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100+ Free APC Intern Written Exam Practice Questions

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A patient develops a widespread itchy rash and facial swelling shortly after starting a new antibiotic. As part of monitoring and evaluation, what should the pharmacist do?

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Sample APC Intern Written Exam Practice Questions

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1A prescriber wants to prescribe alprazolam, a Schedule 8 medicine, for a patient. Under the legal framework governing controlled drugs in Australia, which requirement applies to the prescribing and supply of Schedule 8 medicines?
A.They are subject to additional controls including secure storage, recording in a drugs register, and (in many states) a prescribing permit for some indications
B.They may be supplied on a verbal order with no written prescription required
C.They can be supplied without any prescription as Pharmacist Only medicines
D.They are exempt from real-time prescription monitoring requirements
Explanation: Schedule 8 (S8) Controlled Drugs carry the highest level of regulatory control in Australia. They must be stored in a locked, fixed cabinet, recorded in a drugs register, and depending on the state/territory and drug, may require a prescriber to hold an authority or permit. Real-time prescription monitoring (e.g. SafeScript) also applies.
2A patient presents a PBS Authority Required (STREAMLINED) prescription for a medicine. What is the key practical difference between a streamlined authority and a phone/online authority prescription?
A.A streamlined authority requires the prescriber to contact Services Australia to obtain an approval number before writing it
B.A streamlined authority uses a published 4-digit code and does not require the prescriber to contact Services Australia for an approval number
C.A streamlined authority can only be dispensed once and cannot have repeats
D.A streamlined authority must be co-signed by a second pharmacist before supply
Explanation: Streamlined authority items use a pre-published authority code that the prescriber records on the prescription, removing the need to phone or apply online to Services Australia for an approval number. The pharmacist checks that the code and clinical criteria are appropriate before dispensing.
3A pharmacist receives a prescription for a Schedule 4 medicine that is not listed on the PBS. The patient wants it supplied. Which statement is CORRECT regarding this supply?
A.The medicine cannot legally be supplied because it is not on the PBS
B.The patient must first obtain an Authority approval number from Services Australia
C.The medicine may be supplied as a private (non-PBS) prescription at the pharmacy's private price
D.The medicine must be downscheduled to Schedule 3 before it can be supplied
Explanation: Many Schedule 4 medicines are not PBS-subsidised but can still be lawfully supplied on a valid private prescription. The patient simply pays the pharmacy's private (full) price rather than the subsidised PBS co-payment.
4A 35-year-old woman asks for a Pharmacist Only (Schedule 3) supply of a triptan for migraine. Under the legal and professional framework, what must the pharmacist do before supply?
A.Supply automatically because S3 medicines can be requested by name without any assessment
B.Refer every S3 request to a medical practitioner
C.Refuse all S3 supplies unless a prescription is presented
D.Make a professional assessment of the patient's suitability, including a prior medical diagnosis of migraine, and counsel appropriately
Explanation: Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only) medicines require the personal involvement of a pharmacist who must make a professional judgement about appropriateness before supply. For S3 triptans, a prior medical diagnosis of migraine is a condition of supply, alongside screening for contraindications and counselling.
5A patient asks the pharmacist to release a copy of their dispensing history to their adult son, who is not their carer and has no documented authority. Under privacy obligations, what is the MOST appropriate response?
A.Decline to release the information without the patient's consent or lawful authority to disclose
B.Provide the records to the son because they are a close family member
C.Release a summary only, as full records require consent but summaries do not
D.Release the information if the son verbally confirms he is helping with medicines
Explanation: Health information is protected under the Privacy Act and pharmacy professional standards. Personal health information should not be disclosed to a third party, including family, without the patient's consent or another lawful basis. The pharmacist should decline and seek the patient's consent.
6Under the Pharmacy Board of Australia codes and guidelines, an intern pharmacist becomes aware that a colleague is practising while impaired by alcohol, placing patients at risk. What is the intern's professional obligation?
A.Take no action because reporting a colleague breaches confidentiality
B.Make a mandatory notification to Ahpra/the Board, as impaired practice placing the public at risk is a notifiable conduct
C.Only raise it informally with the colleague and never escalate
D.Wait until an actual patient harm event occurs before reporting
Explanation: Practitioners have a duty under the National Law to make a mandatory notification when they reasonably believe another practitioner has placed the public at risk of substantial harm by practising while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. This protects patient safety and is a legal obligation, not a breach of confidentiality.
7A patient with no Medicare card and an urgent need for their regular salbutamol inhaler presents on a Sunday with no prescription and a worsening cough. The prescriber cannot be contacted. Which legal mechanism MOST appropriately allows supply of this prescription-only medicine?
A.Pharmacist Only (Schedule 3) request, as salbutamol is always available without restriction
B.Special Access Scheme (SAS) Category A notification
C.Continued dispensing / emergency supply provisions for a previously prescribed regular medicine, with documentation
D.Substitution to a different unscheduled medicine
Explanation: Emergency supply (and continued dispensing) provisions allow a pharmacist to supply a limited quantity of a patient's previously prescribed regular Prescription Only medicine when a prescription cannot be obtained, provided the conditions (prior therapy, immediate need, documentation) are met. Salbutamol inhalers are a common example.
8A medicine that is not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) is needed for an individual patient. The prescriber wishes to access it. Which pathway is designed for this situation?
A.Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing
B.Downscheduling under the Poisons Standard
C.Continued dispensing
D.Special Access Scheme (SAS)
Explanation: The Special Access Scheme (SAS) is the TGA pathway through which a medical practitioner can access therapeutic goods that are not on the ARTG for a specific patient, via Category A, B or C notifications/applications.
9An Aboriginal man presents wanting help managing his type 2 diabetes. To deliver a patient-centred, culturally responsive approach to his medication management, which action is MOST appropriate?
A.Ask about his preferences, health beliefs and supports, and consider involving his Aboriginal Health Worker and culturally appropriate resources
B.Provide a standard counselling script identical to that used for all patients
C.Avoid discussing his condition to respect cultural sensitivities
D.Direct all communication through a family member rather than the patient
Explanation: Culturally responsive care means understanding the individual's preferences, beliefs and supports rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Engaging the patient directly and, where appropriate, involving Aboriginal Health Workers and culturally appropriate resources improves trust and medication outcomes.
10A 78-year-old woman is started on a new antihypertensive. She lives alone, has mild cognitive impairment, and has difficulty opening child-resistant lids. Which patient factor is MOST likely to impact her adherence and should be addressed?
A.Her gender
B.Her cognitive impairment and dexterity, which affect her ability to manage and take the medicine correctly
C.The colour of the tablet
D.The brand name of the medicine
Explanation: Assessing patient-specific factors is central to medication management. Cognitive impairment affects understanding and recall of instructions, while reduced dexterity affects the physical ability to access medicines. Both directly threaten adherence and can be addressed (e.g. dose administration aids, easy-open lids, carer support).

