Looking to get certified as a pharmacy technician? Then you have to take the PTCB, which means you’ll need the best PTCB study guide. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam is a test that allows qualified pharmacy technicians to call themselves certified pharmacy technicians. In that sense, passing the test signifies that the pharmacy technician has had enough training and is quite knowledgeable in the field.
Since the test was first conducted in 1995, 71% of those who took the PTCB exam were able to get their certification from the board. It sounds easy, right? It actually is not because you have to consider that only about 57% of those who took the test from 2014 to 2018 was able to pass the test. That means that the PTCB exam is steadily becoming a more difficult test to pass.
In that case, you need to be able to equip yourself with the best tools needed for you to not only pass the PTCB exam but to also get the highest score possible so that you will end up standing out among the certified pharmacy technicians. If that is your goal, then you have to use the best PTCB study guides available today.
If you want to just get back to studying, get our top pick for PTCB study guide here.
Last update: 2024-05-02
Our Favorite for Best Overall PTCB Study Guide (the best out of the bunch)
Mosby's Pharmacy Technician Exam Review by James Mizner
Mosby is one of the most widely known names in the test prep industry especially when the books are related to the medical field. That means that Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Exam Review is surely a high-quality PTCB exam study guide to use if you are looking for a material that is as complete as any book can get.
The content review portion of this book does not seem to stuff you with a lot of information although this PTCB study guide is as thorough as it gets. The concepts are laid out in a very well-organized manner that does not scream at you. It uses outlines, flashcards, and test-taking tips to make it simpler for you to remember and retain all of the necessary concepts you need for the PTCB exam.
The chapters are easily broken down depending on the topics covered so that you can just simply skim from chapter to chapter if you are looking for specific topics you would like to focus on. And the chapters are so thorough and informative that you can even learn what you need to know about being a pharmacy technician without having to take courses or have experience in the field.
But what really makes this book stand out are the PTCB practice test questions. It has over 1,700 PTCB sample questions you can use to help hone your knowledge and your test-answering skills. The PTCB practice tests also follow the blueprint used by the actual PTCB exam so that you will be able to adjust to the type of questions that are going to be asked in the test.
Overall, it is as complete as a PTCB study guide as any can be. It provides you with everything you need both in information and PTCB practice questions. Simply put, you probably would not need another PTCB test prep material if you have this book in your arsenal.
What makes it unique:
- It is both informative and full of PTCB practice questions.
- The chapters are all very neatly organized and manages to use different types of tools (such as electronic flash cards) to make learning interactive.
Why choose this book:
- It can be your primary and only PTCB study material because it simply has it all.
- The PTCB practice questions will drill the concepts in your head and will allow you to adjust to the actual PTCB’s style of questioning.
- Mizner Jr RPh MBA, James J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 353 Pages - 09/04/2019 (Publication Date) - Elsevier (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
PTCB Exam Study Guide by Test Prep Books
Test Prep Books' material for the PTCB exam is one of the more concise books you can get on the market. PTCB Exam Study Guide might not seem very comprehensive and complete to you at first because it is not a very thick material but this PTCB prep book is actually quite thorough as it provides you with a holistic approach to your preparation.
Reading through this PTCB study guide does not seem like a chore because it has a way of hitting the spot directly. It goes right to the meat of the topics so that you can immediately understand and digest the information given. In a sense, it is a good choice for those looking to save a lot of time as it helps you recall the topics in the most efficient way possible.
Despite how concise it is, it never forgets to provide you with the best explanation needed for you to understand certain terms and concepts. Each chapter also explains the topics to you through practical application so that you could immediately digest the concepts. Simply put, it makes things a lot more simple to you.
Another aspect that makes this PTCB study guide stand out is how well-detailed the answer explanations are. If you read through the answer explanations after making a mistake in the PTCB sample test, it is like you are going through a high-quality tutorial session on how to get the answer right. It does so in a way that directly speaks to you so that you would know where you need to improve.
In conclusion, this PTCB study guide is one you should have if you want a material that does not beat around the bush in providing you with the things you need to get a passing score in the exam. It also makes for a good alternative to all of the other PTCB prep materials in case you feel like those books are too heavy for you to read through.
What makes it unique:
- It delivers the topics in a short and concise but very accurate and thorough manner.
- You get to understand certain concepts in their practical application so that you can easily absorb them.
Why choose this book:
- It will not waste a lot of your time and effort since this is a pretty short and quick read.
- If you believe that you only need the best PTCB study guide for helping your recall what you already know, then go for this test prep material.
![Pharmacy Technician Certification Study Guide 2019 & 2020: PTCB Exam Study Guide 2019-2020 and Practice Book [Includes Detailed Answer Explanations]](https://www.conqueryourexam.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TlRFclZHMXdhRmxvZUV3dWFuQm58MTcxNDkxOTUxMg=)
- Test Prep Books (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 149 Pages - 05/22/2019 (Publication Date) - Test Prep Books (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
The Runners-Up for Best PTCB Exam Prep Books (still good but a little lacking)
PTCB Exam Simplified by David Heckman
The title of the book says it all. PTCB Exam Simplified really does make the PTCB blueprint a lot more simple as what is usually something that is so overwhelmingly complicated can be understood in a single PTCB study guide that breaks down the boring topics into things that are interesting and easy to read through.
