MCCQE Part I:
What to Expect
Dr. Debra Pugh
March 17, 2014
MCCQE Part I
• Based on MCC objectives
• CanMEDs framework
• 6 disciplines
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Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics
Psychiatry
Surgery
PHELO (population health, ethical, legal, organizational aspects
of medicine)
MCCQE Part I
• 3 ½ hours,
morning
–196 MCQs
• 4 hours,
afternoon
–~80 CDMs
MCQ
CDM
75%
25%
MCQs
• 7 sections
– 28 MCQs in each
– 4 questions per discipline + 4 pilots
– ~ 30 minutes per section
• Computer-adaptive testing
Computer-adaptive testing
• Tailored to the ability of each candidate
• Based on performance
• Slightly easier or harder questions
in next section
CDMs
• Not computer-adaptive
• 45-55 case descriptions with 1 or more
questions
– ~80 questions in total
– ~ 3 minutes per question
– Includes 10 pilot cases
CDMs – Short Menu
• ~10-40 options
• Follow directions closely
– “Select one”
– “Select up to 4”
– “Select as many as appropriate”
CDMs – Write-in Questions
• Record only one answer per box provided
– Score zero otherwise
• Be specific
– “Hyperthyroidism” not “Thyroid disease”
• Use generic names for drugs, specify dose
and route if asked
• Use single word or short phrases
DSM-V
• Where appropriate, Psychiatry questions will
include both DSM-V and DSM-IV (in
brackets) terminology
Depersonalization/derealization disorder
(Depersonalization disorder)
Exam Strategy
• Manage your time
• Answer all questions
– If you have to “guess” at an answer, try to
eliminate as many incorrect answers as possible
• For CDMs
– Follow directions (select up to 3 answers; write in
one answer)
– If “select as many as appropriate” choose only
the answers that make sense
• Penalized for selecting too many unnecessary
options
How to Prepare
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Study groups
Lectures (Back-to-Basics)
Review MCC objectives
Review exam demos
Practice examinations
Resources
Resources
• Many resources on MCC website (mcc.ca)
– Complete list of objectives
– Demos of instructions for CDMs and
MCQs
– Examination demos
– Self-administered exams ($)
Objectives
MCCQE Part I Demos
• Free demonstration available on MCC
website
http://mcc.ca/
→ Examinations
→ Qualifying Examination Part I
→ Reference Materials and Resources
→ Examination demo
Exam Demos
Other Demos
• Instructional videos for the MCQ and CDM
components
– become familiar with the examination
interface and functionality
– highly recommended that you review
(~ 40 minutes in total)
Self-administered examinations (MCC)
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96 MCQs
4 “forms” available
Receive feedback on performance
~ $68 per test
The Basics
• Know where you are going
• Show up at least 30 minutes early with your
entrance card and ID
• Arrive rested and well-fed
• Relax!
– Everything you have learned in the past 4
years has prepared you for this
Questions?
dpugh@toh.on.ca