Scoring
Scoring for all candidates takes place after the test administration window closes. Scores are computed based on the correct responses recorded by candidates. It is to the candidate’s advantage to answer every question on the examination. There is no penalty in the scoring formula for guessing. The individual score report will indicate whether the candidate passed or failed the examination. Scores will range from a minimum of 200 to a maximum of 800. The minimum passing score on BPS examinations is 500. Pass/fail decisions are based on the total score indicated on the score report, not on performance in the domains.
BPS creates new versions, or forms, of all of its tests on a regular basis. In assembling the new forms, BPS and its testing consultants follow best practices in certification testing so that all forms are comparable in content and difficulty. Once the examination forms have been equated, a procedure called scaling is used to convert the actual number of correct answers, or raw scores, to a uniform scale. These converted scores are called scaled scores. Equated, scaled scores ensure that all candidates for a BPS specialty certification demonstrate at least the same level of knowledge in order to pass the examination.
The passing standards, or cut scores, used in BPS examinations were established using criterion-referenced procedures that are widely used in certification. Criterion-referenced passing standards link the score required to pass a test to the minimum level of knowledge required for specialty certification. Each BPS specialty certification program has its own passing standard.
In order to protect the security and integrity of the specialty certification examinations, neither BPS nor its testing agency release examination questions, individual answer strings, or the answer key to any individual or organization. Efforts aremade by BPS, its Specialty Councils, and its testing agency to produce completely accurate examinations; however, if a candidate believes there is an error in an examination question, the concern should be noted in the candidate comments of the exam and the candidate should contact BPS immediately after the examination.
Score Reporting
Application to take the certification examination constitutes written authorization for the testing agency to release that candidate’s score to BPS and to the examinee ONLY. Once the scoring is complete, statistical information on candidate performance in the aggregate is provided to Specialty Council members for review and confirmation. No names or identifying codes are available so that complete anonymity is maintained.
Candidates will receive their score reports electronically approximately 60 days following the close of the scheduled test administration window by logging in to their MyBPS accounts.
For reasons of privacy and confidentiality, examination results are released to the candidate only. Examination results will not be given via telephone or fax. Access to a candidate’s score report is limited to those staff at BPS and Prometric who are involved in the processing of these reports. BPS will not release personal information (other than name/address of certified individuals under established policy) without written authorization.
In early January, rosters of newly-certified pharmacy specialists are posted on the BPS web site, and a news release is sent to over 500 pharmacy leaders, journals and media contacts to report aggregate information about BPS exams.
BPS Comparative Review Scoring Request Form
REQUEST FOR COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF THE BOARD OF PHARMACY SPECIALTIES (BPS) CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
A comparative review verifies that the candidate’s answers were scored against the examination answer key in order to confirm that the candidate’s examination was scored correctly, and is consistent with the final examination score reported.
Please note that the scoring process is very accurate, and the BPS scoring process already includes several quality assurance steps, including a review of all examination results following examination administration. This service is to satisfy a point of candidate interest, but BPS has not encountered an instance of scoring calculation error to date. The cost for this additional scoring service is $50.