Which Pre-Reg Shortcuts Option Is Right for You? A Guide for Trainees
Not sure whether you need an exam revision course, the question bank or the full Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme? A simple guide to picking the Pre-Reg Shortcuts option that fits your year.
By Umar Majid ·
It depends on how much support you want around your revision. If you want to strengthen one area, choose an exam revision course or the question bank. If you want structure for the whole foundation year, including the e-portfolio, a mock paper and live support, choose the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme.
Whichever you pick, you get 365 days of access from the day you join, whenever you join. So the earlier you start, the more of your foundation year it covers.
How do the three options compare?
| Exam revision courses | Question bank | Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Strengthening one topic area | Practising exam-style questions | Full support for the year and the exam |
| Video lessons | The course you choose | No | All four courses |
| Exam-style questions | Within the course | Calculations and clinical, SBA and EMQ | Yes, full question bank |
| Full timed mock paper | No | No | Yes |
| Workbooks and revision checklists | No | No | Yes |
| Live online study sessions | No | No | Yes, all recorded |
| 1:1 revision plan built around your rota | No | No | Yes |
| Progress check-in calls | No | No | Yes |
| E-portfolio support | No | No | Yes |
| Telegram support group | No | No | Yes |
| Access | 365 days | 365 days | 365 days, plus access until you register if you are unsuccessful |
Option 1: exam revision courses
Choose a single course if you know exactly where you need help. Each course gives you recorded lessons, with updates included:
- Paper 1: Calculations Course: 400+ GPhC-style questions, every one worked through step by step
- Paper 2: Clinical Therapeutics Course: every therapeutic area, weighted high, medium or low so you know where the marks are
- Paper 2: Law and Ethics Course: short, clear lessons on classification, supply, controlled drugs and professional judgement
- Paper 2: OTC Course: one clear method for every presentation, including red flags and referral
Option 2: the question bank
Choose the question bank if you've done your learning and want to practise applying it. You can pick a single topic or a mixed quiz, across the calculations and clinical papers, with a mix of SBA and EMQ formats.
Option 3: the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme
Choose the programme if you want one place for the whole year. It includes every course and the question bank, plus the support that trainees tell us makes the difference:
- a full timed mock paper
- live online study sessions with pharmacist tutors, all recorded
- a 1:1 revision plan built around your rota, and progress check-in calls
- workbooks and revision checklists
- e-portfolio support, so you know what evidence your supervisor is looking for
- a Telegram support group and a progress tracker
See what's included in the programme
Four questions to help you decide
1. When is your exam, and when do you want to start?
Access lasts 365 days from the day you join, whatever time of year that is. Join early and you get the full year: time to build a steady revision habit, use the live sessions as the year goes on and get help with your e-portfolio from the start. Leave it until a few weeks before the exam and you'll have less time to use what you've paid for.
2. How much protected study time do you get?
If you get little or no protected time, you need structure that does the planning for you. That's what the programme's 1:1 revision plan and check-ins are for. Our guide to protected learning time explains why this matters.
3. How confident are you with calculations?
If calculations worry you, start with the Calculations Course and plenty of question practice. It's also worth reading about the 9 GPhC calculation types.
4. Does the e-portfolio worry you?
Many trainees tell us the e-portfolio is more stressful than the exam. E-portfolio support comes with the full programme, not with the individual exam revision courses or the question bank. If you want help matching evidence to the learning outcomes, the programme is the one to choose.
What we'd suggest
| Your situation | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy or OSPAP student getting ahead early | Start with a free account, then join when your foundation year begins |
| Confident overall, one weak area | The exam revision course for that area |
| Learning done, need practice | The question bank |
| Foundation trainee who wants support all year | The Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme |
| Resitting the exam | The programme, for the mock, live support and continued access |
It's worth asking your employer too. Many pharmacy employers fund or part-fund the programme, and when they enrol you, your designated supervisor gets free training and your site gets an Approved Training Plan.
Try it free first
Create a free account to unlock the first lesson of every chapter in every course. It's the quickest way to see whether our teaching style suits you.
Common questions
How long is access? 365 days from the day you join, for every option. The earlier you join, the more of your foundation year it covers.
Is e-portfolio support included in the courses? No. E-portfolio support is only part of the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme.
Is the mock paper included in the question bank? No. The full timed mock paper comes with the programme.
Can I pay monthly? Yes. Interest-free monthly instalments through Klarna are available at checkout, subject to status. See paying monthly for GPhC revision.
What if I don't pass? Programme members keep access until they register as a pharmacist.
Still deciding? Talk to us
Tell us when your exam is, how much study time you get and what worries you most, and we'll recommend the option that fits.
Contact us or email info@preregshortcuts.com.