Common Registration Assessment · Practice material
GPhC past papers and official example questions
What the GPhC actually gives you to practise with, what it does not, and a simple order for using it.
Updated 1 October 2026
Short answer. We found no official full past papers. The GPhC provides example questions for both parts, an example questions guide with answers, a walkthrough video, a framework, and Board of Assessors feedback after each sitting.
What the GPhC provides
Example questions, Part 1
Examples of each calculation specified in the CRA framework.
Example questions, Part 2
A range of questions across clinical therapeutics and law, governance and regulation.
Example questions guide
Explains the functionality and provides answers.
Walkthrough video
Shows the example questions and the on-screen tools.
Board of Assessors feedback
Published after each sitting, on topics trainees found challenging.
Framework and specification
The learning outcomes and weightings that all questions come from, and the format and permitted items.
These are listed in the GPhC's May 2026 Q&A and linked from its Sitting the Common Registration Assessment page.
Why the example questions matter
The Board says the example questions do three things: they show the range and depth of topics that may be assessed, they demonstrate the style, format and level of challenge, and they let you practise on the Surpass platform used for the assessment. The Q&A adds that the example question functionality directly replicates the functionality on the day.
What the Board says about outside materials
The Board of Assessors says it does not endorse external revision materials, because they may differ in content and style from the actual assessment, and that the best preparation comes from the experience gained during the foundation training year. That includes our own questions. Use any bank, ours included, to practise recall and technique, and use the official example questions to check you are pitched at the right style and level.
A six-step way to use what exists
- Work through the Part 1 and Part 2 example questions early. They show the style, format and level of challenge, and they replicate the on-screen tools you will use on the day.
- Read the example questions guide to check your answers and learn the platform shortcuts. Ctrl + F is not available in the assessment.
- Read the last two Board feedback documents and list the topics named. Mark which ones you can already explain without notes.
- Map your weak topics to the framework outcomes, starting with the highest weighted ones.
- Practise Part 1 calculations in a timed block of 40 questions in 2 hours, with the calculator you will use.
- Practise Part 2 in one sitting of 120 questions in 2.5 hours at least once before the exam.
Related pages
- Exam format, timing and framework weighting
- Results and Board feedback themes
- Calculations formula sheet
- 12-week study plan
Frequently asked questions
Does the GPhC publish past papers?
In the GPhC documents we checked (the sitting page, the May 2026 Q&A, the specification and the Board feedback), the official practice material is a set of example questions with a guide and a walkthrough video, plus Board feedback after each sitting. We found no full past papers listed. Check the GPhC sitting page for anything added since.
Are the exam questions ever repeated?
The GPhC documents do not say. The Board can remove questions after a sitting, and all trainees in a sitting receive the same questions in a different order. Treat any claim of repeated questions with caution.
Do the example questions work like the real exam?
The GPhC Q&A says the example question functionality directly replicates the functionality on the day of the assessment.
Does the Board recommend outside revision materials?
No. The Board of Assessors says it does not endorse external revision materials, because they may differ in content and style from the actual assessment. It says the best preparation comes from the experience gained during the foundation training year.
Where do I find the Board feedback?
The GPhC links it from its sitting page. Our results page summarises the themes from June and November 2025 and links the topic pages.
Add timed practice to the official examples
Single best answer, extended matching and calculation questions with worked answers.