The Physician Associate National Exam (PANE) is the final—and most important—step before you become a practising PA in the NHS. It combines clinical knowledge and practical skills in a high-stakes format. Here’s everything you need to know: exam structure, costs, travel tips, smart prep strategies, and how our Physician Associate Revision website can support you all the way.
📝Exam Format
Written Exam (Knowledge-Based Assessment)
“200 multiple choice (‘best-of-five’ or single best answer format) single best answer questions, which are split into four papers, each containing 50 questions. Candidates have 1 hour to complete each paper, with all papers being completed during a single day”
For more information please visit the RCP website CLICK HERE
OSCE
16 stations, each lasting 8 minutes (two are rest stations)
There are two minutes between each stage for candidates to read the instructions outside the station
Tasks include history-taking, physical exams, practical skills (e.g., ECG, venepuncture), communication, and investigations
Candidates are assessed by examiners via a checklist marksheet, with a total of 35 marks available
in each station
The maximum score achievable in the OSCE is 490 marks.- For more information CLICK HERE
✅ You must pass both parts in order to qualify
💷Exam Day Costs
These costs are approximations. They change each year. please visit their website for up to date costs.
£300 for the Written Exam
£500 for the OSCE
✈️Travel & Venue Tips
The OSCE is held at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP)‘s building in Liverpool, known as The Spine.
Book travel & accommodation early—spaces fill fast!
Arrive the night before, especially for the OSCE
Bring essentials: photo ID, pens, snacks, water, stethoscope (if required)
Save your RCP confirmation email—it contains all key details
📚Prep Tips to Maximize Success
1. Start Early – Don’t Cram
Begin studying 3-4 months before the exam
Break topics into weekly subjects aligned to the PA National Curriculum
2. Daily SBA Practice
Do 20–30 SBA questions daily to build exam rhythm
Learn from explanations and targets your weaknesses
👩💻 Tip: Our Physician Associate Revision website has hundreds of exam-standard SBA questions—perfect for daily drilling.
3. OSCE Mock Practice
Simulate stations with peers or on your own
Time yourself and use checklists to self-assess
Practice communication: breaking bad news, consent, education
🎯 Pro Tip: Use our full OSCE station bank, complete with examiner-style checklists and scoring metrics, so you can train like you’ll be tested.
4. Active Learning Techniques
Use flashcards or Anki for pharmacology, anatomy, infections
Create mind maps for systems (cardio, respiratory, GI, neuro)
Teach peers or record yourself for feedback
🧠Tips to Overcome Exam Stress
“Too Much to Learn?” Focus on high-yield topics and red-flag diagnoses
“I Panic Under Pressure?” Try timed mock exams and mindfulness exercises
“Unsure Where I Stand?” Use progress tracking on our site to monitor performance and target weak spots
❤️Take Care of Yourself
Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and breaks
Stay active—go for a daily walk or workout
Connect with classmates for peer support
Reach out to your PA tutors or wellbeing services if overwhelmed
🏁 Final Thoughts
The PANE is tough, but absolutely achievable with structure, practice, and the right resources. Thousands of PA students across the UK have used our Physician Associate Revision website to pass:
🧠 Exam-style SBA bank mapped to curriculum
🎙️ Complete OSCE station library with mark schemes
📝 Concise revision notes and clinical skills guides
📈 Progress dashboard for targeted prep
🚀Ready to Ace the Exam?
Take the next step in your PA journey—explore our curated SBA questions, OSCE scenarios, and revision tools today:
👉 Visit pawiz.co.uk
Let us help you go into the PANE confident, well-prepared, and ready to achieve!