About the APC Intern Written Exam Exam

The APC Intern Written Examination is one of the two registration exams Australian pharmacy interns must pass to move from provisional to general registration. From January 2026 it is a restricted open-book, computer-based exam delivered in person at Pearson VUE test centres, with calculation questions using a fill-in-the-blank format. It assesses competency standards 1.3 and 3.1-3.6 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.

Assessment

Restricted open-book, computer-based exam of 75 questions (multiple-choice plus fill-in-the-blank calculation items), with 90% scored and 10% unscored pilot questions.

Time Limit

120 minutes (2 hours)

Passing Score

Scaled pass mark determined by psychometric standard-setting; APC reports only a pass/unsuccessful outcome and does not release raw scores or percentages.

Exam Fee

AU$790 per attempt (2026) (Australian Pharmacy Council (APC))

APC Intern Written Exam Exam Content Outline

8%

Practise within applicable legal framework (1.3)

Drug scheduling (S2/S3/S4/S8), PBS and Special Access Scheme controls, privacy and confidentiality, and Pharmacy Board codes, guidelines and the National Law.

20%

Patient-centred, culturally responsive medication management (3.1)

Assessing clinical situations and treatment options and identifying patient, drug and dosage-form factors affecting adherence, efficacy and safety.

28%

Implement the medication management strategy or plan (3.2)

Primary care and judicious use of medicines, dispensing, assessing clinical appropriateness, counselling, and managing acute illness and injury.

28%

Monitor and evaluate medication management (3.3)

Applying clinical review findings, interpreting monitoring, modifying treatment, and reporting adverse drug reactions and events.

8%

Compound medicines (3.4)

Determining required formulations and performing dosage, half-life and concentration calculations for safe, patient-specific preparations.

8%

Promote health and well-being (3.6)

Supporting health promotion, screening and culturally responsive activities that reduce health inequities and improve self-sufficiency.

How to Pass the APC Intern Written Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scaled pass mark determined by psychometric standard-setting; APC reports only a pass/unsuccessful outcome and does not release raw scores or percentages.
  • Assessment: Restricted open-book, computer-based exam of 75 questions (multiple-choice plus fill-in-the-blank calculation items), with 90% scored and 10% unscored pilot questions.
  • Time limit: 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Exam fee: AU$790 per attempt (2026)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

APC Intern Written Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise locating information quickly in the AMH and APF, but remember the exam guide warns that not all answers are in the references, so build strong underlying clinical knowledge.
2Drill pharmaceutical calculations in the fill-in-the-blank style, paying close attention to required decimal places and SI units, because answers not entered exactly as directed are marked incorrect.
3Map your study to the six weighted competency standards, prioritising the 28% implement and 28% monitor/evaluate domains while still covering legal framework, compounding and health promotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the APC Intern Written Exam and how long is it?

The exam has 75 questions (90% scored and 10% unscored pilot items) and you have 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete it. It includes multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank items for calculations.

What changed for the 2026 APC Intern Written Exam?

From January 2026 the exam is restricted open-book (only one paper copy each of the AMH and APF, with limited annotations), delivered in person at approved test centres, and calculation questions use a fill-in-the-blank format.

What is the passing score for the APC Intern Written Exam?

APC uses scaled scoring with a pass standard set by psychometric standard-setting, not a fixed percentage. Candidates receive only a pass or unsuccessful result, and raw scores or percentages are not disclosed.

What does the APC Intern Written Exam cost and who delivers it?

The fee is AU$790 per attempt in 2026. The exam is delivered by the Australian Pharmacy Council through Pearson VUE test centres on behalf of the Pharmacy Board of Australia.