PTCB Test Taking Tips:

#1 - De-Coding Word Problems

On some of the questions you'll encounter on the official exam there's going to be some amount of filler to cut through. The reason why some questions are designed this way is to test if you pay attention to details.

Let's look at a sample question that has filler, and see what it looks like once you cut to the meat:

example of question After Decoding

In the U.S., at a workplace where multiple employees are working, federal law requires that businesses maintain properly stocked first aid kits. The inventory and placement of each kit is determined by the number of people in the work area, the type of work performed and the floor-plan. Which of the following federal agencies oversees the safety, effectiveness and labeling of ~~the~~ drug products ~~in a compliant first aid kit~~?

A. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
D. United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

CUT THRU THE BULL!

Learning to properly de-code lengthy word problems will eventually become second nature after you have taken several of the practice tests on this site. This is the main reason you don't see many one liner questions here.

Why is this important? It's because there's going to be confusing filler and sub plots in the questions on the official exam. In addition, those are likely the questions that are worth more points.

Go to: Tip #2 - Eliminate wrong answers

Where would you like to go now?

Prescription Abbreviations

Ask A Pharmacy Tech Question

Site Map

Facebook Twitter