PEBC MCQ Exam Format 2026-2027: 200 Questions in 260 Minutes

As at 12 Oct 2026, PEBC's Pharmacist Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) gives each candidate 200 multiple-choice questions, 150 scored and 50 unscored pretest items, in one section with 260 minutes of testing time; the whole sitting is 4 hours 30 minutes (pebc.ca FAQ and Part I (MCQ) page).

The format at a glance

Linear-on-the-fly testing (LOFT)

PEBC builds a unique form for each candidate from its item bank, assembled to the blueprint, with "a balanced proportion of standalone and case-based questions" and themes such as disease states and calculations (pebc.ca FAQ). Two candidates on the same day see different questions, and forms are equated so that no one is advantaged by an easier set. You cannot predict which drugs or cases will come up, so prepare across the whole blueprint.

How the questions are written

• Single best answer from four options labelled a, b, c and d.
• Negative words such as NOT and EXCEPT are printed in bold capitals.
• SI units throughout (mmol/L, µmol/L, kg, cm).
• Generic drug names; a trade name appears only with its generic name.
• Case-based questions share a patient case and are introduced like this: "QUESTIONS 68 TO 70 INCLUSIVE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING:". See PEBC case-based questions.

Sources: PEBC, Examination Design and Style, and the PEBC sample questions PDF (Sept 2026), checked 12 Oct 2026.

What the questions cover

The blueprint (Ver. 03-2026 (as of May 2026)) sets approximate weights for six competency areas. Half the exam is Clinical Care. See the PEBC blueprint and competency weights for what each area means.

The 50 pretest questions

50 of the 200 questions are new items being tried out. They do not count toward your result, and nothing on screen tells you which they are. Treat every question as if it counts.