Free Practice Questions for Concours PACES Pharmacie

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

72+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Université d'Antananarivo PACES Progression Examinations (Madagascar)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Concours de fin de PACES — Médecine Humaine (Université d'Antananarivo)

Practice Questions99 questions

Concours de fin de PACES — Médecine Vétérinaire (Université d'Antananarivo)

Practice Questions96 questions

Concours de fin de PACES — Maïeutique / Sages-Femmes (Université d'Antananarivo)

Practice Questions72 questions

Exam Review

Key Facts: Concours PACES Pharmacie Exam

Written

Published assessment mode is written and varies by teaching unit

Faculté de Médecine d'Antananarivo

10/20

Published unit credit-validation threshold, not a standalone L2 selection cutoff

Official unit outlines

Questions in this independent practice bank

OpenExamPrep

This independent English-language MCQ bank supports preparation for the real end-of-PACES Pharmacie ranking. It does not reproduce the official language, paper layout, written work, or complete assessment experience.

Sample Concours PACES Pharmacie Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Concours PACES Pharmacie exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 72+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the Brønsted-Lowry acid-base theory, how is an acid defined, and what is the conjugate base of the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) in an aqueous pharmaceutical solution?

A.A proton (H+) donor; its conjugate base is CO3(2-)

B.A proton (H+) acceptor; its conjugate base is H2CO3

C.An electron-pair acceptor; its conjugate base is CO2

D.A hydroxide (OH-) donor; its conjugate base is H2O

Explanation: In Brønsted-Lowry theory, an acid is defined as a chemical species capable of donating a proton (H+). When the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) donates a proton, it is converted into its conjugate base, the carbonate ion (CO3(2-)).

2What is the pH of an aqueous solution of acetic acid (CH3COOH) at a concentration of 0.010 M, given that the acid dissociation constant pKa of acetic acid is 4.76 at 25 °C (assuming [H+] << [CH3COOH])?

A.2.38

B.3.38

C.4.76

D.5.24

Explanation: For a weak monoprotic acid where ionization is negligible compared to initial concentration, [H+] = sqrt(Ka * C). In logarithmic terms, pH = 0.5 * (pKa - log C). Here, C = 0.010 M = 10^-2 M, so log C = -2. Therefore, pH = 0.5 * (4.76 - (-2)) = 0.5 * 6.76 = 3.38.

3A pharmaceutical buffer solution is prepared by mixing 0.050 M sodium acetate and 0.100 M acetic acid (pKa = 4.76). What is the resulting pH of this buffer at 25 °C (given log 2 ≈ 0.301)?

A.4.46

B.4.76

C.5.06

D.3.76

Explanation: According to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, pH = pKa + log([A-] / [HA]). Substituting the given values gives pH = 4.76 + log(0.050 / 0.100) = 4.76 + log(0.500) = 4.76 - log(2) = 4.76 - 0.301 = 4.459 ≈ 4.46.

4Under what condition is the buffer capacity (beta) of a monoprotic weak acid/base buffer system maximal, and what is its theoretical value in terms of total buffer concentration C (according to Van Slyke)?

A.At pH = pKa + 1.0; beta_max = 2.303 * C

B.At pH = 7.00; beta_max = C / 2

C.At pH = pKa; beta_max = 0.576 * C

D.At pH = pKa - 1.0; beta_max = 0.250 * C

Explanation: Van Slyke's buffer capacity equation is beta = 2.303 * C * (Ka * [H+]) / (Ka + [H+])^2. This function reaches its mathematical maximum when [H+] = Ka (i.e., pH = pKa). At this equimolar point, beta_max = 2.303 * C * (Ka^2 / (2Ka)^2) = 2.303 * C / 4 ≈ 0.576 * C.

5The solubility product constant (Ksp) of silver chloride (AgCl) in water at 25 °C is 1.8 × 10^-10. What is the molar solubility (s) of AgCl in a 0.010 M aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl), accounting for the common ion effect?

