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As we look forward to another year of supporting learners across the UK and beyond to become confident, safe prescribers, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the BPS Assessment community and reflect on the growth and achievements of 2025.

The BPS Assessment Hub is our innovative digital learning and assessment platform designed to build competence in prescribing and promote safer practice. In a world where prescribing errors remain a significant patient safety challenge, well-structured learning and reliable assessment tools are critical. The Hub promotes safer prescribing practices by offering expert-led resources for learners to deepen their understanding of safe prescribing principles.

In 2025, our website welcomed over 26,000 users, reflecting continued confidence from learners and educators worldwide in our resources. 18,000 learners actively engaged with our assessments and practice tools to sharpen their prescribing skills.

Whilst our resources are developed in line with UK clinical guidance, including the British National Formulary (BNF), our reach stretches beyond borders. Alongside strong engagement from learners across the UK, users visited The Hub from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and beyond, showing the global demand for high-quality prescribing support.

Our Prescribing Papers Bundle was the most purchased product, combining our three unique Practice Papers for a discounted price. This popular bundle includes 120 questions, a 60-item mock exam, detailed feedback, and answer justifications, and has been produced by UK experts in line with current clinical standards.

We were pleased to see 3,800 learners take advantage of PSA Prep, our suite of free practice resources designed for those preparing for the Prescribing Safety Assessment. Covering everything from exam format and time-management strategies to key topic areas, PSA Prep equips learners with foundational knowledge and confidence before they sit their assessment.

These milestones reflect a shared commitment across the prescribing community to safer, more effective practice. As BPS Assessment continues to grow and lead the way to safer prescribing, we remain dedicated to improving and innovating our platform, and broadening access to high-quality resources that support current and future prescribers.

Failing the Prescribing Safety Assessment can feel disheartening. You’ve put in work, sat the exam and not received the results you were hoping for. Feeling worried about what comes next is completely understandable.

A significant number of students don’t pass the PSA on their first attempt. The great news is you’ll get another opportunity to sit the exam. How you approach your resit is important, focusing your efforts by working out what went wrong and using your first attempt as valuable experience can be a good place to start.

Work out what went wrong

Before jumping back into revision, you need to understand why you didn’t pass. Ask yourself, Which question types caused the most problems? Prescribing, calculations, adverse drug reactions, planning management? Did you run out of time? Which sections took longer than expected? Were you confident using the BNF, or did you waste time searching for information?

If your medical school provides feedback, go through it carefully. Understanding your weak spots is the first step to fixing them.

Build a revision plan

Making a clear revision plan will prevent you from repeating the same mistakes if you use a structured approach that targets your weak areas.

Set specific goals and rather than ‘revise prescribing’, aim for something concrete like ‘complete the Prescribing PSA Prep session and do 20 practice questions’.

Focus on your weaknesses, for example if calculations were the problem, spend more time there. If you struggled with adverse reactions, make that a priority.

Remember to learn from the practice questions. Don’t just check your answers. Understand why the right answer is right and why the wrong ones are wrong.

Use exam conditions to time yourself, use the BNF and practise the full two hours. The more familiar it feels, the better you’ll perform.

Time management

Running out of time is one of the main reasons students fail the PSA. Two hours goes quickly when you’re navigating the BNF and working through clinical scenarios. Practise under timed conditions and stick to it. If you’re spending ten minutes on a question that should take three, you’ll struggle in the real exam. Use the flag and return method. If a question is taking too long, flag it and come back later. Get quicker with calculations and BNF navigation. The faster you can find information and work through calculations, the more time you have for everything else.

Master the BNF

The BNF is your most important tool in the PSA. If you’re not confident using it, you’re at a disadvantage. Know where to find what you need: indications, contraindications, dosages, interactions, side effects. Make sure you practise using the BNF whilst doing questions so you get used to looking things up under pressure.

Use the right resources

Focus on resources that actually target what’s in the exam.

PSA Prep eLearning sessions cover all eight prescribing domains and break down each question style. They’re free and designed specifically for the PSA.

Prescribing Practice Papers give you 120 questions with detailed feedback, including a full two-hour exam simulation.

Free knowledge checks on polypharmacy, antimicrobial prescribing and the Yellow Card scheme are also available on the BPS Assessment portal.

