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Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA)
600 questions
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About this exam
The Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) was a standardized assessment developed by NABP to help U.S. pharmacy schools evaluate how PharmD students were progressing across the curriculum. It was not a pharmacy school entrance exam, the NAPLEX, or a licensure requirement, and it did not select applicants for admission. Participating schools scheduled it for enrolled students and decided how results fit their academic process. NABP discontinued offering the PCOA after 2024, so students planning for 2027–2028 should confirm with their school what assessment, if any, will be used.
Historically, PCOA content covered four broad areas: basic biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, social, behavioral, and administrative pharmacy sciences, and clinical sciences. Relevant review can include pharmacy foundations and medication terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and therapeutics. Because the assessment measured learning across a pharmacy curriculum, preparation meant revisiting coursework and connecting foundational concepts to clinical applications—not focusing on one narrow specialty. For any current school assessment, check its topic guidance and use focused multiple-choice practice to identify gaps and review explanations.
How to prepare for pharmacy curriculum assessments
- Start with your school’s current assessment guidance and course objectives; for PCOA background, consult NABP’s available archived information rather than assuming the exam is offered for 2027–2028.
- Review the four historical PCOA content areas, prioritizing foundational topics such as medication terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology alongside clinical and pharmaceutical sciences.
- Use timed multiple-choice practice to spot weak areas, then review why each answer is correct or incorrect; revisit the underlying course material instead of memorizing isolated answers.
FAQ
Who takes the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment?
The PCOA was intended for students enrolled in participating PharmD programs, not applicants seeking admission or pharmacists applying for licensure. Pharmacy schools determined whether and when their students took it. Since NABP discontinued the assessment after 2024, ask your school what it uses for curriculum assessment now.
What is the format of the PCOA?
Historically, the PCOA was a standardized, computer-based assessment with multiple-choice questions. Administration details and how schools used results could vary. It is no longer offered by NABP, so confirm the format and requirements of any replacement or school-specific assessment directly with your program.
What subjects should I review for the PCOA?
The historical content areas were basic biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, social, behavioral, and administrative pharmacy sciences, and clinical sciences. Students commonly review foundational biomedical topics, pharmacology, therapeutics, and material from across their PharmD coursework. For a current assessment, use your school’s topic guidance as the authority.