A.1.34 × 10^-5 M

B.1.8 × 10^-8 M

C.1.8 × 10^-10 M

D.9.0 × 10^-9 M

Explanation: In 0.010 M NaCl, the chloride concentration [Cl-] is dominated by the strong electrolyte NaCl, so [Cl-] ≈ 0.010 M. From Ksp = [Ag+] * [Cl-], the molar solubility s = [Ag+] = Ksp / [Cl-] = (1.8 × 10^-10) / 10^-2 = 1.8 × 10^-8 M. The common ion drastically decreases the solubility compared to pure water.

6In electrochemistry and pharmaceutical redox systems, how does the standard reduction potential (E°) relate to the spontaneity of an oxidation-reduction reaction under standard conditions?

A.A reaction is spontaneous when the overall cell potential E°cell is positive, corresponding to a negative standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG° < 0)

B.A reaction is spontaneous when the overall cell potential E°cell is negative, corresponding to a positive standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG° > 0)

C.Spontaneity requires both half-cells to have negative standard reduction potentials E° < 0

D.Standard reduction potential indicates reaction velocity but provides no thermodynamic information about spontaneity

Explanation: Thermodynamics links cell electromotive force to Gibbs free energy through the relation ΔG° = -n * F * E°cell. A spontaneous process requires ΔG° < 0, which directly necessitates that the overall standard cell potential E°cell must be strictly positive (E°cell > 0).

7A 0.90% (w/v) sodium chloride solution (normal saline, Mw = 58.44 g/mol) is isotonic with blood plasma. Given the cryoscopic constant of water Kf = 1.86 °C·kg/mol and a van 't Hoff factor i = 1.86 for NaCl at this concentration, what is the expected freezing point of this solution?

A.-0.53 °C

B.-0.28 °C

C.-1.06 °C

D.0.00 °C

Explanation: A 0.90% (w/v) solution contains 9.0 g of NaCl in 1.0 L of water (molality m ≈ 9.0 / 58.44 ≈ 0.154 mol/kg). Freezing point depression is ΔTf = i * Kf * m = 1.86 * 1.86 * 0.154 ≈ 0.533 °C. Thus, the solution freezes at 0.00 °C - 0.53 °C = -0.53 °C, matching human blood serum (-0.52 °C to -0.54 °C).

8Which of the following characteristics is uniquely associated with a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) reaction mechanism?

A.Formation of a carbocation intermediate with complete loss of optical stereospecificity

B.A concerted single-step mechanism with Walden inversion of stereochemical configuration at the chiral center

C.A two-step pathway favored by bulky tertiary alkyl halides and polar protic solvents

D.A rate law that is strictly first-order with respect to the substrate and independent of nucleophile concentration

Explanation: The SN2 mechanism proceeds via a concerted, single-step bimolecular transition state where the incoming nucleophile attacks the carbon from the side opposite to the leaving group (backside attack). This leads to complete stereochemical inversion of configuration, known as Walden inversion.

9In electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), which of the following substituents acts as a strongly deactivating, meta-directing group on a benzene ring?

A.Hydroxyl group (-OH)

B.Amino group (-NH2)

C.Nitro group (-NO2)

D.Methyl group (-CH3)

Explanation: The nitro group (-NO2) is a strong electron-withdrawing group due to both inductive effect (electronegative nitrogen carrying a formal positive charge) and resonance withdrawal into oxygen atoms. This strongly deactivates the ring and directs incoming electrophiles to the meta position, where positive charge destabilization in the arenium intermediate is minimized.

10Why are ester prodrugs (such as oseltamivir or enalapril) typically hydrolyzed significantly faster in systemic circulation than corresponding amide prodrugs?

A.Esters have much greater resonance stabilization of the carbonyl group than amides

B.Amides have substantial C-N double bond character from resonance donation, making the carbonyl carbon less electrophilic and more resistant to nucleophilic attack

C.Carboxylesterases in plasma and liver cannot bind amide bonds under any circumstances

D.Esters are non-polar covalent bonds whereas amides are completely ionic at physiological pH

Explanation: In amides, the nitrogen lone pair delocalizes strongly into the carbonyl pi-system (resonance contribution ~40%), imparting significant double-bond character to the C-N bond (~88 kJ/mol barrier) and reducing the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon. In esters, oxygen electronegativity limits resonance donation, keeping the carbonyl carbon more electrophilic and susceptible to enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis.

