Common Registration Assessment, Part 1
Bisoprolol tablet strengths and daily doses for the GPhC assessment
Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.
Published 19 October 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.
The BNF lists bisoprolol tablets in six strengths: 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 3.75 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg and 10 mg.
The BNF gives the usual adult dose for high blood pressure and angina as 5 mg once a day to start, with a usual maintenance dose of 10 mg once a day and a maximum of 20 mg once a day.
Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and keep a single dose separate from a supply total. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.
The method
- Identify the exact strength, dose and frequency supplied in the question.
- Calculate one dose first; divide prescribed mg by mg per tablet.
- Scale to the stated duration only when a supply is requested.
- Keep the once-daily frequency in view: one dose each day.
- Check any total against a stated maximum before reporting it.
Three practice questions
Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.
Question 1
A fictional prescription specifies bisoprolol 5 mg once a day using 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets is one day, and how many for 28 days?
Show the answer
Answer: 2 tablets a day, 56 tablets for 28 days
Working: 5 ÷ 2.5 = 2 tablets a day. 2 × 28 = 56 tablets.
Question 2
A fictional prescription specifies bisoprolol 10 mg once a day using 5 mg tablets. How many tablets is one week?
Show the answer
Answer: 14 tablets
Working: 10 ÷ 5 = 2 tablets a day. 2 × 7 = 14 tablets.
Question 3
A fictional prescription specifies bisoprolol 7.5 mg once a day using 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets is one week?
Show the answer
Answer: 21 tablets
Working: 7.5 ÷ 2.5 = 3 tablets a day. 3 × 7 = 21 tablets.
Exam approach
With several strengths on the table, underline the one named in the question before dividing. Most slips here are strength slips, not arithmetic slips.
Where marks are lost
- Mixing up the six tablet strengths when the strength is stated in the question.
- Treating the maximum 20 mg daily dose as the usual maintenance dose.
- Reporting a weekly total when the question asks for a daily dose.
Frequently asked questions
Are these official assessment questions?
No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.
Do I need to memorise the strengths?
The exercise supplies them. In the assessment, read any given product information exactly as written.
How should I check the answer?
Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the quantity to the stated dose and duration.
Sources
The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Practise until the method is automatic
Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.
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See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.