Katie Aoki, PGY1 Dept. Family Medicine uOttawa Medicine Class of 2015 Studying for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCCQE-1) Katie Aoki, PGY1 Dept. Family Medicine uOttawa Medicine Class of 2015

Strategy 101 Rule 1 – You’re not expected to know everything there is to know. The secret is understanding the structure of the exam and studying accordingly.

Exam format MCQ = AM (3.5 hours) *** lunch break *** CDMQ = PM (4 hours) MCQ = 196 questions in 7 sections. (1min 7sec/Question, ~30 min per section. CDMQ = 80 questions. (3min/Q) LMCC content page: http://mcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Exams-MCQ-candidate-instructions.pdf

Exam format Each section of the MCQ and the entire CDMQ has a mix of equally weighted topics: PHELO – Pop Health, Ethics, Legal, Organizational aspects Psychiatry Pediatrics Obstetrics and Gynecology Internal Medicine Surgery PHELO Int Med Surg Peds OBGYN Psych

MCQ There are some *test* questions embedded that won’t be part of your score. So don’t get nervous if a question is strange. You self-time the sections, they take as long as you want, but you need to get through ALL of them in the 3.5hours. After each section, the exam will re-calibrate so that you’re scoring at 50%. Do better on a section, it gets harder, do worse, it gets easier. http://mcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Exams-MCQ-candidate-instructions.pdf

CDMQ These are VERY similar to your past exams, but require some careful understanding of what they expect. Specific CDMQ instructions: http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccqe-part-i/clinical-decision-making/candidate-instructions/

How to Study My Strategy: Studied for 6 weeks + 1 day. 8am to 5pm +/- 1-3 hours at night Went out with friends 1-3 nights a week. 1 long weekend away.

My Strategy (cont’d) Self study and met up with friends. Didn’t attend B2B. Toronto Notes, Quizlet, USMLE World Qbank, LMCC Practice exams and the SIM website! Week 1 – PHELO* and Psych (diagnoses) Week 2 – OBGYN Week 3 – Peds Week 4 – Gen Surg Week 5 – Internal Med Week 6 – Review weaknesses + Practice Exams

Other Strategy Another friend: Studied part-time for 9 weeks, starting after interviews. 1-3 weeks per topic, kept to her schedule Went out weekends and evenings. Attended B2B and left to self-study in library if wasn’t listening. Used Toronto Notes, class notes, Canada Q Bank and did 1 LMCC practice.

Back to Basics Great overall review of all specialities Opportunity to ask experts about specific objectives Allows flexibility in your study time Allows to focus on weaknesses Helps you understand how to focus your studies Does NOT cover all the MCC objectives You are still responsible to study EVERYTHING!

Resources CanadaQbank - http://www.canadaqbank.com/ 1 mo = $65; 2 mo = $100; 3 mo = $135 People often say the questions here are vague and frustrating, don’t reflect the MCC. USMLEWorld - http://www.uworld.com/ 1 mo = $129; 2 mo = $179; 3 mo = $219 Questions a bit too intense, but a good challenge. QuizMD - http://quiz.md/ Free access Others: First Aid Q&A USMLE step 2 CK Kaplan Q&A USMLE step 2 CK Lange Q&A USMLE step 2 CK

Self Administered Exams MCQE-Exam 1 MCQE-Exam 2 MCQE-Exam 3 (Not the EE ones) $70 each, no answers, but VERY good practice

Main Points You are in the 4th year of med school and you know how to study to your strengths. Distribute your time evenly according to the topics. (ie. don’t get too involved in Surgery and Internal Med) Don’t waste your time worrying about failing, but also take this seriously. Roughly 98% of CMGs pass on their first try. Time is important, know your stuff well enough to answer questions in a timely manner.

In the exam Each section is designed for you to be answering 50% of the questions right.

Good luck!