Access everything at https://portal.bpsassessment.com/ 

Look after yourself

Try to get enough sleep, eat properly and drink plenty of fluids, take breaks and talk to people if you need some support. Now you have exam experience and know exactly what needs work, you can approach your resit with a clear plan and the right resources which puts you in a much stronger position.

Good luck!

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 PSA in 2026

Here are the confirmed exam dates for 2026:

📅 Thursday 29 January (medical schools only)
📅 Wednesday 26 March (all sitters including resits)
📅 Wednesday 23 April (all sitters including resits)
📅 Wednesday 4 June (medical schools only)

Getting prepared for these exams ahead of time will give you the chance to build your revision schedule around them, which can be helpful for avoiding clashes with clinical placements or other commitments. 

Essential Resources

Part of PSA preparation depends on how well you can navigate the key reference materials. These aren’t just revision aids, they’re the actual tools you’ll use during the exam itself.

NICE BNF

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) British National Formulary (BNF) offers a digital interface that some students prefer. It’s UK specific and includes integrated clinical guidance alongside drug information. The search functionality is particularly intuitive, which can save precious seconds when you’re working through exam questions.

Quick tip: Spending time getting comfortable with navigating this resource can really pay off. Knowing where to find drug monographs quickly, understanding how interactions are listed, and familiarising yourself with the layout will make things much smoother during the actual exam.

Medicines Complete BNF and BNFc

The Medicines Complete British National Formulary (MC BNF) and British National Formulary for Children (BNFc) are also available, principally for candidates outside the UK, offering comprehensive resources containing everything you need to know about safe prescribing: drug indications, contraindications, dosing guidelines, potential side effects and drug interactions.

Here’s something worth noting. Your medical school might already provide access to the BNF, which means you could start familiarising yourself with these resources right away. All candidates get access to the MC BNF and BNFc two weeks before their exam date, and you’ll have full access during the exam through the PSA platform.

Building Your Study Strategy

Having a structured approach makes all the difference. Here’s how to build an effective preparation plan.

Start with a Realistic Timeline

Take a look at your calendar and be honest about what time you have available. Block out clinical commitments, university deadlines and yes, time for yourself too. Sustainable revision beats cramming every time.

Working backwards from your exam date can help you plan effectively. Aim to cover the main drug categories and common prescribing scenarios in a logical order, leaving time for multiple rounds of practice questions. Setting achievable weekly targets rather than overwhelming daily goals often works better.

Practice Questions Are Your Best Friend

Working through actual PSA style questions teaches you the exam’s rhythm, helps you spot patterns in how questions are structured, and highlight gaps in your knowledge that you might not otherwise notice.

You can find practice PSA questions here. They break down the exam format brilliantly and walk you through common prescribing challenges step by step. You’ll learn not just what to do, but why certain answers are correct and others aren’t.

Also remember to complete the full practice papers to help build your confidence. Doing these under timed conditions helps you develop exam stamina and improve your time management. The detailed feedback you’ll receive is particularly valuable, showing you exactly where to focus your remaining revision time.

On the BPS Assessment learner portal you can also find lots of free study resources to help your revision.

Focus on Any Weak Spots

We all have areas that feel trickier than others. Maybe it’s drug calculations, perhaps it’s remembering interactions, or possibly it’s managing acute scenarios. Whatever your challenging areas are, tackling them early gives you time to improve.

Using your practice question feedback to identify patterns in the mistakes you’re making, then dedicating focused study sessions to those specific topics, can make a real difference.

Get Feedback and Support

Study groups, peer discussions and mentor support can transform your preparation. Explaining prescribing decisions to others reinforces your own understanding, and hearing different approaches to the same scenario broadens your clinical thinking.

If you can, speaking to students who’ve recently passed the PSA can be really helpful. They’ll have fresh insights into the exam experience and practical tips on what to expect.

Exam Day

When exam day arrives, you want to feel as prepared as possible. Make sure you know how to access the exam platform and understand any specific instructions for your sitting.

Getting a proper night’s sleep beforehand is more valuable than squeezing in extra revision and arriving at the exam with time to spare will give you time to settle and mentally prepare.

Remember, this exam tests the fundamental prescribing skills you’ll use throughout your medical career. The work you put in now isn’t just about passing an exam, it’s about becoming a safer, more confident prescriber for your future patients.

Good luck with your preparation!

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 useful resource to bookmark for later.

The first half of December has already been packed with lots of content and here’s what’s still to come.

