If I had 2 weeks to study for the NAPLEX, what would I do?
First off, I want to congratulate all the inspired pharmacy students who have just graduated from pharmacy school! Give yourself’s a pat on the back, but be ready to keep moving forward! I get asked frequently on Facebook and Twitter how to study for the NAPLEX. So I pinned myself down and asked the question: If I had 2 weeks to prepare, how would I study for the NAPLEX? Remember, I’m telling you how I would study for the NAPLEX given a 2 week period, not necessarily how everyone should.
- Avoid reading books like DiPiro’s Pharmacotherapy, APHA, and RxPrep word for word. Too massive for me and I would get lost in the details, I only have two weeks.
- Develop a schedule. Early morning works the best for me for quiet study time. I would block off 2 hours when I first wake up (6 or 7AM), then maybe a 30 minute break and do another 1-2 hour session. I would probably take some time off around lunch and book another 2-3 hours in the afternoon and leave evenings pretty open depending upon my comfort level with the material.
- I would consider a study partner if that option is available. However, with a study partner I would strongly recommend limiting that time to maybe 1-2 hours. I always had the tendency of getting off track talking about random subjects during longer periods of time. I would schedule that in the evening if it were an option.
- I would get at least 7.5-8.5 hours of sleep and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise. I think this is VERY important.
- If you are going to use a large review book like DiPiro, APHA, or RxPrep, I would page through the book and identify areas that are my nemesis and write them down. I would do this on Day 1 to get a feel for where I’m at.
- Identify those weaknesses! Spend the bulk of your time going after major important points in areas that you are weak in. This is designed to help narrow down possible answers to questions you may not be totally confident on.
- I would use class notes. Hopefully you have some good ones! Due to time constraints, and understanding the way I retain the most information while studying, notes give you great bullet point information that was likely highlighted (and therefore, likely important) by professors.
- Practice questions: Whatever the source, I would definitely like to get some practice questions that would help me identify weaknesses and get into the groove for test taking.
- Dominate calculations. I would brush up on these using practice questions and/or some notes, or a calculations book from college.
I hope this helps! What other strategies have you used?
Eric Christianson, PharmD, BCPS, CGP
- If you are interested in NAPLEX Study Material that you won’t have to take out another student loan for, click here!
just checking in, any study materials on bcps critical care exam?
Sorry, not yet…I have not found an expert in this area to help take on this project!
I would recommend studying brand / generic flash cards for minimum 30 minutes a day, going brand to generic (since the test will be the same by listing mainly brand names). Not knowing brand names can result in missing relatively easy questions!
If I had two weeks to study for NABPLEX, I’d be sitting on a beach somewhere with a fruity drink in hand, enjoying my two-week vacay. Because you shouldn’t need to study for NABPLEX, and if you DO need to study, I hope you’re not MY pharmacist. 92.5% of students from my alma mater passed on the first try. I KNOW I’m not in the bottom 7.5% of my class.
Passing NABPLEX says that you’ve met the absolute bare minimum standard for being a pharmacist. After 4 years of pharmacy school, if you don’t think you’re at least as good as the worst licensed pharmacist you’ve ever tech’ed for, maybe it’s (past) time to look at other career options.
@Randi, You should read your comments again because people like you are easy to root out. I would not want an arrogant individual like you on my staff. Being cocky only gets you so far and I am sure you have hit that wall numerous times. Check your ego!
I totally agree with Matt! Randi you are so arrogant!!
Wow! You just read my mind. I am 110% with you. What’s up with the ego lol.
Btw as far as I know it’s NAPLEX not NABLEX @ Randi. If you have some much ego then definitely spell check before you post.
Randi you sound so dumb!