PEBC - The Evaluating Examination - Evaluating Examination Design and Style

Pharmacist Evaluating Examination Design and Style

The examination is CLOSED BOOK and therefore candidates are NOT permitted to have any textbooks, papers or notes of any kind in the immediate area of their examination tables or desks.

Most of the style conventions of the Pharmacist Evaluating Examination will become evident as you work through the sample questions provided in this booklet.

Questions about drugs are based on issues that are relevant to practice, and generally concern those most commonly prescribed or those recommended for use in a certain situation.

Laboratory values and drug levels will be reported in the International System of Units (SI).

Abbreviations and symbols used will be those an entry-level pharmacist should recognize and will be written in accordance with SI and other health care publications.

Style Conventions

SI Units:

The answers in calculation questions and the majority of values presented will be in SI (metric) units. However, you may be required to convert from the avoirdupois or apothecary systems before performing your calculation in instances where the conversion factor should be commonly known by an entry-level pharmacist (e.g. pounds to kilograms).

Drug Names:

Generally a drug will be referred to by its generic or common name. In those instances where a specific trade name is used, its generic or common name will also be given.

Language:

Negative words, such as NOT, NEVER, and EXCEPT are capitalized and printed in boldface, in order to draw your attention to the kind of response expected.

EXAMPLE: All of the following statements are correct, EXCEPT:

Numeric Formatting:

Decimal Separator

In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a period is generally used as a decimal separator. EXAMPLE: two and four-tenths is represented by “2.4".

In Canadian French documents, a comma is used as a decimal separator.

EXAMPLE: two and four-tenths is represented by “2,4".

Thousands Separator

In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a comma is generally used as a thousands separator. For example, two thousand five hundred is represented by “2,500".

Sometimes no thousands separator is seen, for example, “2500".

Often, when there are two numbers to the left of the thousands separator, a space is used. For example, twelve thousand five hundred may be represented by “12 500".

In Canadian French documents, a space is used as a thousands separator, for example “2 500".

PEBC has tried to standardize the numeric format on written examinations to use a comma as a thousands separator; however, as noted in various medical references, the other previously mentioned formats may also be seen.

In Summary: two thousand = 2,000 = 2000 = 2 000

Formulas:

The formulas will be printed in each Examination Booklet and therefore do not need to be memorized. Molecular and atomic weights will be supplied when necessary.

Standardized PEBC Calculators:

A PEBC standardized model, scientific calculator, removed from its case, will be provided to all candidates of PEBC written examinations. The model is SHARP Scientific calculator EL-510R. A picture layout of the calculator and basic instructions for use are provided to assist you in familiarizing yourself with this calculator in advance of the examination date. This information will also be printed in each Examination Booklet.

Format of Examination Questions

The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. You will be required to select the best answer from the responses listed. In some questions, you may believe there is a better answer than those provided. You should always mark the answer that is best among the responses that accompany the question. Two examination question formats will be used in the examination: single answer, and combined-response, described below:

Classic Single-Answer Question (Type A)

This type of question requires that you answer a question or complete a statement by choosing a single best response of those provided, as in the following example:

The cephalosporins act by:

a. inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
b. altering the function and permeability of the cell membrane.
c. inhibiting protein synthesis.
d. inhibiting translation of genetic information.
e. inhibiting synthesis of essential metabolites.

Combined-Response Question (Type K)

To answer this type of question you must determine whether the best answer consists of one, two, or all three of the components listed. You must select a response that contains ALL OF THE CORRECT information but NO INCORRECT information. Each of the combined-response questions will always have the same set of possible alternatives:

a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II only
d. II and III only
e. I, II and III

as shown in the following example:

Suitable antioxidants for an aqueous vehicle would include:
I vitamin E.
II ascorbic acid.
III ethylenediamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA).

a. I only
b. III only
c. I and II only
d. II and III only
e. I, II and III

A selection of examples of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are found in the Evaluating Examination Sample Questions section.

