Pharmacy Tech Practice Test Questions: Everything You Need to Know

What Is the PTCE Exam?

Anyone seeking certification as a pharmacy technician in the US will be required to undertake, and pass, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PCTE). The assessment is produced and overseen by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Taking the time to create a comprehensive study schedule that includes practicing with realistic test questions is essential for success. By doing this, you will become familiar with the format of the exam and the level of knowledge required to pass.

In this article, you will learn more about the PTCE exam, including its format and question types, and tips on how to practice for it effectively. Practice pharmacy tech practice test questions and answers are also included to help with your test prep. 

PTCE Exam Format and Question Types

The PTCE exam is a timed, computer based assessment, consisting of multiple choice questions. You will have two hours to answer 90 questions which are split into three parts:

• A five-minute tutorial
• 110 minutes to answer the questions
• A five-minute post-exam survey

Questions on the PTCE relate to four main areas of knowledge:

• Medications
• Federal requirements
• Patient safety
• Order entry and processing 

Performing well in each section is essential for ensuring a good overall score. 

Medications

The medications section of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam makes up 40% of the total questions you will need to answer, so it’s essential to perform well. 

Questions focus on your knowledge of drug classifications, dosages and interactions. As well as knowing general information about a range of medications, you will be asked to calculate the appropriate dosage for hypothetical scenarios.

Practice questions will give you the opportunity to brush up on your medications knowledge and study any additional areas that might be weaker. Regular practice will help to improve recall. 

Federal Requirements

As a pharmacist, you will be required to have a thorough understanding of federal laws and regulations relating to medications and controlled substances. The federal requirements section of the exam aims to assess your knowledge in this area, with questions accounting for 12% of the exam.

To prepare for federal requirements questions, you should practice responding to hypothetical regulatory scenarios. This will help to ensure thorough compliance knowledge and a good understanding of legal requirements. 

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

26% of exam questions relate to patient safety and quality assurance. This involves answering questions focussing on error prevention, appropriate safety procedures, and risk management. 

One of the best ways to improve your performance on this style of questions is by answering a range of scenario-based questions. These will present you with a range of hypothetical examples, and you will be required to provide a solution that showcases the best medical practices.

Order Entry and Processing

The final 21% of PTCE questions focus on data entry and processing procedures, with additional questions requiring candidates to correctly calculate the appropriate dosage of prescribed medications.

Knowledge and understanding of the correct procedures is vital for ensuring the accurate keeping of patient and pharmacy records.

To practice for this section of the exam, it’s a good idea to focus on practice test questions that require pharmacy math and prescription interpretation skills. 

Why Practicing for the PTCE Exam Is Important

It’s a good idea to practice for any test, but this is especially important when it comes to career-defining exams like the PTCE exam. 

Without a good passing score, you will be unable to achieve the certification you need to begin a career as a pharmacist.

A regular, consistent approach to practice and reflection can help to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence ahead of exam day. Familiarizing yourself with the format of the test and style of question you will face will mean that you feel calmer and more relaxed on the day, while practicing under timed exam conditions will mean that you’re more able to answer quickly and accurately.

There are plenty of free practice resources available to help you prepare, no matter your budgetary constraints. 

Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test Questions

Medications

1. A patient has been prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg to be taken three times daily for 10 days. How many total milligrams of amoxicillin will the patient take over the entire course of treatment?

a) 5,000 mg
b) 10,000 mg
c) 15,000 mg
d) 20,000 mg

The correct answer is: c) 15,000 mg

The total dosage is calculated as follows:

• Daily dose: 500 mg × 3 times daily = 1,500 mg per day
• Total dose over 10 days: 1,500 mg/day × 10 days = 15,000 mg

2. Which of the following drug classifications does lisinopril belong to?

a) Beta-blockers
b) ACE inhibitors
c) Calcium channel blockers
d) Diuretics

The correct answer is: b) ACE inhibitors

Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used primarily for hypertension and heart failure. It works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

Federal Requirements

1. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which DEA schedule contains drugs with the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use?

a) Schedule I
b) Schedule II
c) Schedule III
d) Schedule IV

The correct answer is: a) Schedule I

Schedule I drugs have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Examples include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Schedule II drugs (e.g., oxycodone, morphine) have a high abuse potential but are used medically.

2. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for oxycodone 10 mg tablets, a Schedule II controlled substance. According to federal law, how long does the pharmacy have to fill the prescription before it expires?

a) 30 days
b) 60 days
c) 90 days
d) It does not expire

The correct answer is: d) It does not expire

Under federal law, prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances do not have an expiration date. However, individual states and insurance companies may impose their own restrictions.

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

1. Which of the following error prevention strategies is considered the most effective in reducing medication errors?

a) Using tall man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine vs. hydrALAzine)
b) Encouraging verbal prescription orders over written ones
c) Allowing only pharmacists to enter prescriptions into the system
d) Using barcode scanning technology

The correct answer is: d) Using barcode scanning technology

Barcode scanning is one of the most effective error prevention strategies because it ensures the correct medication, dose, and patient are matched, reducing human errors in dispensing.

