SP 4.01 Mock It to Make It – The MRCS Mock OSCE
Susan Cull, Rosemary O’Donoghue, Jim Ballard, Claire JonesAbstract
Aim
To create a high fidelity, low cost, sustainable mock OSCE to improve candidates’ confidence towards sitting the MRCS part B exam and hopefully improve attainment. Northern Ireland previously had no MRCS part B revision courses.
Method
Approximately 4 weeks prior to each diet of the exam we delivered a mock OSCE of 10-12 marked stations blue printed against the MRCS part B exam and syllabus. Each session comprised of an overview of the exam, 2 examined circuits, 1 feedback circuit and a refreshment break. All faculty volunteered and examiners had to have previously passed their MRCS exam. Candidates filled out a feedback form at the end of the session and were contacted by email after publication of exam results to confirm if they had passed or failed.
Results
49 candidates attended the Mock OSCE over 10 sessions. 42 completed feedback forms and 48 responded to emails following their exam. The mean confidence level towards sitting the exam prior to the session was 2/5 and following the session increased to 4/5. Out of 49 candidates, 47 passed their subsequent exam, 1 failed and 1 did not respond, giving a pass rate of ≥95.9%.
Conclusion
It has been possible to run a high fidelity, low cost, sustainable MRCS part B mock OSCE which improves candidates’ confidence when approaching and sitting the exam. With ≥95.9% of candidates passing their subsequent MRCS part B exam it is possible that it may contribute to exam attainment.