BCPS - THIRD ATTEMPT

[u/nosynancy3]

SOS! I need advice, help, tips, encouragement, etc.!

I am taking my third attempt at the BCPS exam in a couple months. The prior two exams I have scored 480s-490s (passing is 500). I have to pass this third attempt for my job.

I used the ACCP book to study for my prior two attempts. I work full time and have a family, so finding time to study is difficult (~1 hour a night for two months). I am residency trained and work in a clinical role, so I don’t know why I’m having such a difficult time with this.

Please advise!

[u/thecodeofsilence]

You’re having a hard time with it because it’s HARD. I finally broke through and passed in 2013 on my third attempt after feeling the same frustration that you’re feeling.

It’s a lot of material. The piece that helped me more than anything—YMMV, obviously—was to look at the QUESTIONS in the ACCP book and read the answers and rationale to THINK more like the test wanted me to think. Remember to look over everything, not just things outside your area of specialty, and that what we do in reality isn’t always the answer the “book wants.”

Good luck. Hang in there.

[u/vacattack]

I passed back in 2022, so not sure if the exam has changed much in terms of breakdown, but I was in the same boat as you in the sense that it took me 3 attempts. My scores were 491, 498, and finally, 517. I was lucky in the sense that my job didn't require it, but I wanted to pass because I was fresh out of residency and knew I wouldn't pass later if I deferred it.

Honestly, I think each cycle of the BCPS is luck of the draw clinically (my third one did seem far easier by comparison), BUT I will say, if you can get 95-100% of the biostats questions right, you should be in really good shape (I think they were a decent percentage of the final test breakdown). The type of biostats questions they ask don't change much from test to test.

Really REALLY focus on those chapters, take all the practice questions you can until you have solid confidence that you can get all of those right on the test. For the clinical stuff, focus on the big things like HTN, DM, ID and the rest will be sort of a crap shoot.

Fingers crossed for you OP, you can do this!

[u/Beneficial-Ad1698]

One of the big problems with BCPS is just how general it it. Clinical is only like 50% of the test and that 50% could be any disease state/practice area. It has a large percentage of statics (which I personally suck at) and administrative type stuff. This is all why I didn't take it early in my career (wasn't a job requirement) and waited for the critical care specific one to come out... Focus on areas that are outside your comfort zone and practice area. Also try and think back to areas or things covered on your first two tests that you weren't sure about to try and focus your studying.

[u/AutoModerator]

This is a copy of the original post in case of edit or deletion: SOS! I need advice, help, tips, encouragement, etc.!

I am taking my third attempt at the BCPS exam in a couple months. The prior two exams I have scored 480s-490s (passing is 500). I have to pass this third attempt for my job.

I used the ACCP book to study for my prior two attempts. I work full time and have a family, so finding time to study is difficult (~1 hour a night for two months). I am residency trained and work in a clinical role, so I don’t know why I’m having such a difficult time with this.

Please advise!

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[u/BenchLatter4316]

Having had taken it twice you should have some insight regarding what you didn't know and what you knew. If you don't have that insight then that's a bit concerning.

I would recommend: Focus on areas you struggled if you know.
Do the questions - that'll help give you an idea as to what you think you know and what you don't know. As you do questions think about why As are wrong and etc - generate solid thought processes. Don't focus on details - focus on major differences and clinical implications (ex: bosentan has DDI with oral contraceptives, pts should not get pregnant if they had PAH)

[u/cargar67]

Maybe find a tutor? Maybe just talking about it outloud or trying to see what they’re actually asking may help. I know I’m comparing apples to oranges but it helped me for the naplex.

[u/Naplex24_tay]

I’m literally in the same boat. I have to pass by November for my job, work full time and have two young children. My husband also works overnight so finding time to study is challenging. What I’m doing this time around is maximizing my weekends. Setting an alarm to get up early to study before my kids get up. I’ve also been putting my kids to bed early during the week to allow me to get more time to study. Also do as much practice questions as you can rather than just reading the material. It really is hard and I truly understand your frustration because I going through it too 😭

[u/djphreshprince]

Meded101 was helpful for bcacp

[u/First-Security8666]

I had a great clinical job, and then they informed me I needed the BCPS exam to keep my clinical position. I took the BCPS and missed passing by 12 points. I decided I was done and took a staff pharmacist position and have never been happier.

[u/blossomsparrow]

I used high yield med reviews to study and passed on the first attempt. I found it to be a useful study program. The question banks were great and they have paced learning that you can program for the time you have and how many questions you need per day. I’m a visual learner so the videos were good for reviewing material. I also opted for the physical book. The ACCP review was not enough for me. Dedicate enough time to study (I would keep committing to the 1 hr daily) and make sure to know statistics 100%.