• More practice questions to test your knowledge
• Tips and facts on PSA prep
• More free learning resources
• Video and lecture resources

If you’ve missed any of the content so far it’s available for you to access at your convenience through the BPS portal keeping you up to date or easily revisiting resources most relevant to your preparation needs right now.

Why choose BPSA for your PSA preparation?

BPS Assessment is the leading PSA practice material provider in the UK. As the assessment and learning branch of the British Pharmacological Society, we work to improve prescribing competencies among medical students and clinical professionals.

Our resources are:

• Written and reviewed by UK prescribers and experts
• Based on current UK guidelines and the British National Formulary
• Designed specifically to match PSA question styles and competencies
• Proven effective revision tools that provide an ideal practice environment.

Beyond PSA preparation, our platform provides over 50 eLearning sessions and practice papers to help you become a more confident prescriber throughout your medical training and beyond.

Follow us on Social Media

There are great reasons to follow BPS Assessment right now.

From now until Christmas, we’ll keep posting daily content. Practice questions with swipeable answer justifications, resource links, PSA facts.

It’s also a great opportunity to tell your fellow students about our advent calendar and share our new Instagram account. The more people who know about these resources, the better everyone’s preparation becomes.

PLUS: we will have an extra special Christmas present for you to open on the 24th December if we can reach 100 followers on our new Instagram page!

Let’s make December a little more productive (and a lot more prepared).

Follow our Instagram page here:  @bpsa.prescribers

Follow us on Facebook here: facebook.com/BPSAssessment

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 the PSA with confidence.

1. Understand where the marks are

Not all PSA questions carry the same weight, so knowing where the bulk of marks come from can help you prioritise your revision. The Prescribing section carries 80 marks out of 200, whilst Prescription Review accounts for another 32 marks. Together, these two sections make up more than half your total score.

Remember to prioritise the high value sections without neglecting the others. Make sure you’re spending the bulk of your time on prescribing and prescription review, whilst still building competence across all eight question types.

2. Practice under exam conditions regularly

With 120 minutes to answer 60 questions, time management can make or break your PSA performance. Many students find the time pressure a tough aspect of the exam.

Build your exam stamina by working through full practice papers under timed conditions. Set a timer which helps you identify which sections slow you down and teaches you when to move on from a tricky question. You can always flag it and return later with those crucial final 10 to 15 minutes you’ve saved for review.

3. Learn from every practice session

Working through practice papers is essential, but only if you’re reviewing your performance properly. After each session, spend time going over every question you got wrong and any you weren’t confident about.

Look for patterns. Are calculation questions tripping you up? Are you missing drug interactions? Identifying these weaker spots lets you target your revision where it’s needed most.

4. Focus on the clinical scenarios that come up most

PSA questions reflect real world prescribing situations. Antibiotics, anticoagulants, pain management scenarios appear regularly.

Make sure you’re comfortable with these common clinical contexts. Don’t just memorise facts, understand how they apply in practice. Consider the full clinical picture, including patient comorbidities, drug interactions and appropriate routes of administration. 

5. Master the BNF before exam day

You’ll have access to a version of the British National Formulary (BNF) during the exam, whether that’s Medicines Complete BNF and BNFc, or NICE BNF and BNFc if you’re in the UK. Knowing how to navigate these resources quickly can save you valuable minutes.

Practice searching for drug interactions, contraindications and dosage adjustments as part of your regular study sessions. The faster you can find what you need, the more time you’ll have to complete the questions.

Free PSA Learning Resources

To support your preparation, use free PSA preparation resources such as PSA Prep. A set of 9 eLearning sessions, found on our Learner’s Portal, designed to build your confidence and skills ahead of exam day.

These sessions are:

• 100% free for all students and trainees
• Accessible anytime via the BPS Assessment Learner’s Portal
• Written by prescribing experts to give you a better understanding of how to approach the exam
• Focused on practical prescribing tasks and exam preparation, including detailed feedback on prescription writing, safety checks, and dosage calculations

To get started:

• Visit the BPS Assessment Learner’s Portal
• Create a free account (we recommend using a personal account rather than your university email address)
• Access the PSA Prep resources straight away
• Whether you’re just starting your revision or looking for a final confidence boost, these sessions are a valuable tool in your prep strategy.

Good luck with your preparation!

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 the day can make a huge difference to your confidence and performance.