Top of Page

The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination Contents The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination Introduction General Information Application Procedure The Days of the Examination Preparing for the Examination Taking the Evaluating Examination Examination Results Evaluating Examination Design and Style Evaluating Examination Subject Areas Evaluating Examination Sample Questions Formulas Calculators Pharmaceutical References & Learning Resources Application Form Form 100-E Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application
	The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination
	Pharmacist Evaluating Examination Design and Style The examination is CLOSED BOOK and therefore candidates are NOT permitted to have any textbooks, papers or notes of any kind in the immediate area of their examination tables or desks. Most of the style conventions of the Pharmacist Evaluating Examination will become evident as you work through the sample questions provided in this booklet. Questions about drugs are based on issues that are relevant to practice, and generally concern those most commonly prescribed or those recommended for use in a certain situation. Laboratory values and drug levels will be reported in the International System of Units (SI). Abbreviations and symbols used will be those an entry-level pharmacist should recognize and will be written in accordance with SI and other health care publications. Style Conventions SI Units: The answers in calculation questions and the majority of values presented will be in SI (metric) units. However, you may be required to convert from the avoirdupois or apothecary systems before performing your calculation in instances where the conversion factor should be commonly known by an entry-level pharmacist (e.g. pounds to kilograms). Drug Names: Generally a drug will be referred to by its generic or common name. In those instances where a specific trade name is used, its generic or common name will also be given. Language: Negative words, such as NOT, NEVER, and EXCEPT are capitalized and printed in boldface, in order to draw your attention to the kind of response expected. EXAMPLE: All of the following statements are correct, EXCEPT: Numeric Formatting: Decimal Separator In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a period is generally used as a decimal separator. EXAMPLE: two and four-tenths is represented by “2.4". In Canadian French documents, a comma is used as a decimal separator. EXAMPLE: two and four-tenths is represented by “2,4". Thousands Separator In the English language (including Canadian English documents), a comma is generally used as a thousands separator. For example, two thousand five hundred is represented by “2,500". Sometimes no thousands separator is seen, for example, “2500". Often, when there are two numbers to the left of the thousands separator, a space is used. For example, twelve thousand five hundred may be represented by “12 500". In Canadian French documents, a space is used as a thousands separator, for example “2 500". PEBC has tried to standardize the numeric format on written examinations to use a comma as a thousands separator; however, as noted in various medical references, the other previously mentioned formats may also be seen. In Summary: two thousand = 2,000 = 2000 = 2 000 Formulas: The formulas will be printed in each Examination Booklet and therefore do not need to be memorized. Molecular and atomic weights will be supplied when necessary. Standardized PEBC Calculators: A PEBC standardized model, scientific calculator, removed from its case, will be provided to all candidates of PEBC written examinations. The model is SHARP Scientific calculator EL-510R. A picture layout of the calculator and basic instructions for use are provided to assist you in familiarizing yourself with this calculator in advance of the examination date. This information will also be printed in each Examination Booklet. Format of Examination Questions The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination consists entirely of multiple-choice questions. You will be required to select the best answer from the responses listed. In some questions, you may believe there is a better answer than those provided. You should always mark the answer that is best among the responses that accompany the question. Two examination question formats will be used in the examination: single answer, and combined-response, described below: Classic Single-Answer Question (Type A) This type of question requires that you answer a question or complete a statement by choosing a single best response of those provided, as in the following example: The cephalosporins act by: a. inhibiting cell wall synthesis. b. altering the function and permeability of the cell membrane. c. inhibiting protein synthesis. d. inhibiting translation of genetic information. e. inhibiting synthesis of essential metabolites. Combined-Response Question (Type K) To answer this type of question you must determine whether the best answer consists of one, two, or all three of the components listed. You must select a response that contains ALL OF THE CORRECT information but NO INCORRECT information. Each of the combined-response questions will always have the same set of possible alternatives: a. I only b. III only c. I and II only d. II and III only e. I, II and III as shown in the following example: Suitable antioxidants for an aqueous vehicle would include: I vitamin E. II ascorbic acid. III ethylenediamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). a. I only b. III only c. I and II only d. II and III only e. I, II and III A selection of examples of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are found in the Evaluating Examination Sample Questions section. Top of Page
	Home Page l About Us l Assessors for OSCE l What's New at PEBC Document Evaluation l The Evaluating Exam l The Qualifying Exam l Links Provincial and Territorial Licensing Authorities l Members of the PEBC Board l Contact Us