ExCPT Practice Tips: How to Handle High-Pressure Exam Questions and Master the Top 100 Brand/Generic Names

The ExCPT blends speed, safety, and recall under pressure. You are asked to do math without missing a unit, spot look‑alike drug names, and pick the safest answer fast. This guide gives you a simple way to handle high‑pressure questions and a practical system to master the top 100 brand/generic names. Each tip includes the “why,” so you can apply it even when a question looks unfamiliar.

Handle high‑pressure questions: mind and method

When the clock is running, your brain defaults to habits. Build habits that protect accuracy.

• Start with a 60‑second brain dump. Write key conversions and safety cues on your scratch paper. Why: getting facts out of memory reduces mental load and frees attention for problem solving.
• Use a three‑step question flow.
  • Classify the item: math, law/safety, drug knowledge, or workflow. Why: the tool you use depends on the category.
  • Extract the signal: underline numbers, units, keywords (e.g., “EXCEPT,” “initial,” “maximum”). Why: most errors come from missing a small condition.
  • Choose the tool: dimension analysis for math, elimination for drug names, “safety‑first” rule for workflow. Why: consistent steps lower anxiety and cut careless mistakes.
• Do a three‑pass timing plan. First pass: quick wins. Second pass: medium difficulty. Third pass: the few hard ones. Flag anything taking >60–75 seconds. Why: points from easy items count the same as hard ones.
• Read the stem again before locking in. Re‑check units and “EXCEPT” wording. Why: reversing the question flips the correct answer.

Fast, safe math: a checklist you can run under stress

Set up every problem so units cancel cleanly. If units don’t cancel, you set it up wrong—stop and reset. That single check prevents most errors.

• Core conversions to remember (write these down at the start):
  • 1 tsp = 5 mL; 1 tbsp = 15 mL; 1 oz = 30 mL
  • 1 cup ≈ 240 mL; 1 pint ≈ 480 mL
  • 1 kg = 2.2 lb
• Dosage from stock strength (proportion):
  • Example: Amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID. Stock 250 mg caps. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 caps per dose. Why: matching dose to available strength prevents splitting that isn’t allowed.
• mg/kg dosing with liquids (two‑step):
  • Example: Child 22 lb, order 10 mg/kg of drug X. Suspension 125 mg/5 mL.
  • 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Dose = 10 mg/kg × 10 kg = 100 mg.
  • Volume = 100 mg × (5 mL ÷ 125 mg) = 4 mL. Why: converting weight first keeps the dose accurate.
• Days’ supply:
  • Rx: 5 mL BID, 150 mL dispensed. Daily use = 10 mL. Days’ supply = 150 ÷ 10 = 15 days. Why: plans and law questions often hinge on days’ supply.
• IV drip rate (manual set):
  • 1,000 mL over 8 hours, 10 gtt/mL set. Minutes = 8 × 60 = 480. Rate = (1000 × 10) ÷ 480 ≈ 20.8 → 21 gtt/min.
  • Why: rounding to a whole drop matches real equipment limits.
• Percent strength to mL:
  • 2% lidocaine = 2 g/100 mL = 20 mg/mL. Need 50 mg → 50 ÷ 20 = 2.5 mL. Why: converting to mg/mL avoids mixing percent with mg by mistake.
• Rounding:
  • Follow the question’s instruction. If none: match the dosage form (e.g., oral liquids often to tenths, tablets typically to halves or whole). Why: realistic rounding ensures safe, preparable doses.

Logic for multiple‑choice and select‑all

• Eliminate aggressively. Cross out anything that conflicts with safety, math, or law. Why: removing one bad option doubles your odds even if unsure.
• Watch absolute words. “Always,” “never,” “only” are often wrong in clinical items with exceptions. Why: medicine has few absolutes.
• For “select all,” treat each option as true/false by itself. Don’t aim for a number of choices. Why: guessing the count leads to pattern errors.
• Pick safety over speed. If two answers seem right, choose the one with lower risk to the patient. Why: quality and safety are core exam objectives.

Master the Top 100: how to study brand/generic the smart way

You don’t memorize 100 names one by one. You learn them in connected groups so one name unlocks five more.

• Group by class and suffix. Example: ACE inhibitors end in ‑pril, ARBs in ‑sartan, statins in ‑statin. Why: your brain retrieves patterns faster than isolated facts.
• Add an anchor: indication + 1 safety cue. Example: Lisinopril (ACEI) → BP, cough/hyperkalemia risk. Why: an extra hook makes recall durable and helps in application questions.
• Flag look‑alike/sound‑alike (LASA) pairs. Hydroxyzine vs hydralazine; clonazepam vs clonidine. Use Tall Man lettering in your notes (hydrOXYzine vs hydrALAZINE). Why: the exam tests safe differentiation.
• Use spaced retrieval, not rereading. Quiz yourself daily with small, mixed sets. Why: retrieval and spacing beat cramming for long‑term recall.
• Three‑sided flashcards.
  • Side A: Brand → Side B: Generic.
  • Side C: Class + primary use + red‑flag effect or counseling point. Why: this mirrors how questions are asked.
• 4×4 plan. Learn 4 classes per day, 4 drugs each, then mix review. Why: interleaving prevents “I know it only when grouped.”

