Exam Tips

Study Duration

I dedicated around 1.5 months to theory preparation.

Main Study Resource

My primary reference was Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine — I focused mainly on the bold text and charts, which I read at least twice. These sections are high-yield and repeatedly tested in the exam.

BCQ Books I Used

I went through the following question banks and resources:

• Pearls of Wisdom

• De Alwis BCQs

• Past Papers

This combination helped reinforce key concepts and exam patterns effectively.

Preparation Duration

I allocated around two weeks for clinical and TOACS practice.

Core Resource

The MRCEM Green Book was my main reference, it covers most of the TOACS stations you’re likely to encounter.

Key Areas to Practise

The long-case component forms a major chunk of the exam. I focused on revising and practising the following essential areas:

• ATLS: trauma and resuscitation

• ACLS: cardiac arrest and peri-arrest management

• PALS: paediatric emergencies

• Triage scenarios

• NRP: neonatal resuscitation

• Joint examinations

Erum Shakeel

• Chief Resident, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

• erumshakeel98@gmail.com