An unusual post- a rant!!!

There is probably no other test in med school where you are told the content that is being examined, the details of how you will be examined, the actual marking sheet, and also be given the EXACT details of the content if you bothered to attend.

Even if you did not attend, you could just copy it from a friend- as it is going to be examined.

You are given MULTIPLE reminders- the TOSCE cases will be taken from you weekly module cases.

Yet, people choose to ignore this fact.

It reminds me of a chinese saying- 不听老人言， 吃亏在眼前. For those of you who do not understand mandarin, it's english equivalent is "if the old dog barks, he gives counsel". However, it's literal translation is more rich, when it actually states that if you do not listen to advice given, then your loss is right in front of your eyes.

Anyway, if I was the examiner, I would have failed everyone else in my group. It may seem harsh, but it's a fair fact.

If you had read the 15 cases you had (10 considering the fact that 5 had been used the previous day):

-You would have known right from the first question "What is your name?" - John Smith, that it was the exact same history as what you received for the module case titled "Renal calculi"

- You would have known the problems he has, and ask the relevant questions

- You would have been reminded that there are 10 questions you need to ask if a patient presents with pain

- You would have been alerted to the fact that you would need to ask questions related to the urinary system.

- You would have known been told what the investigations were for a renal calculi, including the use of the word "modality"

- You would have learned the different types of stones that present in the kidney

- You would have learned what kind of imaging you would use

- You would have come across how to treat this problem, both if it is big and small.

- You would not have looked blankly at the examiner as though you had a thyroid gaze!!!

If you had been to the ward tutorials:

-You would have been reminded that you need to wash your hands with the gel provided

-You neeed to ask the patient if he has any pain before you touch him

-You will have learned that there are 8 groups of lymph nodes in the cervical region and 5 in the axillary area, and you would have learned how to feel for them!!!

- You would have been told to practice eliciting a reflex, and how to properly position yourself so that you can actually swing the hammer without any problem!!!

And if you had been to the "Mock" Exam, you would have been given the EXACT mark sheet used, so that you could practice the tasks itinerised on it!!!!

SO if you didnt do the above, then you deserve to fail, but please, please do not involve ME in the process, do not pull my grades down because of your incompetence!!!

IF I have never seen you in class before, then you should fail your exams! Medicine isn't a distance learning course, if it was, I wouldn;t be here!!!

IF you are repeating the year, I expect you to at least know something, so that you will be able to pass this time round, instead of failing again!!!

IF you show upat 8.55am- 5 minutes before the exams, demanding to attend it, when you were given notice to be there at 8.30am, then you shouldn't be allowed to sit it!!!

n.b. I am not without flaw, but at least I take advice that is given, and I do my best- the rest is up to God and to fate. All I ask is that you do the same- take some advice, take this advice!!!