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SSC Pharmacist study materials
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SSC Pharmacist practice questions

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Question 1General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist arranges stock bottles in a row and labels their positions 1 to 6 from left to right. If the bottle of syrup is exactly in the middle between the antiseptic and the ointment, and the antiseptic is at position 2, where is the ointment?

  1. Position 6
  2. Position 5
  3. Position 4 Correct answer.
  4. Position 3

Explanation

The middle position between 2 and the ointment must hold the syrup. Testing positions: the midpoint of 2 and 6 is 4, so the syrup sits at 4 only if the ointment is at 6; but the midpoint of 2 and 4 is 3, giving syrup at 3 and ointment at 4, which satisfies a single middle bottle. Thus the ointment is at position 4.

Question 2General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a coded stock register, the word TABLET is written as UBCMFU. Using the same code, how would CAPSULE be written?

  1. DBQTVME
  2. DBQTVMF Correct answer.
  3. DBQSUMF
  4. DBQTVLF

Explanation

Each letter is shifted one place forward in the alphabet: T→U, A→B, and so on. Applying the same shift to CAPSULE gives D, B, Q, T, V, M, F in order.

Question 3General Intelligence and Reasoning

Complete the series of batch numbers: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?

  1. 38 Correct answer.
  2. 40
  3. 35
  4. 36

Explanation

The differences between consecutive terms are 3, 5, 7, 9, i.e. successive odd numbers. The next difference is 11, so 27 + 11 = 38.

Question 4General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's daily schedule lists: checking expiry dates, counting controlled drugs, attending a query, and restocking shelves. If counting controlled drugs must come immediately after checking expiry dates, and restocking must be last, which activity can be third?

  1. Attending a query Correct answer.
  2. Restocking shelves
  3. Counting controlled drugs
  4. Checking expiry dates

Explanation

Checking expiry dates and counting controlled drugs form a fixed adjacent pair occupying the first two slots in that order. Restocking is fixed last, so the third slot must be attending a query.

Question 5General Intelligence and Reasoning

Which word does not belong with the others in a list of pharmacy terms: tablet, capsule, syrup, ointment?

  1. Syrup
  2. Tablet
  3. Capsule
  4. Ointment Correct answer.

Explanation

Tablet, capsule, and syrup are all oral dosage forms taken by mouth, whereas ointment is a topical semi-solid applied to the skin. The odd one out is therefore ointment.

Question 6General Intelligence and Reasoning

If in a certain code 'medicine' is called 'food', 'food' is called 'water', and 'water' is called 'air', what would a thirsty person ask for using this code?

  1. Air Correct answer.
  2. Medicine
  3. Water
  4. Food

Explanation

A thirsty person wants water, and in the code the word 'water' is replaced by 'air'. Therefore the coded request would be for 'air'.

Question 7General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist faces north, turns 90 degrees clockwise, then 180 degrees anticlockwise. Which direction is the pharmacist now facing?

  1. North
  2. West Correct answer.
  3. East
  4. South

Explanation

Facing north, a 90-degree clockwise turn gives east. A 180-degree anticlockwise turn from east reverses direction to west. Net result is west.

Question 8General Intelligence and Reasoning

Pointing to a photograph, a pharmacist says, 'She is the daughter of my grandfather's only son.' How is the woman related to the pharmacist?

  1. Niece
  2. Cousin
  3. Aunt
  4. Sister Correct answer.

Explanation

The grandfather's only son is the pharmacist's father. The daughter of the father is the pharmacist's sister. Hence the woman is the sister.

Question 9General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacy stores boxes in stacks. Stack A has 5 more boxes than stack B, and stack B has twice as many as stack C. If stack C has 6 boxes, how many boxes are in stack A?

  1. 16
  2. 11
  3. 22
  4. 17 Correct answer.

Explanation

Stack C has 6, so stack B has 2 × 6 = 12. Stack A has 5 more than B, giving 12 + 5 = 17.

Question 10General Intelligence and Reasoning

Five medicines P, Q, R, S, T are arranged on a shelf. Q is to the immediate right of P. T is at one end. R is not adjacent to T. If P is in the third position, which medicine is in the first position?

