Pharmacology
Broad coverage of drug classes, mechanisms and adverse effects.
Practice Pharmacology MCQsExam preparation
NTS Pharmacist Test Preparation
Screening tests reward speed as much as knowledge. Practise pharmacy MCQs against the clock and cover the subjects NTS pharmacist tests draw on.
Exam overview and eligibility
The National Testing Service (NTS) conducts screening tests on behalf of government departments, hospitals and other organisations. When an employer uses NTS to shortlist pharmacists, the content and pattern of the test are set for that recruitment and published with the advertisement.
Pharmacist screening tests of this kind are objective and time-bound, and some include general sections such as English, analytical or quantitative reasoning and general knowledge alongside the professional portion. That makes pace critical: a candidate who knows the material but answers slowly still loses marks to the clock.
The professional portion is broad rather than deep. It favours candidates who have revised every major subject to a solid basic level over those who know two subjects in great detail.
Who can sit NTS Pharmacist
- A Pharm-D (or a B.Pharm where the advertisement still accepts it) from a university recognised by HEC.
- Current registration with the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan.
- Age limit, domicile, quota and any experience are set in each advertisement; relaxations follow government rules.
- Apply online through the commission or testing agency named in the advertisement, before its closing date.
The official advertisement for your post is the final word on eligibility; check it before you apply.
Syllabus and subject breakdown
What NTS Pharmacist covers, subject by subject, in order of how much each one carries. The exam's own blueprint is in "At a glance" where the examining body publishes one.
Pharmaceutics
Dosage forms and basic formulation science appear in most papers.
Practice Pharmaceutics MCQsPharmacognosy
Quick recall questions on sources and constituents reward revision.
Practice Pharmacognosy MCQsMicrobiology
Sterilisation methods and common pathogens are frequent screening topics.
Practice Microbiology MCQsBiochemistry
Vitamins, enzymes and metabolic basics fit the short-question format.
Practice Biochemistry MCQsPhysiology
Organ system basics underpin many pharmacology questions.
Practice Physiology MCQsCommunity Pharmacy
Counselling, dispensing and OTC questions test practical competence.
Practice Community Pharmacy MCQsPharmaceutical Chemistry
Functional groups and inorganic pharmaceuticals are common one-line questions.
Practice Pharmaceutical Chemistry MCQsPreparation tips and strategies
A step-by-step plan for NTS Pharmacist, from first revision to the last mock test.
- 1
Confirm the pattern first
Read the advertisement for sections, total questions and time. Work out your time per question so you can practise at exactly that pace.
- 2
Run short speed drills
Do sets of 20 questions in 15 minutes. Speed comes from recognising the concept instantly, and repetition across many topics builds that.
- 3
Go broad before deep
Cover every major subject at a basic level before spending extra time on any one. Screening tests sample widely.
- 4
Sit a timed paper weekly
PharmaPrep's NTS practice paper uses 80 questions in 60 minutes. Track both your score and how many questions you left unanswered.
- 5
Practise general sections separately
If the test includes English, analytical or quantitative sections, practise them daily in short bursts. PharmaPrep covers the pharmacy portion.
Study resources and recommended books
Everything on PharmaPrep you can use for NTS Pharmacist, and the standard books to read alongside it.
NTS Pharmacist practice MCQs
Original questions tagged to this exam, each with the correct answer explained.
Full-length mock tests
Timed papers under exam conditions, with scoring and answer review afterwards.
In-depth study guide
How to Prepare for NTS Pharmacist Tests
7 cheat sheets
One-page tables and one-liners for last-minute revision.
Subject notes
Short topic notes for the subjects listed above, to read before you practise.
Recommended books
- Katzung, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (or Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology)Pharmacology carries the most marks in almost every Pakistani pharmacist paper.Short notes and practice
- Aulton's PharmaceuticsDosage forms, physical pharmacy, formulation and stability.Short notes and practice
- Trease and Evans PharmacognosyCrude drugs, constituents and their sources.Short notes and practice
- Foye's Principles of Medicinal ChemistryStructure-activity relationships and drug metabolism.Short notes and practice
- Shargel, Applied Biopharmaceutics & PharmacokineticsPharmacokinetics and dosage calculations.Short notes and practice
- Drugs Act 1976, DRAP Act 2012 and the Pharmacy Act 1967The official texts behind every drug law question; read the sections, not summaries alone.Short notes and practice
Use the latest edition you can get. Books build understanding; the book short notes, MCQs and mock tests turn it into exam speed.
Sample NTS Pharmacist MCQs
Try a few original practice questions, then continue in the full question bank.
1Which method is used to sterilise heat-sensitive single-use plastic syringes on an industrial scale?
- AAutoclaving at 121 °C
- BDry heat at 160 °C
- CEthylene oxide gas or gamma irradiation
- DBoiling for 30 minutes
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Ethylene oxide gas or gamma irradiation
Plastic syringes deform under moist or dry heat, so they are sterilised industrially with ethylene oxide or gamma radiation. Boiling does not reliably kill spores and is not a sterilisation method.
2Vitamin B12 deficiency primarily causes:
- AMicrocytic hypochromic anaemia
- BMegaloblastic anaemia
- CHaemolytic anaemia
- DSideroblastic anaemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Megaloblastic anaemia
Vitamin B12 is needed for DNA synthesis, so deficiency produces megaloblastic (macrocytic) anaemia, often with neurological signs. Iron deficiency causes microcytic hypochromic anaemia.
3Digitoxin is obtained from the leaves of:
- ADigitalis purpurea
- BStrophanthus gratus
- CUrginea maritima
- DNerium oleander
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Digitalis purpurea
Digitoxin comes from the dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea (foxglove), while digoxin is obtained from Digitalis lanata. Strophanthus yields ouabain from its seeds and squill glycosides come from the bulb of Urginea.
Cheat sheets for NTS Pharmacist
One-page tables and one-liners to revise before a mock test or the night before the exam.
NTS Pharmacist FAQs
What is the NTS pharmacist test pattern?
NTS sets the pattern for each recruitment on behalf of the employer. It is an objective, time-bound test and may include general sections. The advertisement lists the sections, marks and passing criteria.
How can I answer pharmacy MCQs faster?
Practise in short timed sets, review mistakes the same day, and revise broadly so you recognise concepts immediately. Timed mock tests show whether your pace is on track.
Does PharmaPrep include English and analytical sections?
No. PharmaPrep focuses on pharmacy subjects. Prepare general sections separately if your test includes them.
Are these NTS past paper questions?
No. They are original practice questions covering the pharmacy subjects NTS-style screening tests draw on.