NAPLEX Tips & FAQs Thanks to: http://fpgeetips.blogspot.com/2009_05_24_archive.html How long must I prepare for NAPLEX?

In our opinion, at least 2 months (4 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, Manan Shroff's Reference Guide For Pharmacy Licensing Exam -Theory 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!