A few months ago, we produced a study schedule for BCPS exam takers (Free Download) Since then, many of you have asked for a BCGP study schedule.  I will say it is difficult to develop a one size fits all study schedule. I will explain how to use our BCGP study schedule in this post.  If you are just here for the free download, and would like to get on your way, find the link here.

BCGP (Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist) Study Schedule – Free Download

How Long Should I Prepare?

As part of your BCGP study schedule, I would strongly encourage targeting at least 3 months out to start looking over material. This will help make sure that you are not in over your head.  Some pharmacists have more time per day than others. I have heard of pharmacists taking only a month or two to study.  That is a little to close for comfort for me, but maybe you like to live dangerously!  Ideally, I would review the concepts and start looking at material at about 6 months from your BCGP exam date.  Maybe you don’t need to start hardcore studying until 3 months, but developing your BCGP study schedule and gameplan at the 6 month mark would be ideal. If you feel weak in geriatrics, taking a few hours to develop a gameplan 9-12 months out would be appropriate. I know of a significant number of pharmacists who do look out that far ahead.  Definitely take a look at the BCGP content outline @ the BPS website prior to developing your study schedule.

How to Use the Meded101 BCGP Study Schedule

Our BCGP study schedule is not a schedule per se, but is intended to help you target which areas you need to study most.  It allows you to do that by letting you document how many hours you’d like to study each topic.  There is a significant chunk of geriatric social issues, biostats, and other “non-medication” related topics that you have to prepare for.  You can see that I strongly encourage dedicating the majority of your study time for those topics in comparison to a specific disease system (i.e. GI, Cardiology, etc.).  We’ve estimated approximately 100 hours of study time.  I think that is a solid amount. You may think you have 200 hours or maybe some of you have only 50.

Taylor Study Time to Your Weaknesses

While it can be incredibly helpful in real life to be an expert at one topic, the BCGP exam covers a broad range of topics.  If you work in a warfarin clinic, you will likely have no trouble with DVT/PE, AFib, and all the anticoagulant questions.  I would not spend a lot of time on these topics as you need to shore up your weaknesses to ensure you pass.  Doing an initial practice exam has been a strategy for me to help identify those areas of weakness.  The BCGP Study Schedule allows for an area to document how many hours you want to study on a topic.  We have also allowed an area for you to take additional notes so you know if you need to come back to an area and review prior to the exam.

Do I Have to Know Statistics for the BCGP Exam?

Yes. I wanted to include this question because I was recently asked it in relation to the content outline.  Statistics principles are absolutely included in the content outline and you should prepare for it.  We have created an awesome biostats study guide.  You can buy it individually or it does come in our 6 month and 12 month BCGP all access packages.

Be Accountable

Our study schedule also allows for accountability.  It allows you to fill in how much time you have spent on a given topic. It also allows documentation for how much time you would like to spend on a topic. This will help keep you on task and make sure that you aren’t too focused on one or two topic areas.

With a substantially high failure rate (only 43% passed in Spring 2018), you have got to be prepared for this exam if you want to pass. At a minimum, I do believe that the BCGP Study Schedule can help keep you on task. It also allows you to study smarter, and gives you more confidence when it comes time to take the exam!

It is not to early to start preparing! If you are looking for further premium materials to help your BCGP preparation, you can find more information about our 6 month or 1 year (save $100) BCGP all access pass. I hope you find the free download helpful!

BCGP (Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist) Study Schedule – Free Download