2. A patient reports that their medication looks different from their usual prescription. What should the pharmacy technician do first?

a) Reassure the patient that generic drugs may look different
b) Immediately dispense a different medication
c) Check the National Drug Code (NDC) number on the bottle
d) Instruct the patient to take it and call back if they notice side effects

The correct answer is: c) Check the National Drug Code (NDC) number on the bottle

The NDC number ensures that the correct medication and strength were dispensed. Medications can look different due to different manufacturers, but verifying the NDC helps confirm accuracy and prevent dispensing errors.

Order Entry and Processing

1. A doctor prescribes Ciprofloxacin 250 mg, and the pharmacy has Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets in stock. How many tablets should the patient take per dose?

a) ½ tablet
b) 1 tablet
c) 1½ tablets
d) 2 tablets

The correct answer is: a) ½ tablet

To obtain the prescribed 250 mg dose using 500 mg tablets:

• 500 mg ÷ 2 = 250 mg
• The patient should take ½ tablet per dose.

2. Which of the following is a key responsibility of a pharmacy technician when handling prescription refills?

a) Changing the dosage if the patient requests a higher strength
b) Refusing to refill a prescription without a new doctor's note
c) Verifying the number of refills allowed before processing
d) Substituting brand-name drugs for generics without approval

The correct answer is: c) Verifying the number of refills allowed before processing

Pharmacy technicians must check refill eligibility before processing a request. If no refills remain, the pharmacy must contact the prescriber for authorization before dispensing more medication.

How to Practice Effectively for the PTCE Exam

Achieving a passing score in the PTCE exam is essential for individuals wishing to work as pharmacists in the US. This makes effective practice an essential requirement for anyone preparing to undertake the test. 

Practice doesn’t have to be excessive or expensive. There are several simple ways to ensure that you are able to polish up your performance and achieve the scores you require. 

Take Timed Practice Tests

Practicing sample questions in itself is useful, but even more so when it’s done under timed conditions. You will have a strict time limit in the PCTE, so taking pharmacy tech practice test questions under timed conditions is crucial.

This way, you can simulate your test experience and improve your ability to answer questions both quickly and accurately. 

Focus on Weaker Areas

By analysing the results of your Pharmacy Technician Certification practice test, you will be able to identify any areas of weakness. This information should then be used to guide further study and practice, strengthening skills and improving knowledge.

Review Detailed Explanations

Once you have completed your pharmacy tech practice test questions, make sure to take time to review the results. Many practice tests will provide you with detailed explanations about the questions you get wrong.

Reading and understanding this information can help you to improve, as you’ll know how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. 

Practice Pharmacy Math Regularly

Dosage and medication questions account for the largest proportion of questions on the exam, so a thorough understanding of this area is essential.

Knowing how to calculate and convert doses will be required throughout the test process, with candidates being asked to complete a range of calculations.

Taking the time to practice dosage and conversion calculations on a daily basis will ensure that you are thoroughly versed in these skills and able to recall the information that you need quickly and efficiently. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many questions are on the PTCE exam?

There are 90 multiple choice questions in total to be completed within 110 minutes. 10 of the questions are unscored.

Is the PTCE exam difficult?

The perception of difficulty varies depending on the individual, but it is considered challenging due to the range of knowledge and detailed understanding required. 

Doing lots of PTCB test preparation, such as practicing with test questions, will improve your success rate and help you to reach your full potential. 

Can I retake the PTCE exam if I fail?

Yes. However, there is a waiting period before you will be eligible to retake the PTCE. You may also be required to pay additional fees.

Are free practice tests as effective as paid ones?

Free tests can help you to identify any areas that might need additional study or revision. But paid test packages will often offer more detailed explanations of incorrect answers and a wider variety of full-length practice exams to take.

What is the best way to prepare for the PTCE exam?

Practice tests are an essential tool when it comes to effective preparation. It’s also important to review the explanations of incorrect answers so you can learn from your mistakes. As well as PTCB practice tests, consistent pharmacy math practice will ensure you can answer questions relating to calculating dosages.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the PTCE Exam with a thorough approach and regular practice is essential for anyone hoping for a passing mark.

Taking the time to work through a range of practice PTCB exam questions as part of your PTCB exam prep will enable you to feel more comfortable and confident on the day of the exam. Taking the time to practice test papers under timed conditions will mean that you are able to answer questions efficiently and accurately under pressure.

It’s also important to take time to review the answers once you have completed a practice assessment. This information will provide guidance when questions have been answered incorrectly and enable you to focus additional study where required.

Effective test preparation doesn’t have to be costly. While paid practice test packages will inevitably provide the best range of exam questions, there are plenty of free PTCB exam questions and resources, that will help to improve performance.