So the results are rolling in now, and if you are at all finding this post because you are frantic about finding your results, you will know today or early next week. Mine arrived yesterday and though I am a bit disappointed, I am ready to start studying again as soon as Christmas is over. In hindsight, since it is 20/20, I can say I am proud of how I did. I graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1999. Things have changed a lot since then, including my personal life. I now manage two toddlers, a full-time job, and a part-time gig. (Multi-task much?) I have dreams of all kinds as far as online things are concerned, want to change the world, and decided to take this BCPS challenge on as a way to propel myself, not only in my current knowledge, but as a great resume builder. There are many reasons pharmacists take this test.
The passing score this year is 122. The average was 130. The range was 50-188. Standard deviation 25.
Domain 1: Maximum score 120, Average score 77
Domain 2: Maximum score 50, Average score 33
Domain 3: Maximum score 30, Average score 20
I missed it by very little. I am not at all upset and depressed or any of that. I went into it as a practice because being out of school for 13.5 years is very significant. New drugs have arrived, new guidelines have changed the scope of practice, and residency trained pharmacists along with newer grads (>3 yrs) are the majority of the test takers. This last point may be an incorrect assumption because I do remember a couple of ladies I met who “had something to prove to the younger pharmacists.” I truly hope both of them passed because those are the types that will be a lot more disappointed with a fail letter than me. I have a pharmacist friend that was so upset with her fail that she refused to talk to anyone about it and threw away all the material. I guess if I went into it thinking I would pass, I would feel that way.
Do I plan to retake?
YES.
That was my plan all along, ask anyone who knows me. I know that many may have thought my comments of “It was tricky. I know I didn’t pass or if I did ‘barely.’” was an attempt to pretend or whatever, but it was the truth.
It was tricky.
Know your guidelines.
Realize that A LOT of studying is required unless you have a very diverse clinical program at your large hospital. For example, we don’t see any trauma, very few TPNs, and other big topics on the test.
And if you have children, especially babies/toddlers… it is VERY tough. Where is the time?
I should have taken this back when I had a more clinical position at a larger hospital, wasn’t married, and certainly had no children absorbing every single free moment. So if that’s your current situation, PLEASE for the love of God take the test. It will be tougher later. I am PROOF!
So there. There’s my result (missed it by just a hair)… and had I taken it last year (passing was 111) I would have passed by several points.
Every year is different.
I plan to start studying very soon. May start listening to the lectures in my family van (HA) starting now since I know.
Nothing hard should be attained easily.
Related articles
- BCPS 2012 | a small review of my thoughts of the test (theblondepharmacist.com)
- Community Pharmacists (michaelgrist.wordpress.com)
- The Perfect Medical Model (theblondepharmacist.com)
Sorry to hear. I know you can do it next year!
Thanks… your study sheets were great, btw!
Sorry to hear you did not pass. Your idea of listening to the lectures in the car is a good one; it can really help retention; I listened to them usually just after reading the hard copy. Your idea to start studying right after Christmas is also a good one; my colleagues and I formed a study group and met every 3 weeks from January until end of August, covering two chapters per meetings (reviewed case questions). We obtained the updated study info in May and switched to that. I spent 2-6 hours/day for one week in June reviewing printed material on a “study retreat”. Yes, it’s hard, but yes, it’s worth it. Best wishes for your next attempt!
The listening to lectures was the only way I studied this time. For 5 months. Spent too much time on the big topics and next year will be very ready.
So sorry you didn’t pass. I related to you. I’m a mom of a very young child, graduated in the 90′s, no residency, etc. I busted my butt Studying and was prettu upset after the testthinking there was no way i passed. You’re so right that nothing hard should be attained easily. I ended up passing by a large margin. Huge surprise. I know you’ll pass next year.
What is your job function? Order entry pharmacist? It’s tough being a grad from the nineties and perceived not as smart vs younger grads. I remember when I first graduated having that feeling though
. One day those young ones will be like us 
. No time!!! I plan to make the highest grade next year. 
