Understanding how the PEBC Evaluating Exam is graded is crucial for managing expectations and strategizing your exam approach. Many candidates have questions about the scoring system, what constitutes a passing score, and how results are determined. This comprehensive guide demystifies the PEBC EE grading process with the most up-to-date information for 2025.
Whether you're just starting your preparation or waiting for results, this article provides transparency into PEBC's rigorous quality assurance process and explains exactly what your score means for your Canadian pharmacy licensure journey.
Key Information
- Passing Score: 60% of total possible points (84 out of 140 questions correct for 2025 format)
- Question Value: Each question is worth equal points
- No Negative Marking: Wrong answers don't deduct points
- Results Timeline: Available within 5 weeks after exam date
- Score Format: Pass/Fail (no numerical score provided)
The PEBC EE Scoring System
Current Exam Format (Effective June 2025)
As of June 2025, the PEBC Evaluating Exam consists of:
- Total Questions: 140 multiple-choice questions
- Exam Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
- Format: Two sections of 70 questions each
- Break: 15-minute optional break between sections
- Delivery: Computer-based testing
How Points Are Calculated
Basic Scoring Principles:
- Equal Weighting: Each of the 140 questions carries equal weight
- One Point Per Question: Each correct answer receives 1 point
- No Partial Credit: Questions are either fully correct or fully incorrect
- No Penalty for Wrong Answers: Incorrect answers receive 0 points but don't deduct from your score
- Unanswered Questions: Treated the same as incorrect answers (0 points)
Total Score Calculation:
Your Raw Score = Number of Correct Answers (out of 140)
Example: If you answer 90 questions correctly out of 140, your raw score is 90/140, which equals 64.3%.
Important: Since there's no penalty for wrong answers, it's in your best interest to answer every single question, even if you need to make an educated guess. Never leave a question blank!
Passing Standard and Requirements
The 60% Passing Threshold
To pass the PEBC Evaluating Exam, candidates must achieve at least 60% of the total possible score.
What 60% Means in Practice:
| Exam Format | Total Questions | Required Correct Answers | Allowed Incorrect/Blank |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Format (June 2025+) | 140 | 84 | 56 |
| Old Format (before June 2025) | 150 | 90 | 60 |
For the current 140-question format:
- You need to answer at least 84 questions correctly to pass
- You can miss up to 56 questions and still pass
- This equates to exactly 60.0% accuracy
Is the Passing Standard Curved?
No. The PEBC Evaluating Exam uses an absolute standard, not a curved grading system.
What This Means:
- Fixed Standard: The 60% requirement is the same for every exam administration
- Not Competitive: Your performance is not compared to other candidates
- No Quotas: There's no limit to how many candidates can pass
- Consistent: Whether 10% or 90% of candidates pass, the standard remains 60%
Why This Matters: Your focus should be on mastering the content to meet the 60% standard, not on outperforming other candidates. Theoretically, everyone taking the exam could pass (or fail) based solely on meeting or not meeting the absolute 60% requirement.
Subject Area Breakdown
While you need 60% overall, PEBC does not require minimum scores in individual subject areas. However, your feedback report will show performance by subject area to guide future study if needed.
| Subject Area | Approximate % of Exam | Approximate # of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 25% | ~35 questions |
| Pharmacy Practice | 55% | ~77 questions |
| Behavioural, Social, and Administrative Sciences | 20% | ~28 questions |
Quality Assurance Process
PEBC employs rigorous quality assurance procedures to ensure exam fairness, validity, and reliability. Understanding this process helps you appreciate the exam's credibility and consistency.
Multi-Stage Quality Control
Stage 1: Question Development
- Questions written by practicing Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy educators
- Content experts ensure questions align with the exam blueprint
- Questions reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and appropriate difficulty
Stage 2: Expert Review Panels
- Multi-disciplinary panels of pharmacy professionals review all questions
- Panel members represent diverse practice settings across Canada
- Questions assessed for relevance, clinical accuracy, and cultural appropriateness
- Any potentially problematic questions are revised or removed
Stage 3: Pretesting
- New questions are pretested on actual exam-takers as unscored items
- Statistical analysis evaluates question performance
- Questions with poor discrimination or unusual difficulty patterns are eliminated
- Only validated questions are used for scoring
Stage 4: Post-Exam Analysis
- After each exam, psychometricians analyze question performance
- Questions that performed unexpectedly may be reviewed
- In rare cases, problematic questions may be removed from scoring
- Continuous improvement ensures exam quality over time
Standard Setting
PEBC uses established psychometric methods to determine the 60% passing standard:
- Modified Angoff Method: Experts estimate the performance of a "minimally competent" candidate
- Benchmark Testing: Standards validated against real-world performance data
- Regular Review: Passing standards reviewed periodically to ensure appropriateness
- Evidence-Based: Decisions supported by statistical and psychometric evidence
How Exam Questions Are Developed
Blueprint-Based Development
Every PEBC EE question is developed according to the exam blueprint, which specifies:
- Content distribution across subject areas
- Cognitive level (recall, application, analysis)
- Clinical context and setting
- Relevance to entry-level pharmacy practice in Canada
Question Types
1. Single Best Answer (Most Common)
Choose the ONE best answer from five options. Most PEBC EE questions follow this format.