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into each PSA question type, how they’re structured, how many marks they carry, and roughly how long you should spend on each.

The PSA exam structure at a glance

The PSA is a two-hour, online assessment designed to test your prescribing competence. You’ll face 60 questions in total, divided across eight different sections, with a combined total of 200 marks.

We’ve included a simple table breakdown below: 

 

Question Type	Number of Questions	Marks per Question	Total Marks
Prescribing (PWS)	8	10	80
Prescription Review (REV)	8	4	32
Planning Management (MAN)	8	2	16
Providing Information (COM)	6	2	12
Calculation Skills (CAL)	8	2	16
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR)	8	2	16
Drug Monitoring (TDM)	8	2	16
Data Interpretation (DAT)	6	2	12

 

Total: 60 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes.

Because the Prescribing section alone accounts for 40% of the total marks, managing your time effectively across each section is crucial!

PSA exam question types explained

Below, we’re taking a deep dive into what each question type involves, what it’s testing, and a suggested time allocation for each.

1. Prescribing (PWS) questions

8 questions | 10 marks each | 80 marks total

These are the heart of the PSA and the highest-scoring section. You’ll be asked to prescribe a drug based on a clinical scenario, using a digital prescription form.

Each prescription must be complete, including the drug name, dose, route, and frequency, and needs to be clinically appropriate for the patient’s condition, age, and comorbidities.

Top tip: Always check for contraindications, allergies, and interactions using the BNF (which you’ll have access to in some form during the exam).

Allotted time suggestion: Around 7 – 8 minutes per question (≈ 55 – 60 minutes total).

2. Prescription Review (REV) questions

8 questions | 4 marks each | 32 marks total

Here, you’ll review an existing prescription chart and identify any problems such as dosing errors, drug interactions, or missing information. You may need to choose what action to take or to correct an error.

Top tip: Be methodical, check each medication for indication, dose, route, and frequency before deciding what to change.

Allotted time suggestion: 3 – 4 minutes per question (≈ 28 – 30 minutes total).

3. Planning Management (MAN) questions

8 questions | 2 marks each | 16 marks total

You’ll be asked to choose the most appropriate next step in a patient’s management from several options, for example, which treatment to start, adjust, or stop.

Top tip: Read everything carefully; small details often change the correct answer.

Allotted time suggestion: 1.5 minutes per question (≈ 12 minutes total).

4. Providing Information (COM) questions 

6 questions | 2 marks each | 12 marks total

These test how you communicate with patients about their medicines. You might be asked what key advice to give when starting or stopping a treatment.

Top tip: Think about what a patient needs to know to use their medicine safely. Think, side effects, monitoring, and administration tips.

Allotted time suggestion: 1.5 minutes per question (≈ 9 minutes total).

5. Calculation Skills (CAL) questions

8 questions | 2 marks each | 16 marks total

You’ll calculate doses, infusion rates, or conversions. A simple calculator is provided in the exam interface, but many students find it faster to use their own.

Top tip: Double-check units and make sure your final answer makes clinical sense,  is it a realistic dose?

Allotted time suggestion: 2 minutes per question (≈ 16 minutes total).

6. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) questions

8 questions | 2 marks each | 16 marks total

You’ll interpret clinical scenarios to identify, manage, or prevent adverse drug reactions.

Questions might ask you to:

• Identify which drug caused a patient’s new symptoms
• Recognise a drug interaction
• Decide on the best course of action after an adverse event

Top tip: Be ready to apply your pharmacology knowledge, and don’t forget to use the BNF interactions checker.

Allotted time suggestion: 1.5 – 2 minutes per question (≈ 12 – 16 minutes total).

7. Drug Monitoring (TDM) questions

8 questions | 2 marks each | 16 marks total

These assess how well you understand drug monitoring, knowing which tests to request, when to measure levels, and how to interpret results.

Top tip: Pay attention to trends in results (e.g. renal function) that might change drug safety or dosing.

Allotted time suggestion: 1.5 minutes per question (≈ 12 minutes total).

8. Data Interpretation (DAT) questions 

6 questions | 2 marks each | 12 marks total

You’ll analyse patient data such as lab results, drug levels, or vital signs (usually in the form of a graph or table) to make safe prescribing decisions.

Top tip: Look for patterns and remember, practice makes perfect! 

Allotted time suggestion: 1.5 minutes per question (≈ 9 minutes total).

