If you are reading this part of the blog, I am assuming that you have surpassed Part A, many congratulations!
MRCEM Part B (SAQs) - This exam can be taken 36 months after qualifying as a doctor (usually the 2nd year of ACCS). It comprises of a short answer paper that examines your ability to interpret investigations and how to apply that knowledge. e.g. an x-ray, an ECG etc. It consisted of 16 questions and lasted 2 hours.
(Post August 2016)
FRCEM Intermediate Certificate
This replaces MRCEM Parts B and C for the UK and International trainees. It consists of the following methods of assessment:
Short Answer Question (SAQ) paper (replaces MRCEM Part B) consisting of 60, 3 mark questions in 3 hours. The subject matter and level of the examination remain unchanged to that of the current MRCEM Part B. Previous passes in the MRCEM Part B examination remain valid.
For candidates in the UK recognized training program, the MRCEM Part C will remain a GMC approved qualification for the purposes of CCT if passed up to and prior to August 2018. After this time, all candidates will be required to pass the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate SJP (plus the FRCEM Primary and Intermediate Certificate SAQ) in order to be eligible to sit the FRCEM Final examination components.
After August 2018, candidates who have passed the MRCEM Part A and B but not the Part C will be required to pass the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate SJP in order to be eligible to sit the FRCEM Final examination components.
An apt book for preparation especially in the last few months. Very elaborate answers, and a tad hard also.
Courses: BLS/ACLS, ATLS, PALS (5/5) are must before you sit for part B & C, more importantly before Part C, Try to achieve instructor potential in each as this invariably makes you more thoroughly prepared for Part B and part C, as you teach.
accident-emergencymedicine.blogspot.com
Preparation Time:
4-5 months along with your clinical practice, with last month of 10-12 hours of dedicated study, preferably sans medical duties.
There are two ways you could start your preparation
1. In unison with Part C, hand in hand.
or
2. Giving the exam individually part b first, and then part c, usually about 6 months apart
I chose the former one because I felt that I could study holistically, or maybe I was a little greedy that I could finish the whole ordeal in one go. A lot of my friends found this way too intimidating and pressurizing, so much that they could not give 100% to each. They ended up failing one or both, while only a few survived both at once.
Choosing the 2nd option makes sense, if you have time at hand, for instance, you are part of the residency, which is going to finish in the subsequent year. From my experience, this is better for maintaining your sanity.
After passing Part A in July 2014, I thought I will take a break from studies and focus on clinical hands-on and give my exam in June 2016, that is, after one and half year. However, I thought to myself in mid-October that, as I didn't have anything much to do, I could very well try in June 2015 itself, so that in case if I fail, I can still take the exam during my residency. It was a gamble, which I was willing to take, and moreover, I had amazing senior friends who were giving the exam in June 2015, and they became my study mates.
So, by November I started gathering books and went on browsing the books and making time table. It takes about a month to orient yourself, and another month to dispose of your luggage( namely thesis, social and family constraints).
In short, I studied little by little from December onward, striding on with baby steps chapters after chapters. I had a set goal to finish Victoria Stacey thoroughly at least 1 time before March Mid, where I was scheduled for MRCEM B and C Exam Revision and Skills course in Chennai.
I picked up oxford emergency handbook and tried to complete it within 20 days, at least the major topics. I did not pay attention to dosage , as I knew, I would not remember in the long term. I practiced dosage and various criteria in the last week of my preparation.
Nevertheless, I put all my energy in Victoria Stacey and Oxford till March Begining, with obvious references from various resources. At that time I used enlightenme.org, which has been replaced by http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/emergency-medicine/, basically to enhance my knowledge, a very handy tool to practice question with pictures describing diseases.
I was also practicing OSCE's with my colleagues, about twice a week to thrice a week for an hour or so. It was always good to catch on each other's preparation and always acted as a motivator and where one stands in terms of preparation
March came almost suddenly, and my preparation was not up to the mark. I went to Chennai for the course, and didn't fare very well in the mock papers, this acted as an eye opener, just about 3 months before the exam.
Giving the mock paper, helped me identify my weak links, which were pediatrics, derma, and toxicology to name a few.
April:
Now that I completed Oxford once and Victoria Stacey about 2 times, I started doing online questions and get through Mcem. I also made a lot of notes for last moment preparation this while,
May meant all my tedious preparation would funnel down for the last final stride. I studied for at least 10-12 hours a day, and luckily I had scheduled my duties with the help of my HOD, such that I was more or less free this month. My colleagues and juniors were also very supportive in letting me study through the stipulated duties also.
I almost stopped preparing for my OSCE after March, cause preparation for Part B was very overwhelming. I had ill-scheduled ATLS course in the end of may, as I could not get any dates before than that. This also consumed 5-6 days of my preparation time.
June 4th was my Part B exam and Part C two days after it. I tried to revise the questions and victoria Stacey once again for last week, but I still felt that there was much more to study.
