Overview
This lecture covers a structured strategy for medical school finals revision, focusing on identifying core content, efficient resource use, active learning techniques, and systematic progress tracking.
Challenges in Finals Preparation
- Medical finals require mastering a vast amount of content with limited time.
- Only about 20% of learned material typically appears on the exam (80/20 rule).
- Key challenges include identifying essential knowledge and maintaining broad subject coverage.
- Building your own resources from scratch is time-consuming and inefficient.
Building a Resource Database
- Start with a comprehensive revision course book as a foundation (e.g., from a finals revision course).
- Organize notes into major topics like cardiology, endocrinology, pediatrics, etc., in a dedicated folder.
- Expand notes during clinical placements and revision sessions by adding information on identified gaps.
- Supplement missing topics by sourcing additional concise notes online.
Practice Through Questions
- Use multiple choice questions (MCQs) to simulate exam conditions and apply knowledge.
- Modern MCQ banks like Zero to Finals offer detailed, scenario-based questions with explanations and linked resources.
- Short answer questions (SAQs) help self-assess recall and understanding; create your own if none are available.
Tracking and Repetition
- Create a tracking table listing topics and recording scores for each attempt at MCQs and SAQs.
- Aim for 3–5 repetitions of each topic before exams, focusing extra repetitions on weaker subjects.
- Use digital tracking tools (e.g., Zero to Finals member site) to monitor progress and prioritize weak areas.
Revision Technique: The Testing Sandwich
- Each study session starts with SAQs to assess baseline knowledge.
- Follow with active read-and-recall revision to embed information.
- Finish with MCQs to test application of knowledge and record scores.
- Prioritize weakest topics in subsequent repetitions to ensure full curriculum coverage.
Final Exam Preparation Phases
- Two weeks before exams, switch to rapid testing (mainly SAQs or spaced repetition tools like Anki).
- Focus on drilling key facts and identifying last-minute weak areas for targeted revision.
- One to two days before exams, rest, sleep, and avoid heavy revision for optimal performance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- 80/20 Rule — 20% of content typically constitutes 80% of exam questions.
- MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) — A question format with several possible answers.
- SAQ (Short Answer Question) — A question requiring a brief written response.
- Testing Sandwich — Study session structure: SAQs, active recall, then MCQs.
- Spaced Repetition — A learning technique that spaces review of information for optimal retention.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Organize and gather core notes and resources for each key topic.
- Regularly practice using MCQs and SAQs, tracking progress with a table or digital tool.
- Implement the testing sandwich method in revision sessions.
- Two weeks before exams, focus on rapid testing and review weak areas.
- Rest adequately one to two days before the exam.