Your Tools to Pass the MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 Examinations
Practices, hard work, self discipline along with many hours of studying are the keys you need to pass the MRCS1 and/or MRCS2 (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons) examinations. Along with these key necessities, there are tools available to aid you on your way to MRCS success. Two of the most efficient and comprehensive study tools for the MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 examinations are: lecture courses and online courses. Each tool can provide you with comprehensive information and review for your MRCS training. Below we have dissected the tools to find the pros and cons of each.
MRCS1 and MRCS2 Lecture Courses
Registering for MRCS Part 1 and 2 lecture or classroom courses can be
an advantageous experience for junior doctors. The experience of a course
will allow students to practice both MRCS 1 and MRCS 2 exam questions
in a quiet classroom setting, very much like the conditions of the MRCS
examination. You are given such benefits as; being able to ask a knowledgeable
lecturer any questions that may arise and receiving constructive criticism
and feedback from the lecture in order to reveal your weak points; allowing
ample time to correct weak areas before the actual MRCS1 and MRCS2 examinations.
Lecture courses expose students to the MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 examination conditions in order to minimize fear and nervousness before the exam and to instil a sense of self confidence which is vital for your MRCS exam date. There are several companies that provide lecture courses for the MRCS exam, each approaching the exam preparation in a separate way. Below is a compiled list of what to look for during your MRCS1 and/or MRCS2 lecture course selection.
MRCS1 and MRCS2 Interactivity
The biggest benefit you can receive from attending MRCS 1 and MRCS 2 lecture courses is to be able to participate within the lecture and to challenge yourself with the practice questions provided. Interactivity is very important. Being able to answer the MRCS questions personally and seeing the results of your answers can be a big indicator of what you know and how much work you have yet in front of you. Many MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 classroom courses only allow for one participant to answer a question, while the other participants merely listen. Other MRCS classroom courses allow for each participant to answer every MRCS 1 & 2 question and then view their personal results, along with their results in comparison with their peers. When looking for a course to register for, make sure to look if they allow for interactivity or if it is merely a MRCS1 or MRCS2 classroom lecture, the distinction could be the difference between a MRCS pass and a MRCS fail.
The MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 Lecturer
It is a good idea to look at who will be providing the vital information and practice questions during the MRCS classroom course. Having an experienced and well trained lecturer not only ensures that the course is informative, but also allows you to walk away with a greater understanding of the material. A 6-day lecture course taught by an experienced lecturer can leave you feeling prepared and ready, whereas a 6-day course taught by an un-trained lecturer can leave you feeling more confused than when you stared your MRCS training.
Length of MRCS Classroom Courses
Courses can vary in length from 2-7 days. It depends on if you are trying for MRCS Part 1, MRCS Part 2 or both MRCS1 and MRCS2. A 6-7 day course will provide information for both MRCS 1 and MRCS 2. Other courses available are between 2 and 4 days long. These courses focus on either MRCS1 or MRCS2.
6 or 7 day courses allow for participants to come during the first 3-4 days to study MRCS Part 1, the last 3-4 days, to study MRCS Part 2, or the full 6-7 days for both MRCS1 and MRCS2. If you are looking to study both MRCS1 and MRCS2, a 7 day course will leave you better prepared than a course of a shorter length. You will cover vital information for both MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 without having to sign up for two separate 2-4 day courses.
MRCS lecture courses can be very informative and you will find yourself in the company of an experienced tutor to use at your disposal as well as a body of your peers to aid you on your path to MRCS1 & 2 success. Of course when registering for a lecture course you are committing several days to the course. Many people find that these courses don’t fit very well with their present schedule or that there isn’t a MRCS 1 or a MRCS 2 lecture course offered in their geographic area. For the people who need a high level of flexibility, lecture courses are not an option, fortunately there is another MRCS1 & 2 training tool left to discuss that offers a high level of flexibility.
Click here for all Lecturer courses offered on MRCS
MRCS 1 and MRCS 2 Online Q-Banks
Online Q-Banks are wonderful for Junior Doctors who cannot commit to a schedule of a MRCS lecture course. E-courses are highly flexible and allow you to study at anytime you choose from any computer with internet access. MRCS1 or MRCS2 online courses allow you to study at your own pace, either by reviewing past information or jumping ahead to new topics. Below is a list of features to look for before choosing an online MRCS course package to purchase.
MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 Questions
Not only is the number of MRCS questions available important, but also the format of the questions, the selection process for using the questions and whether they have been classroom tested for the MRCS1 and MRCS2 or not. Since the aim of taking a MRCS online course is to better prepare you for taking either MRCS 1, MRCS 2 or both examinations, look for an online course that provides questions in the exam format; it will help better prepare you for the actual MRCS examination. While studying online using provided questions, it is handy to be able to select questions by topic, specialty, or even difficulty level. This way you can focus better on your weak areas, or to just practice specific specialties of MRCS1 or MRCS2 questions. Not only will it aid in your studying, it can also make the MRCS training a little more fun!
MRCS1 and MRCS2 Mock Exam
The best way to feel prepared come MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 examination day is to have done the exam in the past, so as to have a general idea of what to expect. It helps to take nervousness out and put confidence in its place. Some MRCS online courses provide you with mock exams to practice with, others merely leave you with review questions and a few notes. The MRCS1 and MRCS2 online courses with mock exams are conducted in examination format and can be completed at your leisure. Once an MRCS mock exam is completed it is sent in and results are sent back to you in a timely manner. The results you receive show weak and strong points in your knowledge, which further directs your studies. Mock exams are wonderful aids in MRCS preparation, check if the e-course you will register for provides you with this invaluable service.
MRCS Interactivity
Some MRCS online courses leave you to study on your own by only providing information, with no help from an online tutor or a discussion forum. If an online course will work best in your schedule, make sure they provide you with either an available online tutor, so as to email questions, or an online discussion board for the discussion of MRCS1 and MRCS2 topics with your peers. If you can find a programme with both an online tutor and a discussion board, you found the perfect MRCS online course, as you will find that interactivity is going to help you more than you thought in your MRCS 1 and/or MRCS 2 preparation.
MRCS online courses provide students with a high amount of flexibility that lecture courses lack. You can use all the resources on your own time, and still have access to the same amount of comprehensive information that you would otherwise receive in a MRCS Part 1 or MRCS Part 2 lecture courses. They can provide a certain amount of interactivity, but cannot replace the amount you can receive in a MRCS classroom course.
These tools, MRCS lecture courses and online courses, are going to be essential for both MRCS Part 1 and MRCS Part 2 examination success, either by using either tool or both to fulfil your specific needs. Hopefully the tips we have provided you with will help you to find the perfect MRCS tool that will fit your schedule and study habits.