A practical GPhC revision plan focused on timed practice, calculations, and clinical decision-making — with a simple 8‑week plan to help you pass first time.
GPhC exam revision: what really makes a difference
GPhC revision is not just about recalling information. The registration assessment is designed to test whether you can apply knowledge under pressure: judgement, accuracy, and choosing the right next step when a scenario is messy.
If you want a first-time pass, aim for structured practice that matches how the assessment feels on the day. That means revising in the same format you’ll be tested in, under time constraints, and reviewing mistakes ruthlessly.
Most improvement comes not from repetition, but from tracking mistakes deliberately. When a question trips you up, write it down along with the specific reason behind the error. Instead of guessing, clarify what step led to the wrong choice. A separate notebook just for these moments turns missteps into clear patterns. With weeks passing, the log becomes a map shaped by actual performance, not assumptions. Each entry shows where attention is needed most. Revision gains direction because the material reflects personal gaps, not broad topics. Details matter more when they come from experience. Learning shifts once errors are treated as data, not setbacks.
What you need to know about the GPhC registration assessment
To enter the register in Great Britain, you must pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration assessment and complete the required foundation training. Eligibility depends on meeting the entry rules for your sitting by the application deadline.
The assessment takes place on one day and is split into two parts with a scheduled break. You must complete and pass both parts in the same sitting (results do not carry across sittings).
Always check the latest GPhC guidance and CRA framework for your sitting, as formats and requirements can change over time.
Part 1: Calculations (typical format)
- 40 questions
- 120 minutes
- Numerical free-text answers
- 1 mark per correct answer
- No negative marking
Part 2: Safe and Effective Pharmacy Care of the Public (typical format)
- 120 questions
- 150 minutes
- 90 single best answer (SBA) and 30 extended matching questions (EMQ)
- 1 mark per correct answer
- No negative marking
What sets GPhC revision apart?
Many trainees “revise” by rereading notes. That can feel productive, but it doesn’t reliably translate into exam marks. The exam isn't about memorizing facts - it's about using what you know safely in real situations.
In practice, you’ll be expected to do things like:
- Interpret prescriptions and clinical information safely
- Recognise red flags and escalate appropriately
- Make professional judgements under time pressure
- Apply guidance and evidence to a scenario
- Perform calculations accurately with careful checking
That’s why your revision should be built around questions, scenarios, and timed decision-making — not just memorising facts.
Organising your GPhC study plan
1) Start with the assessment structure, not random topics
Begin by mapping your revision to the CRA framework and how questions are structured. The content spans clinical therapy areas (aligned broadly with BNF categories) alongside professional judgement, law, and ethics.
Topic frequency can vary between sittings, so don’t revise only what you think is “popular”. Build coverage across the full structure, then allocate time based on:
- your weak areas
- high-risk topics with real patient-safety impact
- your performance in timed question practice
A simple starting split (adjust it based on your results):
- 60% core clinical topics (including minor ailments/otc knowledge)
- 25% calculations practice
- 15% law, ethics, and professional judgement
2) Build calculation accuracy first, then add speed
Because calculations are tightly timed, small errors can cost a lot quickly. Start by aiming for consistent accuracy before worrying about pace.
Build skill in:
- Doses and concentrations
- Dilutions
- Infusion rates
- Renal function and dose adjustments
- Percentage strengths
- Displacement volumes
- Unit conversions and formulation calculations
Once you’re reliably accurate, introduce a timer. Speed matters, but only after your method is stable.
Use the same calculator approach you’ll use on the day (approved physical calculator and/or on-screen calculator depending on the sitting). The goal is to remove avoidable friction under exam conditions.
3) Train properly with on-screen extracts
Some questions include extracts on screen (for example, from the BNF/BNFC or an SmPC). That’s different from having unrestricted access to the full text: you’re being tested on whether you can interpret what’s in front of you quickly and safely.
