Most of the style conventions of the Qualifying Examination will become evident as you work through the sample questions and stations provided in this booklet.
Questions about drugs are based on issues that are relevant to practice, and generally concern those most commonly prescribed or those recommended for use in a certain situation.
Laboratory values and drug levels will be reported in the International System of Units (SI).
Abbreviations and symbols used will be those an entry-level pharmacist should recognize and will be written in accordance with SI and other health care publications.
Style Conventions – Part I (MCQ)
SI Units:
The answers in calculation questions and the majority of values presented will be in SI (metric) units. However, you may be required to convert from the avoirdupois or apothecary systems before performing your calculation in instances where the conversion factor should be commonly known by an entry-level pharmacist (e.g. pounds to kilograms).
Drug Names:
Generally a drug will be referred to by its generic or common name. In those instances where a specific trade name is used, its generic or common name will also be given.
Language:
Negative words, such as NOT, NEVER, and EXCEPT are capitalized and printed in boldface, in order to draw your attention to the kind of response expected.
EXAMPLE: All of the following statements are correct, EXCEPT:
Numeric Formatting:
Decimal Separator
In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a period is generally used as a decimal separator. For example, “two and four-tenths” is represented by “2.4″.
In Canadian French documents, a comma is used as a decimal separator. For example, “two and four-tenths” is represented by “2,4″.
For formatting and consistency purposes, some numbers on the examination may include a decimal point with a trailing zero (e.g., 5.0). In practice, the use of a trailing zero is strongly discouraged by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, due to the risk of misinterpretation.
Thousands Separator
In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a comma is generally used as a thousands separator. For example, “two thousand five hundred” is represented by “2,500″.
Sometimes no thousands separator is seen, for example, “2500″.
Often, when there are two numbers to the left of the thousands separator, a space is used. For example, “twelve thousand five hundred” may be represented by “12 500″.
In Canadian French documents, a space is used as a thousands separator, for example “2 500″.
PEBC has tried to standardize the numeric format on written examinations to use a comma as a thousands separator; however, as noted in various medical references, the other previously mentioned formats may also be seen.
In Summary: two thousand = 2,000 = 2000 = 2 000
Formulas:
The formulas shown on the Formulas – Part I MCQ page will be printed in each Examination Booklet and therefore do not need to be memorized. Molecular and atomic weights will be supplied when necessary.
Standardized PEBC Calculators:
A PEBC standardized model, scientific calculator, removed from its case, will be provided to all candidates writing Part I (MCQ). The model is SHARP Scientific calculator EL-510R. A picture layout of the calculator and basic instructions for its use are enclosed in this booklet to assist you in familiarizing yourself with this calculator in advance of the examination date (see Calculators). This information will also be printed in each Examination Booklet.
Format of Examination Questions – Part I (MCQ)
The Pharmacist Qualifying Examination – Part I consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. You will be required to select the best answer from the responses listed. In some questions, you may believe there is a better answer than those provided. You should always mark the answer that isbest among the responses that accompany the question. Two examination question formats will be used in the examination: single answer, and combined-response, described as follows:
Classic Single-Answer Question (Type A)
This type of question requires that you answer a question or complete a statement by choosing a single best response of those provided, as in the following example:
The cephalosporins act by:
a. inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
b. altering the function and permeability of the cell membrane.
c. inhibiting protein synthesis.
d. inhibiting translation of genetic information.
e. inhibiting synthesis of essential metabolites.
Combined-Response Question (Type K)
To answer this type of question you must determine whether the best answer consists of one, two, or all three of the components listed. You must select a response that contains ALL OF THE CORRECT information but NO INCORRECT information. Each of the combined-response questions will always have the same set of possible alternatives:
a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II only
d. II and III only
e. I, II and III
as shown in the following example:
Suitable antioxidants for an aqueous vehicle would include:
I vitamin E.
II ascorbic acid.
III ethylenediamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA).
a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II only
d. II and III only
e. I, II and III
Examples of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are found in Qualifying Examination Sample Questions section.
These examples are representative of the question format and phrasing style used in the examination, and the content of these sample questions is intended to illustrate a variety of the competency areas tested within the examination blueprint.