Comparison of self-reported NAPLEX pass rates before and after integration of formal test preparation into curriculum requirements at one College of Pharmacy

Abstract

Specific Aims. This study assessed the relationship between formal preparation and: participant selfreported North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) pass rates; and student perception of exam preparedness. Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using electronic questionnaires administered to students from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Questions were developed to collect data on which RxPrep components students used, their study habits, perceptions of the utility of RxPrep materials, perceived level of preparedness for the NAPLEX, and advice for future students. Results. Survey responses were collected from cohorts 2019 and 2020 from September 2020 to March 2021. 30 responses total were received, 9 from class of 2019 and 21 from class of 2020. There was no significant difference in first-time self-reported pass rates between respondents in the 2019 and 2020 cohorts, with 89% and 100% rates respectively (p=0.120). All respondents successfully passed the NAPLEX, and only one student did not pass on the first attempt. NAPLEX scores ranged from 78 to 130 (mean 98, median 93). Both cohorts reported a significant increase in sense of preparedness after using the RxPrep course (2019 p=0.0186; 2020 p<0.001). There was no significant difference in sense of preparedness between the cohorts either before using RxPrep (p=0.984) or after using RxPrep (p=0.680). Conclusions. Preliminary findings suggest that the RxPrep program is perceived to be beneficial for students preparing for the NAPLEX. This study may benefit from being repeated in future years and/or other pharmacy schools to increase sample size.