If you’re a pharmacy student preparing to take the NAPLEX, you know that there are a wide range of study tools out there to choose from, but some are more trustworthy than others. NABP’s study tools, the Pre-NAPLEX and the NAPLEX Advantage, have both been carefully crafted by examination experts, but they have distinct differences. Both study tools provide benefits on your journey to preparing for the NAPLEX. 

What is the Pre-NAPLEX?

The Pre-NAPLEX is the trusted, affordable practice exam for the NAPLEX. Those preparing to take the NAPLEX can purchase the study tool using NABP e-Profile and take it from home. The Pre-NAPLEX includes 100 exam questions that are all real questions from past NAPLEX exams. Additionally, the practice exam simulates the NAPLEX time requirements by giving students a 140-minute time limit. After the exam, you will receive your total scaled score report immediately via email. 

You can choose when you want to take the Pre-NAPLEX, enabling you to use the practice tool at a time that works best for your study processes. This realistic exam experience will prepare you for test day, and it is highly recommended for all candidates taking the exam for the first time. The practice test can be taken twice, for students who want additional practice. It is affordably priced for students to purchase on their own, and some colleges of pharmacy may purchase vouchers that they provide to their students.  

What is the NAPLEX Advantage?

The NAPLEX Advantage takes the realistic exam day experience a step further. The test is proctored by your college 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 is only available for purchase by colleges of pharmacy; it is not available for purchase by individual students. Like the Pre-NAPLEX, all the questions on the NAPLEX Advantage were previously used on past NAPLEX, but they are exclusive to NAPLEX Advantage and are not included on the Pre-NAPLEX . 

The NAPLEX Advantage offers a much more extensive score report than the Pre-NAPLEX. The individual performance reports include the overall scaled scores as well as a breakdown of performance across each of the NAPLEX content domains, so you can see what areas you’re excelling in, and what areas you need to focus on.  

The updated NAPLEX Content Outline was released on October 1, 2024 and will take effect for NAPLEX exams administered on or after May 1, 2025. The content outline changes on the NAPLEX Advantage will take effect on March 1, 2025. Read more about the Content Outline in this blog post. 

NAPLEX Advantage Test Takers Have Said:

“Great resource for getting an idea of how questions are going to be asked on the NAPLEX and what exactly to expect.”

“I think this was very helpful to gauge what topics I am strong in and which topics I need to review more.”
 
“I think this was a great way to test my knowledge on what I need to study for in the future.” 

The NAPLEX Advantage Benefits Colleges of Pharmacy

Colleges receive aggregate performance data for each cohort of students that sit for the NAPLEX Advantage, and every college that uses it will get updates on NAPLEX Advantage statistics from around the country monthly and yearly regardless of whether their students took the exam in that time frame. This allows colleges to stay up to date with the latest testing data. Check out a sample summary report to see what data colleges can expect. 

So far, results have demonstrated a moderately strong relationship between students who have taken the NAPLEX Advantage and their future NAPLEX performance. Colleges can also provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations for students, including offering extended test time in collaboration with NABP.  

Comparing the Pre-NAPLEX and NAPLEX Advantage Features

This chart demonstrates the main differences between the Pre-NAPLEX and the NAPLEX Advantage.

Icon of a person working

Pre-NAPLEX

  • Typically taken from home.
  • Score report instantly available in student’s e-Profile.
  • Take the exam up to 2 times annually.
Icon of a people reviewing data

Both Practice Exams

  • Includes previous NAPLEX questions.
  • Simulates the experience of taking the NAPLEX.
Icon of a presentation video

NAPLEX Advantage

  • Proctored by the school on campus in a secured testing environment.
  • Score report includes a breakdown across each NAPLEX competency area.
  • Schools receive aggregate data, as well as individual reports.

See the full comparison of Pre-NAPLEX and NAPLEX Advantage features on our website.

Study Smarter Using Both Tools

Two is usually better than one, and that applies to NAPLEX study tools. As a pharmacy student, you will benefit greatly from using both the Pre-NAPLEX and the NAPLEX Advantage when preparing to take the NAPLEX. As both practice tools offer different past exam questions, students who take both will see double the amount of retired NAPLEX questions. Students will take one exam in a proctored environment and one exam in their own space and see how they compare. Using both tools will set pharmacy students up for NAPLEX success. Learn more about both practice exams today.