This blog post is aimed to explore the 3 Ws of the MRCOG part 2 exam. It may ease your journey to get through this tedious and nerve-wracking exam. The first thing before embarking upon this journey is to know your 3 Ws.
Why do you want to take it?
What is the right way to prepare for it & What to study?
When is the right time to take it?
I hope if you keep reading this blog till the end you might clarify these Ws.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT?
This is the answer which has to come from YOU. You need to decide and know your WHY. Here I can help you decide by quoting just one sentence from RCOG website “MRCOG: A global exam. The Gold Standard Qualification in O&G”
WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PREPARE FOR IT & WHAT TO STUDY?
This is a long answer and I will try to explore this step by step.
Understand the exam:
The first step is to understand what is this exam all about and what is expected from you in MRCOG part 2 exam. It is to demonstrate that your knowledge is of a level of “Competent ST5 according to RCOG curriculum”. Visit the RCOG website and go through the MRCOG part 2 section in detail. It clearly mentioned the format of the exam, syllabus, modules tested and details of all topics in each module. Most of the candidates keep asking What to study? So RCOG website is the best and most authentic source to answer this. Do not forget it's a UK-based exam and you need to prepare according to that standard, regardless of your job status in practical life. For example, you might be working as a senior consultant in your workplace, but you need to think & act like ST5 for this exam. It is essential to understand how things work in the UK system being an overseas candidate is not an acceptable excuse.
Plan the exam:
Once you decide to sit for the exam, you need to plan well ahead of time with adequate preparation. It is generally recommended that if you are sitting for the first time, at least 6 months of dedicated study time are required and if it is your second attempt onwards, then 3-4 months are adequate. In my opinion, it all depends on your personal & professional circumstances. So there is no hard and fast rule. All you need to keep in mind is that MRCOG part 2 requires sheer hard work, serious commitment and an in-depth understanding of Ob/Gynae. This has to come from self-motivation and persistence to achieve your goal. You can seek guidance from others but all the hard work has to be ultimately done by you.
The approach of the preparation:
You must decide your approach towards the exam. This is a fast-paced world of internet & technology. First, you need to decide whether you prefer to study in hard form or soft form, how well-versed you are with the latest technology and how much are you willing to invest in the latest gadgets. I suggest that for this exam it is a MUST to be updated in the required knowledge which is only possible if you are familiar with the proper and positive use of your smartphones & tablets (as almost all of us have it these days). Look at those gadgets with a new vision and as a potential source of your success. You do not need flagship devices but you must analyse what's best for you and how you can take maximum benefit from whatever device you have. This is the single most important change you will need to adapt in your approach towards the exam. Late Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) played a very important role in my MRCOG journey :)
Gather the reading material: