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Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to identify patterns of meaning within participants\u2019 experiences. Participants frequently perceived the preclinical OSATS as a predictor of future professional practice, with its inherent time pressures, rather than as an assessment of attainment of the preclinical programme\u2019s Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). Understandings of surgical competence varied, with operative speed often perceived as an indicator of technical ability. Learners experiencing higher levels of examination anxiety reported the greatest perceived benefit from removing task time limits, as this reduced the attention directed towards monitoring the remaining time. However, in the unlimited-time OSATS, this \u201ctime focus\u201d was frequently replaced by a \u201cpeer focus\u201d, with participants expressing anxiety about being perceived by others as slower and, consequently, less competent operators. These findings highlight the importance of ensuring that learners understand the ILOs of preclinical training and recognise that OSATS are designed to assess attainment of these outcomes rather than predict future professional performance. The influence of perceived peer pressure during open-group OSATS examinations may be reduced by using partitions between learners to limit inter-learner visualisation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/20501684261484810","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,24]],"date-time":"2026-09-24T10:55:47Z","timestamp":1790247347000},"page":"86-91","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Experience of Learners Taking Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills (OSATS) Without Task Time Limits"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Stuart M.","family":"Ellis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Assistant Teaching Professor in Dental Education, Professional and Continuing Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Director, Cambridge Academy of Dental Implantology, Cambridge, UK"},{"name":"Fellow and Director of Studies in Medicine, Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rachel M.","family":"Williams","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Fellow and Director of Studies in Medicine, Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_1_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/bjs.1800840237"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0002-9610(97)89597-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10459-015-9593-1"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1445-2197.2012.06236.x"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijom.2023.10.585"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_7_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijom.2020.06.005"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/iej.13938"},{"issue":"889","key":"e_1_3_1_9_2","first-page":"1","article-title":"Assessment of suturing and scaling skills of periodontology and oral medicine residents by OSATS method: a pilot study","volume":"23","author":"Maybodi FR","year":"2023","unstructured":"Maybodi FR, Keshmiri F, Kazemipoor M, et al. 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