Short answer: the UMPJE is 120 computer-based questions in 2.5 hours. 100 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items. It is adaptive, you cannot go back once you confirm an answer, and your result is pass or fail with no scaled score.
Every answer below is taken from NABP’s own Candidate Application Bulletin or content outlines, and each one links to the page it came from. Check the bulletin before you test, because NABP can change administrative details.
How many questions are on the UMPJE?
The UMPJE has 120 computer-based questions. Of those, 100 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items. You cannot tell which are which, so treat every question as scored.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "What Is the UMPJE?"
How long is the UMPJE?
The exam is 2.5 hours. The total appointment is 3 hours, because it includes pre-screens, post-screens and the non-disclosure agreement. There are no scheduled breaks, and any unscheduled break counts against your exam time.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "What Is the UMPJE?"
Is the UMPJE adaptive?
Yes. NABP says the exam uses adaptive technology to deliver selected-response questions. In practice that means the questions are delivered one at a time and you cannot plan your pacing around seeing the whole exam first.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "What Is the MPJE?"
Can you skip questions or go back on the UMPJE?
No. You answer in order and cannot skip a question. Once you confirm an answer and move to the next question, you cannot go back and change it. That is why practice under the same rule is worth doing: commit to your best answer and move on.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "What Is the UMPJE?"
How is the UMPJE scored? Is there a passing percentage?
Results are reported as pass or fail. You do not receive a scaled score. NABP says the passing standards were established by a panel of pharmacy experts, and it does not publish a passing percentage. Any percentage you see on a practice test is a study benchmark, not a prediction of your result.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "Exam Results and Other Outcomes"
What happens if you run out of time and do not finish?
You must complete at least 107 of the 120 questions to receive a result. If you complete fewer than 107, no result is reported. If you complete 107 to 119, a penalty is applied for the unanswered questions and your result is adjusted, which may affect it. Pace yourself at roughly 75 seconds a question (150 minutes for 120 questions).
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "Exam Results and Other Outcomes"
How long do UMPJE results take?
Where your jurisdiction uses NABP's online reporting, you can access your results within 14 business days of the exam date. Some jurisdictions report differently, so confirm with your board.
Source: NABP Candidate Application Bulletin, "Exam Results and Other Outcomes"
What does the UMPJE cover, and how is it weighted?
NABP organizes the exam into four content domains: Pharmacy and Pharmacist Practice (30%), Medication Use Process (30%), Regulatory Authority and Legal Obligations (20%) and Pharmacy Operations (20%). On 100 scored questions that is about 30, 30, 20 and 20 questions. Domains 1 and 2 together are 60% of your score, so most of your study time belongs there. The full breakdown is in The UMPJE Content Outline Explained.
Source: NABP Uniform MPJE Content Outline
How many answer choices does each question have?
NABP does not state a fixed number. The sample questions in its Uniform MPJE content outline show three lettered choices (A to C), while the sample questions in its newer MPJE content outline show five (A to E). Treat the number of options as something that can change, and learn to choose the best answer from any number of plausible ones.
Source: NABP MPJE Content Outline (sample items)
How to prepare for this format
- Practice with no going back. Take a full timed set where you commit to every answer. A 100-question exam at about 75 seconds each takes 125 minutes.
- Score by domain, not just overall. Domains 1 and 2 are 60% of the scored questions.
- Do not leave questions unanswered. Fewer than 107 completed questions means no result.
Start free with 5 practice questions. When you want a full-length run, UMPJE Practice Exam 1 has 100 questions with rationales and a domain score sheet. For the complete system, see The Ultimate UMPJE Master Guide.
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UMPJE Practice Exam 1
100 questions at the real 30/30/20/20 domain weighting, a written rationale for every question and a domain score sheet. PDF download with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Studying for your state's own MPJE instead? See MPJE tutor and prep resources from a practicing pharmacist, with free state-by-state guides.