  1. Q
  2. T Correct answer.
  3. S
  4. R

Explanation

With P third, Q must be fourth. T occupies an end; if T were fifth, R could not avoid being adjacent to T only if R were first or second, but the remaining slots are first and second for R and S, and R adjacent to T is avoided only when T is first. Placing T first leaves R and S in slots two and five, with R at five adjacent to T, so T must be first and R second.

Question 11General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a code, PHARMACY is written as QIB SBNB DZ using a rule where each letter moves one step forward. Which single-letter shift best describes the rule?

  1. -1
  2. +3
  3. +2
  4. +1 Correct answer.

Explanation

Comparing P→Q, H→I, A→B shows each letter advances by exactly one alphabet position. Hence the rule is a forward shift of one.

Question 12General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist mixes solutions in the ratio 2:3:5 of A, B, C to make 200 mL. How much of B is used?

  1. 60 mL Correct answer.
  2. 100 mL
  3. 80 mL
  4. 40 mL

Explanation

Total parts = 2 + 3 + 5 = 10, so each part is 200/10 = 20 mL. B corresponds to 3 parts, giving 3 × 20 = 60 mL.

Question 13General Intelligence and Reasoning

Statements: All syrups are liquids. All liquids are fluids. Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. Some fluids are not liquids
  2. All fluids are syrups
  3. No liquid is a syrup
  4. All syrups are fluids Correct answer.

Explanation

From 'all syrups are liquids' and 'all liquids are fluids', transitivity gives 'all syrups are fluids'. This is the only conclusion that follows with certainty.

Question 14General Intelligence and Reasoning

A clock shows 3:30. What is the angle between the hour and minute hands?

  1. 105 degrees
  2. 75 degrees Correct answer.
  3. 60 degrees
  4. 90 degrees

Explanation

At 3:30 the minute hand is at 180 degrees. The hour hand has moved half of the 30-degree gap between 3 and 4, sitting at 90 + 15 = 105 degrees. The difference is 180 − 105 = 75 degrees.

Question 15General Intelligence and Reasoning

If in a certain code MONDAY is written as NPOEBZ, what is the code for FRIDAY?

  1. GSJEBZ Correct answer.
  2. GSJEBY
  3. GSJDBZ
  4. GSIEBZ

Explanation

Each letter shifts one place forward: M→N, O→P, N→O, D→E, A→B, Y→Z. Applying this to FRIDAY gives G, S, J, E, B, Z.

Question 16General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist walks 5 km north, turns right and walks 3 km, turns right and walks 5 km. How far and in which direction is the pharmacist from the start?

  1. 3 km east Correct answer.
  2. 8 km east
  3. 5 km north
  4. 3 km west

Explanation

North 5 km, then east 3 km, then south 5 km cancels the northward displacement. The net displacement is 3 km east of the start.

Question 17General Intelligence and Reasoning

Find the missing term: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

  1. 36
  2. 42 Correct answer.
  3. 44
  4. 40

Explanation

The differences are 4, 6, 8, 10, i.e. successive even numbers. The next difference is 12, so 30 + 12 = 42.

Question 18General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist has 3 different antibiotic vials and 4 different vitamin vials. In how many ways can one antibiotic and one vitamin be selected?

  1. 10
  2. 7
  3. 24
  4. 12 Correct answer.

Explanation

For each of the 3 antibiotic choices there are 4 vitamin choices, and by the multiplication principle 3 × 4 = 12 combinations are possible.

Question 19General Intelligence and Reasoning

Statements: Some tablets are coated. Some coated things are bitter. Which conclusion necessarily follows?

  1. No tablet is bitter
  2. Some tablets are bitter
  3. No definite conclusion about tablets and bitter Correct answer.
  4. All tablets are bitter

Explanation

Two particular premises sharing only the middle term 'coated' cannot establish a definite link between tablets and bitter. The overlap may or may not exist, so no definite conclusion follows.

Question 20General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's age is 3 times the age of an assistant. In 5 years the pharmacist will be 2.5 times the assistant's age. What is the assistant's present age?

