The OSCE Revision Guide for Medical Students

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Test specifications show how the test is designed, what it will assess and how, and how results will be produced and presented. The unofficial guide was my Bible for OSCE practice, it had everything you needed to know and more, an essential for all Finalists.” As part of our ongoing review and maintenance of the test, the following documents have been updated. Pease note the changes made are minor and should not impact on the preparation that candidates complete ahead of sitting their test. Candidates should continue to read the full exam instructions, and apply their skills and knowledge to the station or scenario that they are presented with. Our comprehensive OSCE revision guide has over 50 clinical examination guides across 12 chapters, including: Always begin and end a station with washing your hands! Not only is it just good clinical practice, this gives you vital and easy marks.

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These booklets give an overview of the CBT and OSCE, what candidates should expect on the day and how they can prepare. Each guide summarises the key points of a given examination and explains relevant clinical signs to help you ace your OSCEs! It can be easy to just wipe all memories of a bad OSCE out of your brain. However, if you write those errors down you can review them for your next exam and ensure you don’t make the same mistakes again. Talking to your coursemates about their experience can help too – no one said that you can only learn from your own mistakes. The marking criteria available to trusts and candidates have also been updated as we are seeing higher numbers of candidates attempting to rote learn the marking criteria. This is problematic as they no longer approach the assessment with an open mind and in some cases find the assessment challenging when presented with new or different scenarios.The updated marking guidance are more holistic and will give trusts and candidates the key points that that all candidates will be assessed on. They should be used by candidates to confirm understanding of the different skills that they need to demonstrate across the OSCE but the standards, code, and blueprint should form the basis of all teaching and learning. Candidates will still sit a 10 station OSCE but these changes will mean that there will be a greater selection of skills that could be assessed which will make the assessment less predictable. We will continue to develop new stations covering different skills and scenarios, so it is important that candidates and those supporting them incorporate the NMC blueprint and standards into their preparation for the test.

Concise, to the point and the key to passing any OSCE stations whether you are looking for a pass or a distinction. This book should be possessed by every medical student starting their clinical years.” We appreciate that OSCEs are often the most stressful exams you will take at medical school. This books aims to empower your examination preparation and help you on your way to excelling in the OSCE. We believe that fresh graduates have a unique perspective on what works for students. We have captured the insight of medical students and recent graduates in the language that they used to make complex material more easily digestible as students, with the reassurance of content review by senior clinicians. Don’t worry about making mistakes during the OSCE – you haven’t got time to panic. Stay calm, take a deep breath and continue as you were.Grab a fellow medic/friend/flatmate and practice regularly until your examinations are fluent and confident. Exam nervousness can affect your performance, so it’s better to be a bit overprepared than under. If your medical school allows you to practice with their equipment, then take advantage of those opportunities. If not, things like reflex hammers, blood pressure cuffs and penlights can be bought off the internet for a decent price. Remember to practice with a timer too as the minutes fly by in the real thing. We aim to release free practical scenarios that medical students can use to practice towards their OSCEs. Read the instructions carefully before you enter the station. It sounds silly, but people have been known to do the wrong examination in OSCEs (e.g. upper limb instead of lower limb neurological examination). If you don’t do what you’ve been asked, you just won’t get the marks.

The test specification for all nursing fields apply to adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities nursing and mental health nursing pathways. Always be polite, empathetic and honest to your patient. Listen to them carefully and let them speak. Thank them and the examiner at the end of the station. After all, they’ve given up their free time to help you. A significant amount of marks are often awarded just for demonstrating these generic communication skills, so don’t neglect them! On 2 August 2021, we introduced the Test of Competence 2021, to reflect our new standards for nurses and midwives. This product stands for quality All in one place: Step by step guides, over 100 OSCE scenarios: histories, examination, practical/communication skills, PLUS specialities including orthopaedics, paediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, prescribing, O&G, opthalmology, ENT.The CBT and OSCE information booklets for all nursing fields apply to adult nursing, children’s nursing, learning disabilities nursing and mental health nursing pathways.

Established in 2020, 7 graduating medical students came together with the aim of offering free educational content that medical students can use to practice for their OSCEs. This is Mrs Smith, who has presented with shortness of breath and a heart murmur. She is comfortable at rest, on 2 litres of oxygen. There are no stigmata of infective endocarditis. Her pulse is regular at a rate of 60BPM. It is slow rising and normal volume. Pulse pressure is normal. On auscultation, she has an ejection systolic murmur in the aortic area, radiating to both her carotids. S1 is normal with a quiet S2. There are no additional heart sounds. There is no evidence of heart failure. The following documents will support your preparation for the OSCE. We highly recommend you take the time to read these. We have also provided marking criteria for the relevant fields. Please note that this should only be used to supplement your education and learning.

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Dress professionally and accordingly to NHS dress code. Looking neat might not give you extra marks, but it does help you make a good first impression. Remember to tie up long hair, roll sleeves up above the elbows and take off your wristwatch. The range of OSCE stations covered were very good, especially at the beginning when I didn’t know where to start!”