by Dr Wan Zhang (exam 2021)
- Preparation for the Exam
- What you should read
- How you should study
- Flashcards
- as you read articles / summaries you should be developing flashcards of core information
- this can be done electronically such as ‘Anki’
- there is no point reading anything, if you don’t remember it
- Flashcards
- Study Group
- This is vital
- You can not pass this exam without practising with others
- Ideal number : 4-6
- Frequency of meeting: weekly (twice a week in final months)
- How should it run
- study plan
- criticism
- development of study material
- Get some advice
- Tutorials
- leading up to the exam, get as many tutorials as you can
- confirm what you read
- gives you perspective on common conditions
- puts you under the pump
- Subjects
- Specialities (it is important to cover these areas)
- Shoulder
- Spine
- Hip
- Knee
- Foot / Ankle
- Hand and Wrist
- Tumour
- Paediatrics
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Specialities (it is important to cover these areas)
- leading up to the exam, get as many tutorials as you can
- Past registrars
- those who have passed the exam are an invaluable resource of information and advice
- Tutorials
- Expose yourself to criticism and scrutiny
- Study Group
- Tutorials
- Case conference
- Outpatients
- Meetings and Clinics
- Set 5 preparation
- Leave entitlements
- Rotations
- Bone School
- Suit and instruments
- Preparing
- Presenting
- Pressure
- Look after your health
- fitness
- mental
- dietary
- Research Presentation
- This is a necessary component of the Exam process
- It is important to obtain your required research points earlier
- Failure to do so may stop you from sitting the exam, or add to extra stress / distraction that may lead you under perform
- AAOS Exam
- There is a lot of contention regarding the usefulness of this practice exam and the correlation between it and the real FRACS exam
- Your performance during this exam is probably related to the amount of study your able to do during the second have of SET 4 – which is quite variable. ie. If your SET 4 post is incredibly busy, you’re unlikely to have the time to study for this early practice exam.
- So don’t worry if you do badly at it – you still have time to pick up your game and pass the exam.
- Having said that. no one who has won the AAOS prize has failed the exam!
- Pre-Exam Course (If it still runs)
- This course is absolute gold and will allow you to polish your skills and iron out some nerves.
- run under exam conditions
- practice your technique
- It is held interstate a week before the exam
- Take it very seriously
- It tests 3.5 parts of the 5 exam components
- This course is absolute gold and will allow you to polish your skills and iron out some nerves.
- On the day of the Exam
- How to Approach
- Multiple choice questions
- Friday morning paper
- 2 hours
- 75 mcqs – 5 True / False (375 questions)
- need approx 75% to pass (standardised bell curve > -1 SD below mean to score 3/4)
- purely factual
- only approx. 10% repeat questions
- Preparation
- past 5 years JAAOS articles
- Prepare flash cards for everything you read
- practice past questions
- iSAWEs and Essays
- Afternoon paper
- 2.5 hours
- iSAWEs
- 10 x 6 minute short answer questions
- based on a short vignette and a clnical photo or xray / ct / mri
- Preparation
- study group – prepare practice iSAWEs
- practice structure and timing
- Tips
- read the question
- write in point form
- Generic surgical questions
- 2 x 15 minute short answer / mini essay questions
- based on a context that can be generalised to other surgical specialties
- Essays
- 2 x 30 minute essays
- Assesses
- Perspective
- Clinical assessment and investigation
- Management – nonoperative, operative and rehab
- Preparation
- past papers
- discuss in study group
- Tips
- Read the question
- every word in the question is there for a reason
- Perspective statement
- Tailor it to specific case
- Start with a plan and have a clear structure
- Read the question
- Investigations (CIM – Clinical investigations and management) (1 session)
- Saturday
- 30 minutes – 5 cases
- Assesses
- Clinical assessment and workup
- Use of investigations – biochemicals, imaging, histology
- Preparation
- Practice with study group
- St Vincent’s tumour meeting
- know background of every investigation
- know tumour principles – staging and biopsy
- Operative Computer Stations (Op Surg) (2 sessions)
- 2 x operative sessions – Saturday
- 30 minutes with 2 examiners – 5 cases
- Preparation
- Practice – study group, theatre, bone school
- see as many ‘uncommon’ cases as you can
- Hoppenfeld (approaches and anatomy)
- Campbells / Wiesel’s
- Tips
- Strat with perspective statement and “answer the question”
- Briefly mention non-operative management but remember it’s an operative station
- say what YOU would do
- know the principles and draw on past experience
- Clinical Stations (2 sessions) (Computer based if due to Covid)
- 4 cases – 35 minutes, 3 cases – 35 min
- History and Examination videos – can be asked to be replayed, but careful this can take away time for answers / discussion
- Tips
- Introduction
- Answer the question
- Structure
- Wash hands and thank patient
- Precise demonstration of signs
- Interpretation of findings and diagnosis
- Establish rapport
- Multiple choice questions