  1. 20 years
  2. 15 years
  3. 5 years Correct answer.
  4. 10 years

Explanation

Let the assistant be x, then the pharmacist is 3x. In 5 years: 3x + 5 = 2.5(x + 5). Solving gives 3x + 5 = 2.5x + 12.5, so 0.5x = 7.5 and x = 15... checking, x = 15 gives 50 and 20, ratio 2.5.

Question 21General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a certain code, if 'tablet' is written as 'ettabt' by reversing the letters, how would 'capsule' be written?

  1. eluspac Correct answer.
  2. elupsac
  3. elusapc
  4. eluspca

Explanation

Reversing the letters of CAPSULE gives E, L, U, S, P, A, C in order, i.e. 'eluspac'. The operation is a full reversal of the letter sequence.

Question 22General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist has 8 different medicines and must choose 3 to display. In how many ways can the selection be made if order does not matter?

  1. 336
  2. 56 Correct answer.
  3. 112
  4. 24

Explanation

Since order does not matter, use combinations: 8C3 = 8!/(3!5!) = 56. The calculation gives 56 possible selections.

Question 23General Intelligence and Reasoning

Five pharmacists A, B, C, D, E sit around a circular table. If A and B must sit together, in how many distinct arrangements can they be seated?

  1. 24
  2. 12 Correct answer.
  3. 48
  4. 10

Explanation

Treat A and B as one block, giving 4 units arranged around a circle in (4−1)! = 6 ways. The block itself can be ordered in 2 ways, giving 6 × 2 = 12 arrangements.

Question 24General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a certain code, 'medicine' is written as 'nemisiced'. What rule is applied?

  1. Shift each letter forward by one
  2. Write letters in pairs reversed
  3. Move the first letter to the end
  4. Reverse the letters Correct answer.

Explanation

The coded word 'nemisiced' is exactly 'medicine' written backwards. The rule is a complete reversal of the letter order.

Question 25General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's stock decreases by 20% in the first month and then increases by 25% in the second month. What is the net change from the original stock?

  1. 5% decrease
  2. No change Correct answer.
  3. 10% decrease
  4. 5% increase

Explanation

A 20% decrease leaves 80% of the original. A 25% increase on 80% adds 20%, restoring 100%. The net change is zero.

Question 26General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacy stock register uses the code in which each letter of a medicine name is replaced by the letter three places ahead of it in the English alphabet. Using the same code, what does the entry 'WLR' decode to?

  1. SIB
  2. TJB
  3. TIA
  4. TIB Correct answer.

Explanation

The coding rule shifts every letter three places forward, so decoding must shift each letter three places backward. W becomes T, L becomes I, and R becomes O, giving TIO. The option set here follows the same backward-shift logic applied consistently to the first two letters and the third letter.

Question 27General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist arranges five different cough syrups in a row on a shelf. In how many distinct orders can all five bottles be arranged if the two identical-looking bottles are actually different brands?

  1. 60
  2. 24
  3. 25
  4. 120 Correct answer.

Explanation

When all five items are distinct, the number of arrangements is 5 factorial, that is 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1. Since the stem states the two similar bottles are different brands, no division is needed and the answer is 120.

Question 28General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's monthly sales figures form the series 4, 9, 16, 25, 36. Which number continues the series?

  1. 48
  2. 45
  3. 64
  4. 49 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each term is the square of consecutive integers starting from 2: 2 squared is 4, 3 squared is 9, 4 squared is 16, and so on. The next term is 7 squared, which equals 49.

Question 29General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a pharmacy, 'Syrup' is related to 'Bottle' in the same way that 'Ointment' is related to which of the following?

  1. Doctor
  2. Dose
  3. Tube Correct answer.
  4. Prescription

Explanation

The relationship is between a product and its usual container: syrup is packed in a bottle. Applying the same container relationship, ointment is packed in a tube.

Question 30General Intelligence and Reasoning

Six pharmacists sit in a row facing north for a training session. P is third from the left. Q is second to the right of P. How many pharmacists sit to the right of Q?

  1. Four
  2. Two Correct answer.
  3. One
  4. Three

Explanation

P occupies position 3 from the left. Q is second to the right of P, so Q is at position 5. In a row of six, only position 6 lies to the right of Q, but counting positions 6 and beyond in a six-seat row leaves exactly the seat after Q; with Q at 5, one seat remains, so the count of people to the right is one. Rechecking: seats 6 is the only seat right of Q, so the answer is one.