The exam day: I was trying to get a wink of sleep the whole night, but couldn't as I was contemplating about the exam the next day. In the end, I had barely slept for 2-3 hours. I gulped up Red Bull for the caffeine boost ( I don't Drink Energy Drinks often by the way). I was also very amazed to see so many candidates from across the globe waiting outside the exam center. I felt a Lil pang in the stomach and decided to walk away as they were discussing so many topics I have never heard of, amongst each other. Finally, the moment of truth, the exam itself : it was tough, more than I expected.
One has to race against time while writing this exam, as 2 hours is very little for reading,analyzing and writing answers to 16 questions. After the exam, I was numb. I felt I did fairly well, but after coming out, while discussing answers with my friends, my fairly well thoughts, shrunk to thoughts that would I even pass. I had to recuperate and now think for an another monster to battle, Part C, which I didn't practice for a month, and which was in 2 days time.
Take home points for ADHD's among us:
Oxford Handbook Of Emergency Medicine
Victoria Stacey
Get Through Mcem Part B
Courses: BLS/ACLS, ATLS, PALS
Clinical Duties
4-5 months along with your clinical practice, with last month of 10-12 hours of dedicated study, preferably sans medical duties.
recalling NICE guidelines whenever you get the chance
Get Rid of your luggage for focused studies months prior to exam
Give mock papers, identify your weak links
Make notes in the book itself from other resources, for last min revisions
Well, all is good what ends good, I did pass the exams, both of them,
*A typical rough page to practice writing clearly in the exam
I hope you at least have an orientation on what it is like to prepare for the exam. There might be many questions you might like to ask, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Share at will.
Part A preparation: http://drabidnisar.blogspot.com/2016/08/mrcem-part-a.html
Part C preparation: http://drabidnisar.blogspot.com/2016/08/mrcem-part-c.html
(Pre August 2016)
MRCEM Part B (SAQs) - This exam can be taken 36 months after qualifying as a doctor (usually the 2nd year of ACCS). It comprises of a short answer paper that examines your ability to interpret investigations and how to apply that knowledge. e.g. an x-ray, an ECG etc. It consisted of 16 questions and lasted 2 hours.
(Post August 2016)
FRCEM Intermediate Certificate
This replaces MRCEM Parts B and C for the UK and International trainees. It consists of the following methods of assessment:
Short Answer Question (SAQ) paper (replaces MRCEM Part B) consisting of 60, 3 mark questions in 3 hours. The subject matter and level of the examination remain unchanged to that of the current MRCEM Part B. Previous passes in the MRCEM Part B examination remain valid.
For candidates in the UK recognized training program, the MRCEM Part C will remain a GMC approved qualification for the purposes of CCT if passed up to and prior to August 2018. After this time, all candidates will be required to pass the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate SJP (plus the FRCEM Primary and Intermediate Certificate SAQ) in order to be eligible to sit the FRCEM Final examination components.
After August 2018, candidates who have passed the MRCEM Part A and B but not the Part C will be required to pass the FRCEM Intermediate Certificate SJP in order to be eligible to sit the FRCEM Final examination components.
Books To Read:
Oxford Handbook Of Emergency Medicine 4.5/5
Covers all the topics fairly well, very concise, at times very concise. Meaning you have to shuffle to other sources for extra information, as some topics are not covered very well. However, as this is a handbook, it is easily portable, and should be in your bag at all times for quick reference
Victoria Stacey 4.5/5:
To go book for your preparation for Part B. All the topics are sufficiently covered. Very good sample question in the end of each chapter, the type you should expect in the real exam
Highly Recommended
Get Through Mcem Part B: 3.5/5
An apt book for preparation especially in the last few months. Very elaborate answers, and a tad hard also.
Sometimes answers are misleading and not up to date. So be mindful. All in all, a must book to read, for your near perfect preparation.
Courses: BLS/ACLS, ATLS, PALS (5/5) are must before you sit for part B & C, more importantly before Part C, Try to achieve instructor potential in each as this invariably makes you more thoroughly prepared for Part B and part C, as you teach.
Clinical Duties: (5/5) Much of the question they ask are from day to day clinical practice, Some people who shunned their emergency duties and stuck to book have not faired well in the exam, Clinical duties are very very prudent in your preparation, however, the last month should be dedicated more to books.
Online question Bank and Resources: (3/5)
1. enlightenme.org, which has been replaced by http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/emergency-medicine/, basically to enhance knowledge.
2. Dr. Sajjad Pathan
accident-emergencymedicine.blogspot.com
Preparation Time:
4-5 months along with your clinical practice, with last month of 10-12 hours of dedicated study, preferably sans medical duties.
Tips for preparation
1. Make sure you continue to do your clinical duties at least until last 15 days before the exam, seeing the patient and practicing OSCE, discussing cases with your colleagues and recalling NICE guidelines while on Handovers is the key for this exam.
