To say that the summer after pharmacy school is not only stressful but an emotional time for pharmacy grads, that would be putting it lightly. You’re not only studying for your licensure boards (NAPLEX, MPJE, and maybe even the CPJE), but you may be starting a residency program or fighting through hundreds of job applications in a crowded market. I remember that dreadful summer of anxiety, automatic emails stating that an employer isn’t interested, and the dread of having to study for the biggest exams of my career. No pressure, right? I figure I’d help lighten the load a little by sharing a few things that you should definitely do before to taking the NAPLEX exam – you know just a little NAPLEX preparation to calm down your nerves and to help keep you focus.
Take a deep breath and relax
No seriously – Preparing for the NAPLEX is very stressful, and you may not even realize how you’ve let your health fall to the waist side because of it. You’ve been training for this very exam for 3 or 4 years, and you have everything that it takes to pass the NAPLEX exam. So take a few deep breaths, do a few yoga poses, and get yourself to relax as best as you can.
I know that that’s easier said than done, but here are some self care resources to help you build a self care routine and to incorporate self care into your daily routine:
- How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine
- 30 Day Self Care Challenge to Decrease Anxiety
- 11 Ways to Invest in Yourself this Year
Read the NAPLEX Candidate Registration Bulletin
Just like any other major test, the NAPLEX has its own special website that shares more information about the exam, such as the types of questions you’ll see, a list of topics that you’ll be tested on, and the skills that you’re expected to demonstrate. While it may be an exam to test your minimum skills as a pharmacist, you’ll still want to take a look at the bulletin, so you can be more familiar with the exam beforehand.
Make the final decision on whether you need a tutor or not
If you type in “NAPLEX preparation”, you’ll find plenty of links to study test materials and maybe even a few for a NAPLEX tutor. Before your test date creeps up on you, you’ll need to decide whether or not you want to invest in a NAPLEX tutor. Not everyone needs a tutor, but it can be a useful tool for those that need the additional help and motivation. I’ve already talked about my experience using Varsity Tutors, and I stand by my opinion – I highly recommend them if you’re ready to take the leap.
For those that haven’t ever heard of a NAPLEX tutor, here are a few things that my tutor helped me with when I was studying for the board exams:
- Boosted my confidence and brighten up my day
- Provided me extra support and resources for topics that I wasn’t comfortable in
- Become my accountability partner to make sure I go through all of the chapters before the big day
- Gave me plenty of practice problems and worked through them with me
Block out 2 weeks before your exam to go over the heavy hitters or weak spots
It’s easy to waste away the two weeks leading up to your exam. You may be rushing to finish the dense study textbook, or you might be hyper fixating on the topics that you already know pretty well. Use the last two weeks before your exam to go over the heavy hitters or any subjects that you may not be the most confident in. Trust me, the extra time spent on specific topics are going to make a world of a difference on the big day.
You’ll not only feel more confident with your skills, but it’ll help you feel more relaxed when it’s time to take the exam. Now the big chapters will always change from year to year, but I remember when I was studying for the exam in 2020 that the chapters for HIV, Diabetes, Infectious Disease, Compounding, and Oncology were pretty thick chapters.
Take the Pre-NAPLEX Exam
Some pharmacy schools require students to take the Pre-NAPLEX before you graduate. If you are one of the lucky ones that doesn’t have to do that, then you’ll be blessed with two attempts to take the Pre-NAPLEX. The Pre-NAPLEX exam is the official NAPLEX practice exam that gives you a realistic idea of what the exam is actually like. I 100% recommend taking the Pre-NAPLEX exam about a week before your real test date.
On the practice exam, you’ll get a chance to answer 100 exam questions from previous exams in a 140 minute time limit. Once completed, you receive a total scaled score that is pretty accurate to what you’ll score on the real thing. While the NABP doesn’t say that, I’ve heard that many students, including myself, had similar NAPLEX scores compared to the Pre-NAPLEX. So I wouldn’t blow it off. Definitely try your best and feel free to push back your exam date if the score isn’t passing.
Prepare for the day of your exam in advance
Trust me that you do not want to be searching around looking for the right clothes, documents, and necessities the day of your exam. You’re probably going to be a little scatterbrained, anxious, and probably a little forgetful in terms of things unrelated to the exam. To avoid forgetting something important and to give yourself the best chance possible to do well, here are some pointers:
- Arrive to the testing area early – If you’re driving a long distance to your exam site, plan to arrive to your accommodations the day (or even days) before. This way your chances of getting into a car crash, having a flat tire, or even getting stuck in traffic are decreased. I also recommend staying at a hotel super close to the testing site, so you don’t have very far to go to get there the morning of.
- Go to bed early – You’re going to be nervous or anxious the day before the exam, and you’ll want to get a full night’s sleep. Go to bed earlier than you normally do to give your mind enough time to shut off completely. Bring your favorite pajamas or comfort tool to help you fully relax.
- Eat a good breakfast and bring snacks – The NAPLEX is a 6 hour exam, and you’re going to eventually get pretty hungry while you’re at the testing site. Before you head on over, stop and eat a good breakfast full of protein and leafy greens. I also recommend throwing a sandwich and snacks in your bag as you’ll get a few breaks in between the long sessions where you can stuff your face quickly.
- Don’t study the night before – I know it’ll be tempting to study the night before, but I promise that nothing you review the night before will stick. Study for the NAPLEX is a long term game and cramming for it just won’t work. Instead of trying to memorize another math equation, take the day before to relax and to enjoy the day.
Do something relaxing the week before the exam
Being stress and anxious obviously makes you pretty tense, especially when you know an important date is looming in the distance. The week before the NAPLEX exam, do something that makes you feel relaxed such as a massage, facial, or a long soak in the hot tub. While it may not be much, you’ll feel so much better and ready to take on the day. Plus you deserve it. You’ve finally at the big finale that you’ve been working so hard for, and you deserve every ounce of happiness. Grab it and hold on to it as tightly as you can!
