This examination has no well defined curriculum as it tests all those areas of professional knowledge, skill and values which reflect the consensus of what comprises good practice in the NHS today. The examination is divided into four modules, allows three years to pass the various modules, which could be taken all in once or singly in any order. Each module costs £200.
Four modules are; paper one, paper two, the video and the vivas.
Paper One (written paper)
This consists of 12 or more questions to be answered in three and half hours. They consists of questions designed to examine the ability to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and professional values (modified essay questions), questions designed to test knowledge and interpretation of general practice literature (hot topics), questions designed to test ability to evaluate and interpret written material (critical reading).
Paper Two (MCQ paper)
This is a multiple-choice questionnaire, which tests general medical knowledge and critical reading. The questions are based on article and reviews printed over the past 18 months. No negative marking, so it is important to answer all the questions.
Video
You need to submit seven consultations of a maximum duration of 15 minutes, of which one should involve a child and one should be of psychological nature.
The video workbook clearly outlines the marking criteria and you should analyse your videos in accordance with these. Remember to keep your consent forms. You are also required to submit certificates showing you are competent in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in child health surveillance.
Vivas
There are two 20 minutes oral exams about six weeks after the written papers, usually held at the end of June. This tests your decision making and professional values underpinning it. It consists of two consecutive oral examinations conducted by two examiners, each lasting 20 minutes. Practice vivas in your study groups or within your trainer.
The most important revision method is to use your own experiences throughout the year as a foundation and select appropriate reading to strengthen the areas of weakness. Keep a diary of events to cover difficult clinical and non-clinical issues, which arise to use for reflection and learning.
The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced a set of interactive educational self-assessment programs on two CD-ROMs (PEP-2000) – Medical and Primary Care, contain up-to-date and instructive programs on the on a range of primary healthcare related subjects. One of the programs contains a number of sample questions from the MRCGP exam. The program has been developed to help you to identify strengths and the weakness in your knowledge base, and is good way of preparing for the MCQ exam.
Further information
Contact The Royal Collage of General Practitioners at www.rcgp.org.uk/membersh/exam/index.asp or phone 0207 581 3232 for regulations, an application form and a video workbook.
Hints and tips
· Check the closing dates for applications and send them off in good time.
· Start your preparation early. Avoid cramming.
· Develop a study group with similar motivated colleagues/friends. Keep the number small (four to six) to encourage motivation and to prevent isolation.
· Keep up to date with topical issues and you must read widely particularly BMJ, BJGP, Drugs and Therapeutic Bulletin, and MeReC, the Medical Research Council Bulletin. Other weekly news publications are also helpful and can keep you up to date with political issues.
· Consider attending a course – there are several on offer:
Barnet critical reading course, London (Tel 0208 732 4833)
Pastest course (Tel 01565 755226)
RCGP (Tel 0207 581 3232)
Royal Society of Medicine, London (Tel 0207 290 2900)
· Switch on your video early
· Read the questions carefully. Think what you would do in real life.
· Templates can be useful way to jog the memory, but to show you really understand the issues, imagine what you would do in the case of a genuine patient.
· Remember that what you learn is for life, not just for the exam.
For further guidance please contact: guidance@kemc.org.uk