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When it comes to the Prescribing Safety Assessment, it’s completely understandable to feel some pressure. The PSA is a high‑stakes exam, and for some students it can feel daunting, especially when balancing revision alongside placements, lectures, and everything else that comes with life at medical school.

The good news is that stress around the PSA is manageable, and much of it comes down to preparation and knowing what to expect.

 

Know the exam format

One of the quickest ways to reduce anxiety is to understand what you’ll be asked to do on the day. The PSA has a clear structure, and being familiar with it removes much of the uncertainty. Familiarise yourself with the eight question types, the timing, and what each section is assessing. When fewer things come as a surprise, you can focus your attention on answering the questions rather than worrying about the format.

 

Focus on the most important data

In the exam you’ll be presented with clinical information, and your task is to identify what is relevant to safe prescribing. Practising this skill during revision means you are less likely to spend valuable time on exam day working out where to focus. With practice, it becomes easier to pick out the key details quickly and confidently.

 

Use the BNF

The British National Formulary (BNF) is an essential resource for the PSA, and you’re allowed to use it during the exam. The key is knowing how to navigate it efficiently, so it supports your decision‑making rather than slowing you down. Regular use during preparation helps ensure it feels familiar on the day.

 

Remember your calculations and conversions

Drug calculations and unit conversions appear regularly in the PSA and can cause difficulty if they’re not well practised. Including these in your revision routine helps build confidence and reduces the risk of avoidable mistakes.

 

Get comfortable with time pressure

The PSA is a two‑hour exam with 60 questions, and time management is a common challenge. The time pressure reflects real clinical practice, where prescribing decisions often need to be made promptly and safely. Practising under timed conditions can help you develop a steady pace and improve confidence.

 

Look after yourself

This part is easy to overlook during revision, but it makes a real difference. Your wellbeing affects both learning and performance. Try to sleep well, eat regularly, and take breaks. If exam stress starts to feel unmanageable, it’s important to speak to someone you trust, such as a friend, tutor, or member of university support staff.

 

Make the most of what BPS Assessment has to offer

The BPS Assessment Hub is designed to support PSA preparation. Our resources cover all eight question types and provide detailed feedback to help you understand both correct answers and common errors. If you want to practise under exam‑style conditions, the 60‑item practice paper can be completed in a two‑hour sitting, with feedback to guide further revision. You can explore our eLearning, practice papers, and free resources here.

The PSA is challenging, but it is an assessment that many students pass each year with steady preparation. Taking a structured approach and making use of available resources can help you feel more prepared. Feeling nervous is common, and it often reflects how much the outcome matters to you.

 

Watch the video

The British Pharmacological Society has created a short video that covers many of these points in a clear, accessible way. It can be a helpful addition to your preparation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dW7EuQJyog

Whether you’re counting down to the next PSA exam on 23rd April or just starting your PSA preparation, understanding the structure of the Prescribing Safety Assessment is key to good planning. Our guide breaks down all eight sections of the PSA, helping you understand what’s expected and where to focus your revision efforts.

The PSA is a two-hour online assessment that tests your prescribing competence across 60 questions, worth a total of 200 marks. Each section assesses different prescribing skills, from writing prescriptions to calculating drug doses and recognising adverse reactions. Let’s explore what each section involves and how you can approach them with confidence. 

 

1. Prescribing

8 questions, 10 marks each (80 marks total)

This is the largest section of the PSA, accounting for 40% of the total marks. You will be given clinical scenarios and asked to write complete, accurate prescriptions using a digital prescribing interface.

What’s being tested:

• Selecting the correct medicine for the indication
• Prescribing the correct dose, route and frequency
• Managing acute and routine clinical situations safely

Top tip: Always consider patient-specific factors such as age, weight, renal function and allergies. Use the formulary provided within the exam platform to confirm doses and prescribing advice.

 

2. Prescription Review

8 questions, 4 marks each (32 marks total)

You will review prescriptions written by others and identify errors or issues that could cause harm.

What’s being tested:

• Systematic review of prescriptions
• Identification of prescribing errors and omissions
• Recognition of clinically significant interactions or contraindications

Top tip: Review each medicine methodically, checking indication, dose, route, frequency and interactions.

