This year the autumn trainee registration assessment will be held on Thursday 3 November. Here are our top tips on preparing for the exam.

Start early

Studying for exams early means that you’ll be able to take your time with revision and avoid last minute cramming or rushing through subjects. By revising from at least one month before the exam, you can take your time and identify the topics you find most difficult. This approach will ensure you are ready and allows extra time to prepare. Starting too late is an easy trap to fall into, and then revision can suddenly seem like an impossible mountain to climb.

Make a revision plan

Sit down and make a sensible revision plan. Do not set yourself unrealistic goals. You will still need time to eat, sleep and socialise. Neglecting your own health and wellbeing will not help you pass the exam. Have a look at our webpage on Wellbeing for further tips.

Find our exam planner here

Make use of revision support

Try to take advantage of any free revision support that is on offer. Examples include:

• The PDA revision support programme offers practice revision questions, two one hour timed mock exams and tips for revising successfully. Membership is free for trainee pharmacists.
• The CPPE has key programmes to support your revision, including mapping of CPPE and external resources to areas of high weighting.
• PassMedicine offers a wide range of sample questions with teaching notes accompanying each question.
• The Training Pharmacist offers a range of free support including sample questions and recorded lectures designed around the GPhC exam.

There are many other organisations offering revision support. If you do decide that you would like to pay for some additional support, do take advantage of any free trial periods to help you to decide which organisation bests suits your learning style.

Look out for GPhC updates

Keep an eye on the GPhC website for further announcements about the trainee registration assessment. The GPhC has also set up a page dedicated to the November 2022 sit.

Click here for more information

Don’t panic

Whilst exam nerves are normal, it is important to try not to panic as this will only make things worse. If you are feeling worried or depressed about the assessment, talk to somebody. Do not bottle things up. Speak to your friends, family or tutor about how you are feeling or call us to arrange for a chat with one of our Listening Friends. You could also take a look at our Anxiety webpage.

Further support on preparing for the assessment

Book annual leave in the run-up to the exam

Lots of people like to book some annual leave in advance of the exam to give themselves a chance to prepare. If you are working, you could have a chat with your employer about flexibility around booking some leave.

Book your exam venue

This year the exam will be held at a BTL test centre, using the Surpass online system. The GPhC has confirmed that sitting the exam remotely, or in a country outside the UK will not be an option this year. If you are currently living abroad you will need to return to the UK in order to sit the exam.