How to prepare GPAT 2025 exam in 60 days, Strategic Plan for Students

Preparing for the GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) in 100 days requires a focused and strategic approach. Here’s a well-structured plan to help you make the most of your time:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus

• Exam Pattern:

  • Duration: 3 hours

  • Type: Computer-based test

  • Total Questions: 125

  • Marks: 500

  • Subjects Covered:

    • Pharmacology

    • Pharmaceutics

    • Pharmacognosy

    • Medicinal Chemistry

    • Biochemistry

    • Microbiology

    • Pharmaceutical Analysis

    • Pharmacokinetics

2. Break Down the 100-Day Plan

• Week 1-4: Build your foundation, focus on understanding the core concepts of each subject.

• Week 5-8: Start solving previous years’ papers and model tests to understand the exam pattern.

• Week 9-12: Focus on revision, and practice mock tests regularly. Begin taking time-bound practice sessions.

3. Daily Study Schedule

Try to allocate 6-8 hours of study daily with breaks to avoid burnout. Here’s how to structure the day:

Morning Session (3 hours)

• 1st hour: Focus on theoretical subjects like Pharmaceutics, and Medicinal Chemistry.

• 2nd hour: Solve numerical problems (Pharmaceutical analysis, Pharmacognosy, etc.) to build problem-solving skills.

• 3rd hour: Study important topics for Pharmacology.

Afternoon Session (2 hours)

• Focus on weak areas: Dedicate time to subjects where you are weaker. Revise notes, study concepts that seem complicated, and take brief breaks in between.

Evening Session (2-3 hours)

• Mock tests/Previous Year Papers: Take practice tests and analyze mistakes.

• Subject-Specific Practice: Focus on problem areas like Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, or any topic you find difficult.

Night Session (1 hour)

• Quick revision: Focus on memorizing important concepts, formulas, and chemical structures.

• General Knowledge: Read current affairs, health policies, or pharmaceutical news to stay updated.

4. Weekly Strategy

Week 1-4 (Building Fundamentals)

• Focus on understanding the concepts from key subjects: Pharmaceutics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy.

• Refer to standard textbooks like:

  • Pharmaceutics: “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”

  • Medicinal Chemistry: “Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry”

  • Pharmacology: “Basic and Clinical Pharmacology” by Bertram Katzung

  • Pharmacognosy: “Trease and Evans’ Pharmacognosy”

• Make concise notes for quick revision later.

Week 5-8 (Solving Previous Papers & Mock Tests)

• Start solving previous years’ GPAT papers and sample papers.

• Focus on speed and accuracy in solving MCQs.

• Dedicate specific time slots for solving quantitative sections like Pharmaceutical Analysis, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.

• Work on weak topics identified from mock tests.

Week 9-12 (Final Revision & Practice)

• Focused Revision: Go through your notes and revise everything you have studied so far.

• Take Full-Length Mocks: Simulate the actual exam environment by attempting full-length mock exams.

• Focus on time management, speed, and accuracy.

• Revise General Knowledge & Aptitude daily for the last few weeks. Stay updated with current affairs in the pharmaceutical sector.

5. Key Topics to Focus On

• Pharmaceutics: Dosage forms, formulation, manufacturing process, and packaging.

• Pharmacology: Mechanisms of drug action, ADRs (Adverse Drug Reactions), and drug interactions.

• Medicinal Chemistry: Structures, drug classes, and SAR (Structure-Activity Relationship).

• Pharmacognosy: Natural products, extraction methods, medicinal plants.

• Microbiology: Microorganisms and their role in pharmaceuticals.

• Biochemistry: Biomolecules, enzymes, metabolic pathways, and diseases.

• Pharmaceutical Analysis: Methods like chromatography, titration, spectroscopy, etc.

6. Practice Regularly

• Mock Tests: Take at least 2-3 mock tests per week to assess your progress.

• Timed Practice: Time yourself while solving questions to improve your speed.

7. Stay Healthy

• Sleep: Ensure at least 6-7 hours of sleep every night for better memory retention.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity, even light exercises, will keep you energized.

• Diet: Eat a balanced diet with enough proteins, vitamins, and water for brain function.

8. Stay Motivated

• Set weekly goals (e.g., covering a specific number of chapters or subjects).

• Keep a study journal to track your progress and make adjustments if needed.

• Find a study partner or group to stay motivated and clarify doubts.

9. Exam Strategy on D-Day

• Don’t Cram on the day before the exam. Do a light revision instead.

• Time Management: Read the instructions carefully. Start with the sections you’re most comfortable with.

• Avoid Guessing: Don’t spend too much time on a single question.

Conclusion

Consistency, practice, and time management will be your keys to success in GPAT 2025. By following this 100-day strategy, you’ll be well-prepared for the exam. Stay focused, and believe in your preparation!