Preparing for the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration examination can feel demanding, but structured and focused preparation makes a clear difference. These five practical tips target the areas that most often separate confident candidates from those who struggle.
Understand the Exam (and the pace required) 💊
The GPhC exam includes:
- Part 1: Multiple choice questions testing pharmaceutical knowledge
- Part 2: Calculation questions focusing on pharmaceutical calculations
Success isn’t just about knowing the content; it’s about answering accurately at the speed the exam requires. From early in your revision, keep the exam time limits in mind so your preparation reflects real conditions.
Always Time Your Practice 💊
One of the most common issues is running out of time.
Make it a habit to:
- Time question sets
- Time full practice papers
- Notice which question types slow you down
- This helps you:
- Develop realistic pacing
- Avoid spending too long on one question
- Build confidence working under pressure
If your practice isn’t timed, it doesn’t reflect the real exam.
Identify Your Weak Areas 💊
Trainees often revise topics they feel comfortable with, which can leave weaker areas under-practised.
After each session, review:
- Which topics you answer confidently
- Which ones you get wrong or take too long on
Direct more revision time toward weaker areas; this is where score improvements usually come from.
Practice, Practice, Practice 💊
Skill improves through repetition. Aim to practise:
- A wide range of question styles
- The same topic in different formats
- Increasing numbers of questions over time
- Doing more questions helps you:
- Recognise common patterns
- Reduce hesitation
- Improve both speed and accuracy
Confidence often comes from familiarity with how questions are asked.
Review Mistakes and Target Your Revision 💊
Every mistake is useful feedback.
After practice:
- Analyse why you got questions wrong
- Note if the issue was knowledge, misreading or time pressure
- Keep a short list of recurring weak points
Then adjust your study plan accordingly. Targeted revision based on performance is more effective than revising everything equally.
Conclusion 💊
Strong performance in the GPhC exam is built on:
- Practising under timed conditions
- Identifying and working on weaker topics
- Completing a large number of questions
- Learning consistently from mistakes
These habits improve both competence and confidence - key for the exam and for future pharmacy practice.