What is GPAT?

GRADUATE PHARMACY APTITUDE TEST (GPAT) is an all-India level entrance exam for admission into the M.Pharma course. National Testing Agency is responsible for conducting this test.

The GPAT test score is accepted by all the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved colleges, university departments, constituent colleges and affiliated colleges. Merit-based scholarships and other financial aid are also given.

Tips to crack a GPAT Exam

In this article, we have shared tips that will help you to perform well in the GPAT exam.

To crack the GPAT entrance exam a candidate need to be well versed with what he/she has learned in the B. Pharma course. You must study systematically to score well and cover the subjects which are meant to come in the test. 

GPAT Subject-wise Preparation Tips

Previously, some questions used to come every year. But now the difficulty level of questions has increased in recent years. That is why candidates should cover all topics as much as possible.

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Pharmacognosy

This is a theory-based section. While covering this section don’t forget to make notes. This will help you to do quick revision in the last moment before the exam.

You must clear your concept on these drugs; understand their mechanisms and their effects and uses.

Topics you must cover in this section

• Glycosides
• Alkaloids
• Volatile Oils
• Resins
• Tannins
• Carbohydrates
• Tissue culture
• Herbal drugs

Pharmacology

Expect more questions from this section. Candidates must understand and study drug interaction and mechanisms as well as drug side effects.

Important topics you can cover

• Oncology (drugs for chemotherapy, technologies, etc.)
• Neuropharmacology and rare diseases
• Cardiovascular and Blood products

Pharmaceutical Analysis

This section is easy if your basic concepts are clear. You must practice numerical problems. Mug up the formula and apply the same while solving numerical questions

Important topics to cover

• UV, IR, and NMR
• Mass Spectroscopy
• Chromatography
• Polarography and Polarimetry
• Flame Photometer
• Conductometry
• Amperometry
• Potentiometry

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Basic questions come from this section and only require a basic understanding of concepts. Focus more on organic chemistry in this section.  You must study electrophilic, nucleophilic reactions and intermediate reactions.

Important topics to cover

• SAR of steroids
• Nomenclature and a chemical moiety of the medicinal drugs

Pharmaceutics

GPAT aspirants should begin this section preparation by studying the formulation of tablets and emulsions. They must go through different techniques of sterilization. You can also expect some numerical problems in this section. For scoring better marks in this section you can cover the below topics:

• Pharmaceutical jurisprudence & ethics
• Surface and Interfacial Phenomena
• Rheology
• Kinetics and Drug Stability
• Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics

Books you can refer to cover the above-mentioned subjects

• Industrial Pharmacy by Liebermann and Lachman
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry books by D Sriram
• Microbiology books by Prescott
• Organic Chemistry by Morrison Boyd
• Medicinal chemistry by S N Pandey
• Spectroscopy and Titration by Chatwal
• Chromatography by Remington
• Essentials of Medical Pharmacology book by K D Tripathi
• Pharmacognosy by Dr. C K Kokate
• Guide for Pharmacognosy by Trease and Evans

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More tips to Crack GPAT Exam

• Make notes for the classification of drugs and the schedules of the drugs. 3 to 4 questions on herbal drugs come every year. 
• The frequency of numerical questions is increasing in the GPAT exam every year. Individuals must attempt these problems for scoring good marks in GPAT. Most of the numerical come from biopharmaceutics, depression in freezing point, allegation method, and dose based on body weight and age. Practice and solve more numerical questions because practice makes a man perfect.
• You must solve as many mock papers it will help you to understand the GPAT exam pattern
• To cover topics like Dispensing Pharmacy, you can solve previous year’s question papers.
• Try to cover the 50 percent syllabus of the GPAT Exam by the end of November and then take the test series.
• Don’t read your whole B. Pharma books to score well, try to cover only those topics which will come in the GPAT exam.
• You must prepare a timetable for GPAT Exam and work more on your weal topics.
• Make notes of meanings, definitions of new words or terms that you see in your books. This will help you to build a strong vocabulary.
• Practice numerical questions based on Physical Chemistry.
• Six months before your exam reach out to your colleagues, friends, seniors and professors to know how they have cracked the exam. This will help you to make the right strategy to crack the upcoming GPAT Exam. 
• Try to avoid the company of those people who demotivate you or always ready to party but not study.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle – sleep at least for 6 hours and exercise or play an outdoor game for 1 hour only.

