Be prepared

Effective preparation can help reduce stress both in the lead-up to the assessment and on the day. We have highlighted some key information from the GPhC’s Sitting the Common Registration Assessment webpage to help you prepare. However, please ensure you read the GPhC page in full and familiarise yourself with information and resources provided.

Sitting the Common Registration Assessment

• Ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the Surpass system functionality.
• Look at the example questions on the surpass system and key insights from previous sittings. Time yourself so that you understand how long you will have to answer each question in exam conditions.
• Make sure you check the details of your assessment timings for the day in your booking confirmation within your Scheduler account (test centre booking portal), as well as the final email you receive before your sitting. If you have been granted extra time, your start and finish times may be different from other trainees at your test centre.
• Prepare everything in advance. Plan your route and journey time. If you have a long way to travel and are concerned about not arriving in time, you might consider booking into a hotel near the assessment venue the night before. This will cut down on your travel time on the day and keep your stress levels to a minimum.
• Pack your bag the night before ensuring you have included essentials such as your GPhC approved calculator and proof of identity. You must bring either:
  • a valid passport,
  • or UK or European driving license photo-card (either full or provisional).
  • Your first name and last name on your ID must match the names the GPhC have for you on their records. No other form of identification will be accepted on the day of the assessment.
  • Please see the Common Registration Assessment specification and permitted items document for sittings in 2026 for a full list the items you are allowed with you during the assessment.

These small steps can reduce your stress levels and help you feel more prepared for the day of the assessment.

On the day

Top up your energy levels

Have a selection of healthy snacks on hand to keep your energy levels topped up between paper one and paper two. Think fruit, dried nuts, and water rather than crisps, cake, and too much caffeine. Remember to take water in a transparent bottle with you to keep you hydrated during the assessment.

Arrive early

Test centres will be open from 9:00am, one hour before the start of part one. You must arrive 30 minutes before the start time so you can register and put your belongings in the designated area.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes after the start time, you will not be able to sit the assessment and you will be asked to leave the test centre. Not sitting will not count as one of your three attempts.

Registration for part two can start 30-45 minutes before the assessment start time. Check the time you need to return to register for part two with the invigilators.

Calculators

You will be able to use calculators in part one of the registration assessment. Do not rely on the exam venue to provide calculators. Trainee pharmacists can use the onscreen calculator or can opt to bring and use a physical calculator. A spare physical calculator is permitted.

See page 4 of the GPhC Sitting the November 2026 Common Registration Assessment document for the list of approved calculators.

Fit to Sit

On the day, do not sit the assessment unless you feel well enough. You can withdraw at any point before you start the assessment and sign the fit to sit declaration on screen when sitting at your workstation in the test room on the day of the assessment. If you stay at your workstation after you have completed the non-disclosure agreement, you can no longer withdraw from the assessment. Your registration fee for the exam will not be refunded.

If things go wrong during the exam

If you experience a problem or become unwell during either paper, you must raise any issues with a Test Invigilator immediately. The invigilator will firstly help you resolve the issue and then provide you with an invigilator report number to confirm that the GPhC will be made aware of the issue(s) you have experienced and provide you with a case report number.

If you do feel that your performance may have been adversely affected by the issue and decide to request a nullification, you must reference the report number provided by an invigilator when you complete your incident report form. It is essential you keep note of the incident report number provided by the invigilator as you will need this if you decide to submit a nullification request.

Please see the GPhC withdrawal-nullification-and-appeal-guide-Apr-2026.

If you need to fill in a nullification request form, you must also provide suitable evidence to support your request, for example, medical evidence if you were taken ill. The nullification form will be available from November 2026 on the assessment sitting page.

The deadline for submitting a nullification request for this sitting is 5pm on Thursday 12 November 2026. If your nullification request is upheld, you will not receive your results, and your assessment attempt will not count towards your three attempts at the exam.

Practicalities around the November assessment day can be found in the GPhC guidance on Sitting the November 2026 Common Registration Assessment.

Good luck from Pharmacist Support to all trainees sitting their assessment on 10^th November.