Frequently Asked QuestionsEverything About the GPhC Exam

The GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) pre-registration exam is a mandatory assessment that pharmacy graduates in the UK must pass to become registered pharmacists. It tests clinical knowledge, pharmaceutical calculations, and professional practice across all areas of the GPhC framework.

The GPhC exam consists of 110 questions to be completed in 2.5 hours (150 minutes). It includes single best answer (SBA) questions, extended matching questions (EMQs), and calculation questions. All questions are multiple choice and computer-based.

The overall GPhC exam pass rate typically ranges from 70-80% for first-time candidates, though this varies between sittings. Students who use comprehensive preparation platforms like ours achieve significantly higher pass rates - our students have a 94% first-time pass rate.

The GPhC exam is held twice per year, typically in June and September. Exact dates are announced by the GPhC several months in advance. Registration opens approximately 3 months before each sitting.

The GPhC exam sitting fee is approximately £237 per attempt. This is separate from any preparation costs. If you fail, you must wait 6 months before the next attempt and pay the fee again, making proper preparation a worthwhile investment.

The GPhC exam covers pharmaceutical calculations, clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and formulation, and public health. Questions are aligned with the GPhC framework and reflect real-world pharmacy practice scenarios.

We recommend starting your preparation at least 12 weeks (3 months) before your exam date. Most successful students study 2-3 hours daily, combining practice questions, mock exams, and content review. Starting earlier gives you more time to identify and address weak areas.

The most effective preparation combines: (1) consistent daily practice with quality questions, (2) realistic mock exams under timed conditions, (3) thorough review of explanations for both correct and incorrect answers, (4) focused work on weak areas identified through analytics, and (5) regular calculation practice. Our platform supports all these activities.

We recommend completing at least 1,500-2,000 practice questions before your exam, spread over your preparation period. Start with 30-50 questions daily and increase as your exam approaches. Quality matters more than quantity - always review explanations thoroughly.

Take your first mock exam after 2-3 weeks of study to establish a baseline. Then take regular mocks every 1-2 weeks to track progress. In the final 2 weeks before your exam, take 2-3 full mock exams under strict exam conditions to build stamina and confidence.

Practice calculations daily, even if just for 15-20 minutes. Learn and memorize common formulas and shortcuts. Work through step-by-step solutions to understand methodology. Time yourself to improve speed. Focus on understanding the concepts rather than memorizing individual problems.

Regular mock exam practice under timed conditions is the best way to reduce anxiety - familiarity breeds confidence. Also: maintain a consistent study schedule, get adequate sleep, practice relaxation techniques, and trust your preparation. Most anxiety comes from uncertainty, which thorough preparation addresses.

If you fail, you must wait at least 6 months before your next attempt and pay the sitting fee again (approximately £237). You can retake the exam multiple times. Use the waiting period productively to address your weak areas with focused, targeted preparation.

There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the GPhC exam. However, each attempt requires a 6-month wait and payment of the sitting fee. Comprehensive preparation for your retake is essential to avoid repeated failures.

Analyze what went wrong in your first attempt - was it time management, specific topics, calculations, or exam anxiety? Focus your preparation on these areas. Take more mock exams to build confidence. Consider using a structured preparation platform to ensure comprehensive coverage. Our retake success rate is 96%.

The GPhC provides your overall score and whether you passed or failed, but does not provide a breakdown of which specific questions you got wrong. However, you may receive general feedback on performance areas. Use this to guide your retake preparation.

Yes, international pharmacy graduates can take the GPhC exam after completing the Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme (OSPAP) or having their qualifications recognised by the GPhC. The process involves assessment of qualifications and may require additional training.

OSPAP (Overseas Pharmacist Assessment Programme) is a conversion course for pharmacists who qualified outside the UK. It typically takes one year and covers UK pharmacy law, practice, and clinical skills. After completing OSPAP, you can sit the GPhC exam.

The exam itself is identical for all candidates. However, international graduates may need additional focus on UK-specific content such as pharmacy law, NHS structures, and UK drug naming conventions. Our platform includes content specifically helpful for international graduates.

Our questions are written by registered pharmacists who have recently taken the exam. We regularly update our question bank based on student feedback and GPhC framework changes. Many students report our questions are slightly harder than the real exam, which helps them feel more prepared.

Our platform costs £30 per month with no hidden fees. You get full access to 2000+ practice questions, unlimited mock exams, detailed explanations, and progress analytics. Most students subscribe for 3-4 months, making total preparation cost £90-120.

Yes! Our platform is fully responsive and works on smartphones, tablets, and computers. Your progress syncs across all devices. For mock exams, we recommend using a larger screen to simulate exam conditions.

Yes, when you sign up you get access to 50 free practice questions to experience our platform before subscribing. No credit card required for the free trial.

Absolutely. You can cancel anytime from your account dashboard. Your access continues until the end of your billing period. We also offer a 7-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers.