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Credential Newsletter July 2007

The first step in development of the certification examination was to conduct a formal analysis to define the scope of geriatric pharmacy practice. This is called a practice analysis. A committee of 12 expert pharmacist practitioners was formed to oversee this process.

Input from this expert committee was used to develop a written survey instrument that was distributed to a sample group of pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care to the elderly.  The results of this survey were analyzed by the Practice Analysis Committee. The committee developed a final document that defines the scope of geriatric pharmacy practice and also serves as a guide, or content map for developing the examination. If you wish to download the examination,  please click here to view Content Outline.

A committee of experts met on May 16-17, 1997 to develop questions for the examination.  Test specialists analyzed the questions to ensure that all psychometric properties were met (e.g., linked to the test specifications developed from the practice analysis described above).  Questions were developed for all major content areas of the examination and a composite examination was then assembled.

The Exam Committee met again June 13-14, 1997 to review all of the test questions and prepare the final certification examination. Following this meeting, the final version of the examination was completed.

On August 15-16, 1997, a Cut Score Committee met to evaluate each of the test questions for level of difficulty and establish a passing score for the overall examination.