Hello friends!
Today I am here with a post that's specifically fir my medical peers. This is the first time I am posting something which has a target audience. It’s about after completing your medical school, how can u just nail pne of the postgraduation board examination in Pakistan namely, FCPS part 1 conducted by a body known as College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). The purpose of writing this post is to spread awareness among my juniors who would wish to do postgraduation in Pakistan after cimoleting med school. I felt that there is a dire need to guide my juniors regarding this essential matter in the life of a doctor and there are very little platforms in our country from where you can benefit in this regard!
For those who are unaware of it, this exam can be given in any speciality of your choice after which you have to get inducted for 4 to 5 years of training in that speciality in CPSP recognised tertiary care hospitals. The speciality that I have chosen is Pathology and thanks to Allah that I have cleared FCPS part 1 exam in it. Therefore, below I will discuss how to nail this exam in Pathology.
However, first I would like to tell you about Pathology as a field and why you can consider it as your speciality. Basically, Pathology is a bridge between basic sciences and clinical specialities. I was always fascinated at how microscopy and laboratory testing can yield definitive diagnosis of a vast majority of diseases which can greatky impact treatment. This field is further sub-divided into haematology, histopathology, chemical pathology and microbiology. You can choose anyone according to your interest. The combination of laboratory work, research opportunities and undergraduate teaching along with a good work life balance that this field offers actually sparked my interest to pursue my career in it. Now lets talk about how to clear FCPS part 1 in Pathology!
Firtly, the exam was very basic, there were one liners as well as scenario based questions too.
Everybody has their own style and pattern of studying. I will share my own.
I completed theory system wise simultaneously from Pathoma videos(watched majority of videos except few chaps due to less time but they were helpful in making and retaining concepts ) and 4 books: Brs physiology, First Aid systemic pathology, Brs pathology, and Rafiullah golden files which is given system wise too. See only important topics of pharma , embryo and anatomy from first aid systems while doing each system. Make a target to complete these things in 1month 20 days.
Then I did general pathology and immunology from brs pathology (first 10 chapters) with Rafiullah general pathology and immunology chapter. I also skimmed immunology chapter from first aid esp transfusion, transplant and hypersensitivity reactions topics.
Next do microbiology from first aid (whole). U may just see antibiotics superficially from its pharma portion. And then do microbiology chap from Rafiullah simultaneously.
After these do minors from Rafiullah. They are given chapter wise.
Most important minor with respect to pathology exam is histology especially epithelium of different bodily structures. Also always do see histology written anywhere in first aid while u are doing systems so that when u do this topic from Rafiullah u may compare the epitheliums and correct them from first aid.
This should be done in 20 days. I had 3 months in total so after all the above stuff I was left with 20 days in which I did sk 16 past papers: all medicine, surgery and anasthesia papers. I skipped gynae and radiology papers because of shortage of time. Then I did sk pathology. I started from most recent papers and 2022, 2021,2014 and 2016 paper. Some senior said to do 2014 and 2016 papers so I did them too since CPSP sometimes repeat questions from old pastpapers. And most importantly I did 2023 Feb and May pathology.
Finally, for the end I made a list of important topics which I needed to revise just before exam so that I won't forget and did revise them from theory books and Rafiullah. Lastly, a day before exam I revised sk16 amd sk Pathology past papers which I solved previously.
This was my study schedule. U may have a different one so adopt the one that suits you. I wasn't into job so 3 months were good to go but if u have a job then I would suggest keep a range of 4 months.
Tips:
1. Study with concepts plus rote learning wherever needed.
2. Stay focused and don't waste time on social media please.
3. While solving past papers, confirm the answers directly from standard theory books like fa and brs. This will save you from wasting time on watsapp groups controversial answers.
4. Don't waste time on controversial mcqs.
5. Maintain a proper and healthy routine.
6. Sleep well daily plus before the day of exam.
7. While attempting the exam, keep an eye on time although time was quite sufficient for me.
8. For any documentation issue, email to cpsp directly rather than wasting time by asking unauthorized individuals. They do reply on email.
9. Most importantly, while offering prayers daily, make Dua and also ask your family to pray for you. Seek Allah's help in every matter. Give your best and leave rest on Allah. Allah knows what is best for you so always ask for that from Allah. And everything that happens happens with order of Allah so place your trust in Him.
10. Most important topics for pathology exam:
Microbiology, immunology, blood chapter including leukemias, lymphomas. Histology epitheliums, general pathology topics like cell injury, apoptosis, necrosis, thromboembolism.
Biochem topics like inborn errors of metabolism, genetics, vitamins and dyslipidemias.
That's all
I hope my medical viewers will find this post helpful. Feel free to ask any queries.
All the best!