High‑yield name patterns (with common exceptions)

• ‑pril → ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril). Why: class effect = cough, hyperkalemia; avoid in pregnancy.
• ‑sartan → ARBs (losartan, valsartan). Why: cough less common than ACEIs; avoid in pregnancy.
• ‑olol → beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol). Why: watch bradycardia; taper to avoid rebound.
• ‑dipine → DHP CCBs (amlodipine, nifedipine). Why: peripheral edema; avoid crushing extended‑release.
• ‑statin → lipid lowering (atorvastatin, simvastatin). Why: myopathy risk; take at night for short‑acting agents.
• ‑prazole → PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole). Exception: aripiprazole is an antipsychotic. Why: acid suppression can affect absorption.
• ‑tidine → H2 blockers (famotidine). Why: less potent than PPIs; renal dosing matters.
• ‑cillin, cef‑/ceph‑ → penicillins, cephalosporins. Why: allergy history screening on intake.
• ‑floxacin → fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin). Why: tendon risk; chelates with cations.
• ‑cycline → tetracyclines (doxycycline). Why: avoid in pregnancy/children; photosensitivity; no dairy/iron close to dosing.
• ‑azole → antifungals (fluconazole). Why: CYP interactions common.
• ‑gliptin → DPP‑4 inhibitors (sitagliptin). Why: glycemic control without hypoglycemia alone.
• ‑glutide → GLP‑1 agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide). Why: nausea early; weight loss; injection technique matters.
• ‑terol → beta‑agonists (albuterol, salmeterol). Why: rescue vs maintenance distinction is testable.

Mini deck: 50 must‑know brand/generic pairs with quick anchors

• Norvasc — amlodipine (CCB; BP; edema)
• Prinivil/Zestril — lisinopril (ACEI; BP; cough/hyperkalemia)
• Cozaar — losartan (ARB; BP; pregnancy warning)
• Diovan — valsartan (ARB; BP)
• Lopressor — metoprolol tartrate (beta blocker; BP/angina; IR)
• Toprol XL — metoprolol succinate (beta blocker; HF; ER—don’t crush)
• Tenormin — atenolol (beta blocker; renally cleared)
• HCTZ/Microzide — hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic; BP; photosensitivity)
• Lasix — furosemide (loop diuretic; edema; hypokalemia)
• Zocor — simvastatin (statin; cholesterol; myopathy risk)
• Lipitor — atorvastatin (statin; high‑intensity at 40–80 mg)
• Crestor — rosuvastatin (statin; potent; renal adjust)
• Zetia — ezetimibe (cholesterol absorption inhibitor)
• ProAir/Ventolin/Proventil — albuterol (SABA; rescue inhaler)
• Advair — fluticasone/salmeterol (ICS/LABA; maintenance)
• Symbicort — budesonide/formoterol (ICS/LABA)
• Spiriva — tiotropium (LAMA; COPD)
• Singulair — montelukast (leukotriene blocker; asthma/allergies)
• Flonase — fluticasone (nasal steroid; prime device)
• Amoxil — amoxicillin (penicillin; ENT/URI)
• Augmentin — amoxicillin/clavulanate (beta‑lactam + inhibitor; take with food)
• Keflex — cephalexin (1st gen cephalosporin; skin/UTI)
• Zithromax — azithromycin (macrolide; long half‑life)
• Cipro — ciprofloxacin (FQ; avoid cations)
• Levaquin — levofloxacin (FQ; QT risk)
• Bactrim DS — sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfa; rash; hydration)
• Doxycycline — doxycycline (tetracycline; photosensitivity)
• Diflucan — fluconazole (antifungal; CYP interactions)
• Synthroid — levothyroxine (thyroid; empty stomach; consistency)
• Glucophage — metformin (biguanide; GI upset; renal check)
• Januvia — sitagliptin (DPP‑4; renal adjust)
• Victoza — liraglutide (GLP‑1; nausea; weight loss)
• Lantus — insulin glargine (basal insulin; do not mix)
• Humalog — insulin lispro (rapid insulin; mealtime)
• Coumadin — warfarin (anticoagulant; INR; vitamin K diet)
• Xarelto — rivaroxaban (DOAC; take with food for 15–20 mg)
• Eliquis — apixaban (DOAC; dose adjust by criteria)
• Zoloft — sertraline (SSRI; GI upset common)
• Prozac — fluoxetine (SSRI; activating; long half‑life)
• Lexapro — escitalopram (SSRI; anxiety/depression)
• Cymbalta — duloxetine (SNRI; pain + depression; hepatic caution)
• Ativan — lorazepam (benzodiazepine; short‑acting; no active metabolites)
• Xanax — alprazolam (benzodiazepine; dependence risk)
• Adderall — amphetamine salts (stimulant; appetite/insomnia)
• Vyvanse — lisdexamfetamine (pro‑drug stimulant; smoother effect)
• Neurontin — gabapentin (neuropathic pain/seizures; sedation)
• Lyrica — pregabalin (neuropathic pain; edema/sedation)
• Lamictal — lamotrigine (seizures/mood; rash risk with rapid titration)
• Keppra — levetiracetam (seizures; mood changes)
• Norco/Vicodin — hydrocodone/acetaminophen (opioid; max APAP 3–4 g/day)
• Percocet — oxycodone/acetaminophen (opioid; constipation counseling)
• Ultram — tramadol (analgesic; seizure/serotonin risk)
• Motrin/Advil — ibuprofen (NSAID; take with food; GI/renal caution)
• Naprosyn/Aleve — naproxen (NSAID; longer action)
• Celebrex — celecoxib (COX‑2; lower GI risk; sulfa allergy caution)
• Zofran — ondansetron (antiemetic; QT caution)
• Protonix — pantoprazole (PPI; GERD)
• Pepcid — famotidine (H2 blocker; renal adjust)
• Flomax — tamsulosin (alpha‑1 blocker; BPH; dizziness)
• Cialis — tadalafil (PDE‑5; avoid nitrates)
• Viagra — sildenafil (PDE‑5; timing with meals)
• Macrobid — nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals (UTI; avoid if low CrCl)
• Bactroban — mupirocin (topical antibiotic; MRSA decolonization)
• Medrol — methylprednisolone (steroid; taper if long use)
• Deltasone — prednisone (steroid; take with food; mood/glucose effects)
• Kenalog — triamcinolone (topical steroid; thin layer)
• Xalatan — latanoprost (glaucoma; refrigerate before open; eyelash growth)

