Everyone learns differently. One of the most frustrating things when you’re working out how to prepare for an exam are the conflicting absolutes that people will insist are necessary to pass (“you must have a study group”, “you have to use this resource”, “you need to have covered every topic 6 months before the exam so you can revise them all”, etc…). Ignore them. They are typically biased towards what they themselves did because it worked – and that surely means it’s the right/best/only way to do it!
Below are some recommendations from study experts. They may work for you or they may not. I recommend at least trying them out, as they are mostly evidence-based and have worked for many others, but don’t persist if it isn’t right for you.
List in progress
- Vary your study techniques
- Have a range of techniques that you can rotate between to stay fresh and maintain focus, or to be productive when feeling tired or while eating/exercising/commuting/etc.
- e.g. reading texts, watching videos, listening to podcasts, writing practice SAQs, flash cards (physical or electronic), talking about cases or topics with colleagues / study group
- 50 minute ‘sprints’ then 10 minute break (leave your desk)
- Or other variations of the Pomodoro Technique
- Change topic each hour
- Least favourite topics first
- Record self answering questions
- Listen – evaluate content & voice tone
- Posture, body language, facial expressions, voice,
- Volume, pitch, resonance, diction, pace, pause
- 1 hour test e.g.
- 30 MCQs in 25 min
- 1 SAQ in 9 min
- Record 5-6 active reading questions in 15 min
Access Anaesthesia 