Exam Tips

When I Started

I began preparing around three months before the exam. My main focus was on past papers, understanding what topics had appeared before and covering them thoroughly.

For reference, I always preferred using the big Tintinalli, the full version, because it gives a more comprehensive understanding of each topic.

Books and Resources I Used

For BCQ practice, I found these resources extremely useful:

• PreTest: Emergency Medicine

• Tintinalli BCQ Book

• AliEM Modules (both parts)

• Pearls of Wisdom

• PEER 8 and PEER 9

One thing I always recommend is to go through the explanations, not just the correct answers. Understanding why something is correct is what really strengthens your concepts.

My Study Strategy

My entire strategy revolved around studying past paper topics thoroughly.

For instance, if there was a BCQ on Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), I wouldn’t just memorise the facts, I’d read the whole topic in depth. That’s because future BCQs often test the same areas from a different angle.

Now coming to the clinical part:

Since I was the only candidate from my hospital and also the most senior, it was quite a hassle managing everything on my own. I reached out to people from different institutes for help, and I’m really thankful to everyone who supported me.

The most useful resources I found were the Green MRCEM Book and the Red Mastering Emergency Medicine Book.

My strategy, again, was to start with past stations and cover each one thoroughly from every angle. For example, if there was a past station on nasal packing, I would prepare it in all possible variations, because they can present it in different ways.

Having a practice partner or a senior to practice with makes a huge difference in clinical preparation. The TOACs part feels quite similar to IMM, while short and long cases need a slightly different approach, but in the end, it all comes down to consistent practice.

Short cases are like TOACs stations but slightly extended, think of it as your usual 7-minute TOACs plus about 3 extra minutes for examiner questions. The approach remains the same, just remember to manage your time wisely and give space for questions at the end.

For long cases, imagine it as a typical ED resus day, you can expect anything! Usually, there are four stations, with two main resuscitation cases.

The key to success is practice, practice, and more practice.

Your cheat code:

• Use the SAMPLE history framework

• Follow the ABCDE approach

• Always discuss disposition and family involvement, just as you would for any critical patient in the ED.

If anyone needs help or wants to join for practice sessions, I’d be more than happy to help during your clinical prep.

Dr. Noor Us Sahar

• Senior Registrar, Emergency Department, LUMHS Jamshoro 

• Former Chief Resident, LUMHS, Jamshoro Pakistan 

• Former Registrar, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland.

• noorussahar212@gmail.com