We asked our customers what one piece of advice they would give to future candidates.

Here's what they said:

1. Take an evening, maybe even several weeks before you start studying, to understand what the layout of each paper is and what the content is. This would have put me on the straight and narrow earlier.
   
   
2. Do not just do MCQs. Read around topics, then do MCQs once you have built a good base of knowledge.
   
   
3. Don't take the exam for granted! The volume and minute detail tested is absurd, so study hard!
   
   
4. Start early. Don't be daunted. Loads of MCQs online. Give yourself two hours study six days a week. You'll get there.
   
   
5. It's not an easy exam, it needs good preparation, revise as many questions as you can. Make sure that you are able to manage your time properly during the exam – it’s time challenging.
   
   
6. Go through the anatomy videos and AT LEAST a third to half of the questions to be prepared. Use a basic sciences book for revision on top of this.
   
   
7. Attempt the difficult Pastest questions first so that even if you don't find time to complete all questions, you'll still be confident (I could only finish 2000 of the 3000 odd questions).
   
   
8. Lots and lots of questions – Don't try and memorise the answer, try to understand why it is the correct option.
   
   
9. Focus on basic physiological concepts.
   
   
10. Be calm on the day of the exam. Nerves can be your worst enemy. Also your first answer is most likely the right one, so resist the temptation to change answers in the last minutes.
    
    
11. Read your question carefully the first time, you have no time for a second look. Be confident in your first answer, most of the time it is the correct answer (learnt this the hard way).
    
    
12. Complete the Pastest MRCS Part A question bank. Do questions first off as 'unseen questions' then redo incorrect questions after completing question bank.
    
    
13. Start as early as possible. Solve as many questions as you can. Balance your study time between the basic sciences and the clinical science. Believe in yourself.
    
    
14. Do as many questions – but also noting quality over quantity: read around topics that you make repeated mistakes on or if explanation from questions are inadequate.
    
    
15. Do thousands of questions! Learn anatomy early and systematically.

Read our MRCS Part A blog - How I Scored 89% in the MRCS Part A Exam