Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Estradiol patch strengths and twice weekly change counts for the GPhC assessment

Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.

Published 4 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

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Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The manufacturer's UK product information for Evorel patches states that the patch is applied to the skin twice weekly, with each patch delivering a stated amount of estradiol per 24 hours.

The same information states that treatment of oestrogen deficiency symptoms should be started with one Evorel 50 patch delivering 50 micrograms of estradiol per 24 hours, with the dose adjusted after the first month if necessary.

It also states that a maximum dose of 100 micrograms of estradiol per 24 hours should not be exceeded.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a patch strength from a daily delivery or a supply period. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Identify the stated patch strength in micrograms per 24 hours.
  2. Count patch changes per week from the twice-weekly schedule.
  3. Multiply the weekly change count by the stated number of weeks for a supply quantity.
  4. Keep micrograms, patches and weeks separate; convert only when the question asks.

Three practice questions

Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.

Question 1

A fictional patient uses an Evorel 50 patch changed twice weekly. How many patches are needed for 28 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 8 patches

Working: 28 days / 7 days = 4 weeks. Two patches each week x 4 weeks = 8 patches.

Question 2

A fictional patient wears an Evorel 50 patch delivering 50 micrograms of estradiol per 24 hours. How many micrograms are delivered over seven days?

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Answer: 350 micrograms

Working: 50 micrograms per 24 hours x 7 days = 350 micrograms in a week.

Question 3

A fictional prescription for Evorel 50 patches, changed twice weekly, runs for 12 weeks. How many patches should be supplied?

Show the answer

Answer: 24 patches

Working: Two patches each week x 12 weeks = 24 patches.

eMC SmPC: Evorel 50 patches

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10927/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Treating micrograms per 24 hours as the number of patches per day.
  • Using one patch each day when the stated schedule is twice weekly.
  • Forgetting to convert a 28-day period into four weeks before counting patches.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.

Does twice weekly mean two patches in every seven-day week for these exercises?

Yes. Use two patch changes per week when the question states a twice-weekly schedule.

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

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More calculation topics

See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.