My Plans for passing the MRCPath Part 2 Medical Microbiology & Virology

Submitted by amh10 on 28 May, 2008 - 10:05

The exam itself is in three parts. The first two parts are written papers with short answer questions, essays and journal evaluation papers, followed by the practical exam. The practical exam consists of clinical scenarios with samples to be processed, as well as short "spots", covering a wide range of isolates.

There are no practical revision courses for the MRCPath as far as I am aware, In March 2008, there was a short talk at the national Society of General Microbiologists meeting. The abstracts book can be downloaded from here. On page 14 is a short abstract. The following points were mentioned:

  • On average 6-9 months of preparation is required.
  • I am using the Medical Bacteriology book as well as Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology, in conjuction with the HPA SOPs.
  • Practice journal evaluation, as you only have 40 mins for a critical appraisal,
  • It is good to spend 5 minutes organising your essay before writing, perferably with a spider diagram.
  • Lots of labs use different loops, and other lab eqiupment. You are allowed to bring your own disposable loops, swabs etc.
  • Practice, practice practice all laboratory procedures.
  • External courses, eg Mycology courses (see below).

 

Useful Links:

http://www.aclinmicrobiol.org.uk/index.php?id=50

http://www.trainingininfection.org.uk/IntegratedCRD.nsf/TII_Courses?OpenForm

AMH.

 

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