College of Pharmacy Students’ NAPLEX Scores Rank in Top 8% of Country

First-time test-takers in Jefferson’s College of Pharmacy (JCP) Class of 2024 finished in the top 8% of the nation for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). 

Out of 143 participating schools, JCP’s Class of 2024 scored the highest among Pennsylvania, New England and Mid-Atlantic programs, says Dr. Mary Hess, JCP interim dean. More than half of participating schools’ scores were below 80%, while JCP’s was over 90%. 
 
Two examinations are required to practice as a licensed pharmacist: one that evaluates general practice knowledge (NAPLEX) and another that focuses on pharmacy law, the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). The Class of 2024’s MPJE first-time test-taker score was 86.1% vs. the national rate of 76.6%.

Historically, JCP has had an excellent first-time pass rate on board exams, with rates in the mid-90% range, including three classes achieving a 100% pass rate, says Dr. Hess, noting the Class of 2024 faced the challenge of completing a portion of their studies during the pandemic. To ensure success, JCP conducted additional reviews to assess potential preparation gaps. 

Dr. Hess thanks Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Elena Umland for creating a mock exam for students to take at the beginning of the board review course. Faculty contributed their expertise by using question sets to provide extra practice and talk through the content.

“I’m super proud of the Class of 2024 graduates,” says Dr. Hess, stressing the consistently high licensure pass rate is just one JCP highlight. “This achievement is like the cherry on top to their entire presence at Jefferson. They came in eager to learn, took their studies seriously and developed into exceptional pharmacists.”

In addition to the mock exam, Class of 2024 alumna Dr. Louisa Wiafe believes the faculty’s suggestion to take the test as soon as possible while the information was still fresh helped her excel. Dr. Wiafe is currently a pharmacy resident at Jefferson Health New Jersey.

JCP’s review materials helped classmate Dr. Amanda Koluda feel prepared, she says. The pharmacy resident at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., also heeded her professors’ advice on taking the exam immediately.

“Becoming licensed early in my residency program allowed me to move more quickly through the orientation process and achieve independence earlier, which was a real advantage in moving forward as a resident,” Dr. Koluda says.