The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada

Le Bureau des examinateurs en pharmacie du Canada

717 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4W 2M4 · Tel (416) 979-2431 · Fax (416) 599-9244 · www.pebc.ca

CANDIDATE INFORMATION FOR PHARMACIST WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

This document provides some general information of what to expect on exam day. Candidates must also ensure
that they have read and understood the Candidate Rules of Conduct – Written & Computer-based
Examinations as candidates are expected to abide by them. The PEBC website has more detailed information
and latest news with respect to the exams.

Contents
Identification.....................................................................................................................................2
Security & Belongings Check ............................................................................................................2
Apparel .............................................................................................................................................2
Items Provided by PEBC ....................................................................................................................2
Answer Sheet & Examination Booklet ..............................................................................................3
Requests for Special Arrangements on the Day of the Examination................................................4
Emergency Circumstances ................................................................................................................4
Illnesses & Extraordinary Personal Circumstances on Exam Day .....................................................4
Exam Results .....................................................................................................................................5
Appendix A: Sample Examination Booklet Cover Page ....................................................................6
Appendix B: Sample Answer Sheet ...................................................................................................8

1
Identification

 To be admitted to the exam, candidates must bring the following 2 items to the exam:

1. PEBC Identification / Card of Admission (not applicable for computer-based testing)

2. Government-issued photo identification – one of the following:
 Canadian or Foreign Passport
 Canadian Drivers Licence
 Canadian Photo Health Card
 Canadian Permanent Resident Card

This identification must:

 be valid (not expired)
 match any names on the PEBD Identification / Card of Admission
 resemble the candidate’s current physical appearance

 If unable to provide one of the above government-issued photo IDs or if there are any concerns about
the government ID that will be brought to the exam, the candidate must contact PEBC prior to exam
day.

 If a female candidate cannot be identified due to a veil covering her face, a female invigilator will take
the candidate to a private area where the invigilator can confirm the candidate’s identity.

Security & Belongings Check

 On arrival, candidates will be asked to empty pockets and turn in all pocket contents and personal
belongings other than permitted and pre-approved items. For full details regarding permitted and
prohibited items, refer to the Rules of Conduct – Written & Computer-based Examinations on the
PEBC website.

 For security reasons, candidates may be scanned using an electronic and/or metal detector either
before admission and/or during the examination.

Apparel

 Although PEBC attempts to ensure the comfort of all candidates and personnel, conditions are
sometimes beyond PEBC’s control (e.g., temperature fluctuations, noise and other distractions).
Candidates are strongly encouraged to dress for fluctuating temperatures in examination rooms.

 Coats, jackets and other outerwear are not allowed at the candidate’s seat.

Items Provided by PEBC

PEBC will provide candidates with a(n):

 pencil & eraser
 standardized model, scientific calculator
 examination booklet
 multiple choice examination answer sheet

2
Answer Sheet & Examination Booklet

As the examination is computer marked, candidates are responsible for properly completing the answer sheet.
Answer sheets which are improperly and/or not coded will be rejected by the computer and accordingly,
candidates may not receive credit for all their answers. The answer sheet will be the only record used to
determine the candidate’s score results.

Important Points for the Answer Sheet:

 Fill in the ovals completely

 Only one answer is required; candidates are to completely erase any marks they wish to change

 If multiple answers are blackened, candidates will not receive credit for that question

 Fill in the oval for Answer Sheet Number to reflect Day 1 or Day 2 of the exam

 There are multiple versions of the exam called Forms. The form letter can be found on the cover of the
exam booklet. Fill in the oval to reflect the assigned Form.

Mark in Answer FORM

Sheet Number A B C D
1 2 3

 When the exam has been completed, candidates should re-check the answer sheet to ensure that the
PEBC Identification Number, answer sheet number and form letter are coded properly.

 Place the answer sheet (DO NOT FOLD OR BEND!) inside the front cover of the Examination Booklet and
return the entire Booklet in intact form to the Presiding Officer.

Important Points for the Exam Booklet:

 The exam booklet is sealed. Do NOT open the Examination Booklet until told to do so.

 When permitted to open the booklet, immediately count the pages to ensure they match the number of
pages printed on the top right corner of the exam booklet cover.

 Check that the booklet is printed in the requested language.

 Report any defects to the Presiding Officer AT ONCE.

3
Requests for Special Arrangements on the Day of the Examination

 Any candidate needing a special arrangement on the day of the examination must submit a written
request to PEBC at the time of application, as well as supporting documentation, if applicable.

 Should a situation that requires special arrangements arise after the date of application and before
examination day (e.g., recent injury requiring the use of a wheelchair), candidates must contact PEBC
immediately in order for such a request to be considered.

 Please note that the examination process cannot be interrupted. Last minute requests for special
arrangements, made at the examination centre on the day of the examination, cannot be accommodated.

Emergency Circumstances

 If at any time before a PEBC examination, there are any circumstances including such factors as
weather, transportation, strikes, public health issues, or other reasons which may affect the scheduling
arrangements and admission procedures for examinations, advisory information will be promptly
posted on the PEBC website: www.pebc.ca.

 Candidates are advised to check the PEBC website (“Latest News” on the Pharmacist homepage) prior
to attending an examination, to access any applicable notices.

 Candidates at all sites are encouraged to check local information for any public transportation service
interruptions, road detours etc., when planning their travel on exam day.

Illnesses & Extraordinary Personal Circumstances on Exam Day

Candidates are strongly encouraged not to attempt an exam and to withdraw if, prior to the exam, they are ill
or have other extraordinary personal circumstances (e.g., bereavement, recent physical injury) that may
affect their exam performance. See website for full details on how these situations are managed.

