The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7266 p321
13 September 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Registration exam

Provides a focus for trainees and tutors

From Ms U. A. Patel, MRPharmS

Jeff Lincoln questions the need for the registration examination (PJ, 9 August, p175). I think there needs to be some sort of “test” because it provides a focus for both the preregistration trainee and the tutor.

The question is, what should the examination test and in what format?

The examination is to show “competence to practise”. It should not be a test of academic ability since that should already have been examined at college.

Surprisingly, I have found the ability of preregistration trainees to do the calculations test varies from poor to excellent and therefore believe that the calculations test is a must.

However, some of the questions appear to test the meaning of certain English words rather than pharmaceutical facts and I wonder whether this is appropriate. Also, more details of the requirements on certain aspects of the syllabus would be useful.

The “time pressure” of the examination does not suit many students. In practice one would not be put under such pressure to answer these questions. Perhaps modules could be devised that the students can work through in their own time. Questions could be answered over the internet.

I think a survey of recent graduates and tutors would be useful in order to improve the examination.

U. Patel
Northwood,
Middlesex

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