The preparation tips candidates can use for each section are given below:

PHARMACOGNOSY
This is a very theoretical section. Applicants must read the chapters comprehensively
and make micro notes based on it.
These micro notes can help in last minute revision.
From the analysis of previous years’ exam papers, it can be seen that the most asked
drugs from this section are Senna, Morphine, and Vinca. Individuals must study all the
concepts of these drugs; understand their mechanisms and their effects & uses. It is best to
devote recurrent time periods to Pharmacognosy so that candidates do not forget the concepts
and details.
Important topics in this section are-
 Glycosides
 Alkaloids
 Volatile Oils
 Resins
 Tannins
 Carbohydrates
 Tissue culture
 Herbal drugs
Recommended books for Pharmacognosy:
 Pharmacognosy by C K Kokate
 The complete guide for Pharmacognosy by Trease and Evans
PHARMACOLOGY
Many students find this section very interesting. Topics from this section carried a lot of
weightage in GPAT 2019.
Aspirants must study drug interaction and mechanisms as well as unique side effects of
drugs (not general side effects like body pain).
For the chapter of Classification of drugs, candidates can use acronyms to remember the
names. For eg:
1. Semisynthetic derivatives: Atropine Methonitrate, Homatropine, Hyoscine butyl
bromide, Ipratropium bromide, Tiotropium Bromide (AHITH)
2. Quaternary compounds: Propantheline, Clidimium, Oxyphenonium, Pipenzolate
methyl bromide, Isopropamide, Glycopyrrolate (PCO PIG)
Important topics in this section are:
  Oncology (drugs for chemotherapy, upcoming technologies, etc.)
 Neuropharmacology and rare diseases
 Cardiovascular and Blood products
Recommended books:
 Essential of Medical Pharmacology by K D Tripathi
PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS
This section is relatively easy and only requires an understanding of concepts. Aspirants must
practice solving numerical problems. Note down formulae and mug it up.
Important topics are:
 UV, IR and NMR
 Mass Spectroscopy
 Chromatography
 Polarography and Polarimetry
 Flame Photometer
 Conductometry
 Amperometry
 Potentiometry
Recommended books:
 Spectroscopy and Titration by Chatwal
 Chromatography by Remington
PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY
The questions asked from this section are very basic and only require conceptual clarity.
Applicants should focus on organic chemistry in this section.
Study electrophilic, nucleophilic reactions (substitution and addition) and intermediate
reactions.
Important topics are:
 SAR of steroids AND OTHER MEDICINAL CLASSES
 Nomenclature and a chemical moiety of the medicinal drugs
Recommended books:
 Basic Organic Chemistry by Morrison Boyd
 Medicinal chemistry by S N Pandey
PHARMACEUTICS
This section is very essential for all students appearing in GPAT 2020. Candidates should
begin this section by studying the formulation of tablets and emulsions. They must go
through different techniques of sterilization. There can also be some numerical problems
which can be asked from this section. Individuals must focus on the following topics:
 Pharmaceutical jurisprudence & ethics
 Surface and Interfacial Phenomena
 Rheology
 Kinetics and Drug Stability
 Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics
Recommended books:
 The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy by Liebermann and Lachman