Core Points
- In Australia the Intern Written Exam (IWE) is a mandatory assessment exam for the pharmacist interns.
- To ensure that interns are ready for independent practice, it tests clinical knowledge, problem solving, ethics and laws.
- The exam offered at Pearson VUE centres access Australia and this is a computer based, open book exam.
- If you pass IWE it allows you to progress to the oral exam and apply for general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
- To significantly boost success rates, plan strategic preparation either through self study or an APC written exam preparation course.
What is the Intern Written Exam?
The Australia Pharmacy Council (APC) conducts the Intern Written Exam (IWE). To get an independent pharmacist it is designed to assess your readiness to practice safely and completely. These exam evaluates your ability to:- You can apply clinical and therapeutic knowledge.
- Interpret and solve complex pharmacy scenarios.
- Adhere to Legal, Ethical and professional frameworks.
- Make evidence based decisions for safe patient care.
Eligibility Criteria For IWE Exam (2025)
You must require this to register for the IWE exam:- You need to hold provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
- By the scheduled exam date you have to complete at least 75% of your supervised practice hours.
- Your exam will be cancelled and cancellation fees will apply if you register but don’t meet the practice hour requirements.
- You have to ensure that your internship logbook is up to date to avoid eligibility issues.
Key Dates 2025
| Event | Date |
| Registration Opens | Mid August 2025 |
| Registration Closes | Early September 2025 |
| Exam Window | 6 – 8 October 2025 |
| Result Release | 30 October 2025 |
Exam Format and Structure
The Intern Written Exam Pharmacy follows a structured and Consistent Format. Here what’s they are expecting:| Feature | Details |
| Mode | Computer Based at Pearson VUE centres |
| Format | 75 multiple choice questions (MCQs) |
| Duration | 120 mins (2 hrs) |
| Type | Open Book (only printed or handwritten materials allowed) |
| Scoring |
|
| Result | Pass/Unsuccessful (no numerical score provided) |
Additional Points
- There is a 10 min tutorial and a non disclosure agreement (NDA) to sign before starting.
- A short survey will appear but it doesn’t affect your results after the exam.
Exam Fees and Refund Policy
The APC charges a fixed fee for each attempt with partial refunds under certain conditions.| Item | Fee (AUD) |
| Exam Fee | $770 |
| Cancellation Fee (> 5 days before exam) | $100 |
| Partial Refund | ~ $577 |
| No late cancellation | No refund |
Intern Written Exam Syllabus (2025)
The IWE exam is based on the National Competency Standard Framework for Pharmacists (2016). Below is the details:| Competency Area | Weight (%) |
| Professional and legal practice | 8% |
| Patient Centred care | 20% |
| Implementing Medication Management Plans | 28% |
| Monitoring and Evaluating Therapy | 28% |
| Compounding Medicines | 8% |
| Promoting health and well-being | 8% |
Areas to Focus on
- Pharmaceutical calculations – Infusion rate, dilutions, dosing.
- Therapeutic Guidelines – Chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
- Pharmacy law and ethics – PBS Regulations, scheduling, privacy laws
- Compounding Basis – Quality assurance, extemporaneous preparation.
- Patient Safety and Communication – Culturally sensitive counselling and error prevention.
Registration Process of IWE Exam
These are the steps to get registered for the IWE examination:- First you have to login to the APC Candidate Portal.
- From the available options select the Intern Written Exam
- Choose your preferred Pearson VUE test centre and date
- Pay the examination fees (AUD 770)
- Received a confirmation email on your booking details.
Preparation Guide For Success
Week 1- Orientation: Reviewed the APC exam guide, blueprint and format. Created a study plan.
- Core clinical knowledge: Try to mostly focus on the most critical topics such as medication management and monitoring. Practiced with questions.
- Calculations and law: Solved calculation problems every day. Studied the PBS rules and pharmacy law.
- Mock exams: Attem the sample paper timed. Find out the weak areas.
- Final review: Do some light revision, arrange open-book materials and get ready for the test day.
High-Yield Tips
- Try to focus on implementing and monitoring medication plans, as these make up to 56% of the exam.
- Pharmaceutical calculations that you do daily will help you to get a straightforward part of the test if you are well prepared.
- Start practising with the Pearson VUE sample test to know the layout of the test.
- Make your notes organised and concise for easy access during the exam.
- Watch out for keywords in questions like MOST, NOT, LEAST to avoid the common traps.
Recommended Book Materials
During the exam only printed and handwritten materials were allowed. There are suggested resources included:- Personal condensed study notes based on the APC blue print.
- Latest version printed therapeutic Guidelines
- PBC and scheduling reference
- Calculations formula sheets and worked samples
APC Written Exam Preparation Courses
Consider an APC written exam preparation course for additional support. These typically offer:- Structures study schedule
- Mock exams and practice questions
- Expert feedback and performance tracking
- Strategies to manage time and exam stress
After Passing the Exam IWE
You next step after passing exam includes:- Sitting the Pharmacy Board Oral Exam
- Applying for the general registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
- Start your career as an independent pharmacist
Final Words
The IWE exam is not just an assessment it is more than a gateway to become a fully registered pharmacist in Australia. With consistent practice, early preparation and well organised notes you can approach the exam with confidence. You will get success in the journey to become a pharmacist. Just stay confident, prepare smart and achieve your registration goals in 2025.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Intern Written Exam (Australia)
It is an exam conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) to assess if the pharmacy interns are ready to practice safely and independently.
The IWE exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council at Pearson VUE centres across Australia.
You must hold provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and need to complete at least 75% of your supervised practice hours before the exam dates.
The APC written exam pharmacy is a computer-based exam that includes 75 MCQs, lasts 120 minutes, and is open-book (only printed handwritten notes allowed).
The fee for the exam is AUD 770. A cancellation fee of AUD 100 applies if you withdraw your application within 5 days before the exam.
If you fail, you can register again for the next session. After three failed attempts, the Australian Pharmacy Council recommends exam counselling before reapplying.
Yes, but only if you live in a remote location and receive APC approval. Otherwise, most candidates sit for the exam at Pearson VUE centres.
After successfully passing the exam, you can proceed to the Pharmacy Board Oral Exam and then apply for general registration as a pharmacist in Australia.
The course is not mandatory but highly recommended. It provides mock tests, structured study plans, and expert strategies to achieve success in the exam.
