Question about the number of Questions (?)

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

I have a question about the number of questions on the PTCB exam now

given electronically.

I have heard from three individuals privately that they each had a

different number of questions on their exam other than the 90 that

one of the site members recently posted. One stated that you take the

exam until you reach a passing score.

I am in doubt of this as I think it would be unfair and how could the

score be extrapolated since each scored below 800 but above 650?

So I am asking anyone who took the exam in 2007 and 2008 to comment

on the number of exam questions on thier test.

Does anyone find a link to any part of the PTCB site that states

exactly how many test questions there are? I was searching and I

could not find this information.

Thank you,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

[Guest guest]

Having just taken the Atlanta exam on Friday 6/20/08, I had 90

questions.

An Atlanta tech told me she had 200 questions in 2007.

So has this changed since 2007 ?

They said the questions would appear in random order.

Is there a stockpile of say 500 question and you get a random 90

questions from that stockpile ?

I wonder how my Question #1 is different somebody elses Question #1.

A pharmacist told me that perhaps the test may be sensitive to how

you are answering the questions correctly before the others appear.

The test may sense that your strong area may be in hospital IV

admixture, so you get more questions related to that area than retail

questions. Do you think that's true ?

>

> Dear All,

>

> I have a question about the number of questions on the PTCB exam

now

> given electronically.

>

> I have heard from three individuals privately that they each had a

> different number of questions on their exam other than the 90 that

> one of the site members recently posted. One stated that you take

the

> exam until you reach a passing score.

>

> I am in doubt of this as I think it would be unfair and how could

the

> score be extrapolated since each scored below 800 but above 650?

>

> So I am asking anyone who took the exam in 2007 and 2008 to comment

> on the number of exam questions on thier test.

>

>

> Does anyone find a link to any part of the PTCB site that states

> exactly how many test questions there are? I was searching and I

> could not find this information.

>

> Thank you,

>

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> Founder/Owner

>

[Guest guest]

I took mine in February 2008 in Glendale, Arizona and had 90 questions.

---

Carli Lowry

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry wrote:

>

> Dear All,

>

> I have a question about the number of questions on the PTCB exam now

> given electronically.

>

> I have heard from three individuals privately that they each had a

> different number of questions on their exam other than the 90 that

> one of the site members recently posted. One stated that you take the

> exam until you reach a passing score.

>

> I am in doubt of this as I think it would be unfair and how could the

> score be extrapolated since each scored below 800 but above 650?

>

> So I am asking anyone who took the exam in 2007 and 2008 to comment

> on the number of exam questions on thier test.

>

> Does anyone find a link to any part of the PTCB site that states

> exactly how many test questions there are? I was searching and I

> could not find this information.

>

> Thank you,

>

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> Founder/Owner

>

>

[Guest guest]

I took the test this past Wednesday and there were 90 questions.

https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?

Section=Exam_Preparation & Template=/CM/ContentCombo.cfm & NavMenuID=806 & Conten

tID=2827

Here's the link that tells you how the test format is. I doubt the whole " take

the exam till

you pass " since you don't get your scores right away. Anyway, everyone I know,

including

myself, that has taken it this past testing window has had 90 questions.

>

> Dear All,

>

> I have a question about the number of questions on the PTCB exam now

> given electronically.

>

> I have heard from three individuals privately that they each had a

> different number of questions on their exam other than the 90 that

> one of the site members recently posted. One stated that you take the

> exam until you reach a passing score.

>

> I am in doubt of this as I think it would be unfair and how could the

> score be extrapolated since each scored below 800 but above 650?

>

> So I am asking anyone who took the exam in 2007 and 2008 to comment

> on the number of exam questions on thier test.

>

>

> Does anyone find a link to any part of the PTCB site that states

> exactly how many test questions there are? I was searching and I

> could not find this information.

>

> Thank you,

>

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> Founder/Owner

>

[Guest guest]

Dear bernespiritu " ,

Thanks for the link. This is what I found:

" Frequently Asked Questions

Why did PTCB change from pencil-and-paper exams to computer-based

testing (CBT)?

The implementation of CBT strengthens PTCB's commitment to serving

the pharmacy technician

profession through a valid and reliable computer-based examination

process. CBT provides

numerous benefits to candidates, educators, and other PTCB

stakeholders including: examination results availalbe within a few

weeks of testing; increased flexibility, i.e. more choices

of when and where to take the exam; scheduling flexibility allowing

candidates to reschedule up to

24 hours prior to the exam; and professional, state-of-the-art,

distraction-free testing centers.

When did the change take place?

PTCB has offered the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination

exclusively in computer-based testing format since February, 2007.

Has the PTCB exam changed?

The content on the CBT exam covers the same subject matter as the

paper-and-pencil exam.

The subject matter is based on the results of the 2005 Practice

Analysis Study.

Has the passing standard changed for the PTCB exam with CBT?

No. The passing standard will remain 650, the standard determined by

PTCB's Certification Council.

Do all candidates take the same examination or does each candidate

take a different exam?

Each candidate will be presented with a unique set of test items, but

all candidates will be tested

on the same subject matter based on PTCB test specifications.

