This exam is for the theoretical knowledge. It needs a very hard study plan. Your preparation should be exam targeted. My own advice for the first run, is to start by MCQ books study it chapter by chapter and after every chapter you should read it from a text book thoroughly.
You need at least 3-4 months for preparation.
Study plan:
Don’t waste much time trying to memorize every detail on the books, they just give you general ideas.
– Make short notes for large topics especially those with differential diagnosis (interstitial lung disease, bone tumors, Phacomatosis … etc.).
– Solve as many questions as you can.
– Study each system with its MCQ for 2 weeks at least, then 2 weeks before the exam go rapidly through all systems and most important MCQ books.
– Split time between study and MCQ 50/50.
– Make one or two revisions.
– Exam will not be like the exam books, so read everything thoroughly to increase your knowledge and experience to be able to think fast in the exam.
Strategy inside the exam:
Time management is very critical. You should solve 10 questions every 15 minutes (or 20 questions in 30 minutes).
– If you can, look at the answers first before you go through the question.
– Never leave a question blank. Solve all the question at the first run then come back to the hard flagged ones if you have time.
– Careful reading of the question head, very tricky. Don’t depend on the buzz words, the rest of the question head describes something against.