Preparing for the Intern Written Exam 2026 can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling internship responsibilities and real-world pharmacy practice. But think of this exam as more than just a hurdle it’s your gateway to becoming a fully registered pharmacist in Australia.
What makes this exam unique is that it doesn’t just test what you know; it tests how well you can apply your knowledge in real clinical scenarios. From interpreting prescriptions to understanding medication safety, every question reflects something you’ll face in practice.
To help you feel confident and prepared, this guide breaks down everything you need to know the exam format, allowed resources, competency standards, sample questions, and strategies to maximise your score. Whether you're just starting your preparation or refining your final revision, this blog will give you a clear direction and a solid plan to succeed.
Overview of the Intern Written Exam 2026
The Intern Written Exam is a restricted open-book, computer-based exam conducted at approved test centres. Key points include:
- Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours).
- Resources allowed: One original physical copy of each approved reference book:
- Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
- Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF)
- No handwritten notes or loose papers are allowed; only small sticky tabs (max size 12mm x 44mm) are permitted.
- Pre-exam activities include:
- 5 minutes to read and agree to a non-disclosure agreement
- 10 minutes for a software tutorial
- Post-exam, 5 minutes are allocated to complete a feedback survey.
Exam Features:
- Multiple live versions are randomly allocated.
- Questions appear in random order.
- The exam covers domains 1 and 3 of the National Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.
Competency Standards Assessed
The exam tests six main competency standards:
| Competency Standard | Approximate % of Questions |
| Practise within applicable legal framework | 8% |
| Develop a patient-centred, culturally responsive approach | 20% |
| Implement the medication management strategy or plan | 28% |
| Monitor and evaluate medication management | 28% |
| Compound medicines | 8% |
| Promote health and well-being | 8% |
Questions are drawn from a wide range of therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, dermatology, endocrinology, immunology, gastrointestinal, respiratory, vaccination, and more. Both frequently used and high-risk medications may be tested, along with calculations, statutory requirements, and patient counselling scenarios.
Sample Questions for 2026
- A mother asks for a copy of her family’s medication history for the previous financial year, including herself, her husband, and her two children aged 3 and 6. As the pharmacist, what are you legally able to provide?
Options:
A. Information for the entire family
B. Her prescription history only
C. Her and the children’s prescription history
D. Her and her husband’s prescription history - A patient weighing 60 kg with a creatinine clearance of 27 mL/min requires subcutaneous enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism. Which regimen is most appropriate?
Options:
A. 20 mg twice daily
B. 40 mg once daily
C. 60 mg once daily
D. 60 mg twice daily - When converting from standard levodopa/carbidopa to controlled-release preparations, which statement is correct?
Options:
A. Continue current therapy for the first two days
B. Controlled-release has lower oral bioavailability
C. Total daily dose usually decreases
D. Frequency is once daily - An inpatient is prescribed cefazolin 400 mg in 100 mL saline over 20 minutes every 6 hours for 3 days. Vials of 0.5 g reconstituted with 1.5 mL sterile water yield 333 mg/mL. How many mL of solution are required per day? (Round to one decimal place)
- A patient reports a red, swollen, painful calf two weeks post-knee replacement. What is the most appropriate action?
Options:
A. Rest, elevate, and ice
B. Aspirin 300 mg single dose, then 100 mg daily
C. Seek medical advice for suspected DVT
D. Apply topical antiseptic - Which factor does not increase melanoma risk?
Options:
A. Family history
B. Immunodeficiency
C. Dark skin complexion
D. Multiple moles - Which counselling point is most important for patients starting apixaban?
Options:
A. Regular liver function tests
B. NSAIDs are allowed
C. Swallow tablets whole
D. Report any unusual bruising or bleeding - Which drug is best absorbed when taken with food?
Options:
A. Isotretinoin
B. Doxycycline
C. Ibuprofen
D. Metformin - When dispensing insulin glargine (Optisulin), what storage advice should be provided?
Options:
A. In-use pen <30°C for 28 days; spare pens 2–8°C
B. All pens at room temperature
C. All pens refrigerated
D. In-use pen <30°C for 90 days; spare pens refrigerated - In patients with established ASCVD, which drug class reduces morbidity and mortality in addition to ACEIs and antiplatelets?
Options:
A. Nitrates
B. Statins
C. ARBs
D. Antiarrhythmics - A patient with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin requires treatment for mastitis. Most appropriate antibiotic?
Options:
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Clindamycin
C. Dicloxacillin
D. Erythromycin - A 36-week pregnant patient asks if her usual migraine medications (ibuprofen + metoclopramide) are safe. Appropriate advice?
Options:
A. Both safe throughout pregnancy
B. Stop ibuprofen; metoclopramide alone
C. Replace ibuprofen with paracetamol, continue metoclopramide
D. Replace both with aspirin - Patient on alendronate for 10 years, with T-score ≥ -2.5 and no recent fractures. Advice?
Options:
A. Discontinue alendronate
B. Replace with risedronate
C. Replace with romosozumab
D. Continue alendronate; use hip protectors - What is the typical incubation period for HFMD?
Options:
A. 1–2 days
B. 2–3 days
C. 3–7 days
D. 7–14 days - A 32-year-old pregnant patient requires treatment for first-episode major depression. Which antidepressant is least appropriate?
Options:
A. Citalopram
B. Fluoxetine
C. Paroxetine
D. Sertraline
Answer Key
| Q.No | Answer |
| 1 | C |
| 2 | C |
| 3 | B |
| 4 | 4.8 |
| 5 | C |
| 6 | C |
| 7 | D |
| 8 | A |
| 9 | A |
| 10 | B |
| 11 | B |
| 12 | C |
| 13 | A |
| 14 | C |
| 15 | C |
Preparation Strategies for 2026
- Master Core Topics: Pharmacology, therapeutics, pharmacy law, clinical calculations.
- Practice Sample Questions: Aim for daily practice under timed conditions.
- Time Management: Allocate 1–2 minutes per MCQ, more for calculation questions.
- Use Approved References: Only AMH and APF, with sticky tabs for marking.
- Mock Exams: Simulate exam conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
- Understand Competency Domains: Focus on patient-centred care, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.
Quick Tips & Tricks
- Memorize drug schedules, high-risk drugs, and dosing adjustments.
- Use sticky tabs in your AMH/APF for frequently used tables.
- Practice calculations step-by-step; always check units.
- Read questions carefully—look out for age, pregnancy, or renal impairment modifiers.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the Intern Written Exam can feel like a lot, but remember, you’re not doing this alone. With the right strategy, consistent practice, and a solid understanding of the AMH and APF, you can walk into the exam feeling calm and in control. Focus on real-world reasoning, not just memorising facts, and you’ll naturally start recognising patterns in the types of questions asked.
And if you ever feel like you need structured guidance, expert explanations, or exam-style practice designed specifically for Australian interns, Academically’s Intern Written Exam Preparation course is here to help. It’s built to simplify your learning, boost your confidence, and give you the clarity you need to ace the exam.
Your journey to full pharmacist registration is closer than you think—let’s make sure you get there with confidence.
