Tips to Clear Pharmacy Entrance Exam

Introduction

Since the inception of pharmaceutical education in India by Professor M. L. Schroff at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1932 the pharmacy education has been growing and getting popularity amongst the students who want to pursue career in medicine. Pharmacy can be defined as the branch of health sciences that deals with the preparation and dispensing of drugs. The aim of pharmacy practice is to ensure the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical products. Pharmacists are the experts of medicines and use their knowledge for the benefit of patients.

Pharmacy is one of the popular career options among the students of science. Education in pharmacy varies from one country to another. In India, the academic courses in the field of pharmacy start from diploma level to doctoral level. Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) is a two years course offered by many Government and polytechnic colleges as well as private institutes. Bachelor in Pharmacy (B. Pharm) is a four years degree course offered by several universities and institutes, both government as well as private. Before taking admission, the candidate should make sure that the college is approved by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) and Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi. NBA accreditated institutes are undoubtedly better institutes in terms of providing better education, job placements and infrastructure.

Prerequisite information’s required before starting preparation for qualifying the entrance exam:

• The candidates must have completed 17 years of age and maximum 23 years on or before 31st December of the year of admission.
• Minimum qualification for taking admission in either D. Pharm or B. Pharm is 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects along with one of the Mathematics/ Biology/ Computer science/ Biotechnology subjects.
• The candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).

Few institutes also provide direct admission based on the candidate’s performance at the 10+2 level followed by a round of personal interview, wherein their general aptitude for the course is tested. Most of the colleges provide admission through national level entrance exam. To qualify and get admission into these colleges, the candidate must fare well to come into merit list. Various states regulate its own entrance exam for granting admission. Mentioned below are some state level entrance exams for pharmacy courses:

• AP EAMCET (Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Entrance Test)
• BCECE (Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination)
• BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology & Science Admission Test)
• DELHI CET (Delhi Common Entrance Test)
• KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test)
• MH CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
• TA EAMCET (Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Entrance Test)
• UKSEE (Uttarakhand State Entrance Exam)
• WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination)

Apart from these state level entrance examinations, various deemed universities like Jamia Hamdard, Manipal University and SRM University conduct their own competitive exams for admission in pharmacy course. In Telangana state, TS Polycet is conducted for the students who want to purse Diploma in Pharmacy from the colleges of Telangana.

In the era of cut throat competition, even a minor mistake can cost in disqualification in any competition. Due to increased number of applicants every year, one must be prepared with confidence and thorough with the syllabus. In order to qualify these exams the candidates must prepare thoroughly to get admission in pharmacy course because the question paper is set in a manner to judge the time management skills and presence of mind of a candidate apart from subject knowledge.

For smooth preparation and successfully qualifying the pharmacy entrance exam, the candidates must follow the tips mentioned in this article.

1. Knowledge of syllabus

• There is minimum variation in the content of the syllabus which varies from state to state or institute to institute. The candidate must be clear about the topics to be asked in particular entrance exam.
• The syllabus primarily focuses on the conceptual questions.
• All the sections mentioned in the syllabus do not consist of equal marks. Hence, the candidate must set their priorities.
• English and Logical reasoning does not need any formulae or mugging up, these sections need analyzing skill.
• The scoring sections should be prepared beforehand. The candidate must solve those questions which he/ she is confident about and which require the least time to solve.

2. Prepare according to the marking scheme

While starting preparation, identify and realize the best section which can be prepared.

Do not go advanced on the weakest section which may decrease the score.

Try to improve the skills of the relatively weaker sections.

As there is negative marking for each wrong answer, the candidate must stay careful and attempt the questions only which he/ she is confident about.

All the sections carry different marks. Prepare the conceptual questions of all the sections but do not waste time on the sections about which you are not confident.

3. Revision

Without revision of the syllabus all the preparation may go in vain.

Set your target to complete the one-time preparation of all the subjects and give at least one or two months for the revision.

4. Practice and Self-Test

When revised enough, the candidate must start with mock tests.

Attempt and solve the previous year’s question papers as well as sample questions for the concerned entrance exam.

The candidate must always record and improve the time whenever he/ she attempt any section of the syllabus. It must be recorded separately for all the sections.

5. Selection of text book and reference books

A well chosen book is always helpful.

NCERT books must be thoroughly prepared and revised.

Reference book must be easy to understand and should cover almost every type of concepts and questions asked in previous year’s exams.

6. Time management during exam

It comes after lot of practice.

Even while preparing for the exam, all the subjects should be devoted time to equally.

The conceptual questions need to be solved quickly and precisely.

Quick reflex to understand the concept is really important.

One should not waste time in case of confusion or indulge into lengthy solution.

One should keep track of the time left and maintain his/ her speed of answering the questions.

7. Remain focused and don’t be overconfident

While preparing for any entrance exam the candidate must focus towards the syllabus and must try to be consistent.

The candidate must devote on an average 10-12 hours daily for the preparation and 2-3 hours daily for practice and revision.

One shouldn’t look for answers given in guide books. The answers can be wrong or misprinted.

One must always try to clear the doubts and concepts and make continuous practice.