About the Concours PACES Pharmacie Exam

Independent PACES Pharmacie practice covering retained chemical, biological, biophysical, pharmacological, dosage-form, and public-health concepts. Use it with current Faculty notices and course materials.

Exam sponsor: Faculté de Médecine, Université d'Antananarivo. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

PACES ends in competitive ranking under numerus clausus, with common teaching units and pathway-specific assessment. Faculty materials describe unit-dependent written QCM and written questions; the published UE6 drug-science unit uses QCM. The reviewed materials are in French, but no separate official language rule was found. This English four-option MCQ bank is an independent conceptual adaptation, not an official translation, paper-layout simulation, or substitute for written or other required course work.

Time Limit

No consolidated duration published; the published UE6 outline gives 1 hour 30 minutes for that unit's QCM examination.

Passing Score

Competitive ranking under numerus clausus; 10/20 validates published unit credits but is not by itself a current L2 selection cutoff.

Exam / Certification Fees

Not published for the end-of-PACES concours; 50,000 Ariary is the separate current L1 dossier pre-registration fee.

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. No current L2 quota or pass-rate percentage was found. The 120-place figure in the 2026 order is the L1 dossier-admission capacity for Pharmacie, not an L2 quota. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Faculty current website and 2026-2027 PACES notice · Source checked 2026-09-24
2026-2027 order governing admission to L1 PACES · Source checked 2026-09-24
Faculty PACES guide · Source checked 2026-09-24
Faculty PACES methodology by subject · Source checked 2026-09-24
Official UE6 drug-science outline · Source checked 2026-09-24

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

24 of 72 practice questions

Chemical and Biochemical Foundations

Chemistry, acid-base systems, organic reactions, stereochemistry, bioenergetics, and enzyme kinetics.

19 of 72 practice questions

Cell Biology and Biophysics

Membranes, transport, molecular biology, solution biophysics, fluid movement, and statistics.

22 of 72 practice questions

UE6 Drug Science and General Pharmacology

Development, administration, dosage forms, ADME, receptors, prescription, dispensing, and adherence.

7 of 72 practice questions

Public Health and Professional Context

Health organization, medicine supply, safety reporting, clinical trials, and professional duties.

Preparing for the Concours PACES Pharmacie Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Competitive ranking under numerus clausus; 10/20 validates published unit credits but is not by itself a current L2 selection cutoff.
Assessment: PACES ends in competitive ranking under numerus clausus, with common teaching units and pathway-specific assessment. Faculty materials describe unit-dependent written QCM and written questions; the published UE6 drug-science unit uses QCM. The reviewed materials are in French, but no separate official language rule was found. This English four-option MCQ bank is an independent conceptual adaptation, not an official translation, paper-layout simulation, or substitute for written or other required course work.
Time limit: No consolidated duration published; the published UE6 outline gives 1 hour 30 minutes for that unit's QCM examination.
Exam / certification fees: Not published for the end-of-PACES concours; 50,000 Ariary is the separate current L1 dossier pre-registration fee. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 72 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Concours PACES Pharmacie: Suggested Study Strategy

1Use current Faculty materials to learn exact French terminology while using these English questions for concept recall.

2Practice acid-base, enzyme-kinetics, biostatistics, and pharmacokinetic calculations without relying on answer recognition.

3Connect routes and dosage forms to absorption, distribution, clearance, receptor effects, prescription, and dispensing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a current assessment?

Yes. The Faculty currently lists Pharmacie as a PACES pathway, and its PACES guide describes the competitive end-of-year ranking for L2 progression.

What is the official format?

It is written and unit-dependent. Faculty materials describe QCM and written questions, and the published UE6 assessment uses QCM. No mandatory oral, practical, assignment, or case-study concours component was found in the reviewed sources.

What language is the official concours delivered in?

The official materials reviewed are in French, but they do not separately publish a complete permitted delivery or response language rule. This English bank is not an official translation.

Is 120 the L2 quota?

No. The 2026 order's 120-place figure is the capacity for dossier admission into L1 Pharmacie. A current L2 quota was not published in the sources reviewed.

Does this bank simulate the real paper?

No. These four-option MCQs support conceptual review but do not reproduce official QCM/written formats or substitute for written and other course work.