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!