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As an international medical graduate, there are several postgraduate qualifications that can help you get GMC registration in the UK and one of them is the MRCS. The Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is an intercollegiate qualification awarded to trainee surgeons. It allows them to enter higher specialty training in the NHS. Besides, this qualification is respected internationally and gives your surgical career a strong start.

The MRCS exam has two parts: Part A, which is a multiple-choice written exam, and Part B, which is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The MRCS Part B OSCE is the final step and tests both your knowledge and practical clinical skills. To help you perform well, let’s look at some common mistakes candidates make and how to avoid them.

• Not preparing for all stations

  Many candidates don’t prepare properly for all stations, which can affect their overall performance. OSCE stations cover different areas such as anatomy and surgical pathology, clinical and procedural skills, and communication skills.

Solution: Make sure to study all types of stations. Practice with scenarios like mock exams and focus on areas where you feel less confident. Getting feedback will help you identify and improve weak areas.

• Poor time management

  Time management is a common issue, as candidates often spend too much time on one station and then feel rushed for the rest. In MRCS Part B, there will be 18 stations, each lasting 9 minutes. So, it’s important to manage your time effectively to finish each station within the time limit.

Solution: Use a timer while practicing to simulate the real exam. Learn to pace yourself so you can complete each station within the time limit.

• Ignoring instructions and marking criteria

  Not reading instructions carefully or missing key points in the marking criteria can cost valuable marks.

Solution: Always take a moment to understand the instructions and focus on what is required. Cover all the points listed in the marking criteria to ensure you get full marks.

• Overlooking clinical reasoning

  Some candidates only focus on performing tasks but forget to explain why they are doing each step. This can affect their score.

Solution: Along with performing procedures, explain your reasoning clearly. Justify your decisions and, if possible, mention alternative methods.

• Forgetting patient safety

  Neglecting patient safety measures, like hand hygiene and infection control, can lead to errors and lost marks.

Solution: Always prioritise patient safety. Follow basic principles such as washing hands and using proper infection control measures. Practice these steps regularly so they become second nature.

By avoiding these mistakes and following these simple tips, you can improve your performance and clear the MRCS Part B OSCE. If you are preparing for MRCS Part B General Surgery or MRCS Part B ENT, StudyMRCS offers expert-led courses to guide you every step of the way. Feel free to contact us to know more.

Authored By: Sarath