The truth of the matter is that the topics covered by the PTCB exam can swamp any kind of student because of how voluminous they can get. But this PTCB study guide simplifies things by using smart visual aids and illustrations to break the monotony of reading through endless words. Doing so also makes it more interesting for you to go through hundreds of terms and concepts while also helping you retain the important information needed for you to get a passing mark in the PTCB.
Moreover, the author also provides you with very easy strategies for interpreting prescriptions and for solving pharmacy-related mathematical problems. This PTCB prep material teaches you those secrets using step-by-step guides that are actually pretty easy to follow. And when you already feel like you are up to the task, there is a PTCB practice test that promises to be more than capable of preparing you for the actual test.
In short, this PTCB study guide really does have a way of making the PTCB topics feel simple than what they really are. You do not have to go buy books that tend to be too technical and wordy in the way they approach your preparation because this PTCB prep material has its own way of providing you with a simplified way of getting a passing score in the exam.
What makes it unique:
- It simplifies things using illustrations and visual aids that are quite interesting and easy to understand.
- Certain sections use step-by-step instructions that allow you to understand important concepts.
Why choose this book:
- It makes all of the topics and concepts seem so simple especially for those who do not have a background in the field of pharmacy.
- This PTCB study guide is literally very handy and you can carry it around wherever you go.
- Heckman PharmD, David A (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 242 Pages - 12/17/2019 (Publication Date) - David Heckman Media (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
Secrets of the PTCB Exam Study Guide by Mometrix
Mometrix is not exactly known for making test prep books that are compact and concise but Secrets of the PTCB Exam Study Guide is actually unique in the sense that it offers you a short review experience that still is up to par in terms of quality.
Promising to be a beginner-friendly material, PTCB Exam Study Guide explains to you the concepts and topics covered by the PTCB exam in a way that is very concise and easy to understand. The short explanations break down the different topics while also providing you with a digested overview of the aspects of the PTCB exam.
As short as it is, it does not skimp out on quality as it still provides you with enough confidence in your knowledge to get a good score in the PTCB exam. It is basically a textbook that was digested and shortened in the best way possible so that you can still get the benefits of a good PTCB book in a material that is as compact as any can be.
The PTCB practice test questions add a nice final touch to this study material as you can test out what you have learned in a way that is so similar to the actual exam. And, of course, the answer explanations can help make you understand your mistakes in a PTCB practice test that is considered quite challenging compared to other study materials.
What makes it unique:
- It is very short and concise in its explanations but still is quite informative.
- The PTCB practice test questions are very challenging and are probably more difficult than the actual test.
Why choose this book:
- Short on time? If yes, then you can understand the PTCB concepts pretty well by using this test prep material.
- Choose this book for the practice test because of how it really has a way of challenging you in preparation for the actual PTCB exam.
- PTCB Exam Secrets Test Prep Team (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 03/15/2016 (Publication Date) - Mometrix Media LLC (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
The Best Value for Your Money for an PTCB Study Guide (good and affordable)
Barron's PTCE by Sacha Koborsi-Tadros
The common norm in the world is that things that are sold at affordable prices are most likely subpar or even poor in terms of quality. However, Barron’s PTCE is a PTCB study guide that does not follow the norm and delivers you a high-quality review experience for a price that is easy on the wallet.
It might be cheap but it approaches your review from all angles and provides you with all of the information you need to get a good score in the PTCB. Depending on how you use it, it can be both concise and thorough at the same time to the point that those with experience in the field and those with no knowledge of pharmacy can get good results by using this PTCB study guide.
As you go through the book, you will encounter PTCB sample questions that are designed to help you keep track of the things you have just read. But, if you used this PTCB study guide religiously and thoroughly read its contents, you probably do not even have to worry about whether you retained the information or not because the book is quite organized despite how comprehensive it is.
Its test-taking strategies are also very well-written and helpful for those who want to “cheat” their way through the exam. These tips are great at teaching you how to point out which answers are wrong and which one is correct even if you really did not know the correct answer.
That said, even if you were not able to remember everything on the book or even if there were things in the test that were not taught in this PTCB study material, you can still find yourself doing well in the test because this study guide helps you prepare in all other aspects.
What makes it unique:
- It is very well-organized and allows you to learn the book comprehensively without tiring out.
- The test-taking strategies allow you to “cheat” your way through questions you do not know the answers to.
Why choose this book:
- This is one of the few PTCB study books that are affordable but still up to par in terms of quality.
- Whether or not you have a background in pharmacy, using this PTCB study guide allows you to get a good chance at passing the test especially because of its tips and strategies.
- Koborsi-Tadros PharmD, Sacha (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 10/01/2019 (Publication Date) - Barrons Educational Services (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
Summary of the Best PTCB Study Guides
To sum up, here are the study guides we looked at today:
Last update: 2024-05-02
The PTCB exam is a two-hour test that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. Among those 90 questions, only 80 are scored. It might sound a bit simple but there is a reason why there is a decreasing trend in the PTCB exam passing rate. This exam not only tests your knowledge but also how cool and collected you are under time pressure.
In that case, using any of the best PTCB study guides allows you to approach the exam with confidence as you already know yourself that you have already read and practiced enough to improve your knowledge and test-taking skills in preparation for the actual exam.
If you found this post helpful, you’ll also enjoy a list of our detailed guides on medical school books here.
Below are some other medical review books to help you get started:
