We present to you the full transcript of the consultation meeting (April 23, 2025, 18:30) in the form of a clear question-and-answer dialogue, held during an online Q&A session intended for foreign pharmacists preparing for the supplementary exam in Slovakia.
The meeting was organized on the initiative of Med-Integro as part of the course Slovak Language for Pharmacists – Phase 3 + Exam Preparation, in cooperation with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava.
Questions were answered by doc. PharmDr. Marek Máťuš, PhD., Vice-Dean for Educational Activities in the Pharmacy Study Program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava.
The meeting was organized on the initiative of Med-Integro as part of the course Slovak Language for Pharmacists – Phase 3 + Exam Preparation, in cooperation with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava.
Questions were answered by doc. PharmDr. Marek Máťuš, PhD., Vice-Dean for Educational Activities in the Pharmacy Study Program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava.
Question 1: How many candidates usually pass the exam on their first attempt?
Answer: We don’t keep exact statistics, but the overall success rate in recent years has been around 20%. In 2024, only 13% of candidates passed.
Question 2: Is it taken into account that we are not native Slovak speakers?
Answer: The exam is conducted in the official state language – Slovak. You are expected to know professional terminology. We try to formulate the questions clearly, but still with professional accuracy.
Question 3: Can we ask for language assistance during the exam?
Answer: No. In the written part, no clarifications are provided. In the oral part, we can try to communicate if necessary.
Question 4: How is the oral part of the exam evaluated?
Answer: It’s important to demonstrate a basic professional understanding. You don’t need to know every detail, but you should understand the system and principles.
Question 5: How important is knowledge of Slovak professional language?
Answer: Very important. In the written part, it’s essential. In the oral part, it’s acceptable to describe things if you don’t know the exact term.
Question 6: What materials do you recommend for preparation?
Answer: For now, we recommend available textbooks and attending lectures. We are working on making presentations and possibly some methodological materials accessible.
Question 7: What should we focus on and what are common mistakes?
Answer: The most common mistake is misunderstanding the question. Practice reading comprehension and careful reading.
Question 8: Can we study from foreign textbooks?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. But Slovak textbooks will help you better learn the necessary terminology.
Question 9: Will there be any test collections available?
Answer: We plan to publish sample questions – not an official collection, but a selection from previous exams (around 30 questions).
Question 10: What should we focus on most before the exam?
Answer: Focus on the fundamental principles. We cannot suggest specific topics – that would be considered unfair.
Question 11: Are there any study tables or lists of medicines?
Answer: Yes, we are working on a list of essential medicines that tend to appear repeatedly in the questions.
Answer: We don’t keep exact statistics, but the overall success rate in recent years has been around 20%. In 2024, only 13% of candidates passed.
Question 2: Is it taken into account that we are not native Slovak speakers?
Answer: The exam is conducted in the official state language – Slovak. You are expected to know professional terminology. We try to formulate the questions clearly, but still with professional accuracy.
Question 3: Can we ask for language assistance during the exam?
Answer: No. In the written part, no clarifications are provided. In the oral part, we can try to communicate if necessary.
Question 4: How is the oral part of the exam evaluated?
Answer: It’s important to demonstrate a basic professional understanding. You don’t need to know every detail, but you should understand the system and principles.
Question 5: How important is knowledge of Slovak professional language?
Answer: Very important. In the written part, it’s essential. In the oral part, it’s acceptable to describe things if you don’t know the exact term.
Question 6: What materials do you recommend for preparation?
Answer: For now, we recommend available textbooks and attending lectures. We are working on making presentations and possibly some methodological materials accessible.
Question 7: What should we focus on and what are common mistakes?
Answer: The most common mistake is misunderstanding the question. Practice reading comprehension and careful reading.
Question 8: Can we study from foreign textbooks?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. But Slovak textbooks will help you better learn the necessary terminology.
Question 9: Will there be any test collections available?
Answer: We plan to publish sample questions – not an official collection, but a selection from previous exams (around 30 questions).
Question 10: What should we focus on most before the exam?
Answer: Focus on the fundamental principles. We cannot suggest specific topics – that would be considered unfair.
Question 11: Are there any study tables or lists of medicines?
Answer: Yes, we are working on a list of essential medicines that tend to appear repeatedly in the questions.
Additional Questions from the Meeting:
Question: Where can we find Slovak professional terminology if it’s not taught in standard Slovak language courses?
Answer: We understand your situation. We are working on making more materials available, but for now, we recommend attending lectures and using textbooks.
Question: Will the exam conditions be simplified in the future?
Answer: No, there are currently no such plans. Any changes depend on legislation.
Question: Is it possible to get accommodation in a university dormitory?
Answer: Dormitories are occupied by full-time students. Please refer to the "Services → Accommodation" section on the Comenius University website.
Question: Where can we find Slovak professional terminology if it’s not taught in standard Slovak language courses?
Answer: We understand your situation. We are working on making more materials available, but for now, we recommend attending lectures and using textbooks.
Question: Will the exam conditions be simplified in the future?
Answer: No, there are currently no such plans. Any changes depend on legislation.
Question: Is it possible to get accommodation in a university dormitory?
Answer: Dormitories are occupied by full-time students. Please refer to the "Services → Accommodation" section on the Comenius University website.
We sincerely thank doc. PharmDr. Marek Máťuš, PhD, and the Faculty of Pharmacy of Comenius University in Bratislava for their fruitful cooperation.
