Ready to Ace the PTCB? Take Our Free Practice Exam!
Challenge your pharmacy tech knowledge with our free PTCB practice test
Use this free PTCB practice exam to check your skills in math, brand‑generic pairs, patient safety, and federal rules - so you can spot gaps and build confidence before the real test. Want more practice after this quiz? Try the full practice or work through extra sample questions.
Study Outcomes
- Perform Accurate Drug Calculations -
Practice solving dosage and concentration problems with PTCB math practice questions to ensure precision in real exam scenarios.
- Differentiate Brand and Generic Names -
Identify common brand-generic pairs to strengthen recall and improve efficiency when encountering drug names on a free PTCB practice test.
- Interpret Pharmacy Regulations -
Apply federal and state guidelines to sample scenarios, building compliance knowledge essential for the pharmacy technician certification practice test.
- Enhance Test-Taking Strategies -
Develop effective approaches for time management and multiple-choice techniques to boost confidence on PTCB exam questions.
- Evaluate Knowledge Gaps -
Analyze performance feedback to pinpoint study needs and create a personalized review plan before the official PTCB practice exam.
Cheat Sheet
- Dimensional Analysis -
Use step”by”step unit cancellation (the "railroad method") to ensure accurate drug conversions, such as mg to mL or mcg to mg. For example, calculate infusion rates by arranging (desired dose mg × volume mL)/(available dose mg) to solve for mL to administer. This approach is endorsed by ASHP as a reliable method for PTCB practice exam drug calculations.
- Ratio and Proportion Method -
Set up the equation (dose on hand)/(quantity on hand) = (dose desired)/(x quantity) to solve typical dosage problems. For instance, if 250 mg is in 5 mL and 150 mg is needed, then 250/5 = 150/x, giving x = 3 mL. This method is covered in many university pharmacy programs, including UCSF's School of Pharmacy curriculum.
- Brand-Generic Equivalency -
Memorize common pairs with flashcards or the mnemonic "Always Go GENERIC First" to link brand names like Lipitor to atorvastatin and Zoloft to sertraline. The FDA's Orange Book is the authoritative reference for checking therapeutic equivalence. Regular review of these pairs boosts speed on PTCB exam questions.
- DEA Controlled Substance Schedules -
Learn that Schedule II drugs (e.g., morphine, oxycodone) have high abuse potential and strict prescribing rules, while Schedule V drugs (e.g., codeine cough syrup) have lower controls. A helpful mnemonic is "High Two, Low Five." Always verify exact definitions in the DEA's official scheduling guidelines.
- Prescription Abbreviations & Sig Codes -
Master commonly used abbreviations like "BID" for twice daily and "qd" for once daily, while avoiding error”prone terms flagged on The Joint Commission's "Do Not Use" list. For example, always expand "qd" to "once daily" on labels to minimize misinterpretation. Routine use of TJC's updated list reduces risky mistakes in pharmacy technician practice.