I’m the Clinical Manager of a 400 bed community hospital. I’ve had this position for 10 years. I also precept students from 4 pharmacy schools.. Prior to that I was Manager of a small hospital and before that a clinical pharmacist. Worked in hospitals my entire career. Graduated with BS in 1995, worked FT while I went back for PharmD. Graduated in 1998. Had a baby in late 2011, so finding time to study was hard. I listened to the audio lectures on my 45 minute commute to and from work, and went through the chapters each 3 times. I started in march. I also had a study buddy and we met once a week to go over the chapter of the week. That helped keep me on track. For stats, I also read the Gaddis articles a few times which helped greatly. I know you’ll do great next year. If you put the effort in, you will be rewarded!
Thanks again for sharing your experience. I am rooting for you. Next year BCPS!
I will have the highest grade or die trying! Hhahahahahahah
Thank you!!
I have a 43 yo daughter doing pure math & science back at uni, she made the Dean’s list this year. She has 4 children 16 to 2. May your Guardian Angel be with you. You inspire this young 73 yo.
Thanks so much for your comments! Made my day!
Does anyone think the $60 “re-grading by hand” option is worth it? I missed the passing grade by one point.
I would do it! If I was one point off definitely.
I’m still awaiting my result but I fully agree this was a VERY challenging test. Best of luck next year, I may be right there with you!
How did you do?
Sorry to hear that. I did not make it in 2011. I appeared again this year. I am yet to get my results and am sitting on pins and needles. I wish you all the best
I agree it was tricky. I work full time job and part time gig also. Graduated with a BS Pharm went back for a Pharm D. Personally I think the whole Pharm D degree is a ruse. All these kids do is a year of rotations sitting around while the school collects money for and extra year. They also get out not knowing much. I have also been disrespected by some of these younger ones. I always believed I could lear from the “older rph’s” but not these kids. Anyway thats my rant. I took the BCPS and knocked it out of the park. So now I am one of only 10,000 in the country. I am convinced this stuff is not in a book. You have to know medicine and it takes years of experience. You can’t learn it in a year “residency”. You wil do it next year! Like to hear your thoughts.
Really admire what you are doing…Best of luck to you next year!! BTW, I saw that you used the “High-Yield Med Review” course for pharmacy. Did that help you much? What t study materials helped you the most? I am thinking of taking the BCPS…Thanks!!
I also used the quizlet flash cards. Should have used them more
I did use the High-Yield Med Review and really enjoyed it. I thought overall it was well worth the money and plan to use that again.
Blond pharmcist you can do it next year. I did not pass last year by 5 points and I spent a lot of time studying way more than all my coworkers who all passed. I read all the bcps review and focused on all the clinical stuff and all the practice questions. Well little did i know that about 50% of the questions were stats, policies and clinical trials stuff. This year i spent way less time and focused mainly on the three i mentioned and of course still aware of the new guidelines that came out early this year. I promised myself to help colleages so they wont have to waste money and effort to retake it because it does cost lots of money. Let me know if you have any questions and i’ll be glad to help.
It’s still a tough pill to swallow huh? Think I’ll email you off-line! Thanks Chad!
I took the test this year and passed. I graduated over 30 years ago and I am in the process of obtaining the non traditional PharmD degree. By passing this test, I am able to skip a rotation that is 200 hours. Concerning the comments about the younger pharmacists disrespecting the older pharmacists, I agree. They look at me like a dinosaur; they don’t consider the many years experience I have as a hospital pharmacist. I believe there is a hierarchy with pharmacists. The pharmacists who are RPh, the PharmD, and the pharmacists who have completed first and second year residency programs. I now hear complaints that pharmacists are hired at the hospital without doing a residency program. There are pharmacy graduates who can’t find a job after graduation. There are even first and second year residents who can’t find a job because of the tight market. I feel it was necessary for me to obtain my PharmD degree and past the BCPS to stay competitive.
