide to Federal Pharmacy Law by Reiss and Hall and your state board's material.

What topics shall I pay more attention to?

Controlled substances-constitutes majority of MPJE® and be familiar with your state laws.

How important is the state board material?

Very important and very tough to understand in most of the cases. So, ensure that you devote it enough time and attention.

How long shall I prepare for MPJE®?

In our opinion, 2 weeks (5 hours/day) should suffice.

What is the passing rate for MPJE®?

National average pass rate is about 89%. Data on foreign graduates couldn't be gathered.

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Fpgee Books

2011-01-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

FPGEE Books

I have assembled a list of books recommended on forums and by others who have passed the FPGEE. These FPGEE study books cover all the topics in the FPGEE exam.

Comprehensive Pharmacy Review + Practice Exams

The best-selling review guide is indispensable for all pharmacy students, from the first year of professional courses to preparation for the NAPLEX examination. A wide range of topics central to the study of pharmacy--chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmacy practice, drug therapy--are organized to parallel the pharmacy curriculum and presented in outline form for easy use. Comprehensive Pharmacy Review may be used as a quick review or preview of essential topics by a diverse group of readers, including matriculation pharmacy students, instructors and preceptors, professional pharmacists, and foreign pharmacy graduates.

Lange Q&A: Pharmacy, Ninth Edition (LANGE Q&A Allied Health)

Going through the questions, the student will be able to identify areas of weakness. The book includes explanations for the answers which is useful in understanding why the other choices are wrong....This book is very useful for pharmacy students studying for the boards.

Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology, 4th Edition (Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews Series)

Enables rapid review and assimilation of large amounts of complex information about the essentials of medical pharmacology. Clear, sequential pictures of mechanisms of action actually show students how drugs work, instead of just telling them. As in previous editions, the book features an outline format, over 500 full-color illustrations, cross-references to other volumes in the series, and over 125 review questions. Content has been thoroughly updated, and a new chapter covers toxicology. New to this edition will be a companion Website containing all of the illustrations, fully searchable text, and an interactive question bank.

Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (Remington the Science and Practice of Pharmacy)

This Twenty-First Edition keeps pace with recent changes in the pharmacy curriculum and professional pharmacy practice. More than 95 new contributors and 5 new section editors provide fresh perspectives on the field. New chapters include pharmacogenomics, application of ethical principles to practice dilemmas, technology and automation, professional communication, medication errors, re-engineering pharmacy practice, management of special risk medicines, specialization in pharmacy practice, disease state management, emergency patient care, and wound care. Purchasers of this textbook are entitled to a new, fully indexed Bonus CD-ROM, affording instant access to the full content of Remington in a convenient and portable format.

Illustrated Pharmacology Memory Cards: PharMnemonics

This set of 282 PharMnemonics cards is carefully designed to make medical pharmacology fun to learn and easy to memorize.

FPGEE steps

2010-02-02T10:11:00.001-05:00

What you need to do :

Appling for FPGEC : (required only who completed minimum 4 year Graduation in Pharmacy before January 1^st 2003 and 5 year Graduation in Pharmacy after January 1^st 2003 , outside USA)

Step 1

Educational Credential Evaluatoion (ECE) Submit two sets of your pharmacy education documentation, the official transcript and official proof of the degree, directly to ECE with the appropriate fees. Check here for more details http://www.ece.org/nabp Applicants must request that ECE submit a copy of the General Evaluation Report directly to the FPGEC along with their supporting documentation.

