The Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) is a pivotal step in the journey for UK medical students and foundation doctors to demonstrate their prescribing knowledge, accuracy, and judgement. As the PSA 2025 exam dates approach, candidates must understand what’s involved, how to approach preparation and key resources to utilise. In this blog we will walk you through the essentials of preparing effectively for the PSA 2025. Let’s get started!
Key PSA 2025 Exam Dates
For candidates taking the PSA next year, here’s a quick rundown of the exam dates to mark in your calendar:
- Thursday 30th January 2025 – Medical Schools only
- Thursday 20th March 2025
- Thursday 1st May 2025
- Thursday 5th June 2025 – Medical Schools only
Being aware of these dates! Planning ahead can make a significant difference in your preparation approach. For medical students, coordinating your study schedule around these dates is important to give yourself the best chance of success.
Key Resources for PSA Success
Familiarity with essential resources is a must for the PSA, as they can directly support the accuracy and confidence of your prescribing decisions.
The Medicines Complete BNF and BNFc
The Medicines Complete (MC) British National Formulary (BNF) and the British National Formulary for Children (BNFc) are invaluable tools for those taking the PSA in the UK. These resources offer comprehensive information on the safe use of medicines, including indications, contraindications, dosing, side effects, and interactions. Familiarising yourself with these guides can make all the difference in prescribing accurately and safely, as many PSA questions will involve making decisions based on detailed drug information.
NOTE: Your school may already hold a licence to the MC BNF, giving you early access to these valuable resources for extended practice. However, all students will be able to access the MC BNF and BNFc two weeks prior to the exam and on the exam day itself via the links provided on the PSA platform.
The NICE BNF (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
Only available in the UK, The NICE BNF is another essential resource that can be especially helpful if you’re comfortable with its digital format. It contains guidance on clinical pathways and is often more interactive, helping you quickly locate the drug information you need.
TOP TIP: Be sure to practise navigating the MC BNF, BNFc and NICE BNF as these resources are core references in the exam. Recognising sections, knowing where to find important information, and understanding the layout of these resources will save you valuable time during the exam.
Exam Preparation Tips
With the dates marked and resources in hand, here are some strategies to structure your PSA study plan:
1. Create a Study Timeline
You’ll want to design a timeline that works for your schedule. Factor in any coursework or rotations to balance your responsibilities effectively. This timeline should allow for regular study, practice questions, and review of feedback. Set weekly goals to review common medication categories and scenarios that are likely to appear on the PSA, and build in time for focused practice sessions as the exam date approaches.
2. Utilise Practice Questions
PSA practice questions are one of the best ways to prepare for the structure and style of questions in the exam. By completing practice papers, you can strengthen your understanding of common prescribing scenarios, become comfortable with question formats, and identify areas for improvement. Make sure to review the feedback in detail, as this will deepen your understanding and prepare you to avoid common pitfalls.
3. Reinforce Your Knowledge with Targeted Practice Areas
To excel in the PSA, you might want to focus on challenging areas like drug interactions, calculations or management. Use targeted resources to refine your skills.
PSA Prep is an excellent starting point, offering nine free eLearning sessions that not only guide you through common prescribing challenges but also provide insight into the exam format and the specific skills each question is designed to evaluate. This resource helps build both your knowledge and confidence by breaking down complex scenarios into manageable learning steps.
Once you’re familiar with the format, use the Prescribing Practice Papers to simulate the real exam experience. These papers let you practise under timed conditions, helping you improve your time management and decision-making skills. Plus, the in-depth feedback provided highlights areas for improvement, ensuring you can focus your preparation where it’s needed most.
Combining these resources ensures you’re well-prepared for both the structure and content of the PSA.
4. Seek Feedback and Support
If you have access to a study group, consider these as valuable support systems. Peers, mentors, or supervisors can offer useful feedback, answer questions, and share insights. Additionally, consider seeking out past candidates who can offer tips on what to expect and how to manage the exam environment.
Taking the PSA 2025
On exam day, ensure that you have all the required materials, understand the exam platform and familiarise yourself with any specific guidelines. Rest well the night before, and arrive early to settle in and focus.
Preparing early and thoroughly for the PSA 2025 is a strategy that pays off. By starting now, organising your resources, and following a structured approach, you’re setting yourself up for a confident, successful performance. Good luck!