THEORY EXAM

Theory exams are a way for you to show

what you have learned.

Unlike an objective test, essays exams are

not checking to see if you have learned

certain pieces of information.

Instead they give you an opportunity to

show how you can apply what you know

and come to conclusions about what you

have studied.

What we hope to see is analysis of the

material (showing how it breaks

logically into parts) and synthesis

(how the parts relate to some larger

whole) in your answers.

There is more to an exam than sitting

down and writing everything you know

before you forget it.

Before the Exam

Start preparing for your exams.

Plan reviews as part of your regular weekly

study schedule; consequently, you review

over the whole quarter rather than just at

exam time.

Tips on writing the essay-type examination

The well-organized, neat-appearing

individual will usually get the nod over

another equally capable person who is

disorganized and careless in appearance.

Although other factors are involved, the

analogy to examination writing is a skill.

This skill can be improved by practice.

Before you write

Read all questions before you start to write.

As you read the questions, make sure you understand what you are being asked.

Answers will come to mind immediately for some questions

As ideas and examples come to you, jot them down on scratch paper or on the back of the test so that you won't clutter your mind trying to remember everything

Outline the answer before writing.

Whether the teacher realizes it or not, he/she is greatly influenced by the compactness and clarity of an organized answer.

To begin writing in the hope that the right answer will somehow turn up is time consuming and usually futile.

To know a little and to present that little well is, by and large, superior to knowing much and presenting it poorly--when judged by the mark it receives.

Set up a time schedule.

If questions for 100 mark are to be

answered in 180 minutes, allow yourself

only 15 minutes for each 10 marks.

When the time is up for one question, stop

writing and begin the next one.

There will be 30 minutes remaining when

the last question is completed.

The incomplete answers can be completed during the time.

Six incomplete answers, by the way, will usually receive more credit than three completed ones.

Of course, if one question is worth more points than the others you allow more time to write it.

The examiner can't give you any credit for a question you haven't attempted.

Partially answering all questions is better than fully answering some but not others.

Budget your time according to the point value of each question, allowing time for proofreading and any unexpected emergencies (such as taking longer than you expected on a questions or going blank for a while.)

Work on the "easiest" parts first. If your strength is essay questions, answer those first to get the maximum points.

Pace yourself to allow time for the more difficult parts.

•One of the biggest problems students have (other than failing to prepare correctly) is running out of time.

•Plan a time budget and stick to it.

•You can always go back to a question that is giving you problems after you answer all the ones you do know.

•By spending too much time on a difficult question early in the test, you could lose credit for questions that you knew the answers to.

you are not penalized for incorrect responses.

Save time at the end of the exam to review your test and make sure you haven't left out any answers or parts of answers.

This is difficult to do under the stress of exams, but it often keeps you from making needless errors.

While you write

Be sure your answer has a definite response that directly answers the question.

State this within the first few sentences of your answer.

Provide specific as well as general information in your response by including examples, substantiating facts, and relevant details

Write legibly.

If your mind goes blank or you don't know much about a question, relax and brainstorm for a few moments about the topic.

Recall pages from your texts, particular lectures, and class discussions to trigger your memory about ideas relevant to the question.

Write these ideas down as coherently as you can.

If you find yourself out of time on a question but with more to say, quickly write down in outline form what you would write if you had time.

Make sure you write the correct question number.

CLINICAL EXAM

LONG CASE SHORT CASESORALSWARD ROUNDS

Main reasons when case presentation fails

Main reasons when case presentation fails

1. Not enough preparation

2. Not enough knowledge

3. Anxiety / nervousness overcomes you

4. Not seen a similar case before

5. Over-confidence

6. Language restraints

Not enough preparation

Number of cases presented is directly proportional to the status of preparation

In most of PG teaching programs, it is difficult to find a person to present.

Lack of regular PG teaching programs.Not exposed to different methodology of

examination ( examiners)

Not enough preparation

No schematic protocolPractice makes you perfectSpeaking diseaseSee more number of casesMake a habit of writing the case sheetPresent to your colleagueDon’t look at the x-ray first Think / write your line of management

SPEAKING DISEASE

It may start night before examinationFear of presentation ( speaking)Fear of examiner and others presentFear of mistakesYou may get obsessed with the greatest fear

of all, best expressed by Roscoe Drummond

“ The mind is a wonderful thing – it starts working the minute you are born and never stops until you get up to speak in public”

Roscoe Drummond

How do you deal with it?

Anxiety is a natural state that exists any time we are placed under stress.

Examination normally will cause some stress.Don’t worry, it is normal.The trick is to make your excess energy work

for you.When you learn to make stress work for you,

it can be the fuel for a more enthusiastic and dynamic presentation.

Tips for reducing anxiety

Organize – knowing that your thoughts are well organized will give you more confidence, which will allow you to focus energy into your presentation.

Visualize – Practice – BreatheFocus on relaxingRelease tensionMoveEye contact with all examiners

Make a habit of writing case sheets

Writing the IP case sheetsAnd Cases presentedKeep time limit

Think / write your line of management

Investigations can be writtenCan write management when practicing

assuming your diagnosis is correctIn exam don’t write, only thinkYou have written D/D Think of management of those.

Not enough knowledge

To some extent directly proportional to the time spent on preparation

Nobody can help you if you don’t know basics.

Some times you know , but you forget.Answer is more workRead about management of every (exam)

case you see in your ward.

Common Exam cases

Osteomyelitis AVNSec OAPerthesTuberculosis osteoarticularCoxa VaraNerve injuriesGenu Varum / Genu Valgum

10 most human fears in USA

1. Speaking before a group

2. Heights

3. Insects and Bugs

4. Financial problems

5. Deep water

6. Sickness

7. Death

8. Flying

9. Loneliness

10. Dogs

Not seen a similar case before

Practical problem in some centersTalk to your teachersPrograms like this are little too short and

cannot have personal attention to the extent desired

PG training programs???

Over-confidence

Should be confident You can stick to your answer if you are sure

of what you say.Don’t argue, you can discuss.Unfortunate, but sometimes, toe(w) the line

of examiner.Any body can be wrong.Realize that you are on the other side of the

bench

Language restraints

YOU CAN ASK FOR TRANSLATORShould never be a problem.It should not / will not matter

Examiners faults

1. Could be wrong

2. Other examiners will bring it out during discussion

3. Cannot do it in front of you

4. Different views

5. No uniformity in some topics

To conclude

Steps for a winning presentation

Quote relevant points from recent journals – creates an impression

Whatever statement you make, Define your objectivesAnalyze your audienceConstruct your presentationPractice, practice, practice, practice, practice ……