Free Practice Questions for SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam

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SAPC Pharmacist Pre-Registration Examination — South Africa

Practice Questions100 questions

Exam Review

Key Facts: SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam Exam

100

Total MCQs on the EISA

SAPC EISA Guidelines

16%

Calculation questions (16 MCQs)

SAPC EISA Blueprint

50%

Overall pass mark & subminimum

SAPC Regulations

3.5 h

Exam time limit

SAPC EISA Guidelines

SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant EISA is an online 100-MCQ exam (16% calculations, 84% general; 3.5 hours; 50% pass mark). This free practice bank provides 100 questions covering topics from the official SAPC EISA blueprint.

Sample SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974, a Pharmacist's Assistant (Post-Basic) may perform which of the following activities in a community pharmacy?

A.Independently diagnose acute conditions and prescribe Schedule 6 medicines

B.Assist with the dispensing of prescriptions under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist

C.Act as responsible pharmacist of a manufacturing pharmacy without supervision

D.Perform major surgical procedures in a primary healthcare clinic

Explanation: Under South African pharmacy law, a registered Pharmacist's Assistant (Post-Basic) works under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist to assist in dispensing, compounding, and managing medicine stock. Independent diagnosis, prescribing S6 drugs, or serving as responsible pharmacist are outside their scope of practice.

2Under the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965, which schedule of medicines requires entry into a prescription register and physical storage in a locked cupboard?

A.Schedule 1

B.Schedule 2

C.Schedule 6

D.Schedule 0

Explanation: Schedule 6 medicines (controlled substances/narcotics like morphine, methylphenidate) must be stored in a locked safe/cupboard and recorded in a Schedule 6 register detailing date, prescription number, patient name, quantity dispensed, and balance.

3A prescription calls for Amoxicillin 250 mg suspension, 5 mL three times daily for 7 days. What total volume of suspension must be dispensed?

A.70 mL

B.105 mL

C.140 mL

D.210 mL

Explanation: Daily volume = 5 mL × 3 doses = 15 mL per day. For 7 days, total volume = 15 mL/day × 7 days = 105 mL.

4According to SAPC Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) rules, what is the required temperature range for a pharmacy vaccine refrigerator?

A.-20°C to -10°C

B.+2°C to +8°C

C.+15°C to +25°C

D.+25°C to +30°C

Explanation: GPP guidelines require cold chain products such as vaccines, insulins, and biopharmaceuticals to be stored in a monitored pharmacy refrigerator maintained strictly between +2°C and +8°C.

5In stock control, what does the principle FEFO stand for?

A.First Entered, First Out

B.First Expired, First Out

C.Fast Evacuation, Fast Ordering

D.Final Examination, Final Outcome

Explanation: FEFO stands for First Expired, First Out. Products with the nearest expiration date are placed at the front of the shelf to be dispensed first, minimizing medicine expiry waste.

6How many grams of sodium chloride are contained in 500 mL of a 0.9% (w/v) Normal Saline solution?

A.0.45 g

B.4.5 g

C.9.0 g

D.45 g

Explanation: A 0.9% (w/v) solution contains 0.9 g of solute in 100 mL of solution. For 500 mL: (0.9 g / 100 mL) × 500 mL = 4.5 g.

7A patient arrives at the dispensary asking for an over-the-counter Schedule 2 medicine for cough. Who must authorize the final supply under GPP guidelines?

A.The pharmacy security officer

B.The pharmacist after reviewing suitability

C.The patient's employer

D.Any unregistered front-shop cashier

Explanation: Schedule 2 medicines may be sold without a doctor's prescription, but GPP and SA law mandate that a registered pharmacist must evaluate the therapeutic appropriateness and authorize the sale.

8Which document must be retained in the pharmacy for a minimum of 5 years under South African pharmacy legislation?

A.Daily promotional advertising leaflets

B.Prescriptions and Schedule 6 drug register records

C.Utility electricity bills

D.Staff tea room cleaning schedules

Explanation: Under the Medicines Act 101 of 1965 and Pharmacy Act regulations, prescriptions, dispensing registers, and Schedule 6 drug registers must be securely retained for at least 5 years.

