GPAT – Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test by NTA

GPAT – Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) is a s conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). It is a national level entrance examination for admission into M.Pharm or its equivalent programmes. Interested Candidates are suggested to apply for computer based test (GPAT) at gpat.nta.nic.in. GPAT Score will be accepted for admission to 800 participating Institutes. Also, each participating colleges/institutes will declare their respective cutoff GPAT marks for admission to that particular institute. For more information regarding GPAT like Exam Dates, Exam Pattern etc. candidates can refer to this page below.

GPAT

National Testing Agency (NTA) has established the “Test Practice Centres” accross the country. Through it candidates can experience and train themselves for the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of examination. Candidates who want to know more about the admission for the upcoming session, click the below link.

GPAT: An Overview

GPAT is national level online computer based test of 180 minutes duration. It is conducted for admission to 800 participating institutes in M.Pharm courses. Applicants passed the bachelor’s degree in pharmacy (4 years, including lateral entry students) or equivalent from a recognized university are eligible to apply for GPAT. Applicant should be Indian citizen and There is no age limit for GPAT.

GPAT Exam Pattern

The Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) is conducted as an online computer based test. The exam pattern for GPAT is as follows:

• Mode of Examination: Computer Based Test (Online Mode)
• Number of Questions: Total Number of questions in the exam is 125.
• Maximum Marks: 500 Marks.
• Type of Questions: MCQ
• Duration of the exam: The total duration of exam is 3 hours (180 minutes).
• Marking Scheme: For correct answers, you will get +4 marks in each question and for every incorrect answer, -01 marks will be deducted. There is no marks for Un-answered/Un-attempted Questions. In case, a question is dropped/ignored, all candidates will be given four marks (+4) irrespective of the fact whether the question has been attempted or not attempted by the candidate.
• The questions will consist of Physical chemistry, Physical Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and other related subjects of Pharmacy.

Qualifying GPAT exam will not be that much difficult if one approaches the exam with calm mind and analytical attitude. Just remember one thing that no one can answer all the questions of the question paper. The main key to success in the GPAT is to believe on your strength and answer the questions with utmost accuracy because in negative marking, each wrong answer can cost you dearly. After getting the question paper, read the question paper thoroughly in the next 15 minutes. Don’t be in a hurry in answering the questions; first make a tick on the questions on which you are 100 % sure and then, attempt those questions with utmost care.

After attempting those questions, take a deep breath and go through the question paper again and find that is there any other question which you can attempt. Here self-control is the most important thing as most of the students loose there self-control at this period of time.

Important Topics for GPAT exam

There are certain areas or important topics for GPAT from where you will always find a question and if a student can master these topics then they can definitely score better.

• Remember all the schedules of the drugs thoroughly because you will definitely get a question on the schedules of the drugs.
• There will be 3-4 questions on the families of the herbal drugs and the questions asked on the most common or useful herbal drugs. So you can learn them easily from the CK Kokate.
• Every year now the frequency of the numerical is increasing in the GPAT examination. Basically most of the pharmacy students have a fear of attempting the numerical problems. But for scoring good marks in the GPAT it is mandatory to attempt these numerical problems. In GPAT there are limited types of numerical problems. Most of the numericals are asked from biopharmaceutics, allegation method, depression in freezing point and dose on the basis of body weight and age.
• Every year there is a definite question on the receptors and one should study this topic from the KD Tripathi or Foye’s Medicinal Chemistry.
• Every year there are 6-8 questions on the spectroscopy and mainly questions come from Mass spectrometry, UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy.
• Make a separate note of all the classification of the drugs from KD Tripathi. You will definitely find questions on the classifications of the drugs.
• There will be definitely questions on the amino acid precursors of the basic chemical constituents of the herbal drugs. So you should study them before appearing in the GPAT.

Books Recommended for GPAT Preparation

Pharmacy Entrance Exams