The questions on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX®) are usually divided into three sections, with a total of 185 questions. The NAPLEX® is usually taken after a student has completed his or her pharmacology studies degree. This exam consists of a series of multiple-choice questions, with a passing score allowing the student to obtain their pharmacy license. Exam fees are relatively high, so students should prepare for the exam for a long time to avoid having to retake it. There are a number of schools that offer solely exam preparation courses.
Because of the number of NAPLEX® questions and the test format, this exam should take a little over four hours. Throughout several paragraphs, various medical cases are described, and the NAPLEX® questions are based on these cases. In order to respond to each question, students should draw on their previous coursework, exams, and experience. There are simple questions that take less time to review in addition to lengthy case-based statements. The difficulty of the questions on this test is adjusted based on the precision of the previous answer, so the student’s applied knowledge has a direct impact on the NAPLEX® questions.
Students should be able to identify appropriate therapies, sort patients by medical needs, and perform other initial patient procedures in the first section, which is divided into sections based on different skills. This section usually accounts for a large portion of the overall exam. The second section covers the preparation and distribution of various medications, and students should be able to demonstrate the necessary skills to safely administer all medications. The third section, which accounts for the smallest percentage of the exam, focuses on improving knowledge of optimal health services, supplements, sterile procedures, and public awareness.
The number of questions answered and the student’s knowledge are used to determine passing scores on these exams. A penalty is usually applied to the score if students do not complete at least 162 of the 185 questions. A minimum score of 75 points is required, which can be obtained by correctly answering at least 60% of the questions. Questions about the dosage of various medications and how they affect the body are common, as are questions about the chemical makeup of the body and how it reacts to various medications. Sample NAPLEX® questions can be found on a variety of websites, and students should practice as much as possible.