Final FRCA: Multiple Choice Questions

Abstract

M. D. Brunner, P. N. Robinson and H. Williams Butterworth Heinemann, 1999. £16.99. 302 pp. Having recently passed the Final FRCA Examination myself, I did not expect to be scrutinising yet another collection of multiple choice questions quite so soon. However, had this volume been available while I was studying, I am certain it would have made an excellent addition to my ever expanding collection. In order to pass the MCQ paper, the candidate must adequately prepare and practice. In preparation he must be tested, but it is arguably more important that he is educated, both in terms of increasing his factual knowledge and improving his technique. This book in the most part fulfils all these criteria. The book is formatted into five sample examination papers, each containing 90 multistemmed questions as in the FRCA examination. The examination syllabus, as every candidate knows to their chagrin, is both enormous and eclectic, and the MCQ paper aims to test both the candidate's breadth and the depth of knowledge. These practice papers emulate the actual examination closely in the breakdown of subject matter: 40 questions in anaesthesia, pain management and applied basic sciences, 20 questions in medicine and surgery, 10 questions in clinical measurement, and 20 questions in intensive therapy. The latter is perhaps slightly underrepresented. As in the examination itself, the questions and stems vary in their difficulty to read and understand; one word stems aiming to test facts, whilst complicated statements test the candidates ability to deduce answers from basic knowledge. The answers are printed conveniently on the facing page which allows easy and quick self-testing, and whilst the answers given are succinct, they appear to provide sufficient detail to aid understanding. However, it is unfortunate there are no references to commonly used texts to enable the candidate to read further on the subject if desired. Also, although there is an index, it would be eminently useful to list questions under subject headings to allow candidates to concentrate on known areas of weakness. These minor criticisms aside, compared to equivalent books currently available, the authors have created a very useful and relevant aid to any candidate's examination preparation. and as the final question illustrates, not only can intelligent, grown men become obsessed with red jerseys kicking a white ball, but that there is life after exams!