2. Multiple True/False
Evaluate several statements independently as true or false.
3. Clinical Vignette-Based
Extended patient scenarios followed by one or more questions.
4. Calculation Problems
Mathematical problems requiring dose calculations, concentrations, or pharmacokinetic computations.
Question Difficulty Distribution
PEBC aims for a balanced distribution of question difficulty:
- ~30% Easy: Testing recall and fundamental knowledge
- ~50% Moderate: Testing application and analysis
- ~20% Difficult: Testing complex problem-solving and synthesis
This distribution ensures that competent candidates can demonstrate their knowledge while also differentiating levels of proficiency.
Understanding Your Results
When Results Are Released
- Timeline: Results are posted within 5 weeks after the exam date
- Notification: You'll receive an email when results are available
- Access: Log into your PEBC account to view results
- Format: Results are reported as Pass or Not Pass
What You'll Receive
1. Overall Result
You will see one of two outcomes:
- "Pass": You achieved at least 60% and have successfully completed the PEBC EE
- "Not Pass": You scored below 60% and will need to retake the exam
2. Feedback Report
Regardless of your result, you'll receive a detailed feedback report showing:
- Performance in each subject area (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, Behavioural/Social/Administrative)
- Performance levels: Below Expected, At Expected, or Above Expected
- No specific numerical scores or percentages
Important: PEBC does NOT provide:
- Your exact numerical score or percentage
- How many questions you answered correctly
- Which specific questions you got right or wrong
- The correct answers to exam questions
- Comparison to other candidates' performance
This policy protects exam security and ensures fairness for future candidates.
Interpreting Your Feedback Report
Performance Level Indicators
Your feedback report categorizes your performance in each subject area:
| Performance Level | What It Means | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Above Expected | You demonstrated strong competency in this area | Maintain this level; use for confidence |
| At Expected | You met the competency standard for this area | Continue current study approach |
| Below Expected | Your performance in this area needs improvement | Focus additional study time here |
Using Feedback for Retake Preparation
If you need to retake the exam, your feedback report is invaluable for focused preparation:
Step 1: Identify Weak Areas
Look for subject areas marked "Below Expected." These should be your primary focus.
Step 2: Create a Targeted Study Plan
- Allocate 60-70% of your study time to "Below Expected" areas
- Maintain competency in "At Expected" areas with 20-30% of time
- Briefly review "Above Expected" areas to stay sharp
Step 3: Use Appropriate Resources
For each weak area, utilize:
- Targeted practice questions (e.g., passEE allows filtering by subject area)
- Textbook review of fundamental concepts
- Canadian practice guidelines and references
- Study groups focusing on problem areas
Step 4: Track Improvement
- Take practice tests and monitor performance by subject area
- Aim for 70-75% in previously weak areas to ensure improvement
- Maintain overall practice test scores of 65-70% or higher
Example Feedback Report Interpretation
Scenario: A candidate receives a "Not Pass" result with the following feedback:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences: At Expected
- Pharmacy Practice: Below Expected
- Behavioural, Social, and Administrative Sciences: Below Expected
Analysis:
- The candidate has solid foundational science knowledge
- Weaknesses in applied clinical practice and professional aspects
- Likely struggled with patient case scenarios and practice-based questions
Recommended Action Plan:
- Pharmacy Practice (Priority 1): This is 55% of the exam
- Focus on therapeutic guidelines and patient care processes
- Practice clinical case scenarios extensively
- Study Canadian treatment protocols
- Behavioural/Social/Administrative (Priority 2): This is 20% of the exam
- Review Canadian pharmacy regulations and ethics
- Study medication safety and quality assurance
- Understand Canadian healthcare system structure
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maintenance):
- Continue periodic review to maintain competency
- Don't neglect this area entirely
What Happens If You Don't Pass
Retake Policy
- Eligibility: You can retake the PEBC EE as many times as needed
- Waiting Period: Minimum 90 days (3 months) between attempts
- Reapplication: You must register and pay the full exam fee for each attempt
- New Exam: Each administration is a different exam with different questions
Retake Considerations
If you need to retake the exam, focus on these key factors for improvement:
- Targeted Study: Use your feedback report to focus on weak areas
- Adequate Preparation Time: Allow sufficient time for comprehensive review (minimum 3 months)
- Familiarity with Format: Your first attempt gives you valuable insight into the exam structure
- Different Approach: If your previous study methods didn't work, consider trying different resources or strategies
Successful Retake Strategy:
- Take time to analyze your feedback report thoroughly
- Wait at least 3-4 months to allow for comprehensive review
- Use the 90-day minimum as active study time, not waiting time
- Consider different study methods if your first approach didn't work
- Take full-length practice exams to assess readiness
- Only register for the next exam when consistently scoring 65%+ on practice tests
Financial Considerations
- Exam Fee: $915 CAD per attempt (as of 2025)
- Preparation Costs: Budget for additional study materials
- Time Value: Consider lost income from delayed licensure
- Planning: Thorough preparation for first attempt is most cost-effective
Common Myths About PEBC EE Grading
Myth #1: "The exam is curved based on other candidates' performance"
FACT: The PEBC EE uses an absolute standard (60%). Your result is NOT affected by how other candidates perform. Everyone could theoretically pass or fail.