Making the most of your 2 hours

Here’s how your time might look if you stick roughly to the suggested timings:

Section	Time (approx.)
Prescribing	55 – 60 min
Prescription Review	25 – 30 min
All other sections combined	30 – 35 min
Total	≈120 min

 

Try to stay calm, mark for review, and move on if you’re stuck. Remember to leave a few minutes at the end to check the questions you’ve flagged. The prescribing section carries the most marks, but smaller sections can help boost your score if you answer efficiently.

Understanding the structure and weighting of PSA question types can transform how you prepare, helping you focus on high-yield sections, so plan your time wisely and walk into the exam with confidence.

For more guidance, explore the rest of our blogs on the Portal Post or our catalogue of free-to-use resources, including our 9 free eLearning resources specifically designed to support those sitting the PSA (PSA Prep).

Good luck, you’ve got this!

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 and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), it serves as a critical medicine surveillance tool.That’s exactly why we’ve developed a new training resource in partnership with the MHRA and the British Pharmacological Society (BPS).

When should you report?

Do you know what information to include? Whether your suspicion is strong enough to warrant a report? The MHRA recommends reporting every time on the basis of reasonable suspicion. You do not need to establish causation before submitting a report. A report should be made whenever you suspect a medicine may have caused an adverse reaction.

Building your knowledge with the new assessment

We’ve developed an MHRA Yellow Card scheme assessment specifically to help better understand the regulatory role of the MHRA, the importance of post-market surveillance activities in the real world and the value of reporting any suspected safety concerns to the Yellow Card scheme.

What the assessment covers:

The Assessment is a collaboration between BPS and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and is delivered as a one-hour  formative assessment, containing two modules:

1. Module 1: ‘MHRA and the Yellow Card scheme’ – general knowledge questions about the role of the MHRA and the Yellow Card scheme; and
2. Module 2: ‘Reporting Adverse Incidents’ – scenario-based case studies about adverse incidents and reporting routes.

Why complete it now:

Learning about Yellow Card reporting during training means it becomes integrated into your practice from day one. When you encounter your first suspected adverse drug reaction, you’ll already know the appropriate steps. The process will be familiar rather than something you need to investigate while managing clinical responsibilities.

Pharmacovigilance also features in professional assessments, including the PSA. Understanding how to identify and report safety concerns is a core competency expected of newly qualified prescribers.

How it works:

The assessment is available on the portal and can be completed at a time that suits your schedule. You’ll work through interactive case based scenarios that mirror real clinical situations. Once completed, you’ll be ready to use the Yellow Card scheme throughout your career via the online portal at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or the Yellow Card app.

Ready to get started?

Access the MHRA Yellow Card scheme assessment through the portal’s eLearning section  https://portal.bpsassessment.com/product/yellow-card-scheme/ 

Explore more learning resources

The Yellow Card assessment is part of our comprehensive range of training materials designed to support your prescribing journey, more resources can be found here: https://portal.bpsassessment.com/ 

For more information about the Yellow Card scheme visit: 

https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ 

https://www.bps.ac.uk/education-engagement/society-training-opportunities/bps-assessment-training-solutions/mhra-yellow-card-scheme-assessment

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 all 60 questions within the given time. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful blog, to take you through the exam timings, question layout and what to expect before tackling the exam. 

How long is the PSA exam? 

The time allocated for completing the PSA exam is 120 minutes (2 hours), unless you qualify for special dispensation. Candidates can use this time however they wish, but it’s advisable to spend more time on the questions which score highest. More information about the questions and their scores is outlined below, so keep reading to find out more!  

What score is allocated to each question in the PSA exam?

The PSA exam is made up of eight distinct question types arranged in an order determined by the assessment blueprint. Each question type has a specific number of marks allocated to it, based on the competencies being tested. We’ve summarised the question types and their allocated marks below to help you decide which questions require more of your time: 

• Prescribing (80 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 10 marks. 
• Prescription Review (32 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 4 marks.
• Planning Management (16 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 2 marks.
• Providing Information (12 marks) – 6 questions with each question earning 2 marks. 
• Calculation Skills (16 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 2 marks.
• Adverse Drug Reactions (16 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 2 marks.
• Drug Monitoring (16 marks) – 8 questions with each question earning 2 marks.
• Data Interpretation (12 marks) – 6 questions with each question earning 2 marks.