9You need to prepare 200 mL of a 70% v/v alcohol solution from 95% v/v alcohol stock. How much 95% alcohol is required (rounded to the nearest mL)?

A.118 mL

B.147 mL

C.170 mL

D.190 mL

Explanation: Using C1 × V1 = C2 × V2: 95% × V1 = 70% × 200 mL. V1 = (70 × 200) / 95 = 14000 / 95 ≈ 147.37 mL → 147 mL.

10When receiving a delivery of thermolabile medicines from a wholesaler, what is the first priority for the Pharmacist's Assistant?

A.Store them on an ambient shelf until the end of the shift

B.Verify the cold chain temperature monitor and unpack into the refrigerator immediately

C.Leave the box unopened in the receiving area for 24 hours

D.Transfer them directly into an oven to dry

Explanation: Cold chain products must be checked immediately upon receipt for temperature integrity (datalogger/indicator) and placed in the cold room or vaccine fridge (+2°C to +8°C) to prevent thermal degradation.

About the SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam Exam

The SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Qualifying Assessment (EISA) is the national online open-book exit-level examination for Pharmacist's Assistants (Basic, NQF Level 4) in South Africa. The 100-MCQ paper assesses competency across four Exit-Level Outcomes: ethical/legal practice and basic sciences (40%), stock distribution and control (25%), manufacturing and packaging (15%), and extemporaneous compounding (20%) under the Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974 and Medicines Act 101 of 1965.

Exam sponsor: South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Online remote 100-MCQ assessment over 3.5 hours: 16 calculation questions (16%) and 84 general questions (84%). Pass mark is 50% overall with a 50% subminimum in both calculation and general sections.

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

Overall ≥50% with ≥50% section subminima

Exam / Certification Fees

R737 (standard booking fee per 2026 EISA Manual)

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

40%

ELO 1: Ethics, Legislation & Basic Sciences

Legislation, ethics, basic pharmaceutical concepts, and basic calculations.

25%

ELO 2: Stock Distribution & Control

Receiving, storing, picking, packing, distributing, stock counts per cGMP/GWDP/GPP.

15%

ELO 3: Manufacturing & Packaging

Manufacture, packaging, and re-packaging of non-sterile medicines under GMP.

20%

ELO 4: Compounding & Extemporaneous Preparation

Compounding solutions, suspensions, semi-solids per GPP rules and GMP guidelines.

Preparing for the SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Overall ≥50% with ≥50% section subminima
Assessment: Online remote 100-MCQ assessment over 3.5 hours: 16 calculation questions (16%) and 84 general questions (84%). Pass mark is 50% overall with a 50% subminimum in both calculation and general sections.
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Exam / certification fees: R737 (standard booking fee per 2026 EISA Manual) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master essential pharmacy calculations early, focusing on dosage, dilution, and reconstitution math.

2Review South African medicine scheduling under Medicines Act 101 of 1965 (Schedules 1 to 5).

3Understand Good Pharmacy Practice rules for cold chain storage (+2°C to +8°C) and temperature monitoring.

4Practice timed 100-question mock exams to ensure good pacing over 3.5 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the SAPC Pharmacist's Assistant EISA?

It is an online remote assessment consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions written over 3 hours and 30 minutes. It includes 16 calculation questions (16%) and 84 general questions (84%).

What is the passing score?

Candidates must achieve at least 50% overall, with a subminimum of 50% in the calculation section and 50% in the general section.

What topics are covered on the exam?

The exam covers four Exit-Level Outcomes: ethics/legislation/basic sciences (40%), stock distribution and control (25%), manufacturing and packaging (15%), and extemporaneous compounding (20%).

Who is eligible to write the EISA?

Learners registered with SAPC who have completed an accredited Pharmacist's Assistant (Basic) NQF Level 4 training programme and passed the internal practice EISA at their training provider.