Key Concepts:
- The Australian Pharmacy Intern Written Exam is conducted by the APC
- After completing 75% of supervised intern hours, candidate can attempt intern written exam
- Candidates must be provisionally registered an an intern with AHPRA to attempt the written exam
- The MCQs in the exam are designed to simulate real-world pharmacy practice scenarios with a culturally responsive approach, across various domains, such as hospital pharmacy, community settings, and aged care.
- Candidates can use AMH, authorised resources accepted by APC or join a coaching institute like Elite Expertise, which provides comprehensive training for the written exam.
- Regular practice or mock test and time management can be game changer in the preparation
What is the Australian Intern Written Examination for pharmacists?
The Australian intern written exam is conducted by APC , assesses your ability to apply clinical knowledge and pharmacy law in practical situations. It is often the first major exam interns take after completing around 75% of their supervised practice hours. To attempt the intern written exam, candidates must be provisionally registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.This exam evaluates whether you are ready to:- Make safe, evidence based decisions aligned with medication management
- Dispense medication accurately
- Counsel patients effectively
- Work with Australian legal and ethical framework at Australian healthcare settings
- Medication management strategy
Exam format and structure of the pharmacy intern written exam in 2025
| Features | Description |
| Eligibility | Interns Must be provisionally registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and have completed ~75% of supervised practice hours. |
| Question Format | 75 multiple choice questions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Scored questions | 67 questions |
| Unscored questions | 8 questions |
| Exam Type | Computer-based, online exam |
| Interface Tutorial | 15 minutes before the exam |
| Duration of the Exam | Candidates have 120 minutes to complete the Intern Written Exam |
| Scoring Method | Passing score is determined by the Rasch methodology – a psychometric standard-setting method |
| Results Published | Approximately 3 weeks from the exam date |
| Test centers | Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Townsville |
APC approved syllabus for intern written exam is:
- Clinical pharmacy: managing common conditions, pharmacotherapy, adverse effects
- Legal and ethical practice: dispensing regulations, PBs knowledge, documentation
- Communication and counselling: Patient safety, cultural competency
- Calculations: Dosage, conversions, compounding
- Drug interactions: safety, contraindications, monitoring parameters
Fees for Pharmacy intern written exam
| Item | Fees in AUD |
| Exam fees | AUD 770.00 |
| Cancellation (5+ days before exam) | AUD 100.00 |
| Late Cancellation (within 5 days or post exam) | Partial refund AUD 577.00 |
Preparation tips for APC Intern Written Exam for pharmacist
Pharmacy intern written exam is highly competitive in nature. Candidates who are appearing for the examination should- Understand the APC Exam syllabus and preparation should align with the topics
- Schedule and Make a Study Plan where candidates have to dedicate 6–8 weeks for structured preparation.
- Applicants must Focus on High-Yield topics such as cardiovascular, antibiotics, diabetes, mental health.
- Do regular practice of Calculations which include dosing, dilutions, IV infusion rates.
- Practice Mock Tests & MCQs in a simulated real exam condition with proper setting of timing and pressure which will mimic the real exam
- A) Blood glucose
- B) INR
- C) Blood pressure
- D) Serum potassium
- A) Schedule 2
- B) Schedule 4
- C) Schedule 8
- D) Schedule 9
How to Prepare for Intern Pharmacist Written Exam
- Candidates must Start preparing Early, At least by 2–3 months before the exam date.
- Schedule the preparation time and divide topics according to the high-yield questions. For an example: Spend 60% on therapeutics, 20% on calculations, 10% on law, 10% on communication.
- Practice using the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) under timed conditions, as candidates can use this as a resource for the third part of exam, because intern written exam is an open book exam
- Join a Coaching Program, like Elite Expertise, which offers 1000+ MCQs, mock tests, and crash courses tailored to the APC exam syllabus with a proven track record of more than 90% of success on every exam.
- Prepare a time table to Revise Frequently by giving importance to Weekly revisions of high-yield topics to keep concepts fresh.
Conclusion
The Australian Pharmacist Intern Written Exam is a crucial step towards becoming a fully registered pharmacist. By understanding the exam structure, using the APC blueprint, practicing calculations, and simulating real exam scenarios, you can maximize your chances of success. At Elite Expertise, we offer comprehensive training, mock exams, and mentorship from accredited consultant clinical pharmacists to ensure you pass on your first attempt. Explore our exam preparation courses and free resources and book a free consultation with us . We are happy to help you!Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Intern Written Exam
Yes, you can use the :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} (AMH) and other authorized resources during the exam.
There are usually 75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) over a 2-hour period.
Candidates generally have three attempts per eligibility period.
Yes, if they are provisionally registered after completing :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} or :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} requirements.
The fee for the Intern Written Exam is AUD 770.00.
Registration is done online through the :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} (APC) Candidate Portal.
You can reattempt in the next exam cycle, provided you remain eligible.
Yes, calculations typically make up 15–20% of the paper.
Absolutely. Practicing mock tests builds confidence and improves timing and accuracy.
The passing score is usually around 60–70%, but check the APC guidelines for the most current requirements.