Step 2

After ECE evaluation, submit following documents to NABP (FPGEC)

Documents required

Official Transcripts
Detailed information of subjects you studied(0ptional) / Courses you completed with marks/grades issued by your principal or from university in an envelope sealed by the appropriate issuing body. ( Usually all the years subjects & marks they compile together and give it to you in a sealed envelope)

*Proof of Degree :
Photocopy of Official proof of pharmacy degree (convocation/degree certificate) must be signed/certified by principal of college where you graduated indicating date of degree awarded in writing in an envelope sealed by the same issuing official.
*Proof of Licence :
Photocopy of license and/or registration certificate must be unrestricted and certified by the appropriate government official of the jurisdiction issuing the license in an envelope sealed by the same issuing official.
*Photocopies of documents:
Certified photocopies of all other documents(like all your marks statements, birth certificate etc) are those where the words, "I have reviewed the original document and attest that this is a true and exact copy of the original" must be written directly on the photocopy by a notary public, and have been overlapped partially by the notary public seal. The notary must also include his or her signature. If a document is longer than one page, each page must be certified.
If any document is NOT in English must be accompanied by an official word-for-word English translation, prepared and certified as correct by an official translator.

TIP : For faster processing submit 3 Sealed envelopes (Transcripts, Proof of degree & Proof of licence) , certified photocopies, photos, fees draft, FPGEE application form together in ONE ENVELOPE.

Check list for sending together in ONE ENVELOPE *

School transcripts (sealed and/or translation)
Degree (sealed and/or translation)
Licensure/Registration (sealed and/or translation)
Two photographs
Fees US$ (pink envelope)
Notice of Receipt of Application/Registration Form Postcard (self-addressed)

For complete information om FPGEC^® visit official site: NABP website

Step 3
Appear for FPGEE®

Step 4
Apply and appear for TOEFL-ibt

After passing all these exams, you will receive FPGEE® certificate that can be used for sitting in state board exam (NAPLEX®).
( Approximately 3 months will take for FPGEE® certification after submitting three tests. Always it is safe to keep FPGEC® certificate, u can change any state any time you wish. Few states like Florida, Michigan offering intern permit without FPGEC® certification )

Step 5
Participate in residency or internship programs to acquire direct, "hands on" patient care experience duration of internship depending upon the each and individual state.
(For complete details contact US STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY directly)

Step 6
After completing intern hours , apply for second major examination NABPLEX® (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Licensing Examination)

Step 7
You have to qualify in last but not least Pharmacy law examination .

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FPGEE®, NAPLEX®,MPJE® and FPGEC® are federally registered trademarks owned by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP®). This web site is in no way authorized or sponsored by the NABP ®

FPGEE TIPS

2010-01-18T21:08:00.002-05:00

How long must I prepare for FPGEE?

* In my opinion, at least 2-3 months (4 hours/day)

Do I need to study from different books?

* Limit yourself to fewer FPGEE references, our recommendations are: Comprehensive Pharmacy Review by Shargel, your own pharmacy books/notes, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy by University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Do I need to study calculations?

* FPGEE contain few questions on calculations, be familiar with pKa, milliequivalents, ratios, proportions, alligation, creatinine clearance, conversions, AUC, NaCl equivalents, body surface area and dose related questions.

Can we use our own calculator?

* No, calculators are not allowed during the FPGEE test.

What constitutes most part of FPGEE

* FPGEE tests your basic knowledge of pharmacy. The important topics are: Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, calculations and management.

Are there specific topics I should pay more attention to?

* Yes, pharmacology and management.

Do I need to know about OTCs?

* Not in our opinion.

How are the management questions in FPGEE?

* Very basic, and most of them are common sense. A good management book might help you answer them right. Concentrate on insurance, medicare, clinical research studies and pricing/economics of drugs at the pharmacy level.

And medicinal chemistry or structures?

* Few questions, But try to familiarize yourself with basic chemical classification of various categories of drugs.

I have been preparing for a while now but how can I find out how well I am prepared for the test?

* Do practice questions from Manan Shroff’s book (Q&A), and read through the explanations thoroughly, try to go through all the questions and recap what you studied from CPR-Shargel.

But, how will I know if I am ready to take the test, or ready to score more than 75 on FPGEE?

* Try the pre-fpgee which is given by NABP.

Any special instructions for the day of the exam?

* Yes, take it easy, if you have done your homework right, you will ace the exam. Relax, take the test with full stomach, cheerful face and confident mind. Take one of your friends or family members to accompany you to the test center, it helps. Good luck!