The computer-adaptive NAPLEX is available for administration on a daily basis, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, through the Prometric Testing Centers™. Consult the Prometric Thomson Learning™ Web site located at www.2test.com for a complete list of Prometric Testing Centers.
The NAPLEX consists of 185 questions. Of these, 150 questions have been pretested and validated previously, while 35 questions are being pretested or evaluated for use in future examinations. The pretest questions are indistinguishable from other questions and are interspersed throughout the examination. Your responses to the pretest questions are recorded for statistical purposes and do not play any part in calculating your score. Only your responses to the 150 validated questions will contribute to your score.
All questions on the NAPLEX examination are five-option, multiple-choice items. There are no fill-in-the blank or essay questions. The NAPLEX questions have only one correct answer. As you determine which answer is correct, you should consider the five alternatives given and select the best answer from the alternatives listed. You should select the answer that is best among the responses that accompany the question.
Many of the questions on the examination are associated with scenarios or patient profiles, while others are stand-alone items that do not require you to refer to a scenario. Questions associated with a scenario or profile should be answered within the context of the scenario in which they appear. For instance, penicillin might be the drug of choice to treat most patients who are suffering from strep throat, but if the scenario indicates that the particular patient has a penicillin allergy, another drug should be selected. Remember, it is important that you answer the questions within the context of the scenario/profile.
In no case on the exam will you find that answering one question correctly depends upon correctly answering another question. You will be able to answer each question independently from the questions that surround it. Therefore, answering one scenario question incorrectly does not mean that you will incorrectly answer other questions in that scenario set.
You will have four hours and fifteen minutes to complete the examination, with a 10-minute mandatory break after approximately two hours of testing time. Additional time will be allowed for you to review a short tutorial at the beginning of the examination and to complete a computer-administered evaluation questionnaire at the end of the examination.

Examination Results
The minimum acceptable passing score on the NAPLEX scale is 75. The passing score reported is NOT a percentage value. The score is calculated by first determining the candidate's ability level on the NAPLEX, and then comparing that to the predetermined minimum acceptable ability level established for the NAPLEX. The passing standard has been established by a panel of pharmacy experts, and the ability level that defines the passing standard is the same for all NAPLEX administrations.
To receive a test score, you must have completed at least 162 questions on the examination. Candidates completing less than 162 questions will NOT have their score reported. Candidates completing at least 162 questions but less than 185 questions will have a penalty applied and their scores adjusted accordingly in order to reflect the number of questions that remained unanswered.
NABP will report your NAPLEX score to the board of pharmacy that conferred your eligibility approximately five days after your scheduled test day. The board of pharmacy will report your score to you. Check with the board of pharmacy for an estimation of when you may expect to receive your score after you have taken the examination.
NABP does NOT release scores to candidates, and score results are NOT released at the test center. By applying to take the NAPLEX, you authorize NABP to release your test score to the board of pharmacy. NABP will not release your scores to any other party. NABP does not have the authority to report, nor will it report, any individual scores by telephone, fax, or letter.
Diagnostic reports will also be provided by the board of pharmacy to candidates who fail the examination along with the examination results. The diagnostic report will indicate the failing candidate's relative performance in each major competency area, to identify areas that may require further review. Because of the secure nature of the NAPLEX, no further review of the test questions is allowed.
The NAPLEX is the means by which boards of pharmacy can assess the entry-level competence of candidates for licensure. Any other use of individual NAPLEX scores is inappropriate and is not condoned by NABP.