1. Recent Experiences of the Exam Constance Wou July Adapted presentation from Emmeline Watkins and Jonathan Fok

2. Aims of the session: - To give tips on how to approach scenarios and preparation - To outline the set up on the day - To discuss recent scenarios

3. Preparing for the exam
Started seriously around 6 weeks before the exam
Lots of practice scenarios – some have better answers and actor briefings than others, most in older format (presentation style)
Practiced with a mixture of registrars and consultants, also practiced with non PH.
Watch other people doing scenarios – useful phrases, approaches
Lay definitions
Mixed reviews on the book – practice questions and videos
Filming yourself/making your own questions?

5. On the day Arrive early Dress professionally A lot of waiting around
Jess/Martin
On the day
Arrive early
Dress professionally
A lot of waiting around
No food provided
To drink or not to drink?
Check venue the night before
Food – can take your own lunch – needed if you are on the afternoon shift, not if you are there for the morning.

6. On the day admin Reception and waiting area Paper checks
Locker and key
Verbal briefing / instructions by examiner
Last chance for a pee!
Feels like a long wait

7. Remember the competencies
Presenting communication skills (verbal and non-verbal)
Listening and comprehending
Assimilation of relevant information
Reasoning, analytical and judgement skills
Conflict, challenge, uncertainty and the unexpected

8. Exam format 8 minutes preparation time 1 minute outside exam room
Jess/Martin
Exam format
8 minutes preparation time
1 minute outside exam room
8 minutes in exam room
Also 1 minute outside prep room

9. 8-1-8 The exam 8 minutes preparation time Time flies by – don’t panic
Jess/Martin
The exam
8 minutes preparation time
Time flies by – don’t panic
1 minute warning
Don’t leave anything behind
8-1-8
Going into the room – individual rooms – desk, pens, highlighters, paper.

10. 8-1-8 Read the question! Check you have the right scenario/question
Jess/Martin
Read the question!
8-1-8
Check you have the right scenario/question
Written on door and scenario in prep room
Often a lot of clues in the title and introduction
Task stated clearly
Examiners are not trying to trick you!

11. “He who fails to plan, plans to fail”
Jess/Martin
“He who fails to plan, plans to fail”
8-1-8
The task
The audience
The purpose of the scenario
Practice this.

12. 8-1-8 Anticipate Look for the win-win Who are you meeting?
Jess/Martin
Anticipate
Who are you meeting?
Who do they work for?
What are their responsibilities?
What do they know/ understand about the situation?
What will they want from this meeting?
What might we disagree on?
What do we have in common?
Look for the win-win
8-1-8

13. 1 minute outside exam room
Jess/Martin
The exam
8-1-8
1 minute outside exam room
Check you have the right scenario!

14. ‘Last minute’ preparations
Jess/Martin
‘Last minute’ preparations
8-1-8
Remind yourself:
Who will you be talking to?
What will they want from this meeting?
What is your overall PH “strap line”?
What are your 3 key PH messages?
Your opening sentences

15. ‘Last minute’ preparations
Jess/Martin
‘Last minute’ preparations
8-1-8
Get into ‘the zone’ – you need to be calm and focused but also energised
Don’t act up – be yourself, just a more confident and decisive version of you!
If you don’t feel confident – FAKE IT
First impressions count:
Knock decisively
Shoulders back, walk tall, head up and SMILE!

16. Jess/Martin
The exam
8-1-8
8 minutes in exam room

17. Practical issues 8-1-8 Name badges Focus on role player, not examiner
Jess/Martin
Practical issues
8-1-8
Name badges
Focus on role player, not examiner
Some scenarios may be filmed, or have observer – warned in advance
1 minute warning – summary and actions
Leave scenario papers
Take folder
If you finish early – start preparing for the next one!

18. Make things easy for the examiner
Jess/Martin
Make things easy for the examiner
Speak clearly
Signpost what you intend to cover
Demonstrate
Listening – make sure you answer their questions
Eye contact
Check understanding – “is that clear?”, “does that make sense?”
Be aware of non-verbal clues e.g. Trying to speak
Avoid jargon and other technical terms
Pitch conversation accordingly
8-1-8

19. General points 8-1-8 Don’t make things up – stick to the scenario
Jess/Martin
General points
Don’t make things up – stick to the scenario
If you don’t know the answer, say so, and that
you’ll find out and get back to them later
If it all goes wrong, admit it, and start again
Do use background knowledge to strengthen your arguments
Always have a plan of immediate actions needed
to summarise discussions
Arrange follow-up meeting
Send further information etc
8-1-8
On going wrong – if you misinterpret a graph, or explain something incorrectly and realise, say what you’ve done, apologise for any confusion, put it right, check understanding and then get back on track. Far worse to realise you are wrong and carry on hoping that no-one will notice (they will).

20. Jess/Martin
Balanced viewpoint
8-1-8
Consider and acknowledge advantages and disadvantages
Signpost role-player to other sources of information/ follow-up if appropriate
Don’t commit yourself to unrealistic actions

21. 8-1-8 Afterwards You will probably feel exhausted
Jess/Martin
Afterwards
8-1-8
You will probably feel exhausted
But… you got through it! 
Don’t worry what other people did/didn’t say
Not long to wait for results
Limited feedback – pass/fail