 

3. Planning Management

8 questions, 2 marks each (16 marks total)

You will choose the most appropriate management option from five possible responses.

What’s being tested:

• Clinical judgement
• Knowledge of first-line management
• Recognition of when treatment may be inappropriate or unsafe

Top tip: Use the treatment summaries in the formulary provided and become familiar with where common conditions are located.

 

4. Providing Information

6 questions, 2 marks each (12 marks total)

This section focuses on communicating key information about medicines to patients.

What’s being tested:

• Prioritising important safety information
• Understanding what patients need to know to use medicines safely
• Communicating effectively about high-risk and commonly prescribed medicines

Top tip: Focus on information that prevents harm, such as monitoring requirements or serious side effects.

 

5. Calculation Skills

8 questions, 2 marks each (16 marks total)

You will perform drug calculations and enter the correct final answer.

What’s being tested:

• Accuracy in dose and rate calculations
•  Understanding dose adjustments
•  Correct interpretation of calculation scenarios

Top tip: Work calculations out carefully before entering your final answer and always sense-check the result.

 

6. Adverse Drug Reactions

8 questions, 2 marks each (16 marks total)

This section tests your ability to recognise and respond appropriately to adverse drug reactions.

What’s being tested:

• Recognition of common and serious adverse reactions
• Understanding which medicines are associated with specific risks
• Appropriate action when an adverse reaction occurs

Top tip: Focus on well-established, high-yield adverse reactions linked to commonly prescribed medicines.

 

7. Drug Monitoring

6 questions, 2 marks each (12 marks total)

Some medicines require monitoring to ensure they are effective and safe.

What’s being tested:

• Knowing what to monitor and when
• Interpreting abnormal results
• Assessing whether treatment should be continued, adjusted or stopped

Top tip: Be clear on monitoring intervals and what abnormal results may indicate.

 

8. Data Interpretation

6 questions, 2 marks each (12 marks total)

You will interpret clinical data and decide how it affects prescribing.

What’s being tested:

• Interpretation of laboratory and investigation results
•  Recognition of when dose adjustments are needed
• Understanding how data influences safe prescribing decisions

Top tip: Identify abnormal values and consider their clinical significance.

Sitting your PSA exam with confidence

Breaking down revision for the PSA exam into its component sections makes it far more manageable. Each section tests specific, learnable skills. With structured preparation, strategic time management and thorough practice you’ll be well equipped to demonstrate your prescribing competence.

Remember that the BPS Assessment Learner Portal offers free PSA Prep eLearning sessions covering each section in detail, addressing common challenges like time pressure, calculations and identifying key clinical details. These resources, combined with practice papers and your clinical knowledge will help you to succeed in your exam.

We’ve just added dark mode to the BPS Assessment eLearning portal. 

It is a small change, but if you do a lot of your revision in the evening it should make a noticeable difference. Staring at a bright white screen for hours is not great for your eyes, and dark mode softens the contrast enough to make those longer sessions a bit more comfortable. Less eye strain generally means fewer headaches and better concentration, which is worth something when you are working through a lot of prescribing content.

There are a couple of other upsides too. If you are studying on a laptop or tablet away from a charger, dark mode uses less battery on OLED and AMOLED screens, so you get a bit more time before you need to plug in. It also draws less power overall, which is a small but genuine environmental benefit.

Everything else works exactly as before and you can switch back to light mode any time you like. We’ve put together a short video showing where to find it and how to switch between modes.

Watch the video

Dark mode is available now across desktop and mobile, with nothing to download or update. If you have any questions, get in touch and we will help you out.

Preparing for the PSA on 23rd April?

If you’re settling in for a late night revision session ahead of the PSA exam this month, make sure you check out our free PSA Prep content. 

There are nine sessions designed specifically around the areas of the exam that candidates find most difficult, things like dealing with the time pressure, calculations and picking out the key points in clinical scenarios. Rather than covering the PSA broadly, each session goes deep on one question type so you come away knowing exactly how that part of the exam works, how it’s marked and how to approach it with a bit more confidence. Access them all here

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