What else can I expect when sitting the PSA exam? 

Time keeping is far from the only skill being tested during the PSA, in fact, while candidates might see this as their biggest challenge, the exam tests a wide range of prescribing competencies expected of a final year medical student, such as managing adverse drug reactions, calculating drug doses and communicating important information to the patient. 

While answering the questions, you’ll also be expected to reference resources, specifically the BNF. Depending on whether you are in the UK or not, you may have access to the Medicines Complete BNF, BNFc or NICE BNF and BNFc (UK only). Being able to effectively navigate these resources to find relevant information will help you better manage your time, so it’s key to get familiar with them beforehand.

How can I make sure I’m fully prepared for the PSA exam?

Preparation is key when it comes to taking the PSA exam! Luckily, there are a number of different resources available to candidates to help you pass the first time. We’ve highlighted some of the main resources available to candidates below:

Official PSA practice papers 

The most obvious place to find resources and practice materials is on the official PSA website. This will also be where you’ll come to sit the real exam, so getting familiar with the platform can go a long way in your preparation. 

PSA Prep

Free to access, PSA Prep includes nine eLearning resources specifically designed to aid your exam preparation. Created as a complete guide to the PSA exam, these resources offer tips and tricks written by prescribing experts on the best way to answer each question item and how to tackle the exam with ease. 

UK Foundation Programme webpage 

More recently, the UK Foundation Programme has brought out a useful webpage which signposts resources created by different institutions. Get access to videos, slides and supplementary materials designed to help you prepare for the PSA and manage your time effectively. 

With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared for your upcoming PSA exam. But remember, you have only 120 minutes to complete it, so effective time management could be the difference between a pass and a fail. Good luck! 

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 approach your PSA exam with confidence and accuracy.

1. Get to know the exam inside and out

Begin by mastering the PSA’s structure. It features eight distinct question items: Prescribing, Prescription Review, Planning Management, Providing Information, Calculation Skills, Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug Monitoring, and Data Interpretation. Each question item has its own scoring allocation and demands. Understanding which sections carry the most marks is vital for strategically allocating your time and focus. 

2. Harness the power of PSA Prep eLearning

A great way to deepen your understanding of the PSA’s structure is by accessing the free PSA Prep eLearning modules from the BPS Assessment Learner Portal. These nine sessions guide you through the structure of exam, the skills expected, what examiners are looking for, and how to avoid common pitfalls. 

3. Get speedy with the BNF

Efficiently using the BNF resources during the exam can save you precious minutes. You may have access to both Medicines Complete BNF and BNFc, and the NICE BNF and BNFc (if in the UK). Familiarise yourself with both resources, focusing on navigating through different sections and finding the information you need effectively. 

4. Practise with official practice papers

Use the built-in practice papers from your exam account. These should give detailed feedback across all eight question types, helping you build speed, accuracy, and confidence.

5. Simulate exam conditions with timed practise

Time pressure during the exam is a factor that many trainees struggle with. Emulate the real PSA by tackling practice papers within a strict time limit. This helps you identify where you’re losing time and which question types need extra attention. 

6. Focus your revision strategy

Because not all questions weigh the same, tailor your revision:

• Prioritise sections 1 & 2; Prescribing (80 marks) and Prescription Review (32 marks).
• Reinforce weaker areas like calculation skills or data interpretation.
• Use each practice session to review mistakes and strengthen areas of uncertainty.

7. Reinforce safe prescribing practice

The PSA is not just about passing an exam; it’s about cultivating safe, effective prescribing habits. Use study materials to focus on dose accuracy, monitoring requirements, adverse reaction recognition, and patient communication skills. All of which add up to ensure you are the safest and most competent prescriber you can be. 

8. Use a structured study plan

Build a schedule that dedicates time to each question section, includes regular timed practice, and allows for progress review. This disciplined approach ensures consistent improvement without last-minute cramming. 

9. Seek other trusted sources of preparatory materials

The UK Foundation Programme has started a signposting site aimed at resident doctors taking the PSA, but these are also very useful for undergraduates:  https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/curriculum/prescribing-safety-assessment-psa/preparation-resources-for-sitting-the-psa/

10. Stay calm, confident, and positively prepared

Your mindset matters. Approaching the exam with optimism and trusting in your preparation can make all the difference. Thorough revision fosters confidence! 