Why this list works: it clusters by function and includes one “red‑flag” cue per medication to support application questions, not just recognition.

Law and safety shortcuts that simplify tough items

• Controlled refills (federal baseline). C‑II: no refills. C‑III to C‑V: up to 5 refills within 6 months of the date written. Why: you can eliminate answers that allow C‑II refills or unlimited C‑III refills.
• Transfers. Non‑controlled: transfers allowed as long as refills remain (pharmacy to pharmacy). C‑III to C‑V: one‑time transfer (unless shared real‑time database, then as allowed while refills remain). Why: stops double‑dispensing.
• DEA number check. Add 1st+3rd+5th digits. Add 2nd+4th+6th digits, multiply by 2. Sum both totals. The last digit of the sum must match the 7th digit. Why: quick validation catches entry errors.
• High‑alert meds (ISMP focus). Insulin, opioids, anticoagulants, concentrated electrolytes. Double‑check strength, route, and units. Why: most severe harm when wrong.
• Do‑not‑crush concept. ER/EC/XL/CR/DR sprinkles and enteric coatings should not be crushed. Why: dose dumping or inactivation.
• Follow the question’s jurisdiction. If a scenario names a state board rule, use that; otherwise, apply federal standards. Why: exam items anchor to the rules they present.

A two‑week plan to lock in names, math, and safety

• Days 1–3: Conversions + basic math. Drill 20 questions/day. Start brand/generic for CV, lipids, diabetes (30 drugs). Daily 10‑minute spaced review.
• Days 4–6: Respiratory, GI, antibiotics (30 drugs). Add mg/kg and days’ supply. One mixed practice set/day.
• Days 7–9: Neuro/psych, pain (25 drugs). Add IV rates and percent strength. Review LASA pairs.
• Day 10: Law/safety set (controlled refills, transfers, DEA check). Mini‑exam 60 questions.
• Days 11–12: Full top‑100 review via mixed decks. Focus on misses; write why you missed each.
• Day 13: Timed exam (90–120 questions). Apply three‑pass method. Post‑test analysis.
• Day 14: Light review of weak areas. Sleep and routine practice.

Why this works: small daily doses build retention; mixed practice builds flexibility; one full timed test trains pacing.

Test‑day routine: calm is a skill

• Arrive early and do a one‑page brain dump. Conversions, DEA steps, high‑alert list. Why: frees working memory immediately.
• Use box breathing (4‑4‑4‑4) before tough items. Inhale, hold, exhale, hold—each for 4 seconds. Repeat once. Why: reduces adrenaline spikes that push you to rush.
• Watch the clock in thirds. At 33% and 66% of time, glance at progress and adjust. Why: prevents late‑test panic.
• Move on when stuck. Flag, leave a brief note, return on pass two. Why: protects easy points from time drains.

Put it all together

Your edge on the ExCPT is a repeatable process: classify the question, extract the signal, apply the right tool, and confirm safety. For math, let units guide you. For brand/generic, learn by class, anchors, and patterns, and drill with spaced retrieval. During the exam, pace with three passes, and choose the safest accurate answer. The result is fewer surprises, more control, and a score that reflects what you know.

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com