6 Key Takeaways
- The APC Intern Written Exam assesses clinical knowledge, calculations, law, ethics, and patient-centred decision-making, and is mandatory for pharmacy interns in Australia before progressing to supervised practice or full registration.
- The exam format includes MCQs, extended matching questions, short case scenarios, and clinical calculations—covering therapeutics, dispensing, patient counselling, medication safety, compounding, pharmacy law, and evidence-based practice.
- APC sample papers mirror the real exam with mixed case studies, dosing calculations, safety checks, and legal/ethical dilemma questions; using them builds exam familiarity, speed, and accuracy.
- Strong preparation requires structured study plans, focusing on APC sample questions, AMH/APF/PSA guidelines, past case types, daily calculation practice, and timed mock tests to simulate the real assessment environment.
- Common mistakes include misreading case details, calculation errors, ignoring red-flag symptoms, poor time management, and not reviewing medication safety principles—all avoidable with practice and post-mock analysis.
- You pass by meeting the minimum competency benchmark, after which candidates proceed to intern year progression steps; continuous improvement comes from reviewing mock test errors, strengthening weak topics, and refining clinical reasoning.
Introduction
The APC Intern Written Exam is one of the biggest milestones for pharmacy interns in Australia. Whether you’re completing your supervised practice or preparing for the transition to general registration, this exam tests your clinical judgement, therapeutic decision-making, and readiness to function safely as a pharmacist. This complete guide covers the exam pattern, sample questions, study materials, scoring, preparation strategies, and everything you need as an intern pharmacist appearing in 2025–26.-
What Is the APC Intern Written Exam and Who Can Apply?
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible if you:- Are a registered pharmacy intern with Ahpra
- are completing 75% of their supervised practice as an intern pharmacist in Australia
- Have completed a pharmacy degree approved by APC
- Meet all APC exam eligibility requirements and deadlines
- Patient care
- Medication safety
- Clinical reasoning
- Therapeutics
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Professional ethics and pharmacy law
2. Why Is the Written Exam Important for Pharmacy Interns in Australia?
The exam is a key step because it:- Confirms your competence to dispense, counsel, and make clinical decisions independently
- Strengthens patient safety, reducing medication errors
- Ensures consistent professional standards across Australia
- Is mandatory to progress to general registration
- Demonstrates your understanding of clinical governance and quality use of medicines
- Essentially, the APC Written Exam is a gateway to becoming a practising pharmacist.
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What Is the Format of the APC Intern Written Exam?
Exam Format Highlights
- Online computer-based test
- 150–180 minutes (varies by session)
- Mostly MCQs (multiple-choice questions)
- Some extended matching and short scenario-based questions
Question Types
- Single-best-answer MCQs
- Case-based clinical questions
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Therapeutic decision-making items
- Professional & ethical scenarios
4. What Subjects Are Covered in the APC Written Assessment?
The exam spans across the full Scope of Practice for pharmacists in Australia.Key Subject Areas
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Pharmacy practice
- Primary care & OTC recommendations
- Pharmacology & clinical biochemistry
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Compounding & dispensing accuracy
- Medication safety & error prevention
- Professional ethics & Australian pharmacy law
- Evidence-based practice & guidelines
Most Tested Topics
- Cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, CNS, GI, oncology
- Vaccination & immunisation
- Geriatric care & polypharmacy
- Paediatrics
- Antimicrobial stewardship
- Emergency pharmacy scenarios
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How Many Questions Are There in the Exam and How Is It Scored?
Number of Questions
The exam generally contains:- 75 MCQs questions
- Including 8–12 calculation questions
- Multiple clinical case clusters
Scoring
- Each question carries equal weight.
- No negative marking.
- You must achieve a minimum competency score set by APC.
- The exact passing score varies per Rasch method (standard-setting method).
Results are provided as:
- Competent
- Not yet competent
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What Are Some Sample APC Written Exam Questions?
Sample Question 1 — Therapeutics
A 65-year-old patient on warfarin begins treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. What should the pharmacist advise?- Continue both medications as usual
- Stop warfarin immediately
- Monitor INR more frequently
- Switch to ibuprofen
Sample Question 2 — OTC Recommendation
A 28-year-old breastfeeding woman requests a cold medicine. Which ingredient is safest?- Pseudoephedrine
- Dextromethorphan
Sample Question 3 — Pharmaceutical Calculations
How many grams of hydrocortisone are needed to prepare 250 g of 2.5% w/w cream? (2.5/100 × 250 g = 6.25 g) Correct Answer: 6.25 gSample Question 4 — Law & Ethics
Which schedule contains medicines available only through a pharmacist without a prescription?- Schedule 2
- Schedule 3
7. How to Solve Clinical and Calculation-Based Questions in the Exam?
Clinical Questions
- Read the stem first, options later
- Identify red flags (e.g., chest pain, asthma worsening, fever in infants)
- Follow AMH, APF, PSA standards
- Rule out unsafe options first
- Focus on patient-specific factors (age, pregnancy, allergies, interactions)
Calculations
- Rewrite formulas clearly
- Use dimensional analysis
- Check units carefully
- Recalculate if time permits
- Practice daily to improve speed
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What Are the Best Strategies to Tackle Case Study Questions?
