Everyone knows that going to medical school is extremely difficult. It’s not just the rigorous material they need to learn or the challenges they face in their practicums. On top of all that, they also need to study for challenging tests for their classes and for their licensure. While the MCAT is what most people think of for medical students, there are medicine and pediatric exams that medical students will have to take before they are free to practice as MD’s. These med ped tests are a critical component of their career path. And without passing them, these medical students will never progress into their licensure. Here are some tips for practice review for these exams.
Take a Step Back
Taking a step back from the material is an important part of preparing for your exam. This can mean taking a break from studying, going for a walk or doing some yoga, or meditating. Giving your brain a rest from the material can actually help it process and remember key details. These momentary breaks help relieve stress as well, which can also help medical students prepare for these exams.
Memorize the Basics
Start by memorizing the important themes. Whether you need to understand the mechanisms of a disease process or the tests that can help you diagnose illnesses, you want to understand the big ideas before you try filling in the details. The basic facts about body systems, common diseases, and medications are essential for success on the exams.
Review Question Types
There are going to be different kinds of questions on the exam, so you need to review using different kinds of questions. While you can answer a question in a basic way, are there other answers to that same question? For example, if a question asks about a specific disease, you’ll want to make sure that you understand what that disease is before answering. What problems does the disease cause, are there treatments available, etc.? If there are multiple parts to a question, then make sure that each part is understood before proceeding further into your answer.
Choose a Test-Taking Strategy
When you are preparing for your medical or pediatrics exam, it is important to choose a test-taking strategy that works well for you. Some people take practice tests until they feel confident with the material and the way that the tests work. Others like to find review questions and memorize the answers. There are different methods, but finding the right one for you is important. You can also purchase a test prep course to help you prepare for the exam. Some exams come in multiple parts that can be done over more than one day as well. You can decide if you’d prefer to do it all at once or take your time if possible.
Make Notes in the Margins
Taking notes in your books, workbooks, and notebook can help you remember key facts that you will be tested on. Another great tip is to highlight definitions, keywords, and phrases that you’ll need to remember later. You can even underline important parts of the text in your books or make other words bold. As you do this, it helps to summarize key ideas in your own words to show that you’ve internalized the most important facts. Flashcards can also be a helpful tool if you like studying that way as well. Review is very important when preparing for exams in medicine.
Don’t Forget to Breathe
Being under pressure can make your stress levels rise very quickly. And when you have a lot of stress, it makes it more difficult to breathe and relax. It’s important to stay calm, focused and relaxed not only during the exam but while you study as well. A few deep breaths can go a long way during the exam. When you get to questions that feel challenging, close your eyes for 2-3 seconds and take a big, deep breath in. Slowly exhale, then read the question again. Some exams let you go back to questions later if you have time. If this is the case, move on to a question you feel more confident answering.
Conclusion
Reviewing for your medicine and pediatrics exams can be hard. It’s important to take a step back and think about what you know and what you need to learn. Set yourself up for success by making notes in the margins of your textbook or notebook and choosing a test-taking strategy that works best for you. Don’t forget to take breaks when you study and to deep breathe during the exam.