Build two abilities together:
- Working knowledge of common treatments, contraindications, and monitoring
- Fast, accurate interpretation when an extract is provided
A practical habit for question practice: read the extract fully before answering. Slow down for the first pass, then answer decisively once you’ve identified what matters.
When you see an extract, actively check for:
- maximum dose thresholds
- renal/hepatic adjustments
- absolute contraindications
- monitoring requirements
- key interactions
- referral/escalation triggers
4) Revise high-risk clinical areas with a patient-safety lens
Across settings, many questions are really asking: “What’s the safest action right now?” Revise topics in a way that forces you to make and justify decisions.
Cardiovascular
- Hypertension stepwise management and monitoring
- Heart failure medicines: titration, contraindications, counselling
- Atrial fibrillation: anticoagulation choices, interactions, renal considerations
- Acute coronary syndrome basics and post-event optimisation
Endocrine
- Insulin regimens and safe use
- Hypoglycaemia recognition and management
- DKA red flags and urgent referral triggers
- Thyroid dosing and monitoring
Respiratory
- Asthma: stepping up/down, inhaler technique, steroid risks
- COPD: maintenance, exacerbation recognition, red flags
- High-risk inhaler errors and counselling
Infections and antimicrobial stewardship
- Choosing first-line options based on scenario
- Duration of therapy and review points
- Renal dosing adjustments
- Sepsis recognition and escalation
- Safety checks and stewardship principles
Across all topics, train yourself to answer:
- Which option carries the least risk right now?
- What is the key contraindication or interaction?
- What monitoring is required?
- What needs urgent referral/escalation?
5) Practise in real conditions and mark like an examiner
Here's what actually works:
- Full timed mock exams for both parts
- Strict marking (no “I basically got it”)
- Reviewing every incorrect answer and every guess
- Tracking error patterns (not just topics)
You'll need to build up your endurance for the full day:
- practise sitting for full paper durations
- rehearse a pacing strategy
- practise flagging and returning rather than getting stuck
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving calculations until late in your revision cycle
- Revising only “popular topics” and missing framework areas
- Memorising facts without practising safe decision-making
- Neglecting time management and fatigue resistance
- Over-relying on notes instead of question practice
Resources for GPhC revision
Use a combination of:
- The latest CRA framework documents and style guidance for your sitting
- BNF and BNFC familiarity (plus practice interpreting extracts)
- SmPC-style extract interpretation where relevant
- Practice tests that match the two-part format
Whatever you use, make sure it reflects how the assessment works now — not old formats or outdated question styles.
An 8‑week GPhC study schedule
Weeks 1–2
- Core clinical systems revision
- Daily calculations practice
- Short question sets to identify weak areas
Weeks 3–4
- Mixed topic question banks (SBA and EMQ)
- Timed calculation sets
- Build pacing and “flag and return” habits
Weeks 5–6
- Full Part 1 mock, then full Part 2 mock (timed, exam conditions)
- Deep review of errors and near-misses
- Focused revision on weaker areas found in mocks
Week 7
- Consolidate weak areas
- High-risk topics and safety checks
- Mixed timed sets with a focus on consistency
Week 8
- Light review and final consolidation
- Formula recall practice
- Sleep, routine, and exam readiness
Mental approach on test day
- Read the scenario fully before committing to an answer
- Remove unsafe options first, then choose the best remaining
- Double-check units and reasonableness in calculations
- Use “flag and return” instead of getting stuck on one question
A single difficult question does not decide your result. Reset, move on, and come back with a clearer head.
Final thoughts
Everything in this exam comes back to one thing - patient safety. The strongest preparation is not more notes — it’s a repeatable method: full framework coverage, daily calculations, scenario-based questions, realistic timed mocks, and ruthless review of mistakes.
Passing first time becomes far more likely when planning and practice stay aligned. Keep the structure simple, keep the feedback loop tight, and stick to your routine and let the daily practice pay off.