THE MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES EXAMINATION

THE EXAM FORMAT

Candidates are allowed to sit the exam in two separate half-day sessions; however, we do not allow candidates to sit the exam one exam paper at a time (the exam was available in a single-paper modular format until the end of 2008). Candidates who qualify to re-sit one exam paper are allowed to book a single paper re-sit.

THE EXAM STRUCTURE

a. Morning Paper

The morning paper is in three parts:

Paper 1. The industry and the Code of Practice (30 questions, 23 on the Code of Practice)

Paper 2. The human body, pathology, pharmacology (30 questions)

Paper 3. Body systems (140 questions)

• cardiovascular
• respiratory
• central nervous system
• digestive
• musculo-skeletal
• endocrine
• urinary
• reproduction
• skin
• special senses
  

Candidates need to pass all three papers with a mark of at least 60 per cent. Candidates scoring 80 per cent in all three papers at the same sitting will be eligible for a 'distinction' certificate, subject to passing all 3 specialist papers at the same sitting with 80 per cent or more.

The morning papers have an equal distribution of questions drawn from the ten topic areas under 'body systems'.

b. Afternoon specialist subject examination papers

Candidates must select 3 examination subjects from the following list of topics. Examinations are based on materials contained within Volume 2 of the ABPI learning material.

Paper 1 Arthritis and bone disease
Paper 2 Pharmacology
Paper 3 Oncology
Paper 4 Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease
Paper 5 Dyslipidaemia
Paper 6 Respiratory diseases
Paper 7 Immunology
Paper 8 Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Paper 9 Depressive illness and schizophrenia
Paper 10 Gastro-duodenal diseases
Paper 11 Osteoporosis
Paper 12 Diabetes
Paper 13 Female reproductive health
Paper 14 Male reproductive health
Paper 15 Dermatology

Criteria for passing the exam

The exam is divided into six papers; all have to be passed with a score of 60% or more. Candidates who fail one paper only, in either or both of the morning/afternoon exams may re-sit the single paper that they failed (in either session). Candidates who fail more than one paper in either or both of the morning/afternoon exams must resit the entire exam session (morning or afternoon).

Time expiry of qualifications.

In order to register a valid overall ‘pass’ the morning and afternoon papers must be taken and passed within 3 years of each other.

Generic Medicines Representatives

Generic Representatives sit the same morning exam paper as Medical Representatives.

Any tips for passing the exam?

1. Read the Manual!

The most fundamental error that candidates make is to forget that the examination is an examination based entirely on the ABPI syllabus and Learning Manual, plus any instructions about further required reading. The correct answer, for the purpose of the exam, is what is stated in the manual.

For example, if the question asks what the normal rate of respiration in an adult is, we are seeking the answer from the manual; not what you may have been taught elsewhere.

It is also clear that some candidates are not familiar with the learning manual content. It is not a good idea to rely solely on studying mock exam papers as a way of preparation for the exam, though many candidates do this.

2. Read the questions carefully!

Instead of reading the stem of the question carefully, candidates tend to confuse themselves between two potentially correct answers, even though only one answer will be, for example, “the most common”. If we ask for the most common, we mean that. One of the multiple choice answers may perhaps offer an uncommon or rare example - discard it.

3. Use all of the time available!

Many candidates leave the examination rooms early, some by as much as an hour before the end of the time allowed. It is clear that if they paced themselves better and considered the questions more thoroughly, they might improve their scores. Many of the questions can be answered by a process of logic and deduction, so use the time available to do so.

IMPORTANT!!
Remember, when attending an examination you must take with you photographic identification such as your passport or a photo driving licence. You won’t be allowed in to the exam without them.