If you are sitting the exam in November, you will naturally be anxious to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day. Here are our top tips on sitting the exam and also, what to do if things go wrong on the day.

Top up your energy levels

Have a selection of healthy snacks on hand to keep your energy levels topped up. Think fruit, dried nuts and water rather than crisps, cake and too much caffeine.

Advance preparation

Make sure you have everything prepared 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.

Fit to Sit

On the day, do not sit the assessment unless you feel well enough. You can withdraw at any point before you sign the non-disclosure agreement at your workstation. If you stay at your workstation after you have completed the non-disclosure agreement, you can no longer withdraw from the assessment. You will not lose your registration fee if you withdraw, the fee will be refunded within 28 days of the exam to the card from which the initial payment was made.

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, you must bring your own. It must be one of these models:

• Sharp EL 240SAB
• Catiga CD-8185
• Rebell Panther 8 Desktop Calculator
• Aurora DT210
• Aurora HC133
• Casio MX 8B-WE/MX 8B
• Casio MX-8S-WE

You are allowed to bring two calculators, your main one and a spare. Alternatively, you can opt to use the on-screen calculator if preferred.

Arrive early

Timings may vary between assessment test centres, so be sure to double-check what time your assessment starts. It is a good idea to arrive early, but you should check with your centre to see when they will be opening prior to the start of the exam. Please do not worry if you find your test centre is not open when you arrive; just wait outside until the centre opens and the staff invite you inside. 

If you are late for the assessment, you will not be given additional time and you run the risk of having insufficient time to complete the assessment. If you do arrive late, you might wish to consider withdrawing as an alternative to sitting the assessment with less time than all the other candidates.

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. If you are too late to attempt the exam you will need to complete a withdrawal form. Failure to do this will result in the exam being counted as one of your three attempts although you did not sit the exam.

Withdrawal request forms can be downloaded from the GPhC website. You should send your withdrawal form to   withdrawals@pharmacyregulation.org.uk If you do not complete the form, the November sit will count as one of your three attempts at the exam.

The deadline for requesting a withdrawal is 5pm on 10 November 2022.

Travelling by train

If you had planned to travel to your exam venue by train, you should note that train strikes are scheduled for the 5, 7 and 9 November for parts of the rail network. You may need to make new plans for travelling to your venue, and you should check with your train line before booking any tickets to ensure that they can provide a normal service in the run up to the strike days.

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 help you to resolve the issue and provide you with a case report number. This will allow the GPhC to confirm the issue(s) you have experienced. If you feel that your performance may have been adversely affected, it is essential that you log the incidents with a Test Invigilator. Do also make sure that you receive a case reference number. You may want to consider requesting a nullification.

You will 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. 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.

Nullification forms will be available on the GPhC November assessment webpage. Completed forms should be sent to regexam@pharmacyregulation.org The deadline for sending in a nullification request is 5pm 10 November 2022.

Take a look at our page on preparing for the exam