I am glad that I am not the only one that feels this way. It is fairly obvious to me that this has been the trend in the city where I used to live and in the smaller one now. I do have a Pharm.D. and see how when I graduated and was much younger had that mindset. Now that I’m on the “other side of the fence,” I am learning the hard way how age/experience doesn’t mean much in institutional pharmacy. Our oldest pharmacists in the field (in past jobs) were talked about like dinosaurs. I do feel that management can change this with fairness in scheduling, showing the respect to all pharmacists (never complaining down), and by utilizing all staff to work toward becoming better practitioners. Since the market is now tighter, employers can be more selective. Congratulations on passing that test! I know I’ll pass in 2013 because I know what to expect and how much material is really covered. I do not think the BCPS will change my job function at my current job; however, I do believe it to be a stepping stone to where I want to be in 5-10 years.
Dear blonde pharmacist .i am 39 as you ,hospital pharmacist ,i admitted to BCPS exam 3 times,my first was a matter of trial,, then i try to study which was very difecult after this years ,2nd year i got 130 and passing score was 133 ,3rd year i got 107 while passing was 111(as you mentioned but total was 180 not 200 this year)
as you express by a copy of bps letter the word of regrets given me the power ,finally i passed .this year..despite i am not american ,i don’t have any idea about american health systems and policies…. my friend it is a challenge.
By the way it has already helped me passing BCPS. My boss called me in and gave me a raise! Keep positive BCPS can help change your status!
I am planning on taking the BCPS Certification Exam for the first time in 2013. To those that have passed the exam, what are some study tips? Are any of those online review courses like High Yield Med Review worth it. It is worth going to the BCPS Review Conference this year in Reno or is this a test you can study for on your own?
I took the 2012 BCPS exam and passed. I was fairly intimidated by the whole process as a 1997 graduate. I found the ACCP Updates in Therapeutics material to be extremely helpful. I did the CE first and then went back and typed out the answers to all of the objectives for each session. It was time consuming but ended up being incredibly helpful for studying. ACCP offered a practice test for $50 that was a great practice as well. It helped me understand how long I could spend on each question and how to pace myself. I also made sure I knew Statistics very well since it is 25% of the exam.
Thank you so much for the insight into how you prepared. I hope this time next year to have the same result!
I thought that the High Yield Med Review was priced fairly and helped in preparing for the test BUT there were some questions that were not relevant… maybe more MCAT based?
The more I read through your posts the closer I relate to your situation. I am a 42 year old father of 4 kids ages 9 to 1. As a European pharmacist BPS certification was practically unknown until now. I graduated in 1992, got married in 1998 and finished a clinical masters in 2002 from a top UK school of pharmacy. My wife got hers a year before me. She was always the brighter spark. That was before our lives became a 24/7 duty caring for babies and toddlers. I came to know about the certification exam during my 8 years working in the Middle East. Should have taken the exam that time when we hadn no kids yet but thought it would be useless when I returned back to my country. Major mistake. I now work in a major hospital where my job is 50/50 between management and clinical. Certification is becoming big time. So I decided to put in all my energy and give it my best shot in 2012 only to postpone after learning last January that our 4th baby was on the way. Now the plan is to take it in 2013. My wife is supporting me though with 4 kids I cannot let my wife to fend on her own,. Time is just not there to set aside for studying. At the end of the day both of us are totally collapsed and eager to just fall in bed. Besides being European I need to get up to scratch on US policies and regulations. So from that side any help and advice on material to study will be greatly appreciated. From the clinical point of view my work does help but being focused mainly on cardiology does leave out big chunks for me to study like endocrinology, psychiatry, neurology, oncology and pediatrics. Am I expecting to much for myself? Honestly I am not sure if I could answer but I do know that I want to pass the test. However what I have read so far makes me uncertain whether this is the right time to take the test. Apart from the fact that I would have to fly out to another country to take the test so I have extra costs to cover. I just cannot afford to fail. Any study tips or “words of wisdom” will be more than welcome. Would be glad to join as a study buddy. Feel free to msg me off line.