Effective MRCS A1 and MRCS A2 Examination Techniques

18 Effective MRCS Part A1 and MRCS Part A2 Examination Techniques

  1. Start early! Make a MRCS preparation plan early and try to stick to it. If you are still learning information right up to the last few minutes before MRCS A1 or MRCS A2 examination time, you will not remember all the information. In face start studying TODAY!
  2. Get into the right mindset. A positive MRCS attitude can take you a long way
  3. Relaxation exercises, such as yoga, are good for clearing the mind, getting it ready for the next onslaught of MRCS Part 1 or MRCS Part 2 studying.
  4. Practice Practice Practice!!! You can never be too well prepared for the MRCS1 & MRCS2! Those that have taken the MRCS A1 & A2 in the past have always left giving the advice to practice, practice, and practice!
  5. Get plenty of sleep prior to the exam. If you are too tired when you go into the MRCS Part A exam your will not perform at you best.
  6. Don’t cram before the exam. It can only lead you to second guessing what you already do know about the MRCS, and lead to poorer results.
  7. Make sure you are properly registered for the MRCS 1 or MRCS 2, and that you know when and where it is taking place.
  8. You may have the opportunity to go to an MRCS 1 & 2 residential classroom course, use it to your full advantage. You could also read a book on exam technique.
  9. Don’t drink the night before the exam. Always a mistake…
  10. Revise actively; don’t just read through MRCS notes and textbooks. Make your own revision notes, look at material and jot down what you recall and go back to the original to see what you remembered. Your own notes will be more helpful before the MRCS1 and MRCS2 exam, than another person’s notes.
  11. You are more likely to remember something if it is relevant to you in some way. See if you can associate it with something else, remember it in sequences or do something with the information which will help you to remember it later. And practice the tricks you find useful, this will help you remember everything with ease on the day of the MRCS A1 and MRCS A2 examinations.
  12. Make a study schedule, and STICK TO IT. Find obtainable goals and reward yourself accordingly.
  13. Exercise, such as aerobics or running, can stimulate your brain into more activity when trying to remember all the MRCS information you are faced with.
  14. The internet can provide much review and vital information if you know where to get it. Q-banks and e-videos can give you the MRCS exam preparation you need to obtain a ‘pass’.
  15. Take practice MRCS Part A1 and MRCS Part A2 mock-exams under exam constraints. This will help you find out your pace so that during the actual MRCS examination you don’t run out of time.
  16. Plan ahead for anything prior to the exam. Make sure you know how to get to the testing place and leave early in case of a late bus or train or an alarm clock malfunction. You don’t want to show up for the MRCS1 or MRCS2 late and in a panic.
  17. Stay calm and in control. If overcome with stress, take a break and do something social, it will help in the long run. If you continue working without breaks, eventually you won’t be able to go on. Instead get some fresh air and have some fun
  18. Use memory strategies, flash cards, cassette tapes, mind maps, or enlist the help of a friend who is also studying for MRCS1 or MRCS2.
  19. Don’t forget to keep a sense of proportion; there is life after the MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 exams.

On the Day of the MRCS Part A and MRCS Part B Examinations

  • Make sure you know where to go and when to be there by, give yourself a time cushion. Plan ahead for everything, an alarm clock malfunction, a late bus or train. You don’t want to show up for the MRCS Part A feeling flustered and disorganised.
  • Take a beverage and some sweets with you, keeps blood sugar and attentiveness up.
  • Steer clear of the before exam talk and rising group panic, it will only make you loose your calm.
  • Before you dive into the exam, take a deep breath and remind yourself to read each question carefully before answering. But don’t forget to pace yourself and allow enough time to answer every question, blank answers get the same score as wrong answers so you may as well take a try at each one.