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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

So, I have been asked yet again about "Hot Topics" for the MRCOG exam.

I find a question about the "hot topics" is the second commonest question from exam candidates; the commonest being the "pass rate" for the exam.  I find both questions pointless. Let me take the second question first: whether the pass rate is 15% or 50%, this average is pretty meaningless to you as a specific exam candidate. Your chances of passing depend on your preparation, knowledge, your luck (on having essay questions you have rehearsed) and other factors. Knowing the pass rate for Mr Average is neither here nor there. Pondering over this is wasting your time. Your preparation determines which side of statistics you are.

Now to the issue of hot topics.  Everything in the MRCOG syllabus is hot topic. The MRCOG exam WILL examine you on a broad range of O&G subjects through MCQs, EMQs and SAQs. Nothing can be overlooked, nothing should be ignored.  There really is no point in pursuing "hot topics", so don't waste your time on this. A related problem is when tutors start to do "exam question prediction". They use complicated algorithms, witchcraft and a crystal ball to predict questions for you....again a waste of time.

Having said all this, if you still press on with "hot topics", here is what I would recommend:
a) all green-top guidelines, esp those that came out in the last 2 years are hot topics,
b) all recent NICE guidelines on O&G subjects are hot topics
c) HPV vaccination and screening,
d) swine flu, swine flu vaccination and pregnancy,
e) the recent CMACE reports
f) HMB - heavy menstrual bleeding
g) Topotecan for cervical cancer
h) Reducing cesarean section rate
i ) non invasive feta RhCE genotying in maternal circulation
j) ellaOne emergency contraception
k) hypertension in pregnancy
l) laparoscopic treatment in cancer,
m) GI disease and pregnancy, and
d) subjects that have appeared in TOG in the past 2 years

Arri