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"I am an FY2 doctor and enrolled for my MRCS OSCE relatively early as I wanted to complete it before moving on to my run through training in neurosurgery starting this August.
After enrolling for the exam, I found that I didn't have quite as much revision time as I had anticipated (job interviews, on calls, the usual excuses!). It was then that I remembered how quickly and efficiently the pastest website has allowed me to prepare for Part A, so I went back to the site.

I then found out that pastest had started a new section on clinical examinations, communication skills and history taking for the OSCE. The scenario content and the way it was handled was a direct reflection of the OSCE itself. Another useful aspect of the videos was the accompanying explanations and tips given - they highlighted how to transfer the skills learned in one video to similar scenarios in an exam situation.

One always wonders what other people say in their viva exams and what exactly the ideal candidate would say and how they would come across. Watching the pastest videos is like being a fly on the wall in the star candidates actual exam! In addition to picking up the "hard skills" and specific examination techniques required to comfortably pass the exam, I found that the confidence I developed from knowing what to expect was great. Watching the videos took away any anxiety regarding what sort of stations would appear and the level of skill needed to pass them. That left me free on the day to focus on my "soft skills", make my patients comfortable (hopefully!) and think laterally where required. Watching these videos carefully meant I knew what was coming and could work quickly and confidently through the examination sequences . I cannot overstate the relevance of the communication skill videos - they give you all the information you need to handle this difficult area in a slick and competent manner that will ensure you get the available marks. If you find yourself struggling in a station, the specific and generic skills absorbed by watching the videos bail you out and can make the difference between a fail and a pass for that station.

After taking the exam, it became clear to me that a lot of research had gone into choosing the themes for the pastest videos (ie - what really does come up on the day) and conducting them in a manner to achieve highly on all domains of the marksheet. I would highly recommend that candidates preparing for the exam watch these videos at least once each and making notes to reinforce key messages. It is a highly efficient way to cover the relevant material in a way that will prepare you for the exam - and more importantly for day to day work with patients as a surgical trainee"

Ms R De Souza MRCS