Back to the Grind: CAP and NAC OSCE!

 

Hello everyone!

Life has been BUSY in a good way! I can finally say Hubby & I have unpacked and settled into our new home. We’re loving it 🙂

I recently learned I got into the CAP program again. Here is my blog post from the first time I got in. This is a mandatory test we have to take if we want to apply to University of British Columbia’s residency training programs. It is competitive to get selected, only 200 spots. I took this exam in June 2017 and received my scores. After reviewing my scores I felt I had a chance to improve on them and have opted to repeat the exam and apply to CaRMS with the updated score in November 2018.

I am also busy preparing for my retake on the NAC OSCE. I last took it in 2014 and had average scores on this. We were not able to retake it once we passed it…that is until March 2018! Now that the Canadian Medical Council is allowing us to retake the exam, I grabbed the opportunity to boost my score and use this towards my upcoming CaRMS applications. Hoping for more interviews (more chances to match) with this!

How am I preparing for the CAP and the NAC OSCE? 

1. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses. Targeting my weak areas so that I can score better in the next round.
2. Study buddies! In person and over Skype! Very helpful to have good people to work with so that we can learn from each other and motivate one another! 🙂
3. I have signed up for Medical Training Express. They provide online live NAC prep courses. I used their live prep courses for the MCCQE1 and I passed the exam using their help and guidance. I really liked their method of teaching. I feel these exams are definitely NOT about knowing everything…it is about studying SMART. Focusing on Canadian healthcare relevant high yield material and knowing where to get the most points!
4. Books: OSCE and Clinical Skills Handbook, NAC OSCE – A Comprehensive Review, Master the NAC, Toronto Notes. (Maybe too many sources can get over whelming but unfortunately there is not really one book that will help you cover everything. Pick and choose a little from each.) If you are purchasing these books online always look for coupon codes to knock off atleast $10+!
5. Continuing my traineeship, so what I learn through studying I am applying to patients.
6. BE POSITIVE. This whole process is mentally, physically and financially exhausting. In March (after going unmatched) I tried to pick up the Toronto Notes and start studying again….only to break down in tears and ended up more frustrated. I allowed myself to grieve for a few weeks, traveled and enjoyed life. Now I think I am ready to start up again in full swing! We just have to keep at it. I hear about success stories of people I know who matched this year and it just gives me more hope that it can happen sometime soon. Let’s not give up just yet, until we have done everything we can 🙂

Hope this helps! Let’s work at this together! What are you prepping for? What are you doing to improve your next CaRMS or ERAS applications?

Peace, love and happiness always!