After months of revision and preparation, assessment day is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you've developed throughout your training.
The GPhC Common Registration Assessment is designed to assess the knowledge, judgement and accuracy expected of a newly qualified pharmacist. While strong preparation is essential, assessment technique can also have a significant impact on performance.
The NPA Learning and Development team has compiled 10 practical tips to help you approach Part 1 and Part 2 with confidence.
What is the GPhC Common Registration Assessment?
The GPhC Common Registration Assessment is the final assessment trainee pharmacists must pass before joining the GPhC register and becoming a registered pharmacist.
Delivered by the GPhC at designated assessment venues, the assessment evaluates candidates' ability to apply pharmaceutical knowledge, make professional decisions and work accurately under timed conditions.
While the assessment itself is administered by the GPhC, resources such as the NPA FTP Assessment Preparation Course and Trainee Pharmacist Mock Exam can help candidates familiarise themselves with the assessment format and develop effective exam techniques.
Hear are our Top 10 Tips
1. Read every question carefully
Small details can significantly affect the correct answer. Pay particular attention to instructions such as maximum, one eye, nearest whole number or specific decimal place requirements.
2. Use the flagging function strategically
Flag questions that genuinely require further review but avoid flagging too many. A focused review list is usually easier to manage effectively during the final stages of the assessment.
3. Don't get stuck on difficult questions
If a question is taking too long, make your best attempt, flag it if necessary and move on. Returning later can often help you view the question more clearly.
4. For Part 1, write units throughout your calculations
Including units at every stage helps reduce errors and highlights incorrect conversions. This is particularly useful when working between measurements such as milligrams, grams, millilitres and millimoles.
5. Round at the correct stage
Always check the question requirements carefully. You may need to round per dose, at the end of the calculation, to a specific decimal place, to the nearest penny or to the nearest 0.05mL.
6. Enter Part 1 answers as you complete them
Recording answers as you go reduces the risk of running out of time and missing answer entries at the end of the assessment.
7. Eliminate incorrect answers first in Part 2
For Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Question (EMQ) formats, removing clearly incorrect options can help you focus on selecting the most appropriate answer.
8. Watch out for similar-looking options
Assessment questions often include answers that appear very similar. Pay close attention to strengths, units, dosage forms and wording to avoid selecting an incorrect option.
9. Use resource searches carefully
Search functions can save valuable time but always check that the information you find applies to the patient, clinical context and question being asked.
10. Use any remaining time to review your work
If time allows, revisit flagged questions and check calculations using a different method where possible. Most importantly, confirm that each answer addresses exactly what the question is asking.
Final reminder
The Common Registration Assessment tests more than knowledge alone. It assesses judgement, accuracy, attention to detail and time management.
Stay calm, work methodically and keep moving through the assessment. If you have time at the end, use it wisely to review your work and check your answers.
For trainees preparing for the assessment, the NPA FTP Assessment Preparation Course and Trainee Pharmacist Mock Exam provide opportunities to practise assessment-style questions and build confidence before the real assessment.
