1. MCQs and Oral Exam Tips in Family Medicine Residency ProgramsBy
Dr : Mohamed Salem
Assistant Professor Family Medicine
Suez Canal University
5th October 2016

2. Objectives To be well prepared to MCQs based exams
To be well prepared to Oral based exams

3. Introduction Please answer the following questions :
How to go through to finish MCQs book ?
What is the way you follow in MCQs answer ?
What is your experience in previous oral exam tests ?

4. Tips to Improve MCQs Learning
Write personal learning plan to study MCQs, put plan for certain months to finish certain MCQs books
Study in a group – colleagues or friends
Do not look just for the answer for one single MCQ ,go through details of explanation and if needed to update knowledge of that concerned topic
Write short notes as reminder for particular emerging deficiencies in knowledge
Disease comparisons may enhance ability to remember the differential diagnosis
Concentrate understand and conclude what is really meant by given information – ask experts if in doubt

5. Tips to Improve MCQs Learning
Revise common topics in family medicine - based upon needs and experience
Concentrate upon weaknesses from previous MCQs MOCK exam results
Start by 5-10 questions per day or every week - then increase it gradually till you reach maximum tolerated number in one week or month
Mock exams should be done periodically during learning cycle – American Board Exams – could be training in academic days
Mistakes should be revised periodically to enhance mental ability to remember knowledge
Take suitable period of time to make final revision on mistakes and personal notes written before final MCQs Exam

6. Tips to Improve Answering Skills of MCQs
Look for key words in stem of the MCQ may facilitate the answer
Guess the answer if can not reach the answer by grammar or whatever similarities
Find correct answer by process of exclusion:
- First delete the apparently incorrect answer
Any answer partially incorrect delete it from your choices
If two choices are similar both are incorrect
if two choices are opposite to each other , one of them is the correct answer
If one choice is different from the rest, consider it the right answer

7. Tips to Improve Answering Skills of MCQs
Respect logical thinking and background clinical experience (risk factors and medications).
In cases of controversies , respect previous answers from MCQs books
Don’t postpone documentation in answer sheet

8. Tips to Improve Answering Skills of MCQs
Use all exam time ,don not finish early (not privilege)
Take suitable period of time to make final revision to avoid silly mistakes
No change of answers unless you are sure that the first choice was absolutely wrong

9. MCQs Examples
Responses that use absolute words, such as "always" or "never" are less likely to be correct than ones that use conditional words like "usually" or "probably."
"Funny" responses are usually wrong.
"All of the above" is often a correct response. If you can verify that more than one of the other responses is probably correct, then choose "all of the above."
"None of the above" is usually an incorrect response, but this is less reliable than the "all of the above" rule. Be very careful not to be trapped by double negatives.
Look for grammatical clues. If the stem ends with the indefinite article "an," for example, then the correct response probably begins with a vowel.

10. MCQs Examples
The longest response is often the correct one, because the instructor tends to load it with qualifying adjectives or phrases.
Look for verbal associations. A response that repeats key words that are in the stem is likely to be correct.
If all else fails, choose response (b) or (c). Many instructors subconsciously feel that the correct answer is "hidden" better if it is surrounded by distracters. Response (a) is usually least likely to be the correct one.

11. Oral Exam Tips
The oral exam is an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, presentation/speaking skills, ability to communicate and good practice for job interviews!
The exam can be formal, or informal, listen carefully to the question, and answer directly.
Formal exams follow a list of questions in a prepared format. The criteria for evaluation is usually set in a right/wrong format, and can be competitive.
Informal exams are more open, responses are usually longer, and evaluations can be more subjective. Answers are often less exact (right/wrong), and value is added for problem solving analysis and method, as well as interpersonal communication and presentation.

12. Components to a Successful Oral Exam: A) Preparation :
Ask Faculty : to give you a few practice questions and critique your performance.
Study : If you do not study, you will not do well.
Search Department rules: oral exam rules .
Write out questions you expect to be asked, then
- Discuss answering with people in the field or who have had the test. Practice answering with colleagues - Verify the date, time and location; confirm these with your instructor

13. Components to a Successful Oral Exam: B) The Exam :
Professional Appearance : Create a good impression - Dress well and appropriately, turn off cell phones
Arrive at the Exam location early : To check out the situation - This is a time for relaxed focus, not for review.
At Exam : Introduce self - Give the instructor all attention; look interested and smile! Keep good posture and eye contact .
Stay focused and Alert  through the interview - Be an intelligent listener as well as talker.
Do not ramble or rave : if you can not answer , ask if you could outline how you would find the answer, solve the problem, or the method you would employ.

14. Components to a Successful Oral Exam: C) Things go Wrong :
Maintain self-confidence if you feel the interview is not going well..
Answer questions with "yes" or "no“ is not appropriate ,Use two or three elements to demonstrate knowledge
Pay attention for time management ( the examiner looks at the clock, moves the chair back)
Ask if there is anything you want to add
Thank the instructor or examiner

15. Components to a Successful Oral Exam: D) Follow Up :
Performance : Where you did well or poorly - Keep a written record
How to improve
Note significant "event" during the interview
Speak to instructor if there is concern regarding the material or performance.
Feedback to Department

16. Oral Exam Examples : Community Medicine Basics
Family Medicine Principles and primary health care
Chronic Disease Management Model and Care
Ethical Dilemmas
Screening and Preventive Activity
Epidemiology and Emerging Diseases
Evidence Based Medicine
Quality and Audit
Accreditation Standards
Research principles and methodology
Practice Management and strategic planning
Problem Solving Skills
Patient safety and infection control
Mental Health
Geriatric Care

17. conclusion Practice in group Study with colleagues
Ask experts (seniors)
Get advice from your advisor
Try and Repeat

18. Thank You
Any Questions