OSCE preparation: 5 tips for preparing for the clinical Skills Exam (OSCEs)

1) Start preparation early

• think about the exam ahead of time. Get your head around what is expected, the format and the content. Even if for now it is having the syllabus in front of you so you know what is coming up, that is enough until the real heavy revision starts.

2) Put a timetable together

• Now I love a timetable. I advocate a ‘revision timetable’ to those around me. It allows you to structure your learning, pace yourself and will reduce stress. Have a rough layout of your plan in front of you to allow focus and reduce anxiety.
  

3) Find someone to practice with

• Find people to practice with. This may vary between one person, three people to even a group (which I wouldn’t advise, max three people). Bounce ideas around and concepts off each other and learn from each others mistakes and good points.

4) Learn from mistakes

• When getting feedback from people (whom you trust), any negatives should be seen as constructive feedback. The aim of revision is to practice and learn in order to improve. So if you got something completely wrong - learn, make right and move on!

  You should encourage people around you to give constructive feedback, do not shy away from it.

5) Find the resources that suit you

• Whether you love a book or online learning, find that “go to” resource to help you. This may be one book (i recommend OHCM/ OHFP*).

  Have 1-2 websites as reference for practice OSCE stations/OSCE videos (I recommend Geeky Medics and OSCE Stop). Don’t confuse yourself with lots of resources.

* OHCM: Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine; OHFP: Oxford Handbook of Foundation Programme