- Case studies test your ability to function as a practicing pharmacist.
- Strategies
- Identify the chief complaint
- Summarize the clinical story
- Consider drug interactions & contraindications
- Think in terms of risk vs benefit
- Apply national guidelines (AMH, TGA, PSA)
- Prioritise safety—often the safest option is the correct answer
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How to Create a Study Plan Using APC Intern Written Exam Samples?
Week 1:
- Read APC study guide
- Revise AMH / APF chapters
- Begin daily calculations
Week 2:
- Attempt 1 practice test
- Focus on therapeutics & community pharmacy scenarios
- Review all incorrect answers
Week 3:
- Solve sample APC papers
- Improve weak subjects (e.g., cardiology, OTC, geriatrics)
Week 4:
- Take 2 full mock exams under timed conditions
- Final review of difficult topics
- Rest before the exam
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How Are the APC Sample Papers Structured for Practice?
- 75 total questions
- 5–7 clinical case clusters
- 10 calculations
- 10–15 law/ethics items
- OTC and primary care scenarios
- High-risk drug monitoring questions
11. What Study Materials and Mock Tests Should You Use?
Essential Resources- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
- APF (Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary)
- PSA Guidelines
- Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG)
- APC practice tests and sample questions
- Past mock exams (Elite Expertise, universities, intern training providers)
- Recommended Mock Tests
- Full-length APC mock tests
- Timed calculation drills
- Case-based reasoning practice sets
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What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid During the APC Written Exam?
- Misreading key details in the question
- Forgetting drug interactions (SSRIs, warfarin, ACE inhibitors, opioids)
- Calculation errors due to rushing
- Poor time management
- Selecting clinically unnecessary antibiotics
- Not considering pregnancy, paediatrics, geriatrics
- Ignoring medication safety red flags
- Avoiding these mistakes greatly improves your score.
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How to Analyze Practice Test Results and Improve Weak Areas?
Step 1 — Categorise Mistakes
- Therapeutics
- Calculations
- Law/Ethics
- OTC
- Medication safety
Step 2 — Review Explanations
Understand why the correct answer is correct.Step 3 — Reinforce Weak Topics
Focus on:- High-risk medications
- Antimicrobials
- Dosing adjustments
- Pharmacy law
Step 4 — Improve Speed
Repeat 30-minute mini mock tests.-
What Is the Minimum Score Required to Pass the APC Intern Written Exam?
- Standard setting (modified Angoff method)
- Cohort-based competency evaluation
- You must meet the APC’s competency threshold, meaning:
- Strong performance in clinical safety
- Competent reasoning
- Consistent accuracy across question types
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What Should You Do After Passing the Written Exam?
- Continue your supervised practice hours
- Submit evidence to Ahpra
- Prepare for registration as a general pharmacist
- Strengthen clinical confidence through ongoing CPD
- Update your resume and start applying for full-time roles
- Passing the exam marks the start of your professional journey.
Conclusion
The APC Intern Written Exam is a crucial step in your journey toward becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia. With the right preparation, daily calculations, consistent practice of APC sample papers, revision of AMH/APF/PSA standards, and timed mock tests, you can confidently achieve the competency level required by APC. The key is to study smart, understand clinical reasoning, and learn from mistakes through continuous mock test analysis. For pharmacy interns seeking structured guidance, Elite Expertise stands out as a trusted and highly result-driven training institute. Known for its comprehensive coaching, updated mock tests, and exam-focused materials, Elite Expertise has helped hundreds of candidates successfully pass their overseas pharmacy exams, including APC, PEBC, DHA, and other global licensure assessments. The institute is led by experienced directors, Mr. Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika Bheemavarapu-Working Clinical Pharmacists in Australia, who bring together years of clinical, academic, and international licensing expertise. Their vision is to simplify complex exam paths, provide transparent guidance, and help pharmacists achieve global career success. Under their mentorship, interns receive not just training—but confidence, clarity, and a clear roadmap to professional registration. With the right preparation and the right support system, you are well on your way to becoming a competent, confident, and globally recognised pharmacist. If you’re ready to start your APC success journey, the Elite Expertise team is always ready to guide you.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A competency exam assessing clinical knowledge, safety, calculations, and pharmacy practice for interns in Australia.
Registered pharmacy interns who are completing 75% of their supervised practice and meet APC requirements.
Usually 75 MCQs, including case studies and calculations.
No. All questions carry equal weight with no penalty for incorrect answers.
AMH, APF, PSA guidelines, eTG, APC sample papers, and mock tests.
Therapeutics, primary care, law/ethics, calculations, and medication safety.
Around 8–12 calculation-based questions.
Practise daily calculations, attempt mock tests, and review explanations of incorrect answers.
APC uses a competency-based standard; the exact score varies by cohort.
Yes. Institutes like Elite Expertise provide structured coaching, mock tests, and exam-focused guidance.
