Common Registration Assessment, Part 1
Carvedilol tablet strengths and titration steps for the GPhC assessment
Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.
Published 22 October 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.
The BNF lists carvedilol tablets in four strengths: 3.125 mg, 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg and 25 mg.
The BNF gives the usual adult starting dose for heart failure as 3.125 mg twice a day taken with food, doubled at intervals of at least 2 weeks through 6.25 mg, 12.5 mg and up to 25 mg twice 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.
- Apply the twice-daily frequency: two doses each day.
- Scale to the stated titration interval only when a supply is requested.
- Check the tablet count is a whole number 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 plan starts carvedilol at 3.125 mg twice a day using 3.125 mg tablets for the first 2 weeks. How many tablets is this step?
Show the answer
Answer: 28 tablets
Working: 3.125 ÷ 3.125 = 1 tablet per dose. Twice a day is 2 tablets a day. 2 × 14 = 28 tablets.
Question 2
A fictional plan increases carvedilol to 6.25 mg twice a day using 3.125 mg tablets for 2 weeks. How many tablets is this step?
Show the answer
Answer: 56 tablets
Working: 6.25 ÷ 3.125 = 2 tablets per dose. Twice a day is 4 tablets a day. 4 × 14 = 56 tablets.
Question 3
A fictional plan continues carvedilol at 12.5 mg twice a day using 6.25 mg tablets for 4 weeks. How many tablets is this step?
Show the answer
Answer: 112 tablets
Working: 12.5 ÷ 6.25 = 2 tablets per dose. Twice a day is 4 tablets a day. 4 weeks is 28 days, so 4 × 28 = 112 tablets.
Exam approach
Titration questions split at each step. Calculate one step at its stated dose and length before moving to the next.
Where marks are lost
- Mixing up the four strengths when the strength is stated in the question.
- Counting one dose a day when the question says twice a day.
- Forgetting to convert the 2-week or 4-week interval into days.
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 titration steps?
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.