Is the exam easier or harder?

No. The difficulty level of the exam has not changed. The exam will

continue to be an accurate evaluation

of each individual candidate's competency and understanding of the

skills necessary to be a CPhT.

Does it take more time to complete the computerized exam compared to

the paper-and-pencil version?

No. PTCB's exam in CBT format will take less time to complete than

the paper-and-

pencil version. There is no test booklet or answer sheet to manage,

and no

" bubbles " to fill in with a pencil.

When are the computerized exam results available?

When candidates complete their examination, they will receive a print-

out which indicates the date their examination results will be

available. Individual examination results will be available based on

the date that each candidate tests. They will be available on a

rolling basis and can be seen online and will be mailed to the

candidate within a few weeks of the test date.

What is PTCB's policy for retaking the exam after an unsuccessful

attempt?

Candidates who fail the examination will not be allowed to retake the

examination during the same testing window. These candidates will be

required to apply to take the PTCE in a future testing window or at

least neinty (90) days following their initial attempt.

Do I have to be an experienced computer user and be able to type to

take the computer-based examination?

No. The computerized testing system has been designed so that those

with minimal

computer experience and typing skills can use it. A tutorial will be

available to each

candidate at the testing center prior to taking the examination.

Candidates can download the computer-based testing tutorial that is

available on test day by clicking here.

When will exams be administered?

The examination will be offered during four testing periods

called " testing windows " throughout the year,

giving candidates a choice of times and locations. Please check the

application PDF to obtain your own copy of this year's scheduled

examination windows.

Where will the computerized exams be administered?

PTCB will offer the exam through Pearson VUE's extensive network of

over 200

test center locations in all 50 of the states and Puerto Rico. You

may search for a Pearson Professional Center (PPC) near you by

clicking here.

Can exams be scheduled online?

Yes and we encourage candidates to apply and schedule their

examination online. Once a candidate has completed their application

and recieved an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, each may then

schedule an exam appointment online at the Pearson VUE website

(www.pearsonvue.com/ptcb) or by calling 866-902-0593.

What is the cost to take the computer-based PTCB exam?

The fee to apply to take the PTCB exam is $129.00.

Once an exam appointment is scheduled, can it be changed or even

canceled?

Yes. Candidates can cancel or reschedule their exam appointment up to

24 hours

prior to their scheduled appointment at no charge. To cancel or

reschedule an exam appointment, call Pearson VUE at 866-902-0593 or

click here to cancel online.

You must cancel your appointment at least one business day (24 hours)

in advance to qualify for a refund. For example, if your appointment

is at 11 AM on a Monday, you must cancel by 11 AM the previous Friday.

If you wish to cancel your application completely, you must also

withdraw your application by contacting

Professional Examination Service at www.proexam.org/ptcb or by

calling 1-877-782-2888. "

I found nothing about 90 questions. Maybe if I go tothe Pearson site?

Thanks again,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

> >

> > Dear All,

> >

> > I have a question about the number of questions on the PTCB exam

now

> > given electronically.

> >

> > I have heard from three individuals privately that they each had

a

> > different number of questions on their exam other than the 90

that

> > one of the site members recently posted. One stated that you take

the

> > exam until you reach a passing score.

> >

> > I am in doubt of this as I think it would be unfair and how could

the

> > score be extrapolated since each scored below 800 but above 650?

> >

> > So I am asking anyone who took the exam in 2007 and 2008 to

comment

> > on the number of exam questions on thier test.

> >

> >

> > Does anyone find a link to any part of the PTCB site that states

> > exactly how many test questions there are? I was searching and I

> > could not find this information.

> >

> > Thank you,

> >

> > Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> > Founder/Owner

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I think the link didn't work. If you go to ptcb.org, then roll over " exam " a

drop down menu

will appear. Click on " exam preparation " and you should get this on the page:

Format

The PTCE contains 90 multiple-choice questions. Ten of the 90 questions are

pre-test questions and will not count toward your final score. The pre-test

questions provide statistical information for possible use on future

examinations; this information is vital in

building a quality test. The pretest questions are randomly placed throughout

the exam.

Candidates are encouraged to answer all questions. Each question provides four

choices, with only ONE designated as the correct or best answer. The questions

from the three functions tested are distributed randomly throughout the total

exam (see below for the function areas). It is to your advantage to answer every

question on the exam since the

final score is based on the total number of questions answered correctly.

Candidates will have 2 hours to complete the exam tutorial, the PTCE, and exit

survey.

>.........

> I found nothing about 90 questions. Maybe if I go to the Pearson site?

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> F/O

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you " bernespiritu " ,

I will add this to my FAQ's on this site.

The PTCB site has changed some of their links and pages since first

going to computer testing.

You are right that drop down does not have the same info. But this

'exam peparation' section does.

Thanks again!

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

> >.........

> > I found nothing about 90 questions. Maybe if I go to the Pearson site?

> >

> > Thanks again,

> >

> > Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> > F/O

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I took the test last week and it was 90 questions. I also don't agree

with the comment about answering questions until you get enough right

to pass. What would the point of that be?