Pharmacy Intern Written Exam Practice: Mock Tests and Preparation Strategy

For an intern pharmacist, getting a general registration from AHPRA as a registered pharmacist is life changing and crucial. Intern exams are of two types. Intern oral exam and intern written exam, Intern written exam is conducted by Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). For pharmacists aiming to register in Australia, passing these exams are the final step towards their dream. This competitive exam assesses the ability of an intern in terms of critical thinking, problem solving, thinking clinically, and pharmacy intern written exam practice safely as a pharmacist.

Candidates must prepare with a proper plan and strategic approach. They should regularly practice with mock tests, practice questions, sample papers and more. 

What Is the APC Intern Written Exam?

The APC Intern Written Exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice assessment that evaluates your competence in four key areas:

  • Clinical Pharmacy Knowledge – pharmacotherapy, drug information, patient counselling
  • Calculations & Compounding – dosing, dilutions, IV infusion rates
  • Pharmacy Law & Ethics – poisons schedules, PBS rules, legal obligations
  • Professional Practice – communication and decision-making in a clinical setting

This is not just a memory test . it requires applying theory to real-world scenarios. That’s why solving practice questions for intern pharmacists and simulating the exam environment is so valuable.

The Power of Pharmacy Intern Practice Tests

Taking regular pharmacy intern practice tests is one of the most effective preparation techniques. Here’s why:

  • Improves Recall Under Pressure: You train your brain to retrieve knowledge quickly.
  • Identifies Weak Topics: Score reports help you focus revision where it matters most.
  • Boosts Time Management: You’ll get used to answering within the strict exam timeframe.
  • Builds Confidence: Familiarity reduces test-day stress and surprises.

Mock Test for Pharmacy Intern Written Exam – What to Expect

A good mock test for pharmacy intern written exams should reflect the real APC exam as closely as possible. Look for:

  • 70–80 MCQs with a mix of clinical, legal, and calculation questions
  • Timed assessment mode to simulate pressure
  • Detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers
  • Performance analytics to measure progress

By practicing in a realistic setting, you’ll walk into the real exam feeling prepared, not panicked.

Sample Paper for Pharmacy Intern Written Exam

If you’re just starting your preparation, a sample paper for the pharmacy intern written exam is a great first step. These papers give you:

  • A snapshot of question types and difficulty
  • An idea of how topics are distributed across the exam
  • A baseline score to measure improvement over time

Tip: Don’t just check the answer key — review the explanation for each question to understand the reasoning.

Practice Questions for Intern Pharmacists

Consistent practice is key. Aim for 15–20 practice questions for intern pharmacists daily, covering:

  • Therapeutics (e.g., diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular conditions)
  • Drug interactions and side effect profiles
  • PBS and dispensing requirements
  • Dose calculations and conversions

Over time, this habit strengthens retention and boosts your overall score.

Online Pharmacy Internship Exam Practice

Digital platforms have made pharmacy internship exam practice online easier than ever. With question banks, interactive quizzes, and analytics dashboards, you can:

  • Track your accuracy by topic
  • Benchmark against other candidates
  • Practice anytime — perfect for interns with busy work schedules

Many platforms even offer adaptive learning, focusing more on your weaker areas as you progress.

The Right Intern Exam Preparation Materials

Apart from practice tests, make sure you have quality intern exam preparation materials on hand:

  • Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) – your go-to for therapeutic guidance
  • Therapeutic Guidelines – for evidence-based recommendations
  • Pharmacy Law resources – covering regulations, ethics, and poisons schedules
  • Competency Standards – to understand the expectations of practice

Pairing these resources with practice tests ensures comprehensive preparation.

Know More: pharmacy intern written exam practice

Why Elite Expertise Is a Smart Choice

If you’re serious about passing on your first attempt, structured coaching can make all the difference. Elite Expertise is regarded as one of the top online coaching institutes for the APC Intern Written Exam and is trusted by hundreds of pharmacy graduates globally.

  • Candidates can learn from highly experienced pharmacists and educators-Mr. Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika Bheemavarpu, who are accredited consultant clinical pharmacists in Australia.
  • Thousands of mock tests and practice questions for intern pharmacists 
  • Personalized Study Plans that are strategic and designed to improve strengths and weaknesses
  • Get direct support and doubt clearing sessions during live lectures from mentors
  • Candidates will have options to attend live and recorded sessions until they clear the exam. This will give a flexibility for busy students and working professionals 

With Elite Expertise, you can prepare smarter, stay consistent, and increase your chances of clearing the exam on your first attempt.

5 Sample MCQs with Answers & Explanations

Q1: Which of the following is first-line therapy for acute mild asthma?

  • A) Oral corticosteroids
  • B) Short-acting beta-agonist inhaler 
  • C) Long-acting beta-agonist inhaler
  • D) Theophylline
    Explanation: SABAs like salbutamol are the first-line treatment for acute relief.

Q2: Schedule 8 (S8) medicines in Australia are:

  • A) Pharmacy-only medicines
  • B) Controlled drugs 
  • C) OTC medicines
  • D) Complementary medicines
    Explanation: S8 medicines are controlled substances that require strict storage and record-keeping.

Q3: Calculate the dose: 250 mg/5 mL syrup. Required dose = 125 mg.

  • A) 1 mL
  • B) 2.5 mL 
  • C) 3 mL
  • D) 5 mL
    Explanation: 250 mg ÷ 5 mL = 50 mg/mL → 125 mg ÷ 50 = 2.5 mL.

Q4: Which of the following increases bleeding risk when used with warfarin?

  • A) Paracetamol
  • B) Ibuprofen 
  • C) Metformin
  • D) Omeprazole
    Explanation: NSAIDs like ibuprofen increase the risk of GI bleeding when combined with warfarin.

Q5: What’s the recommended initial management for severe anaphylaxis?

  • A) Antihistamine
  • B) IV steroids
  • C) Intramuscular adrenaline 
  • D) Salbutamol inhaler
    Explanation: IM adrenaline is the first-line, life-saving treatment in anaphylaxis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pharmacy Intern Written Exam Practice

The APC Intern Written Exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice assessment conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council. It tests your competence in clinical pharmacy, calculations, pharmacy law, and professional practice to ensure safe and effective patient care.

Passing the pharmacy intern written exam is the final step toward AHPRA registration as a pharmacist in Australia. It demonstrates your ability to think critically, solve clinical problems, and apply knowledge in real-world settings.

Follow a structured study plan, regularly practice with mock tests and sample papers, use trusted resources like AMH and Therapeutic Guidelines, and focus on applying knowledge rather than memorizing facts.

The exam covers four major areas: Clinical Pharmacy Knowledge, Calculations & Compounding, Pharmacy Law & Ethics, and Professional Practice. Together, these assess your readiness to work as a pharmacist.

The exam typically includes around 70–80 multiple-choice questions. These test your knowledge, clinical reasoning, and ability to apply concepts under timed conditions.

Practice tests improve recall under pressure, identify weak topics, boost time management skills, and build confidence by simulating real exam conditions.

It’s recommended to attempt 15–20 practice questions daily across clinical, legal, and calculation topics. Consistent practice improves retention and overall performance.

Yes, online mock tests are highly effective. They simulate real exam conditions, provide performance analytics, and allow flexible practice, which is ideal for busy interns.

Essential resources include the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), Therapeutic Guidelines, Pharmacy Law references, and Competency Standards. Combining these with mock tests ensures thorough preparation.

Elite Expertise offers structured coaching, thousands of practice questions, personalized study plans, and live doubt-clearing sessions. These help boost your confidence and improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.