You still have MCQs, EMQs and SAQs. But the proportions have changed!
Now you have more EMQs and less SAQs.
Personally, I am a little disappointed with these changes. The reason is that MCQs and EMQs test “recognition” whilst SAQs test “recall” of knowledge. Granted that EMQs can allow testing of more complex understanding than MCQs. Still there is no getting away from the fact that even EMQs test recognition. Now you may ask what is so wrong with ‘recognition’ and why should ‘recall’ be considered superior? The reason is that our patients, ward rounds, clinics and indeed most other clinical encounters do not come as ‘multiple choice questions’ or even ‘extended matching questions’, but rely on recall of knowledge, i.e., the domain tested by SAQs. So, for MRCOG to remain ‘valid’ and ‘fit for purpose’ it needs to reflect the needs of clinical practice, and thus SAQs need to be a central part of it.
Enough of my theoretical meandering, I hear you say, and what of my pragmatic self? The pragmatic me says ALL exams are a game, and only a fool complains of changes in the rules of the game. A smart candidate will study the rules carefully, and play the game well. You can find out the new rules at:
http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/uploaded-files/Ex-Part-2-Format-Sept2010.pdf
Good luck!
Arri