Tips & suggestionsTips & suggestions

Examination Examination

Theory and PracticalTheory and Practical

Dr. Anil Kulkarni, MS. MirajDr. Anil Kulkarni, MS. Miraj

Theory Paper Theory Paper

Clean and neat front pageClean and neat front page

Only official entry Only official entry [ do not write something like shree , somebody [ do not write something like shree , somebody prasanna, tribute to your parents or some deity prasanna, tribute to your parents or some deity etc.]etc.]

No instructions to examinersNo instructions to examiners[ like my answer starts on next page, question [ like my answer starts on next page, question no. 4 is written before Q.no.3 etc.]no. 4 is written before Q.no.3 etc.]

Do not waste paper spaceDo not waste paper space

Leave small but clear left and right marginsLeave small but clear left and right margins

Good and legible handwriting has no substitute. Good and legible handwriting has no substitute. No examiner is interested in deciphering the No examiner is interested in deciphering the illegible words or sentences. illegible words or sentences.

No double spacing but no crowding of the letters No double spacing but no crowding of the letters and lines either.and lines either.

Use coloured pencils or pens to underline points Use coloured pencils or pens to underline points of importanceof importance

Draw diagrams wherever possible Draw diagrams wherever possible

Line diagrams are also welcomeLine diagrams are also welcome

One picture is worth many lines and paragraphsOne picture is worth many lines and paragraphs

The full text is not read but few paragraphs will be read The full text is not read but few paragraphs will be read as cluster samples.as cluster samples.

Direct the examiner to the crux of the matter by Direct the examiner to the crux of the matter by highlighting the same either by underline, colour or highlighting the same either by underline, colour or inverted commas etc.inverted commas etc.

Do not highlight same words or similar phrasesDo not highlight same words or similar phrases

If possibleIf possible write some things, outside the purview of write some things, outside the purview of routine text books and give reference for it.routine text books and give reference for it.

Length of the answer should be proportionate to the Length of the answer should be proportionate to the marks allotted.marks allotted.

Answer to Full question in half page or short note answer Answer to Full question in half page or short note answer in 3 pages are irritants.in 3 pages are irritants.

Do not write same things for lengthening the answerDo not write same things for lengthening the answer

If you If you really do not knowreally do not know the details required , add some the details required , add some relevant or related details. relevant or related details. e.g.in a short note on Marphan’s syndrome , d/d of e.g.in a short note on Marphan’s syndrome , d/d of subluxated lenses and its management can be included. subluxated lenses and its management can be included.

If the answer is short ; give a impression of If the answer is short ; give a impression of decent size of answer decent size of answer

space the words ,space the words ,

increase the size of letters ,increase the size of letters ,

increase margins slightly, increase margins slightly,

Put down some line diagrams in middle Put down some line diagrams in middle

If the answer threatens to be too longIf the answer threatens to be too long

Reduce margin spaceReduce margin space

Omit descriptions and convert them to pointsOmit descriptions and convert them to points

Number the points to highlight and direct the Number the points to highlight and direct the examiner to skip the details examiner to skip the details

Always start answer to full question on Always start answer to full question on fresh pagefresh page

Short notes may start on same page Short notes may start on same page provided decent space is kept after the provided decent space is kept after the earlier noteearlier note

Do not write bare points Do not write bare points [ write at least a line to explain or expand ][ write at least a line to explain or expand ]

Aetiology Aetiology

Aetiopathogenesis, Aetiopathogenesis,

Symptoms, Symptoms,

Clinical signs, Clinical signs,

Differential diagnosis , Differential diagnosis ,

Investigations: non invasive Investigations: non invasive followed by invasive,followed by invasive,

Management : medical Management : medical followed by surgical,followed by surgical,

Contra indications for Contra indications for management,management,

Complications of the disease,Complications of the disease,

Sequele , Sequele ,

Newer concepts or Research Newer concepts or Research etcetc

All answers should follow a standard patternAll answers should follow a standard pattern e.g. in a disease like Anterior uveitis / AION e.g. in a disease like Anterior uveitis / AION

All answers should follow a standard patternAll answers should follow a standard pattern e.g. in a surgical procedure e.g. in a surgical procedure

like SICS / non penetrating Glaucoma surgerylike SICS / non penetrating Glaucoma surgery

Origin or inventionOrigin or invention

History of persons responsible : original &/or modificationsHistory of persons responsible : original &/or modifications

Details Details

SignificanceSignificance

Advantages and disadvantagesAdvantages and disadvantages

Results and comparisons with alternativesResults and comparisons with alternatives

Future directions or modifications expected or in process.Future directions or modifications expected or in process.

All answers should follow a standard patternAll answers should follow a standard pattern e.g. in a clinical entity e.g. in a clinical entity

like Diabetic Retinopathy / Entropionlike Diabetic Retinopathy / Entropion

DefinitionDefinition

AetiopathogenesisAetiopathogenesis

ClassificationClassification

Clinical signs and symptomsClinical signs and symptoms

InvestigationsInvestigations

ManagementManagement

Research and future projectionsResearch and future projections

Do not overwriteDo not overwrite

Scratch unwanted words with single line and Scratch unwanted words with single line and write againwrite again

Check for the spellings and grammarCheck for the spellings and grammar

Poor English will diminish your brilliant subject Poor English will diminish your brilliant subject knowledgeknowledge

Label the question numbers correctlyLabel the question numbers correctly

It is a safe practice to write the question It is a safe practice to write the question itself before you start the answeritself before you start the answer

Write the number of short note as it Write the number of short note as it appears in question paper. appears in question paper.

e.g. short note no.2 papillitis : e.g. short note no.2 papillitis :

Presentation of your paper is also Presentation of your paper is also importantimportant

Contents will fetch more marks provided Contents will fetch more marks provided examiner maintains interest to go through examiner maintains interest to go through themthem

Beauty is skin deep but still is admired and Beauty is skin deep but still is admired and appreciated more .appreciated more .

