Preparing to Pass the FRCA: Strategies for Exam Success

by Caroline Whymark

Overview

Preparing to Pass the FRCA: Strategies for Exam Success equips you with the skills of effective revision and time management to maximise your success.

The book takes each element of the FRCA exam and provides tips and techniques on how to approach the different types of questions, and includes worked examples with answers, so that you can undertake your revision accordingly.

It will help you to target your revision so you can cover the breadth of topics in the FRCA syllabus and ensure that you structure your revision in an efficient way, as well as helping you to approach the exam and convey your knowledge through writing or speech correctly.

Taking many common problems candidates face when preparing for this exam, the book covers motivation, effective studying, managing nerves, and scheduling time to study amongst other commitments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198748687
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/03/2016
Series:	Oxford Specialty Training: Revision Texts
Pages:	94
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Caroline Whymark, Consultant Anaesthestist, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland and Deputy Regional Adviser: West of Scotland School of Anaesthesia, UK

Table of Contents

Part 1 The Essentials

1 Introduction to adult learning and postgraduate exams 3

The opportunity cost 3

Managing stress 4

Getting help 5

Making it happen 5

2 Motivation 6

Visualization 6

Pass first time 7

Make a good attempt 8

Timing 9

Define your motivation 9

Incentivization 11

3 Time management 12

Discipline and saboteurs 12

Delegation 13

Spending time wisely 13

Getting started 14

Working hours 15

Clinical experience 16

4 Study skills 18

Accessible aids 18

Make your own luck 19

Break down the syllabus 20

Target the past papers 20

Chairman's report 21

MCQ practice 21

'Proper' studying 22

Say and cover write and check 22

Repetition and retention 23

Decide what type of learner you are Set objectives 23

Avoid distractions 23

5 Sort your surroundings 24

Places for studying 24

Handling stress 25

Staying healthy 25

Adequate sleep 26

Take some leave 26

Exercise 26

Mind management 27

On the day 27

Part 2 The Primary FRCA

6 The Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and Single Best Answer (SBA) paper 31

Requirements of the MCQ/SBA paper 31

Make lists 33

Make tables 33

Clear your mind 35

Repetition 36

Study smarter 36

Practising MCQs 37

The SBA section 38

7 The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) and Structured Oral Exams (SOEs) 39

The OSCE 39

The SOE 40

After the OSCE and SOE 43

Part 3 The Final FRCA

8 The MCQ/SBAs paper 47

MCQ section 48

SBA section 50

9 The Short Answer Question (SAQ) paper 52

The questions 52

The marking 54

Time management 55

Handwriting and presentation 55

Classification 60

Targeting your revision 66

Read the question carefully 67

In summary 68

10 The Structured Oral Exams (SOEs) 69

Preparation: if racing hurdles … practice hurdles! 69

Viva 1a: clinical long case 71

Viva 1b: short clinical cases 73

Viva 2 73

11 Summary 74

The building blocks of success 74

Plan to pass 75

Index 77

Editorial Reviews

"The author clearly understands that professional knowledge and skill are not the only requirements to pass the exam. It actually depends on how you convey your knowledge through writing, viva and skill demonstrations. This is a book that can be used as a planner to start studying for the FRCA." — Shahida Tasneem, Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care

"We highly recommend purchase. The resounding message of positivity breeding success is one that should be read by candidates and tutors alike." — A. Taylor and G. McLeod, British Journal of Anaesthesia

"This book helps trainees to study effectively and maximize their performance during the exams. There are many standard points in exam preparation and conduct that would be extremely helpful to any postgraduate medical examination candidate. We thoroughly recommend it to all trainees in anaesthesia." — Michael G. Irwin and Dilys Kwok, The Open Anesthesiology Journal

From the Publisher