The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada

Le Bureau des examinateurs en pharmacie du Canada

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs are organized based on the following sections:

About Computer-Based Testing (CBT) .................................................................................................2

Applications & Scheduling ..................................................................................................................3
Admission to the Exam.......................................................................................................................5
What to Expect During the Exam ........................................................................................................6
What to Expect at the End of the Exam ...............................................................................................8

If you cannot find answers to your questions here,

please email [email protected] with CBT in the subject line.
 ABOUT COMPUTER-BASED TESTING (CBT)
What is CBT?
CBT is a way to deliver exams through computers. Questions are displayed on the screen and
the candidate selects the best answer using the keyboard and/or mouse.

Can I use my own computer at home?

No. You will go to one of Prometric’s secure test centres and sit for exam under supervision.

Why is PEBC moving to computer-based testing?

CBT significantly improves access and flexibility to the exams for candidates. You will be able to
schedule the exam closer to home by picking your preferred location. You will also be able to
pick from different dates and times that work best for you.
CBT also offers additional security with respect to screening and monitoring of candidates to
ensure only those that are approved to sit for the exam are admitted and to minimize the
potential for cheating.

How was PEBC able to shorten the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ)?
PEBC used assessment consultants to determine the number of scored questions needed to
have a reliable assessment of competence while staying true to the exam blueprint. The
consultants confirmed that reducing the exam to 150 scored questions would still allow PEBC to
assess competence for entry-to-practice as a pharmacist validly and reliably.

It looks like I have less time per question than before.

That is correct. The amount of time allocated per question has decreased. Two significant
changes minimize the impact of the decrease in time. The first is that in 2016, PEBC reduced the
number of options on each question from five to four, without decreasing the time provided.
This resulted in decreased amount of time required for reading. The second change is that with
CBT, you no longer have to fill out the bubbles on the answer sheet, which can be time-
consuming. Directly responding to the questions on the screen makes it easier to select and
double-check your answers a lot more quickly. These two changes should minimize any impact
from the reduction in time.

Will I have a choice of taking the exam in paper-and-pencil or computer-based format?

No. Beginning in November 2017, PEBC will only offer the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination
Part I (MCQ) in a computer-based format.

What computer skills do I need to take an exam via computer?

You should be familiar with the use of a mouse and keyboard. A brief tutorial will be available
to you before taking the exam.

To see the demo tutorial of computer-based testing, please click here.

2
 APPLICATIONS & SCHEDULING

Will the application process change for CBT?

No. The application process for the exam has not changed. You must complete the application
online and the hard copy and supporting documentation must be received at the PEBC office no
later than the application deadline. Please refer to the PEBC website for more information
about applying for the exam.

When is the date of the examination?

Starting in November, the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) will be a single day
exam. You will be able to schedule your exam on any date between Friday, November 10 and
Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Exam dates for future exams can be found on PEBC’s website.

When can I schedule my exam?

After your application has been processed, PEBC will send you an invitation to register online
with Prometric to schedule your exam appointment. On Prometric's website, you will be able to
select your desired date, time and location to sit for the exam from the available options. Try to
schedule your appointment as early as possible to have the most options.

PEBC will begin sending the invitations around the time of the application deadline and
continue over the course of 4 to 6 weeks. Invitations are sent to candidates in the order that
complete applications are received and processed by PEBC. If you have not received your
invitation 6 weeks after the application deadline, send an email to [email protected].

Make sure to add ‘@pebc.ca’ as a safe sender to your email account so that you receive the
invitation in your inbox.

Can I schedule the MCQ on the same day as the OSCE?

You should not schedule both Parts of the exam on the same day as you will not receive
confirmation of which OSCE session (morning or afternoon) you have been registered for until
one or two weeks before the exam. If the OSCE session conflicts with your MCQ exam
appointment, you will be responsible for any reschedule fees charged by Prometric to change
your exam appointment (see below).

3
Can I change my exam appointment after scheduling?
Yes. You may reschedule your exam appointment up to 2 calendar days before your scheduled
exam date. PEBC cannot guarantee the availability of the preferred time or location as the exam
dates approach.

Any changes to scheduling are done directly through Prometric’s website and subject to the
following conditions:

 30 calendar days or more before scheduled exam date – no fee

 29 to more than 2 calendar days before scheduled exam date – approx. $50 fee*
 Less than 2 calendar days before scheduled exam date – not permitted

*The fee is paid directly to Prometric. No refunds for the change fee will be provided.

Can I schedule myself for more than one exam appointment and decide which one to keep
later?
No. You will be permitted to schedule one appointment only. Your original appointment will be
released when you reschedule your exam.

What do I need to do if I want to withdraw from the exam?

You must cancel your scheduled appointment through Prometric and notify PEBC in writing as
soon as possible.

What are the refund policies for CBT?

The refund policies for all PEBC exams remain the same.

Are special accommodations available for CBT?

Yes. Candidates with functional limitations can apply to PEBC for special accommodations.
Available accommodations include extended time, separate rooms, adjustable height tables,
screen magnifiers, etc. Candidates must submit a request and supporting documentation as
early as possible ahead of the application deadline. PEBC will review the requests and
determine if it will grant accommodations. Prometric will work with candidates to schedule
their exam with approved accommodations. Please refer to the PEBC website for more
information about requesting special accommodations.

Is the exam available in French?

The exam will be available in French, but will no longer be a bilingual exam. The language you
request on your application will be the only language administered on the exam. You will not be
able to change the language of the exam on exam day.