GPAT Exam Test Pattern 

 Below given is the GPAT Exam pattern.

•  It is a Computer-based online test. 
• There are a total of 125 multiple choice questions
• The test duration is 3 hours. 
• For every wrong answer, there is a negative marking of 1 mark and 4 marks for every correct answer.
• Total Marks is 500.
• Language is English

GPAT Exam Registration

· The GPAT registration fee is Rs.1400/- for General/Other Backward Class candidates and Rs. 700/- for Girls/Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes/PwD candidates. 

· There are two methods to pay a registration fee – one is online mode and cash payment through any SBI bank branch in the form of a challan.

*The exam registration fees may change as per year of exam.

What to carry at GPAT Test center?

Candidates are required to carry few things along with the hard copy of the GPAT Admit Card otherwise you will not be allowed to sit in the exam center. Given below are few things

• Identity card – Candidates will have to carry identity proof which has a photograph like PAN card Aadhar Card or Voter’s card.
•  Passport size Photo – This is needed to paste on the attendance sheet.
• PwD Certificate – Candidates with disabilities are required to carry a PwD certificate to the center to access a scribe and get extra time 

What not to carry at GPAT Test Center?

•  Textbooks, Calculators, Slide Rule, Log Tables, and smartwatches with facilities of calculator, chits, mobile phone or any other device
• Smoking, chewing tobacco, use of the psychotropic substance, etc. in the examination hall is strictly prohibited.

 Where to find GPAT Result?

• GPAT result is announced by the conducting body National Testing Agency or NTA for admissions in M Pharma. The result is available in PDF format. Candidates can also visit the official website of NTA GPAT and can check their results by logging in with their mail ID and roll number. National Testing Agency also releases the provisional GPAT answer key, which can be challenged by the candidates till a specific date. The final answer key is also released by the testing agency.

How to check the GPAT result?

•  To check GPAT results, candidates have to visit the official website of GPAT, ntagpat.nic.in
•  After visiting the website, candidates have to click on the ‘View GPAT Result’ button available below the new notification section
•  You need to log in with your application number and password/ Date of Birth (DOB)
•  Now click on the the ‘Sign in’ and then click on the ‘View result’ 
•  Your GPAT result will be displayed. 

 GPAT Admission Process

• The admission process for GPAT begins with registration. After registration, candidates have to fill the GPAT application form.
• The candidates undergo scrutiny after the submission of the application. Now, whose applications are accepted by the testing agency will be issued the GPAT admit card. Candidates then need to appear for an online exam.
• GPAT results will be declared for those candidates who have given the online GPAT test, following which the qualified candidates participate in the counseling.
• To participate in the counseling, candidates will have to apply separately to the college. Colleges based on applications announce the cut-off scores. Candidates whose score lies in the cutoff range get admission to that college

 GPAT Exam: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Question: Can I give GPAT test on my laptop or computer?
• Answer: No, the candidate has to give the test on the assigned computer at the test center
• Question: I am B. Pharm 3rd year student? Can I give the test?
• Answer: No, you must be in the last year of the B. Pharm course.
• Question: When to start preparing for the GPAT test?
• Answer: If you study for 2 to 3 months daily with dedication you can score good marks.
• Question: I am 36 years old. Am I eligible for the GPAT test?
• Answer: Yes you are eligible. There is no age limit for the GPAT exam. 
• Question: How many time slots available for the GPAT test?
• Answer: Only a one-time slot available for the GPAT test. 
• Question: Can I leave the test center if I complete my test before time?
• Answer: No, candidates cannot leave the test center even if they have completed the test before the 3 hours.

 Wrapping Up

If you follow these tips, you can score good marks in the GPAT Exam and get an institute of your choice to study.

 Wishing you All the Best!

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