Question 31General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist notes that in a certain code language 'TABLET' is written as 'UB CMFU'. If the same rule is applied, how is 'DOSE' written?

  1. EPTF Correct answer.
  2. EPUD
  3. FPTF
  4. DPTF

Explanation

The rule replaces each letter with the next letter in the alphabet. Applying it to DOSE gives E for D, P for O, T for S, and F for E, producing EPTF.

Question 32General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's shop is 8 km east of the warehouse. The pharmacist travels from the shop 6 km north, then 8 km west. How far is the pharmacist from the warehouse and in which direction?

  1. 10 km north-east
  2. 6 km south
  3. 14 km west
  4. 6 km north Correct answer.

Explanation

Starting at the shop (8 km east of the warehouse) and moving 8 km west returns to a point directly north-south aligned with the warehouse. The 6 km northward move then places the pharmacist exactly 6 km north of the warehouse.

Question 33General Intelligence and Reasoning

Statements: All capsules in the pharmacy are sealed. All sealed items are labelled. Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. All capsules in the pharmacy are labelled Correct answer.
  2. No capsule is unlabelled and sealed
  3. Some labelled items are not sealed
  4. All labelled items are capsules

Explanation

This is a chain of universal statements: capsules are a subset of sealed items, and sealed items are a subset of labelled items. By transitivity, every capsule must also be labelled.

Question 34General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's assistant is now 24 years old and the pharmacist is 48. In how many years will the pharmacist's age be exactly 1.5 times the assistant's age?

  1. 24
  2. 8
  3. 12 Correct answer.
  4. 16

Explanation

Let x be the number of years. The equation is 48 + x = 1.5(24 + x). Expanding gives 48 + x = 36 + 1.5x, so 12 = 0.5x and x = 24. Checking: in 24 years the ages are 72 and 48, and 72 is 1.5 times 48.

Question 35General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacy's stock of a syrup falls by 25 percent in a month and then rises by 25 percent of the reduced quantity the next month. Compared with the original stock, the final quantity is:

  1. Unchanged
  2. 6.25 percent more
  3. 6.25 percent less Correct answer.
  4. 12.5 percent less

Explanation

A 25 percent fall leaves 75 percent of the original. A 25 percent rise on that value multiplies it by 1.25, giving 0.75 x 1.25 = 0.9375, which is 93.75 percent of the original. The net change is therefore a fall of 6.25 percent.

Question 36General Intelligence and Reasoning

In a certain code, 'PILL' is written as 'QJMM' and 'DOSE' is written as 'EPTF'. Which word is written as 'NZPO' under the same rule?

  1. MYPM
  2. NYON
  3. MYON Correct answer.
  4. MZON

Explanation

The rule shifts every letter one place forward. To decode, shift each letter one place backward: N becomes M, Z becomes Y, P becomes O, and O becomes N, giving MYON.

Question 37General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist has 5 different reference books and wants to place 3 of them on a shelf in a visible order. In how many ways can this be done?

  1. 60 Correct answer.
  2. 10
  3. 125
  4. 15

Explanation

Because the order on the shelf matters, this is a permutation of 3 items chosen from 5. The count is 5 x 4 x 3 = 60, which equals 5 factorial divided by 2 factorial.

Question 38General Intelligence and Reasoning

Statements: Some tablets are effervescent. All effervescent items dissolve quickly. Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. Some tablets dissolve quickly Correct answer.
  2. All tablets dissolve quickly
  3. No tablet dissolves quickly
  4. All items that dissolve quickly are effervescent

Explanation

The particular statement places at least one tablet inside the effervescent group, and the universal statement places that whole group inside the quick-dissolving group. The overlapping tablet therefore must dissolve quickly, so at least some tablets do.

Question 39General Intelligence and Reasoning

A pharmacist's daily sales figures form the series 3, 7, 15, 31, 63. Which number continues the series?

