It has recently been announced that the BTL Group Ltd will be the new provider of the common registration assessment sittings on behalf of the General Pharmaceutical Society (GPhC) and the PSNI.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an online solution was first introduced for the registration assessments in 2021 in response to the delayed 2020 assessments. Pearson Vue was given a short-term contract to deliver the assessment sittings remotely in their test centres.
The introduction of an online assessment had some challenges, and the PDA supported many members with issues. These issues included delayed communications, the exclusion of overseas students, and fewer places offered to sit the assessment. With limited availability, some students faced long travel times in order for them to take part in the assessment which resulted in considerable costs and unnecessary stress.
Collette Bradford, Director of Organising and Engagement at the PDA said, “Our experiences of supporting members throughout the introduction of remote learning and the online common registration assessment has enabled us to understand the potential challenges and complexity around moving such activities to an online platform.
We welcome that we have been able to engage with the GPhC throughout the period to highlight areas of concern and share the experiences of our student members, which we hope has informed the process of seeking a new, longer-term partner.”
Collette Bradford continued, “The PDA fully understands the high-stakes nature of the common registration assessment as a pivotal step in the future career of any pharmacist and we therefore welcome future opportunities to inform the ongoing development of the online assessment programme to support a proficient, robust and positive experience for all trainees.”
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