How To Study For The MPJE (and Pass On Your First Try)

Only 100 of those 120 questions actually count towards your score. The remaining 20 questions are test test questions that are being evaluated for possible use on future MPJEs. But of course, you don’t know which questions are the ones that don’t count. So if you’re struggling with a particular question, console yourself by answering the best you can and telling yourself it’s probably a test test question. Unfortunately, you can’t skip questions or go back to ones you’ve already answered - you must go in order.

In order to increase your chances of passing, you absolutely need to answer all 120 questions. If you answer fewer than 107, your exam is basically thrown out. No results will be reported. If you answer between 107 and the full 120, you incur a penalty. So make sure you answer all 120! If you’re running out of time, it’s literally better to guess than to leave a question blank. Make sure you get something entered for every question.

How Much Time Do You Have to Take the MPJE?

Speaking of time, you have 2.5 hours to complete the MPJE. And that includes any stretching or potty breaks - the clock doesn’t stop. Doing some basic math, you have 1 minute and 15 seconds to answer each question (150 minutes for the exam / 120 questions). Obviously some questions will take you longer, some will be quicker. But keep that rough number in your head.

Sure, it sounds terrible. But we promise it’s doable. There are a lot of people no smarter than you who have passed the MPJE and are killing it in their pharmacy careers. It may not be fun, but this is a passable exam.

What is a Passing Score for the MPJE?

So what does it mean to pass?

Starting in January 2021, to pass the MPJE just means…to pass. NABP is no longer releasing actual scores or setting a threshold for what passing means. It used to be that a score of 75 was a passing score, but now the MPJE is a pass/fail exam. This is kind of a bummer because it was helpful to know your score so you could evaluate your study efforts. If you work for a mail-order pharmacy, you may have to get licensed in a dozen or more states. You could directly see the results of your MPJE study strategies as you worked through the states, but not any longer.