[Pharmaceutical Common Achievement Test: computer-based testing (CBT)].

A six-year course of pharmaceutical education including long-term on-site practical training (pharmacy clerkship) started in the 2006 academic year in Japan. To develop good pharmacists in response to social needs, all university education programs are conducted in accordance with the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmaceutical Education in Japan and the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Practical Experience. In addition to the two core curricula, each university also implements the Pharmaceutical Common Achievement Test, which is a combination of computer-based testing (CBT) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The CBT is primarily used to evaluate the student's knowledge, with the student answering 310 questions chosen randomly from a pool on the computer, essentially based on the contents of the model core curriculum. On the other hand, the OSCE is used to evaluate the skills and attitudes of the student. Only students who pass the Common Achievement Test can move on to a pharmacy clerkship in a clinical setting. We review the history and present status of CBT preparation and outline the CBT. Upon examining the present situation of the CBT, it is required for the pharmaceutical scientists concerned to prepare high-quality problems based on the model core curriculum education system.