4
 ADMISSION TO THE EXAM
What does the admission process look like?
You should arrive at the test centre 30 minutes before your exam. You will be asked to present
valid, official government photo ID upon arrival. The Test Center Administrator (TCA) will
provide you a key and assign a locker, in which to store your belongings, as you are not
permitted to bring any items with you into the exam room.

You will undergo a security check-in, which will include:

 verifying your appearance against your ID and the photo you provided to PEBC;
 having a digital photograph taken along with your fingerprints;
 being asked to empty your pockets, roll up your sleeves and lift your pant legs
 being scanned by a metal detector
 having any eye glasses inspected

Note: You will be seated on a first come, first served basis at the test centre, based on your
scheduled appointment time. You should expect to start your exam immediately after being
checked-in if there is a computer terminal available, even if you arrive early. However, please
note that at busy times, it may take up to 30 minutes after your appointment time to be
seated. This will not affect your testing time and you will receive the full testing time
regardless of when you are seated at the computer terminal.

For full details, review the Candidate Information for Pharmacist Computer-Based Examinations
and click here to watch a video, which will demonstrate what to expect at the test centre on
exam day.

I am pregnant, is the metal detector safe?

The metal detector does not emit any harmful radiation. Extensive research by the metal
detector manufacturer, Garrett, has produced NO information that would indicate that the use
of this product has adverse effects on pregnancies, on unborn children, or on minor children

I wear a head covering, will I be asked to remove it?

If the TCA is unable to verify your identity, you may be asked to step into a private area with a
TCA to confirm your identity. The TCA may also scan over your head covering with a metal
detector to confirm that no prohibited items are being concealed.

What can I bring into the exam room?

You are only permitted to bring in your identification and an erasable board and marker
provided by Prometric to make notes. An onscreen scientific calculator will be available on the
computer.
Prometric provides headphones to help reduce noise from other candidates; however, you may
also request earplugs from the TCA, if needed.

5
You are NOT permitted to bring anything into the exam room, including, but not limited to:
- beverages (including water) and snacks of any kind;
- medical devices without prior approval by PEBC;
- handheld calculators, watches or other electronic devices

If you need to bring in an item into the exam room for medical or religious reasons,
you must request a special accommodation before the application deadline and your
request will be reviewed. See PEBC’s process for requesting special
accommodations.

You may access your beverages and snacks during a break by placing them above the
lockers or other designated areas of the test centre. (See break details below.)
Candidates are supervised in the exam room by the TCAs who observe candidates by regularly
walking through the exam room and by monitoring the cameras that are placed above each
computer station.

Why is PEBC undertaking all of the security checks?

It is important for PEBC to ensure that only those candidates who are eligible and registered for
the exam, are admitted to take the exam and to minimize the potential for cheating. This
protects the value of PEBC’s certification whereby only candidates who have demonstrated
competence will achieve certification.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE EXAM

How long is the exam?
You will have a total of 4.5 hours that starts when you sit down at the computer, which will
include time for a brief tutorial, the exam itself and a brief feedback survey.

If I skip the tutorial, can I have more time for the exam?

Each portion of the exam is timed separately, so skipping the tutorial or finishing it quickly will
NOT give you added testing time. In addition, each section of the exam is timed separately, so
finishing the first section early will not provide you with added time in the following section.

What happens if I run out of time?

The exam will end once the time remaining reaches zero. You will not have any further
opportunities to answer questions. You will not receive credit for any unanswered questions.
The countdown clock will display warnings at 30 minutes, 15 minutes and 5 minutes prior to the
end of the sections to remind you that the time is almost finished.

6
How is the exam designed?
Just like the paper and pencil version of the Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ), the exam
consists of individual (stand-alone) questions and case-based questions that relate to a
scenario. Each question will have only one correct, best-possible answer.
The exam consists of 200 questions: 150 scored and 50 pretest questions. The pretest questions
will not count towards your overall performance.
The exam will have two sections with 100 questions in each section. The pretest questions will
be randomly distributed in each section. You are able to go back and forth between questions
within a section, however, once you have completed a section, you cannot return to questions
in a previous section.
Note: if you reach the last question of a section and click ‘Next’, you will receive a warning
asking you if you want to ‘Finish’ the section. If you have time remaining, you can click ‘No’
and return to the questions within that section. Once you have confirmed that you want to
‘Finish’ the section 3 times, you cannot go back to that section.

Why can I not go back to a previous section? I was able to do so in the paper-and-pencil
exam.

For the purpose of exam security, controls have been built in to restrict moving between
questions to those within the same section. This is no different from the two-day paper-and-
pencil exam where candidates on the second day were unable to return to the questions from
the first day.

Are there breaks during the exam?

There are no scheduled breaks during the exam. You are able to take an unscheduled break to
use the washroom or have a drink/snack within the exam centre. However, the time remaining
on your exam will continue to count down.
Raise your hand and one of the test centre administrators (TCA) will let you leave the exam
room. You will need to check out and check back in, every time you leave the exam room.

What do I do if I need help?

If you need any help, raise your hand and remain seated. A Test Center Administrator (TCA) will
come to you.
On the rare occasion, the computer may become unresponsive. If that occurs, call the TCA
over and the TCA will restart your computer. Rest assured that the computer would have
captured all of your responses and you will NOT lose any time on the exam.
The TCAs are unable to answer any questions related to the content of the exam; however,
they will note any issues for PEBC staff to follow-up on as necessary.

7
 WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE END OF THE EXAM
Do I get my results when I am done the exam?
When you check out of the exam, Prometric will email you a 'Notice of Completion'. This Notice
will also serve as your official receipt for the exam. Please keep this email as another official
receipt will not be provided.
PEBC will continue to undertake the same processes in determining and reporting exam results,
on a pass-fail basis, 6 to 8 weeks after the exam.