Many years ago I was commissioned to meet an English lady CEO to explore the potential of securing a business deal in Dubai. She was head of a media group and possessed an authoritative personality that on first meeting gave me a sticker shock. When I reached her meeting base at the appointed hour I was not happy to see that she was on a podium with many visitors eager to meet her like me. It was a chaotic scene and reminiscent of a football match. I didn’t give up instead I shouted, “An inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time!” She shouted at everyone to become silent and all of a sudden the cacophony in a split second changed into jarred silence and she beckoned me to come on the podium. Everyone was watching with pin drop silence. Jennifer asked me to sit next to her and nonchalant she took out her little diary and pen and requested me to dictate that ancient Chinese proverb. When the dictation was over she asked me to wait in the adjoining chamber and joined me after half an hour. The rest was all business as usual and we developed a good association. The point I am endeavoring from this anecdote is that I planned out the meeting by minutely studying her personality from other sources. In other words I did my home work; I was prepared for the meeting. This blog as the caption affixed above tells the reader is all about Exam Prep!
Life from cradle to grave is all about preparation for the challenges in our existential ladder. Exam is no exception and merits a careful study on how to be best prepared for exam. In one of her blogs .Dr Asma Naqi, head of BeMRCOG has poignantly stated that the time everyone starts a serious exam preparation is about 3-4 months before the exam. This fits neatly with the proverb I cried out to make a break through with Jennifer that Inch of Gold cannot buy an inch of time. Time lost is irrevocable. The first rule for all students for MRCOG Exam is to start ahead. Any delay will be fatal. Make no mistake; the smart student will plan out the time and make sure that no family and personal obligations fall in that period that may jeopardize the study program.
Health is critical in exam preparation and food and it stands to reason that hygiene habits must be taken into account to ensure good health to cope with long hours study.
All notes, hand written, downloaded and in hard copy should be arranged such that retrieving the required information is accessible in shortest possible time. Research shows that carelessness in organizing study material results in time wastage and consequently damaging to exam prep.
In this blog the prime focus is on MRCOG exam and it constitutes 3 exams namely part 1, 2 and 3. The first two are written and third is oral referred to as Clinical (formerly called OSCE). Let’s start with the third which is oral exam. First tip is that start preparation immediately passing the written exam. A delay will dampen the preparatory spirit. Try and figure what stations can come in the exam and write them down in your note book. The questions asked in English may be tedious if English is not your first language. Practice the sentences by jotting them down and rehearsal with a study buddy. It would help to brush up accent by watching BBC and classic movies repeatedly. Remember exam time is enough to think about the answer but not how to say it in English. And equally importantly select the right books which you can find on Amazon.
Part 1 & 2 are both held in March and September. Part 2 is also known as written exam. The exam is split into two papers each of 50% mark. Each paper consists of two question formats:
Single best answer questions (SBAs) – worth 40% of the total mark
Extended matching questions (EMQs) – worth 60% of the total mark
Take out time in the outset of exam preparation to identify areas of challenge in light of all suggestions given above. This varies with students. Then decide is you would like to first tackle the areas you feel are more challenging or get a grip first on the sections you sense are easy.
Some people prefer to study in isolation while some have a natural propensity to team up with a study buddy. This is simply a matter of individual’s personality behavior so this shouldn’t become a debate.
One of key factors in a student’s success is the level of coaching he/she has received. Institutes around the world pride on the quality of their tutoring. Every student reading this blog will second my statement. Great leaders in history have accredited their mentors for morphing them into historical figures. Students preparing for MRCOG Exam deserve and need a motivating and inspiring mentor. Searching for a mentor that meets the needs of a student is same as finding the right books for exam prep. If you feel that you are in search of that Mentor which can empower you with all the skills to pass the exam and also to motivate and show the right road to a bright future by assessing your personal skills and personality, then I suggest strongly to log into www.Bemrcog.com .
