PTCB Exam Study Guide 2020-2021: Test Prep Book with Practice Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination

I'm leaving a detailed review of Ascencia's 2020-2021 PTCB Exam Study Guide since it helped me pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) today! I took the test once and spent three months studying the material in this book. I did not use any other study aids besides this one.The PTCB states on their website that in 2019, 58% of those who took the test passed. I worked at a retail chain pharmacy as a technician for a year but I strongly believe I would have failed the test without reading some kind of guide book. There is a lot to learn, and quite a lot involves memorization, but this book makes it all pretty manageable.There are six sections and one practice test over 329 pages, plus a link to a second practice test online. Technically you get a third test because there are 235 practice questions scattered throughout the text as you read. The answer keys after each section give detailed answers, and they show you each step in the math problems (which was very helpful).Section 1. Pharmacology, pages 1-111- what pharmacy is- important general concepts- the body systems: cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, integumentary, reproductive, urinary, and immune systems- common conditions of these systems and the drugs used to treat themSection 2. Assisting the Pharmacist, pages 113-154- responsibilities in retail pharmacies: accepting prescriptions, refills, data entry, insurances, labeling, controlled drugs, dispensing, etc.- responsibilities in hospital pharmacies: processing medication orders, preparing medications, delivery, knowledge of hospital systems and technologies, clinical trial drugs, etc.Section 3. Pharmacy Law and Ethics, pages 155-190- history of the FDA- laws in the pharmacy world and why they became laws- HIPAA, PHI, and patient confidentiality- federal/state agencies that oversee pharmacy- federal laws- DEA, scheduled drugs, and laws on dispensing controlsSection 4: Administration and Management of the Pharmacy, pages 191-234- medication errors, causes, and prevention- look-alike sound-alike drugs- reference textbooks and drug research- workplace hazards and safety- inventory (receiving, stocking, returning, and transferring)- drug recalls and shortagesSection 5. Compounding Pharmaceuticals, pages 235-259- non-sterile compounding and equipment- sterile compounding, equipment, and clean roomsSection 6. Pharmacy Math, pages 261-308- Roman numerals- metric system- household system- apothecary system- converting from one system to another- fractions and decimals- ratios, proportions, and percentages- liquid measures- concentrations- dilutions- dosing considerations for geriatric and pediatric patients- admixtures- IV drip rates- business mathSection 7. Practice Test #1, pages 309-329, consisting of 90 questions- has a link at the end to Practice Test #2 online, also with 90 questions; once you complete it, they send you an email that goes over each question, showing you what you answered and what the correct answers areAs I said before, I think this book is what made the difference in helping me pass. However, I think there are a few things they could have done better with:First, it doesn't list the authors or their credentials. This is me asking Ascencia, for the sake of future readers, to include the authors' names and titles! It makes the reader feel more confident in the material. Plus whover put the work into making this book deserves the recognition.Second, there are a handful of editing errors such as misspellings, omissions, and repititions.Rarely, there is a piece of totally incorrect information. The most harmful one I found was this statement on page 174: "Seven days after the [controlled] prescription is written, it becomes invalid and the prescriber must submit a new prescription." This is not true of all CIIs. This seven-day period applies ONLY to emergency CIIs. According to the NCBI, "There is no federal limit on when a Schedule II prescription must be filled after being signed by a prescriber." If you don't believe me, see Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1306, SS 1306.11.Final word to anybody who wants to get certified: you can do it! There were times when I studied that I felt really stupid and like I would never be able to memorize a lot of the info. Don't give into your doubts. You can get certified -- this is not beyond you! Put in the time and you will get there.Good luck, and I hope this review helps!

Please be advised that I am in my mid-60s and was never confident in my ability to read or understand science. I have only gotten through the first couple of chapters. It is definitely (from what I read) a manual geared towards someone with a basic understanding of science. It is well written and even I (who struggles with science) can understand the information. It is, however, a manual that you have to read and outline carefully. I feel this manual could very easily be used in a college class. I enjoy the test questions at the end of each chapter and I'm hoping it helps me pass the certification test for pharmacy technicians.

Good amount of information on the book. Has everything you need for the 2020-2021 PTCB Exam

Had tons of info and the extra info freaked me out before the exam, but on the other hand extra info isn't bad. Passed the exam on the first try.

Has everything I need to know. This is the book my instructors recommended so I got this and the practice tests.

Good information, all of it relevant to the current test. I find the online access to study materials very helpful.

ote:Ptcb 2020-2021Exam study guide for pharmacy technician certification board examination5 star ratingThis book has helped me better prepare for my upcoming examTrindy Garcia

I do recommend this resource for anyone that is going to take the 2020 updated PTCE test. However, unless you plan to read the entire thing, I also recommend taking advantage of multiple free online tests that you can retake. This book helped me understand the works of pharmacy technicians and their duty, however, critical information was not made apparent. I was not sure whether the information I was ready was very important or if it was just fluff. I recommend taking the tests, then bullet-pointing what you do not know and find them in the book. It will allow for you to understand your material and questions better and skip the fluffy extra part.