Myth #2: "Some questions are worth more points than others"
FACT: All 140 questions are weighted equally. A difficult pharmacokinetics calculation is worth the same as a straightforward drug identification question.
Myth #3: "PEBC adjusts the passing score after each exam"
FACT: The 60% passing standard is fixed and consistent across all exam administrations. It doesn't change based on exam difficulty or candidate performance.
Myth #4: "You need to pass each subject area separately"
FACT: You only need 60% overall. There are no minimum scores required for individual subject areas. However, severe weakness in one area can still cause you to fail overall.
Myth #5: "Wrong answers deduct points from your score"
FACT: There is NO penalty for incorrect answers. Wrong answers simply don't add to your score. Always answer every question!
Myth #6: "PEBC releases specific numerical scores to employers"
FACT: PEBC only reports Pass/Not Pass status. No numerical scores or percentages are provided to anyone, including candidates, employers, or provincial regulators.
Myth #7: "If I scored 59%, I was really close to passing"
FACT: PEBC doesn't tell you your exact percentage. "Not Pass" means below 60%, whether that's 59% or 45%. Use your feedback report, not hypothetical scores, to guide your retake preparation.
Maximizing Your Score: Preparation Strategies
Evidence-Based Study Approaches
To achieve the 60% passing threshold (and ideally exceed it for a safety margin), consider these proven strategies:
1. Practice Question Volume
Research shows that candidates who complete 2,000+ practice questions have significantly higher pass rates.
- Aim for 2,500-3,000 practice questions
- Focus on questions that mirror PEBC format and difficulty
- Review explanations for both correct and incorrect answers
2. Comprehensive Coverage
Since all questions are equally weighted, breadth of knowledge is crucial:
- Don't skip topics you find difficult
- Allocate study time proportionally to exam blueprint (55% Pharmacy Practice, 25% Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20% Behavioural/Social/Administrative)
- Master the basics before tackling advanced concepts
3. Canadian Context Focus
Remember that the PEBC EE assesses competency for Canadian practice:
- Study Canadian treatment guidelines
- Familiarize yourself with Health Canada-approved medications and dosages
- Understand Canadian pharmacy regulations and standards
- Learn provincial drug coverage considerations
4. Weakness-Targeted Review
- Take diagnostic practice tests early in your preparation
- Identify weak areas and prioritize them in your study plan
- Regularly reassess to ensure improvement
- Use tools like passEE's analytics to track performance by topic
5. Exam Strategy Practice
Knowing the content is half the battle; effective test-taking is the other half:
- Practice time management (approximately 1.3 minutes per question)
- Develop a systematic approach to answering questions
- Master the art of educated guessing when uncertain
- Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions
Success Tip
Aim for 70-75% on your practice tests, not just 60%. This safety margin accounts for exam-day stress, unfamiliar question formats, and natural score variation. Consistently scoring 70%+ on high-quality practice exams strongly correlates with passing the real PEBC EE.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the PEBC EE grading system empowers you to approach your preparation strategically. Key takeaways:
- The 60% passing standard is absolute and consistent—your goal is clear
- All questions are equally weighted—comprehensive knowledge is essential
- No penalty for wrong answers—always answer every question
- Quality assurance ensures fairness—the exam validly assesses competency
- Feedback reports guide improvement—use them if you need to retake
With thorough preparation using high-quality resources like passEE, understanding of the grading system, and effective test-taking strategies, you can confidently approach the PEBC EE and achieve your goal of Canadian pharmacy licensure.