2. Don't be stingy on the days given for preparation, chances of success increase with the amount of dedication, Get Rid of your luggage, such as your thesis, family commitments 3-4 months prior to the exam, so that you have no distractions in your long haul of preparation.
3. Make study groups if possible, and prepare topic wise, challenging each other.
4. The above materials mentioned are very important, make sure you read and re-read Victoria Stacey 3 times, oxford 2 times and online questions 2 times, before the exam.
1. In unison with Part C, hand in hand.
or
2. Giving the exam individually part b first, and then part c, usually about 6 months apart
Personal log ( My personal experience in preparation for Part B)
Choosing the 2nd option makes sense, if you have time at hand, for instance, you are part of the residency, which is going to finish in the subsequent year. From my experience, this is better for maintaining your sanity.
So, by November I started gathering books and went on browsing the books and making time table. It takes about a month to orient yourself, and another month to dispose of your luggage( namely thesis, social and family constraints).
In short, I studied little by little from December onward, striding on with baby steps chapters after chapters. I had a set goal to finish Victoria Stacey thoroughly at least 1 time before March Mid, where I was scheduled for MRCEM B and C Exam Revision and Skills course in Chennai.
I picked up oxford emergency handbook and tried to complete it within 20 days, at least the major topics. I did not pay attention to dosage , as I knew, I would not remember in the long term. I practiced dosage and various criteria in the last week of my preparation.
Nevertheless, I put all my energy in Victoria Stacey and Oxford till March Begining, with obvious references from various resources. At that time I used enlightenme.org, which has been replaced by http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/emergency-medicine/, basically to enhance my knowledge, a very handy tool to practice question with pictures describing diseases.
I was also practicing OSCE's with my colleagues, about twice a week to thrice a week for an hour or so. It was always good to catch on each other's preparation and always acted as a motivator and where one stands in terms of preparation
March came almost suddenly, and my preparation was not up to the mark. I went to Chennai for the course, and didn't fare very well in the mock papers, this acted as an eye opener, just about 3 months before the exam.
Giving the mock paper, helped me identify my weak links, which were pediatrics, derma, and toxicology to name a few.
*a typical page in my victoria Stacey
April:
Now that I completed Oxford once and Victoria Stacey about 2 times, I started doing online questions and get through Mcem. I also made a lot of notes for last moment preparation this while,
May meant all my tedious preparation would funnel down for the last final stride. I studied for at least 10-12 hours a day, and luckily I had scheduled my duties with the help of my HOD, such that I was more or less free this month. My colleagues and juniors were also very supportive in letting me study through the stipulated duties also.
* Make notes in the book itself from other resources, for last min revisions
I almost stopped preparing for my OSCE after March, cause preparation for Part B was very overwhelming. I had ill-scheduled ATLS course in the end of may, as I could not get any dates before than that. This also consumed 5-6 days of my preparation time.
June 4th was my Part B exam and Part C two days after it. I tried to revise the questions and victoria Stacey once again for last week, but I still felt that there was much more to study.
The exam day: I was trying to get a wink of sleep the whole night, but couldn't as I was contemplating about the exam the next day. In the end, I had barely slept for 2-3 hours. I gulped up Red Bull for the caffeine boost ( I don't Drink Energy Drinks often by the way). I was also very amazed to see so many candidates from across the globe waiting outside the exam center. I felt a Lil pang in the stomach and decided to walk away as they were discussing so many topics I have never heard of, amongst each other. Finally, the moment of truth, the exam itself : it was tough, more than I expected.
One has to race against time while writing this exam, as 2 hours is very little for reading,analyzing and writing answers to 16 questions. After the exam, I was numb. I felt I did fairly well, but after coming out, while discussing answers with my friends, my fairly well thoughts, shrunk to thoughts that would I even pass. I had to recuperate and now think for an another monster to battle, Part C, which I didn't practice for a month, and which was in 2 days time.
Take home points for ADHD's among us:
Oxford Handbook Of Emergency Medicine
Victoria Stacey
Get Through Mcem Part B
Courses: BLS/ACLS, ATLS, PALS
Clinical Duties
4-5 months along with your clinical practice, with last month of 10-12 hours of dedicated study, preferably sans medical duties.
recalling NICE guidelines whenever you get the chance
Get Rid of your luggage for focused studies months prior to exam
Give mock papers, identify your weak links
Make notes in the book itself from other resources, for last min revisions
Well, all is good what ends good, I did pass the exams, both of them,
*A typical rough page to practice writing clearly in the exam
*My graduation Ceremony
I hope you at least have an orientation on what it is like to prepare for the exam. There might be many questions you might like to ask, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Share at will.
Part A preparation: http://drabidnisar.blogspot.com/2016/08/mrcem-part-a.html
Part C preparation: http://drabidnisar.blogspot.com/2016/08/mrcem-part-c.html
Soo kind of you to guide us
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