Practicals Practicals

Be presentableBe presentable

Applies equally to both sexes.Applies equally to both sexes.

Show more confidence on your face than you Show more confidence on your face than you feelfeel

Do not cry or expect sympathy, it is temporaryDo not cry or expect sympathy, it is temporary

Wear your apron and display the roll no. prominentlyWear your apron and display the roll no. prominently

Carry all necessary accessories including pen, pencils, Carry all necessary accessories including pen, pencils, 90 D lens, loupe, scale, torch, ophthalmoscope etc.90 D lens, loupe, scale, torch, ophthalmoscope etc.

Ask for necessary things like cotton, Fl. Strips, strips for Ask for necessary things like cotton, Fl. Strips, strips for schirmer’s test etc.schirmer’s test etc.

Slit lamp exam, IDO, 90 D exam etc are not Slit lamp exam, IDO, 90 D exam etc are not investigations but part of routine examinationinvestigations but part of routine examination

Examine the patient with respect due to elderly Examine the patient with respect due to elderly personperson

Ask his / her permission before you start the Ask his / her permission before you start the examinationexamination

Introduce yourself and tell briefly what you plan Introduce yourself and tell briefly what you plan to do to do

Earn his co operation [ un cooperative patient is Earn his co operation [ un cooperative patient is your failure and is held against you ]your failure and is held against you ]

A set pattern for history taking may need A set pattern for history taking may need modifications as you continue your examination modifications as you continue your examination

Keep flexibility in adding positive and negative Keep flexibility in adding positive and negative history history

Any leading question should have relevant Any leading question should have relevant explanation to back the queryexplanation to back the query

Negative history is equally important to point to a Negative history is equally important to point to a certain diagnosiscertain diagnosis

History and complaints need to be selective for History and complaints need to be selective for the relevance to the present case.the relevance to the present case.

[ unrelated history and complaints may be [ unrelated history and complaints may be ignored if you have come to a proper and ignored if you have come to a proper and justifiable relevant conclusion ]justifiable relevant conclusion ]

History and complaints’ presentation should be History and complaints’ presentation should be chronologicalchronological

Record all signs truthfullyRecord all signs truthfully

Try to fit the diagnosis related to the signsTry to fit the diagnosis related to the signs

Do not fit signs or modify them to suit your diagnosisDo not fit signs or modify them to suit your diagnosis

Your thought process leading to the diagnosis is more Your thought process leading to the diagnosis is more important.important.

Reason out the points for and against a particular Reason out the points for and against a particular diagnosisdiagnosis

Do not rush to a complete or pathological Do not rush to a complete or pathological diagnosis diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis and its differential diagnosis is Clinical diagnosis and its differential diagnosis is more logical more logical

Write a complete plan for investigations and Write a complete plan for investigations and management on your paper management on your paper

Do not read from the paper but keep it as Do not read from the paper but keep it as referencereference

Detail and coloured diagram of the Detail and coloured diagram of the condition is desirablecondition is desirable

Use standard colour codes Use standard colour codes

Label the diagram completely & correctlyLabel the diagram completely & correctly

In case of poor presentation , this will help In case of poor presentation , this will help

Do not argue with the examiner more than necessary Do not argue with the examiner more than necessary

You may disagree but don’t appear rude or You may disagree but don’t appear rude or overconfident.overconfident.

Normally you are given hints and not wrong leads.Normally you are given hints and not wrong leads.

Examiners are your well wishers.Examiners are your well wishers.

Try to accept the clues and logically modify your Try to accept the clues and logically modify your answers. answers.

Give complete answersGive complete answers

Prompting by the examiner and short answers Prompting by the examiner and short answers put together give a feeling of answering more put together give a feeling of answering more questions but carry less marks.questions but carry less marks.

Examiners want to know what you know, not Examiners want to know what you know, not discuss about what you do not !discuss about what you do not !

Give them a break and give them Give them a break and give them cluesclues for the for the topics you know.topics you know.

Do not quote some reference out of context to support Do not quote some reference out of context to support your answer against a comment made by the examineryour answer against a comment made by the examiner

Some procedures may be outdated but carry some Some procedures may be outdated but carry some significance. Acknowledge it !significance. Acknowledge it !

Ask for a break if you want to recollect your thoughts and Ask for a break if you want to recollect your thoughts and feel confused.feel confused.

Be frank if you do not know the answer so that some Be frank if you do not know the answer so that some other topic can be discussed [ which hopefully you will be other topic can be discussed [ which hopefully you will be able to answer ]able to answer ]

It is usually easy to pass the examinationIt is usually easy to pass the examination

It is difficult to fail unless you really try for itIt is difficult to fail unless you really try for it

Everybody wishes you good luck , utilize it for Everybody wishes you good luck , utilize it for the best of your presentationthe best of your presentation

Spare the examiner from frustration by making Spare the examiner from frustration by making the use of teaching programmes to the best of the use of teaching programmes to the best of your abilities.your abilities.

My special thanks to the organisers of this My special thanks to the organisers of this revision course eye to eyerevision course eye to eye

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Dr. M M Joshi and his entire team for a Dr. M M Joshi and his entire team for a wonderful event and a memorable stay at wonderful event and a memorable stay at Hubl, the second home to many faculty Hubl, the second home to many faculty members.members.