Farfoura

Hi SVA and Fady I am sorry for not replying earlier. I am not logging on as frequently as before the FPGEE. Fady, I gave away my references after the exam. The only one i have left is CPR. I can send it to you if you like. I have two posts on FPGEE tips and Toefl tips, check them out. I wrote them after the tests. As for internship, I wish there was something I could do. I am still not working because of my H4 visa. I did my part (FPGEE & Toefl) and despite my great scores and my great resume, I am still unable to move on. I applied online to many positions, a couple of recruiting agents called me but it seems easier said than done. I don't know what to do now besides wait (and go visit my parents and friends in Lebanon :rolleyes:). Good luck guys.

Hi, Can anyone tell me if it is ok to start internship in a place and then continue it in another place within same state? Thanks.

Mineralocorticosteroids cause water/Na retention. Dexamethasone is glucocorticosteroid and it does cause retention but just slightly. May be this will help you: " Dexamethasone may be used to decrease abnormally high levels of potassium that develop in association with cancer. In some cases, it may be used as palliation in leukemia or lymphoma. Because of its antiinflammatory properties, dexamethasone may help reduce swelling in the brain caused by a brain tumor. It may also help prevent hypersensitivity reactions associated with drugs like paclitaxel. Dexamethasone is also commonly used to treat nausea associated with chemotherapy. It is particularly useful with the drug cisplatin, which frequently causes nausea and vomiting." I found it on the net.

Congrats on finishing your intership. I am in Virginia too. Just cleared the FPGEE. Do you mind telling me where you did it? Thanks.

I wish I could tell you more to help you make it in the speaking section. Did you consider having a private teacher? There are specialists for that, and they coach even americans (like actors and singers). I do not know anybody, but I am sure that the internet will help you locate an institute or find a teacher. It might be expensive but at least you know you won't pay more for lost tests. I am so sorry, really. It's such a struggle for everyone of us. It's always an obstacle somewhere. For me it's the visa I have. I can't work with it. And it is apparently more and more hard to convert, even if I cleared my tests. I truly wish you all the best because I know that we are all accomplished professional pharmacists and we have no choice but to persevere.

Hi, I am EXACTLY in your shoes. I am stuck with an H4 too, and even though I cleared both FPGEE and Toefl with great scores (134 & 113 respectively), I am feeling a heavy wave of depression because I am "stuck in a vicious circle" (I am quoting a recruiting agent's words couple of days ago). Yes, you need a license to get the H1B and you also need to be licensed to get a job. If a pharmacist is willing to sign the internship paper and assist you with getting a VA internship license, you need to provide a SSN. Being on H4, you don't get a SSN. What I advise you to do is to get a driver's license and the VA board will accept the license number in lieu of your SSN. What part in Virginia are you in?

I honestly don't know what CDs you are talking about. But I can tell you that one month is so much abundant time. I took my test in May (one month before the FPGEE) and FPGEE was my phobia, so I only used very little time I could spare for Toefl and still it was enough so I guess one month should be more than ok.

Hi everybody, A colleague from this forum asked me for some tips on ibToefl. I will my post my own few hints in this new thread so everyone who is sitting soon for the test may find. Also I want to wish Knok and everybody who is working with him the best of luck in their quest. They did a big positive change before and they can do it now too. Meanwhile and till something is in hand, I will share what I consider to be elements that helped me make it. I took my test in May, and got the results in June. I scored 113/120 (28 on the speaking). My english is good, but it is my 3rd language after arabic and french, and every american I meet can tell that I have a foreign accent so relax, don't worry about your accent, we are all foreigners and english is not our mother tongue. 1. Read instructions well. Keep in mind that the time you get for the 1st text is also for the one after it. So manage your time. In the writing section: if they ask for 300 words and up, write 320 or so. Not 299. 2. TAKE NOTES. This is very important. In the speaking section: when you are listening to a conversation, write the key elements of it in bullets. When you will be asked to talk about it, all you have to do is link those bullets. 3. When you're talking, keep your eyes on the time. May sure you finish the idea just on time or just a second before the time is up for the recording. 4. Forget about background noise. For a while, during the exam, I couldn't focus because almost everybody else was talking at the same time. You have to clear their voices from your head and listen to your own voice (or the speaker). 5. Wrapping up ideas is very important (mainly in speaking and writing). It shows that you understood the topic and covered it well. 6. Practise. My concern was with the speaking. The hardest were the questions where you have to answer a general question in a short time (short time to prepare, short time to answer). This is why i trained myself to those. Time yourself. Let your husband or sister or anybody shoot random questions at you and learn how to think fast of your answer and speak it fast too. 7. Books: there are many useful books. I went to Barne's & Noble the day before the test and chose a book (anyone is fine), and read the "sample questions". They are very close to the actual ones asked. So it's a good tranining. The also tell you what to do and not to do. 8. It is normal while speaking to say "um..." or take a moment to catch your breath. Look at live tv shows, everybody does it. Just make sure it is not often and for just fractions of a second. 9. When you move to a next question, forget about the previous one. Don't worry if the recording got your last word or not. It's done, focus on the next one. 10. Speak clearly. They don't really care about what you are saying as much as they care about how you are saying it. Most important is that the listener understands every word you say. So pronounciate well and don't bite letters out of words. 11. Be relaxed. I was so nervous during the speaking section, I was going short of breath from tachycardia. 12. It is a long test so be prepared for it. There is a lot to read, a lot to talk about, and you may get exasperated. The internet sampler is just a mini test. So expect a much longer one. This is my own experience, i hope it will be relevant and helpful. If anyone has other questions, just let me know and I will be glad to help as much as I can.

WOW Akres, That's almost the maximum score. Congrats. What will you do now?

I just got my result. I scored 134. Congratulations guys.

Results should be out very soon. First one to get his enveloppe (small hopefully), please notify the others by posting your results here. Others will follow. Good luck.

Hi Pega If you go to nabp's website and scroll down the Q&A of FPGEE, you will find that it makes no difference if you miss the test on your second chance or fail it. Because if you don't take the test of the second chance, your file will be closed and fees forfeited. So why not give it a try anyhow? They only allow a third chance in case of visa denial or serious sickness both of which to be documented. There is still plenty of time for december, may be the best is that you study as much as you can and take the test. Anyways, re examination after failure may be an easier process than re applying all over again. Go to FPGEE frequently asked questions, they will help you make up your mind.

I would go for active reabsorption. Even though theoretically passive reabsorption might be true, it is usually for non-drug susbtances. So, since we are talking about drugs/drug metabolites, those are usually associated with active reabsorption. This is how I would have thought of it.

I don't think so Knok, the new blue print has so many totally NEW sections that were not even mentioned in the older blue print. May be NABP is making some sort of a smooth transition phase before hitting hard with the new blue print. This is why, in my opinion, our june exam was more or less in harmony with the previous ones. The problem is that nobody knows when and to what extent those new sections will be included in the exams. One should be prepared for anything. It's better to study more than less.

The one you are asking about is: Reference guide for the foreign pharmacy licensing exam; foreign pharmacy questions & answers. V.2 isbn: 0-9707931-4-6