Wednesday, February 11, 2015

MRCP part 2


I recently passed my MRCP part 2 (Dec 2014). The following is the resources I use to prepare for this exam:

1) Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. 

Please don't underestimate this small handbook book. I did, initially. Whatever is written in this book is the correct answer for the MRCP paper. It is as if the author of this book is also the author of the MRCP exam paper. I read this book in and out twice, and I must say most of my time is worth it. Forget thick book like Harrison or Davidson. This book is the bible for MRCP.

2) Rapid Review of Clinical Medicine for MRCP Part 2

Another must book to read. It is the "syllabus" of the Part 2 exam. Go though each page slowly and let it sink in as you read. If everything sticks, chances that you are ready for the exam.

3) Question banks. It's no-brainer, this is a must. The more question you practice, the better you are. I choose Pastest Qbank because most senior recommended me this. The other is Onexamination.com.

4) Facebook groups, Whatsaap group, Internet forum, etc. There are plenty of support groups, and all provide the much needed motivation and resources. I learnt plenty of radiological images, hematological slides, spotter for skin lesions, and fundus from these groups. The group I followed for my MRCP part 2:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/177315392301807/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mrcpuk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/528967743805371/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/285352564831987/
http://www.rxpgonline.com/forum11.htm


5) Time management and motivation. As a busy junior doctor, you need to manage your time well to prepare for this exam. I use evernote as checklist to make sure I cover most topic before the exam day. Evernote is also an excellent too for making notes everytime I studied a topic and I will share those notes to my friend via evernote. I certainly recommend this app.

One more thing,

6) During the exam, answer all question as fast as you can. The way of doing it is:

1) Read the answer option first,
2) Then, read the question .
3) Then read the case and identify what's the important point as quick as possible. Underline those important point.


Don't think so much or spend too much time on one question. If you don't know the answer, listen to your gut feeling and most likely those answers were right.

Most people fail MRCP part 2 simply because they don't have enough time to complete the paper. Each paper contain 90 questions and you have only 3 hours. Hence max 2 minutes for each question. So, yeah, keep looking at the clock as you answer your paper.

I wish you all the best. Cheers.

ps: You can read my "Part 1" post here.

3 comments:

Hw said...

hi! how long did you take to prepare for your part 2 written exam?

Isaac Chan said...

My first attempt was a year after my part 1. I failed by few marks because I did not finish the paper on time. My second paper was another 6month later. This time I learnt my lesson, I do each question quickly and hence I passed. Of course with better preparation.

Unknown said...

Thank you very much.

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