TLDR: Key Takeaways for Passing the PSA Exam on Your First Go

Strategy Focus	Why It Matters
Know the PSA structure	Helps you allocate time to higher-value sections
Use PSA Prep modules	Builds familiarity and exam strategy
Master your prescribing practice	Ensures accuracy on exam day
Practice under timed conditions	Boosts efficiency and stress management
Review performance	Pinpoints weak areas before they cost marks
Seek trusted resources	Builds on your foundations

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 wondering what exactly applies to you. Well, you’re not alone!

This blog is here to help clear up the confusion between the UK PSA and the local version of the Prescribing Skills Assessment delivered at Australian and New Zealand medical schools. We’ve pulled together the most frequently asked questions to help you understand how the local exam works, what to expect, and how to best prepare.

Is My School Signed Up, and Should I Expect a Login?

Yes, if you attend one of the following institutions, your school has signed up for the formative PSA:

Australia

• Flinders University
• Western Sydney University
• Deakin University
• The University of Western Australia
• Curtin University
• University of Melbourne
• University of Tasmania
• Bond University
• Monash University
• The University of Sydney
• The University of New South Wales
• University of Newcastle

New Zealand

• University of Auckland
• University of Otago

If you’re at one of these universities, you will receive a login to access the platform.

🔐 Important: If you want to sign up for an account on the BPS Assessment Learner’s Portal, please do not sign up using your school email address. Use a personal email when registering, as this helps avoid login issues when it comes to sitting the real exam.

Which Formulary is the Exam Based on?

For students at participating Australian and New Zealand institutions, the Prescribing Skills Assessment exam is aligned to the:

• Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)
• New Zealand Formulary (NZF)

That means all prescribing decisions and recommended answers in your exam will reflect local clinical guidelines.

To help you prepare, we strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with how your national formulary works. These resources are especially useful:

How to Use the AMH:

This video series walks you through key features of the AMH, including an overview and how to navigate it efficiently and interpret information relevant to prescribing. It’s ideal if you’re new to the platform or want a refresher on how to get the most out of it.

How to Use the NZF:

This page outlines how to search for medicines, interpret prescribing information, and use the NZF in clinical decision-making, skills that will be directly relevant in your exam as well as in practice.

What Practice Materials are Available?

Once you’ve been registered by your school and logged into the BPS Assessment platform, you’ll gain access to localised practice papers that reflect prescribing standards from the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) and the New Zealand Formulary (NZF).

You’ll get access to:

• Two 30-question practice papers
• One full-length 60-item practice paper, which you can time yourself on

Each localised paper is developed and reviewed with input from representatives at each participating university. This ensures the materials are not only clinically relevant but also reflect the teaching, curriculum, and prescribing expectations of a final-year medical student at your institution. You can be confident that the skills and knowledge assessed align closely with what you’ve been learning throughout your medical training.

📌 Note: If you’ve worked through all your localised resources and are looking for more practice, there are extra practice papers available to purchase on the BPS Assessment Learner’s Portal. However, you should note that these papers are aligned to the BNF rather than the AMH or NZF. Nevertheless, they may still be a useful resource in your exam preparation, just keep in mind that the recommended answers may differ from your local formulary. And, don’t forget, you’ll need to create a new account on the Learner’s Portal using a personal email address to get access.

When Will I Get My Results?

The Prescribing Skills Assessment is typically delivered over a set sitting window determined by your institution. Results are usually available within 2 weeks after the end of your school’s sitting window.

For the most accurate information about your results release date, check with your course or exam coordinator.

What Happens if I Don’t Pass the First Time?

Talk to your school who may be able to offer you a resit opportunity.

📌 Note: Your school will confirm if and when a resit is available, so keep an eye out for communication from your course or exam coordinator.

Remember: This is your Prescribing Skills Assessment

While the UK PSA and the Prescribing Skills Assessment used in Australia and New Zealand share the same goal; improving prescribing safety and competency, they are not the same exam.

The version you will sit at your university has been specifically localised to reflect Australian or New Zealand clinical practice, using the AMH or NZF rather than the British National Formulary. That means your assessment is tailored to your future prescribing environment, and your preparation should reflect that too!

So while you might come across UK-based resources or references, always keep in mind that your exam is tailored to you:

• Local guidelines
• Local clinical scenarios
• Local patient safety priorities

With the right preparation and understanding of how the assessment works, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed. Good luck!