Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP) Application Handbook

Appendix 1 - Validated assessment instruments

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Last revised: 01 Jul 2025

Appendix 1 - Validated assessment instruments

Theoretical

Applicants applying to the PEP SP must have completed a theoretical summative assessment in at least one of the following formats to be assessed as comparable under the PEP SP comparability assessment process.

These assessment formats are accepted as rigorously assessing a candidate’s capacity for knowledge and clinical reasoning.

Format	Summary
MCQ Multiple Choice Questions	This style of assessment requires candidates to analyse a clinical scenario, or stem, and choose the most appropriate answer from a list of possible options. The assessment tests clinical knowledge, requiring candidates to synthesise the information provided in the clinical stem and use only the relevant clinical components to select an answer. It demonstrates a candidate’s ability to discard irrelevant clinical components and incorrect answers, or distractors.
EMQ Extended Matching Questions (R-type MCQs)	This is a variation on the MCQ structure but includes a series of clinical scenarios or stems rather than just a single scenario. This format allows for more in-depth assessment of clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Candidates are required to assess thematically linked scenarios while discarding distractors and irrelevant clinical information to select the most appropriate answer from a common list of possible options. The EMQ format comprises four parts for each question: A theme. This might be a symptom, investigation, diagnosis or treatment (eg back pain, dyspnoea, diabetes, corticosteroids) The clinical scenario, or stem, which outlines the scenario. The lead-in statement, which outlines what is required of the candidate (ie provide the most likely diagnosis). A possible list of answers, or options.
SBA Single Best Answer	This format offers a single question with multiple alternative answers, from which the candidate must choose the single best answer. Unlike other methods, the format does not offer many incorrect answers and one correct answer. Instead, it requires careful analysis of the information provided to determine which of the answers is most likely or the ‘best fit’.
AKT Applied Knowledge Test	This assessment may incorporate elements of the above formats; it is designed to test the application of knowledge in a clinical context, rather than knowledge alone. The questions, whether SBA or EMQ, comprise a clinical stem, a lead in statement informing the candidate of the question’s requirement, and a set of answer options.
KFP Key Feature Problem	This assessment is designed to test clinical reasoning and clinical decision-making by assessing how candidates analyse patients in the context of a given scenario, and how they consider the key features, or critical steps, required to resolve the clinical problem. The exam consists of 70 individual scenarios, each with a multiple selection question.
Short notes paper	These papers require candidates to provide a written response in the format of short notes, bullet points, short paragraphs or essays on given topics or on a clinical scenario.

Practical

Format	Summary
Clinical Examination	This exam is designed to assess how a candidate integrates their applied knowledge and clinical reasoning when presented with clinical scenarios. It tests not only knowledge and reasoning but communication skills and professional attitudes in the context of consultations, patient exams or peer discussions. Clinical Examinations classically comprise a circuit of multiple clinical stations: Shorter stations do not focus on the entire consultation, rather focusing on certain aspects of a consultation. Longer stations require the candidate to manage entire consultations, including outcome of investigation and follow up visits. Other multi-station clinical practical assessments may be equivalent to the RACGP Clinical Examination (the Clinical Competency Exam/CCE). See Academic qualifications for information on evidence required to demonstrate equivalence.

Format

Summary

Clinical Examination

This exam is designed to assess how a candidate integrates their applied knowledge and clinical reasoning when presented with clinical scenarios. It tests not only knowledge and reasoning but communication skills and professional attitudes in the context of consultations, patient exams or peer discussions.

Clinical Examinations classically comprise a circuit of multiple clinical stations:

Shorter stations do not focus on the entire consultation, rather focusing on certain aspects of a consultation.
Longer stations require the candidate to manage entire consultations, including outcome of investigation and follow up visits.

Other multi-station clinical practical assessments may be equivalent to the RACGP Clinical Examination (the Clinical Competency Exam/CCE). See Academic qualifications for information on evidence required to demonstrate equivalence.

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