NABP offers study tools for pharmacy licensure exams like educational videos on our YouTube channel, and blog posts offering tips and important information, but one of the most effective tools we offer are our practice exams. Our practice exams correspond to NABP pharmacy licensure examinations like the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®), the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®), and the Uniform MPJE™ (UMPJE™). To practice for those exams, we offer: Pre-NAPLEX®, Pre-MPJE®, and Pre-UMPJE™.
Practice exams like these offer many benefits to candidates preparing to take a high-stakes exam. They gain experience with the test format and question style, while acclimating to testing within a time limit. The Pre-NAPLEX and Pre-MPJE are made up of questions from previous exams, providing candidates with insight into the types of questions found on the actual exam. However, there are some key differences between the practice exam experience and the real thing. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between the practice and official exams and what to expect, test day tips, and how practice exams can help you through the exam process.
How Do Practice Exams Differ From the Actual Exams?
Time Difference
One key difference between NABP practice exams and official exams is the amount of time allotted for each exam. The practice exams are much shorter than the actual exams. The NAPLEX is 6 hours, while the Pre-NAPLEX is 140 minutes, or about 2.3 hours. The MPJE and UMPJE are both 2.5 hours, while the Pre-MPJE/Pre-UMPJE are both 50 minutes. Although the practice exams are shorter, they simulate the experience you will have on test day.
Number of Questions
As the time allotted for practice exams is less than the actual exams, there are also fewer questions than there are on the real exams. The Pre-NAPLEX is comprised of 100 questions, while the NAPLEX has 225 questions. The Pre-MPJE/Pre-UMPJE both offer 40 questions, while the MPJE includes 120 questions.
Proctored vs. Non-Proctored
The Pre-NAPLEX and Pre-MPJE/Pre-UMPJE are all non-proctored practice exams, meaning they are taken independently online, from home, the library, a coffee shop, or anywhere with a wi-fi connection. Some colleges may choose to offer these practice exams in a proctored format on campus for students. The actual exams are proctored by an exam supervisor and are held in-person at Pearson locations.
NABP does offer a proctored practice exam that can be administered by colleges of pharmacy. This exam, offered as part of the NAPLEX Advantage™ suite of services, is delivered by colleges in a closed, secured testing environment with an ID verification and check-in process for an experience that is closer to sitting for the actual NAPLEX. The NAPLEX Advantage practice exam is only available for purchase by colleges of pharmacy; it is not available for purchase by individual candidates.
Receiving Your Score
While taking a NABP practice exam, you will receive your total score instantly via email after finishing the exam. On the real exam, you will receive exam results within 14 business days if the primary jurisdiction for which you are testing uses NABP’s online exam result platform. Learn more about the score results for the actual exams in the Bulletin.
What If You Fail a Practice Exam?
Failing a practice exam can be a “blessing in disguise.” Although no one likes to fail, failing the practice exam as opposed to the actual exam can help you create a plan to pass on the high-stakes test day.
During the practice exam, make a note of the topics you struggled with and create a study guide based on that information. If you fail the practice exam and your real exam date is coming up soon, consider rescheduling your exam to spend more time studying. Appointments may be canceled or rescheduled via your online Pearson account or by calling Pearson customer service at least 2 business days prior to your scheduled appointment.
If you struggled in multiple areas, studying the exam blueprints can help you build a study plan to pass. The NAPLEX Content Outline, the MPJE Competency Statements, and the UMPJE Content Outline provide blueprints of the topics covered on each exam that can be used to create a study guide.
Preparing for Test Day
After taking the practice exams, you will be ready to prepare for test day. Here are 5 tools to reference to make sure you won’t miss a requirement on test day:
- Carefully read through the NAPLEX Test Day Information or the MPJE/UMPJE Test Day Information web pages to get an overview of what to expect, what to bring to your test, and more.
- Read the test day policies and procedures found in the Bulletin to avoid being turned away from the test center.
- Read our blog post Tips to Successfully Schedule Your Pharmacist Licensure Exams.
- Watch some of our YouTube videos like NABP’s 5 Essential Tips for Test Day and Avoid Misconduct for NABP Exams.
- If you are taking the NAPLEX, sign up for our NAPLEX email series to get tips sent straight to your inbox.
Purchase any of our practice exams in your NABP e-Profile today.