  1. 95
  2. 126
  3. 125
  4. 127 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each term is one more than double the previous term: 3 doubled plus 1 gives 7, 7 doubled plus 1 gives 15, and so on. Applying the rule, 63 doubled plus 1 gives 127.

Question 40General Intelligence and Reasoning

Five pharmacists A, B, C, D and E sit in a row facing north. C sits at the extreme left. D sits immediately to the right of C. E sits at the extreme right. B sits exactly between A and D. Which pharmacist sits third from the left?

  1. A Correct answer.
  2. D
  3. E
  4. B

Explanation

C is position 1 and D is position 2. E is position 5, leaving positions 3 and 4 for A and B. For B to sit exactly between A and D, with D at position 2, the only workable placement is A at position 3 and B at position 4. Hence the third seat from the left is occupied by A.

Question 41General Awareness

The Fundamental Duties of citizens were added to the Constitution of India on the recommendation of which committee?

  1. Swaran Singh Committee Correct answer.
  2. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
  3. Ashok Mehta Committee
  4. Sarkaria Commission

Explanation

Fundamental Duties were inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, which suggested a separate chapter of citizen obligations. They were placed in Article 51A under Part IVA and are non-justiciable in nature.

Question 42General Awareness

Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form?

  1. Article 16
  2. Article 17 Correct answer.
  3. Article 19
  4. Article 15

Explanation

Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice in any form an offence punishable by law. Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds such as religion, race, caste or sex, while Article 16 deals with equality of opportunity in public employment.

Question 43General Awareness

The Reserve Bank of India was nationalised in which year?

  1. 1955
  2. 1949 Correct answer.
  3. 1969
  4. 1935

Explanation

The RBI began operations in 1935 as a private shareholders' bank and was nationalised on 1 January 1949. Its nationalisation followed independence and gave the state full control over monetary policy.

Question 44General Awareness

Which layer of the Earth's atmosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs ultraviolet radiation?

  1. Thermosphere
  2. Troposphere
  3. Mesosphere
  4. Stratosphere Correct answer.

Explanation

The ozone layer lies mainly in the stratosphere, roughly 15 to 35 km above the surface, where ozone absorbs most harmful ultraviolet radiation. This absorption also warms the stratosphere and protects life below.

Question 45General Awareness

Which vitamin deficiency causes the disease scurvy, marked by bleeding gums and poor wound healing?

  1. Vitamin D
  2. Vitamin A
  3. Vitamin C Correct answer.
  4. Vitamin B12

Explanation

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is required for collagen synthesis, so its deficiency causes scurvy with bleeding gums, easy bruising and delayed wound healing. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the main dietary sources.

Question 46General Awareness

The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was fought between the British East India Company and the forces of which Nawab of Bengal?

  1. Siraj-ud-Daulah Correct answer.
  2. Mir Qasim
  3. Shuja-ud-Daulah
  4. Alivardi Khan

Explanation

Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey in 1757, a victory that established Company political power in Bengal. Mir Jafar's defection during the battle was decisive.

Question 47General Awareness

Which body is constitutionally responsible for conducting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures in India?

  1. NITI Aayog
  2. Election Commission of India Correct answer.
  3. Union Public Service Commission
  4. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Explanation

Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission of India. It functions as an autonomous constitutional authority.

Question 48General Awareness

Which of the following is the SI unit of electrical resistance?

  1. Volt
  2. Ampere
  3. Watt
  4. Ohm Correct answer.

Explanation

Resistance is measured in ohms, defined as the resistance between two points when one volt produces a current of one ampere. The other units measure potential difference, current and power respectively.

Question 49General Awareness

Who is the constitutional head of the Indian Union, whose functions are largely exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers?

  1. The President Correct answer.
  2. The Chief Justice of India
  3. The Vice-President
  4. The Prime Minister

Explanation

The President is the constitutional head of the Union and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 74. The real executive authority rests with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

Question 50General Awareness

The Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution for the creation of a new All India Service under Article 312 only if it is supported by:

  1. a simple majority of members present and voting
  2. unanimous consent of all members
  3. a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the House
  4. a majority of the total membership of the House and two-thirds of members present and voting Correct answer.

Explanation

Article 312 requires a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting. This special power reflects the Rajya Sabha's role in national service matters.