The Portal Post
The latest information for clinical learners and professionals from the team at the British Pharmacological Society Assessment.
Sitting the Prescribing Safety Assessment in 2026? Here’s what you need to know
If you’re a UK medical student or foundation doctor, the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) represents an important step in demonstrating your prescribing competence. To help you prepare we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the PSA, from essential resources to practical study strategies that work. Dates for
🎄 The BPS Assessment Advent Calendar is here 🎄
December can be a tricky time for revision. To help make it more manageable we’ve created our BPS Assessment advent calendar sharing bitesize revision content on our Facebook and Instagram channels with a focused area each day until 24th December. A practice question here, a PSA tip there or a
Five Study Habits That’ll Help You Ace Your PSA First Time
What’s the secret to passing the PSA first time? With so many different study approaches out there, it can be tough to know which ones actually make the difference. In this post we’ve helped identify 5 key study habits that will help you build a solid preparation routine and approach
PSA exam questions by type: What you’ll see and how long to spend on each
If you’re preparing for the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA), you’re not alone! Thousands of students will take it between October 2025 and June 2026. Knowing exactly what to expect on
Learn about Yellow Card reporting with our new assessment
The Yellow Card scheme is the UK’s system for collecting and monitoring information about suspected side effects or safety concerns with medicines and medical devices. Run by the MHRA (Medicines
How long is the Prescribing Safety Assessment? Timing, question breakdown & what to expect
For the majority of candidates, sitting the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) can be a daunting experience. Many admit to struggling most with the time pressures – ensuring that they answer
Pass the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) first time: Your ultimate preparation guide
Passing the UK PSA exam on your very first attempt isn’t about luck, it’s about smart, focused preparation. In this blog, we’ve put together a handy guide on how to
Sitting the PSA Exam in Australia and New Zealand: FAQs for Students
If you’re a final year medical student in Australia or New Zealand, you may have heard of the Prescribing Skills Assessment – or even the UK PSA – and be
Passing the UK PSA Exam: Key Tips, Timing Advice, and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Whether you’re a final-year medical student or a foundation doctor stepping into clinical practice, the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) is a key milestone in your medical education journey. It’s more
How to Pass the Prescribing Safety Assessment Without Running Out of Time
Time pressure is one of students’ biggest challenges when sitting the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA). Even the most confident prescribers can feel overwhelmed by the ticking clock. If you’ve found
How to Prepare for a PSA Re-Sit and Pass with Confidence
If you’re preparing for a Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) re-sit, you’re not alone – and you’re not at a disadvantage. Many students go on to pass the PSA confidently on
How to Use Practice Feedback to Pass Your Prescribing Exams with Confidence
Passing your prescribing exams requires more than just memorising drug names and guidelines – it’s about understanding why certain prescribing decisions are correct and learning from your mistakes. That’s where
Failed the PSA Exam? What to Do and How to Pass Next Time
Failing the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) can feel discouraging, but it’s important to remember it’s not the end of the world. A proportion of students and foundation doctors don’t pass