If illness or another type of emergency arises after arriving at the exam site, candidates must inform exam
personnel immediately.

 The Presiding Officer will provide candidates with Waiver Forms to decide and agree to continue or
discontinue the exam.

 Candidates will be asked to read the information and sign two copies of the appropriate form, indicating
their choice. One signed form will be provided to PEBC; the other will be provided to the candidate
before leaving the exam.

 Candidates must notify PEBC as soon as possible after leaving the exam site if they are withdrawing (not
yet started) or discontinuing the exam.

4
Exam Results

 Examination results will be released by mail to the address shown on the PEBC Identification / Card of
Admission (unless candidates advise us otherwise in writing). For reasons of confidentiality, results will
not be released by telephone, fax or email.

 A list of candidates who have successfully passed their exam will be posted (by candidate identification
number) on the PEBC website by noon on the results day. Candidates are to check the bottom of their
PEBC ID / Card of Admission for the exact date of the release of the exam results.

Use the following links, to access more information about the exam results:

Pharmacist Evaluating Examination

Pharmacist Qualifying Examination

5
 Appendix A: Sample Examination Booklet Cover Page

PHARMACIST EVALUATING EXAMINATION - FIRST SITTING

TUESDAY JULY 5, 20xx xx Pages
3 & 1/2 hours FORM A
_______________________________________________________________
ENTER PEBC IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON THE LINE ABOVE

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. Write your PEBC Identification Number in the space provided above. Do NOT write your name on this Examination
Booklet.
2. Do NOT communicate with other candidates or speak or read out loud. Violation of this rule may result in the
cancellation of your standing in ALL papers.

3. PEBC standardized calculators will be provided for use during the examination. Use of other/personal calculators is
not permitted. Instructions for use of the calculator are printed inside the front of the Examination Booklet.
Calculations or notations may be done on any blank areas inside the Examination Booklet but nowhere else other
than in the Examination Booklet. Writing on your Identification / Card of Admission is strictly prohibited.

4. The examination is computer-marked. You are responsible for properly completing your answer sheet,
using ONLY the pencil provided by PEBC. NOTE: only one answer per question is required. If multiple
answers to a question are blackened, you will not receive any credit for that question. Answer sheets which
are improperly and/or not coded will be rejected by the computer and you may not receive credit for all
your answers. Your answer sheet will be the only record used for your examination evaluation.

5. Before the start of the examination, you must record your surname (family name), your given (first) name,
and your PEBC Identification Number on the answer sheet in the appropriate areas. Then fill in the
numbered ovals corresponding to your PEBC Identification Number.

You must also sign your name in the area marked “Signature” and write the date of this examination in the area
marked “Date”. Fill in the oval for ANSWER SHEET NUMBER 1.

In the box marked “Form”, you must fill in the oval that corresponds with the Examination Form that is printed in
the top right hand corner of this Examination Booklet (i.e., A).

6. This Examination Booklet consists of xx pages and 150 questions. All questions are of equal weight. Do NOT open
the Examination Booklet until told to do so.

7. Immediately upon receiving instruction from the Presiding Officer that the examination has begun, carefully break
the seal (on the right side edge only), using your finger or the eraser end of the pencil provided, and check that the
number of pages corresponds with the number of pages printed on the top right corner of this cover. Report any
defects to the Presiding Officer AT ONCE.

8. To record your response to a question, blacken the lettered oval for the answer to that question on the computer
answer sheet. Mark only inside the oval but COMPLETELY fill it so that the letter within can no longer be seen. If an
erasure is necessary it must be cleanly made so that the oval appears as though no mark has been made.

6
9. During the examination, the Presiding Officer and/or invigilator will be requesting your signature 3 times to verify
that you:
i) have received an Examination Booklet;
ii) continue to comply with the “Security of Test Material” as previously stated on your application for the
Pharmacist Evaluating Examination and as stated below;
iii) have returned your Examination Booklet and answer sheet at the end of the examination.

10. When you have finished the examination, re-check to ensure that your PEBC Identification Number and form letter
have been properly recorded. Place the answer sheet (DO NOT FOLD OR BEND!) inside the front cover of the
Examination Booklet and return the entire booklet, in intact form, to the Presiding Officer.

Security of Test Material (Copyright©)

To ensure that the examination provides an equal opportunity for all candidates to
demonstrate their levels of knowledge and ability to meet the required competence
standards, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada maintains the strictest security of
the content of its examinations before, during, and after each examination. All
examination materials are protected by Copyright© and property right laws. Candidates
must strictly follow the rules of conduct for examinations and the signed certification
statements made on the examination application forms. These rules and statements
prohibit:
 the giving and receiving of assistance in answering examination questions
 access to questions before or after the examination
 reproduction of examination content in any manner
 disclosure of question content to others at any time (includes discussion of
examination content with other candidates or others before, during or after an
examination, whether verbally, in writing or through any internet blogs or chat
rooms, or other means)

Contravention of the copyright and/or rules of conduct for examinations and the
certification statements may be sufficient cause for the Board to:
 bar the candidate from the examination
 terminate his/her participation in the examination
 invalidate the results of the examination
 withhold the results
 report the misconduct to professional regulatory and legal authorities
 bar the candidate from future examinations
 take other action as deemed appropriate, including possible legal prosecution

A candidate may be held responsible for all damages and cost-recovery in the event that
the examination or any component of it is compromised by his/her action

7
Appendix B: Sample Answer Sheet