Is a GPhC Revision Course Worth It? What to Check Before You Pay
Do you need a paid GPhC revision course? When self-study is enough, when a course earns its cost, and a 10-point checklist for comparing courses, ours included, before you pay.
By Umar Majid ·
A GPhC revision course is worth paying for if it gives you structure, clear explanations and practice you wouldn't get otherwise, and if you'll actually use it. If your training site already gives you protected study time, regular teaching and plenty of questions, you may not need one. Either way, check a course properly before you hand over any money.
We sell a course, so treat this as an honest buyer's guide. The checklist applies to us as much as anyone.
Can you pass with self-study alone?
Yes. You can pass the GPhC registration assessment without a paid course, and plenty of trainees do. Self-study is likely to work if most of these are true for you:
- your training site gives you regular protected study time and structured teaching
- your designated supervisor (DS) checks your progress and your exam preparation, not just your e-portfolio
- you're already confident with calculations and can work accurately against the clock
- you're disciplined enough to follow a plan for months without anyone checking on you
- you have enough good practice questions with explanations
If that sounds like you, start with free material. Our guide to free pharmacy revision resources is a good place to begin.
When does a course earn its cost?
Usually when something is missing from your year.
Protected time is the big one. In June 2024, trainees training only in community pharmacy passed at 68%, compared with 89% in hospital. Community trainees are just as able, but they often get less structured teaching. Our page on GPhC pass rates has the full picture.
Calculations are another. Part 1 is 40 free-entry calculations in 2 hours, and without a clear method for each type it's easy to lose marks you could have banked.
Some trainees need accountability. If you know you'll drift without deadlines, live sessions and a set plan help.
And if you're resitting, doing more of the same revision rarely changes the outcome. A resit usually needs a different method. Read what to do if you failed the GPhC exam.
No course is approved by the GPhC
Before you compare anything, know this: the GPhC states that its Board of Assessors does not endorse external preparation materials. So be wary of any provider that suggests its course carries GPhC approval or contains real exam questions.
The GPhC publishes its own example questions for free. Use them, whatever else you buy.
Ten things to compare
Use this table for any course, including ours.
| What to check | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Up to date with the current framework | The GPhC publishes the assessment specification for each year. Content should be written against the current framework and reflect current guidance and MHRA safety advice. | When was the content last reviewed? Is it mapped to the current GPhC framework? |
| Explanations, not just answers | You learn most from understanding why the wrong options are wrong. A bare answer key teaches very little. | Can I see a sample question with its full explanation? |
| Calculations coverage | Part 1 is free entry, so multiple choice calculation practice isn't enough on its own. | Does it cover every calculation type, in free-entry format, with worked methods? |
| Live teaching | Live sessions give structure and a chance to ask questions. | How often are sessions run, and at what times? Do they fit around a working rota? |
| E-portfolio support | Your foundation year is assessed in practice too, not just on exam day. | Does it help with learning outcomes, activities and write-ups? |
| Length of access | Your year is long and plans change. | How long does access last? What happens if I need to resit? |
| Who writes it | Content should come from pharmacists who know the exam and UK practice. | Who writes and checks the questions? |
| Refund and cancellation terms | Digital courses often have specific rules once you've started using them. | What are the refund terms, in writing, and when do they stop applying? |
| Payment options | A large upfront cost can be a barrier during training. | Can I pay monthly, and is there any interest? |
| Can I try it first? | Ten minutes inside a course tells you more than any sales page. | Is there a free trial or free lessons? |
If a provider can't answer these clearly, that tells you something too.
How do you test a course before paying?
Don't judge a course by its marketing. Judge it by doing some of it.
- Do 10 sample questions and read every explanation. Did you learn something even from the ones you got right?
- Watch a full lesson. Is it clear, accurate and at the right level, or is someone reading slides aloud?
- Try a calculation lesson, even if you think you're strong. Method matters on exam day.
- Send the provider a question and see how quickly, and how well, they reply.
- Check it fits your week. If the live sessions clash with your rota every time, you won't get value from them.
If cost is the worry, our guide to paying monthly for GPhC revision explains what to look for.
What Pre-Reg Shortcuts offers
So you can hold us to the same checklist, this is what the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme includes:
- video lessons and workbooks for Part 1 (calculations) and Part 2 (clinical)
- live webinars through the year
- a question bank of 2,000+ questions
- a mock paper
- e-portfolio support, including a 1:1 planning session to build a year plan around your rota
- support for designated supervisors, and a Telegram support group
- 365 days of access, with interest-free monthly payment options at checkout
What no course can do is replace your foundation year. The GPhC says the best preparation is the experience you gain in practice, and we agree. A good course should sit alongside your training, not take its place.
Common questions
Do I need a revision course to pass the GPhC exam? No. Many trainees pass with self-study, especially with strong support at their training site. A course helps most when you're short of time, structure or confidence with calculations.
Does the GPhC endorse any revision courses? No. The GPhC says its Board of Assessors does not endorse external preparation materials.
What matters most when comparing courses? Up-to-date content, full explanations, free-entry calculations practice and whether it fits your working week.
Should I use the GPhC example questions as well? Yes. They're free and show you the style of questions and the exam platform.
When should I decide? Early in your foundation year if you can, so you have time to use whatever you choose. Try free material first.
Try us before you decide
The simplest way to judge us is to use us. Create a free Pre-Reg Shortcuts account to unlock the first lesson of every chapter across our Calculations, Therapeutics, Law and Ethics and OTC courses, then decide whether the full programme is right for you.
See why trainees choose Pre-Reg Shortcuts or create your free account.