The Registration Exam

Hints and Tips

How I Took the PreReg Exam and Survived
Elizabeth Doran MRPharmS

Some Facts...
The usual first-time pass rate is 95% Only 28 candidates have failed to pass after all three attempts (19932000) The key is an organised approach and knowing what to expect

Preparation is the Key

Check your books, the needed texts are not always the most recent editions Where is the exam being held?

What will you do in the break between exams? Dont take in any sheets of blank paper Stationary
The right type Spares

How long will it take to get there? Which exam hall are you supposed to in?

What to Expect
Closed Book no reference material at all 90 questions in 90 minutes = 1 question a minute! Calculations may also appear but they wont form part of the 70% calculation section You either know it/can work it out or you dont

What to Expect
Open Book 80 questions in 2.5 hours 60 non-calculation questions (recommended 1.5hrs = 1.5min per question) 20 calculations (recommended 1hr = 3min per question) It will be the fastest 2.5hrs of your life timing is all important

What to Expect Type of Question 1

Which one of the following does not require storage in an approved Controlled Drugs cabinet or safe, as specified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971?
A) B) C) D) E) Buprenorphine 200mcg tablets Methadone mixture 1mg/ml Temazepam 10mg tablets Morphine sulphate oral solution 10mg/5ml Fentanyl 25 patches

What to Expect Type of Question 2

Directions Summarised A 1, 2, 3 B 1, 2 only C 2, 3 only D 1 only E 3 only

Which of the following is (are) prescribable on a National Health Service dental prescription form (FP14/GP14)? 1) Aciclovir cream 2) Erythromycin capsules BP 3) Flucloxacillin capsules

What to Expect Type of Question 3

A B TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the first 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the first

C
D E

TRUE
FALSE FALSE

FALSE
TRUE FALSE

Concerning a woman on progestogen-only oral contraceptive who tells you that she forgot to take her pill the previous night. It is important that blood levels of the progestogen do not fluctuate as contraceptive cover may be lost.

Progestogen-only oral contraceptives should be taken about the same time each day.

Key Areas to Cover

Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics
Responding to Symptoms Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Calculations

Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics

Major element of exam (and working life!) For everything you dispense at work, you should be able to answer 4 questions: What is it used for? How does it work? Side effects? Key issues/information

Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics

Bendrofluazide in a When is the best time patient taking lithium? of day to take thyroxine?
Contra-indications for ciprofloxacin?

Responding to Symptoms
Knowing when to refer Be aware of what medication you can recommend to treat the symptoms Limits of product licence and duration of OTC use Interactions of OTC products
With conditions With other medication

Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Emergency Supply Controlled Drugs Poisons Sch 1 poisons, sale/supply of strychnine Methylated Spirits Destruction of medicines SOPs and Service Specifications CPD and Clinical Governance Health & Safety Consumer Protection

Calculations
At the back of the open book paper, but do them first! Practise If you cant do it, move on and come back at the end Practise DO NOT PANIC Practise

Hints and Tips

Read the questions carefully dont miss out the not Dont be too flag-happy Be selective with the highlighter Read at least the first 5 chapters of BNF Handy to be able to find: Malaria guidelines Childhood vaccination schedule Iron equivalences Antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment Flag the index and highlight the edge of pages 1-100, 201-300 etc.

Hints and Tips

Guidance on prescribing at front of BNF Elderly/children/palliative care Know your CSM warnings Have confidence in what you know www.rpsgb.org Sample papers be friends with newly qualifieds! NHS Resource pack NPA Guide to the Drug Tariff Concentrated waters are 40 x stronger than single strength
1ml concentrate + 39ml water = 40ml single strength water

But most importantly

Stay Calm & GOOD LUCK!