Approach to MRCPCH

Written Questions

ELBA
BA
Part 1 Exam
Structure
2013
Paper 1A: Foundation of Practice
Paper 1B: Theory and Science of Practice

1A 1B
2/3 1/4
1A Foundation of
Practice
6-12 months of hospital Practice.
Community
Primary care practice.

DCH GP
1B Theory & Science of
Practice
Problem-solving skills
Basic Science Level one
Level Two
Level Three
Basic principles of science
related to clinical Practice
 Part One Exam
Format
1. Extended Matching 12X9 (3X3)
2. Multiple True / False 15X5 (1X5)
3. Best of five 48X4
BEST =
All might be correct but
What is the most correct?
Most likely
Most common,
Best investigation,
Most important etc.
MRCPCH Part 1 pass mark
Modified Hofstee method
1. Exam board assess the question difficulty
2. Estimated Value of candidates answer this question
correctly
3. Pass mark boundaries
4. Pass rate boundaries
5. Cut-off point is identified after candidates scores
6. Compare boundaries with the actual candidates'
performance
7. Hofstee graphs designed and pass mark is taken
8. Standard Monitoring Meeting
Part Two Exam
Format
1. Best of list
2. Number from many
3. Extended matching

1. Photographic material
2. Case History
3. Data interpretation
MRCPCH Part 2 pass mark
Modified Angoff methodology
1. Setting an absolute standard (the knowledge base
expected of a competent, newly appointed, registrar)
2. Grading each item of the exam paper and estimate the
percentage of borderline correct answers
3. Receive the exam papers the day after the exam for 2
weeks and independently set the grade
4. Angoff meeting, individual judgment and panel discussion
5. Each judge scores again
6. candidates performance in the actual exam is then
revealed and the judges give final estimates
7. Aggregate mean becomes the pass mark for the exam.
Part 1 and 2 pass marks
Part 1
Modified Hofstee method
Comparing candidates among each
others
Part 2
Modified Angoff method
Comparing candidates against standard
of newly competent registrar
 Questions
Idea
1.Solid basic fact ... Knowledge
2.Critical thinking ... Approach
3.Word precision Inspection
 7 Rules of
Question
1. Manage Time:
approach
2. Read carefully:
Dont leave Q. to the end; immediate response.
Highlight & Summarize the key words.
3. Precision words: Take care of always & never.
4. Anticipation: Answer before looking then search.
5. Loop feedback: Check again if conflict is there.
6. Question type: facts = no thinking ;Know or dont know.
7. Guessing: If you dont know and guessing is reasonable.
 the
Questio
n
How
to
Answe
r
Anatomy of
question

Screen options
Anatomy of
question

Highlight Keys
Anatomy of
questionConcise Qs

1. Patchy
2. Cells
3. Eosinophils
4. Mucosal
Cows milk
Anatomy of
questionConcise Qs

1. Ectatic
2. Lacteals
3. No inflammation

Lymphangiectasia
Anatomy of
questionConcise Qs

1. Crypt
2. Hyperplasia
3. Villous
4. Atrophy
5. Lymphocytes
Coeliac Disease
Anatomy of
question
Search
Answers
Anatomy of
question
Feedback
Anatomy of
questionDelete wrong
Anatomy of
question
Respond
Anatomy of
question1.Screen options
2.Highlight keys
3.Concise Qs
4.Search
Answer
5.Feedback
6.Delete wrong
7.Respond
THE
END