Re: the exam

October 6, 2006

Dear Beth,

I took the test in 1996. At that time it was in a very large lecture hall of

USC. I heard only the 'normal' sounds of any classroom during exams: occaisional

cough and turning of test pages. I was not distracted.

However over the years of hearing from many and more recent test takers, more

have been taking tests at hotel conference rooms etc. Some have complained

about room temp/air or heat. I have never heard of a complaint on my site about

noise.

Also after Jan 2007 there should only be computer testing as per the PTCB

announcements. If this is the case I doubt you will have any problems. The tests

will be at 'test centers' across the US.

Hope this helps. And I would like to hear from a recent test taker. Anyone?

Respectfully,

Jeanetta CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

Beth <ebeth1118@...> wrote: If people are

getting up and leaving the room during

the exam, to go to the bathroom, isnt that

distracting? Is the exam very quiet, or do you hear

calculators and pencils tapping? Do they have a

pencil sharpener in the room, and is it noisy? I

need quiet to take a test. Just curious.

Beth

__________________________________________________

October 6, 2006

Hi Beth,

I took the computer-based test last September at one of the Pearson test centers

in the Los Angeles area and I must say I was very pleased with the level of

quietness in the room, the comfort of the workstations, and the promptness of

the attendant to assist me when I had to go to the bathroom and/or needed

another scratch board.

Every time you leave the room you get fingerprinted, and then again when you go

back to the testing room. All of that is done in a very quiet manner. You don't

even hear calculators as they encourage you to use the one provided on your

computer (I did get to use, though, a standard calculator they provided me

with). Also, you won't need a pencil any more - for the computer-based test,

obviously - and you will be using a marker and a little erasable board instead

of scratch paper. They ask you not to erase the scratch-board but you can ask

for a new one should you need it.

I'm not sure if you will be taking the computer-based test or the

paper-and-pencil one, but I hope that this helps. Good luck with your

examination!

Regards,

Luigia F.

the exam

If people are getting up and leaving the room during

the exam, to go to the bathroom, isnt that

distracting? Is the exam very quiet, or do you hear

calculators and pencils tapping? Do they have a

pencil sharpener in the room, and is it noisy? I

need quiet to take a test. Just curious.

Beth

__________________________________________________

October 7, 2006

Dear Luigia,

Thank you so much for your personal account. I found the 'scratch board' very

interesting. I understand why they do not want you to erase it. As a teacher one

can look back and see your errors,, and also determine if you even tried to

write it down or do the problem in your head. This gives some feed back to the

auditors/graders to give to PTCB. I understand that it is graded electronically,

but if ther is a a trend for many who take the exam to miss the same content

question (number will vary ) then it is possible that they can learn much from

reviewing the scratch board to see why. This can help in either rewording the

question or getting it out to pharmacists that techs need more training on a

specific type of math.

Now please tell us if your test was:

a. immediately graded and you got results the SAME day

b. graded shortly thereafter and you go results with in a week

c. still awaiting the results.

Also do you know if all testing sites in US will be Pearson? Or will they also

be other company sponsored? It is possible that other company locations may not

be as comfortable as the one you experienced.

Thanks

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner of this site

" Luigia F. " <luigia@...> wrote:

Hi Beth,

I took the computer-based test last September at one of the Pearson test

centers in the Los Angeles area and I must say I was very pleased with the level

of quietness in the room, the comfort of the workstations, and the promptness of

the attendant to assist me when I had to go to the bathroom and/or needed

another scratch board.

Every time you leave the room you get fingerprinted, and then again when you go

back to the testing room. All of that is done in a very quiet manner. You don't

even hear calculators as they encourage you to use the one provided on your

computer (I did get to use, though, a standard calculator they provided me

with). Also, you won't need a pencil any more - for the computer-based test,

obviously - and you will be using a marker and a little erasable board instead

of scratch paper. They ask you not to erase the scratch-board but you can ask

for a new one should you need it.

I'm not sure if you will be taking the computer-based test or the

paper-and-pencil one, but I hope that this helps. Good luck with your

examination!

Regards,

Luigia F.

October 7, 2006

Dear Jeanetta,

Based on what the PTCB stated in the letters they sent to the pilot group of

test-takers, I was supposed to obtain a pass/fail status immediately after the

completion of the test. Unfortunately, that did not happen and there was

nothing, apparently, that the Pearson staff could have done about it. They said

that the results are electronically sent to PTCB, and Pearson centers don't

maintain any record of the results. What a disappointment!! I wanted to write a

letter to the Board but then I felt it was not worth my time. Bottom line, I am

still awaiting the results, which will be available online and mailed on Oct.

17.

As for the test centers, PTCB stated that you may take your examination at any

of the Pearson VUE Centers. A list of all test centers is available at

http://www.pearsonvue.com/ptcb

Regards,

Luigia.