I spoke to two MRCP PACES examiners last week. One was a senior examiner who had been involved in the PACES exam since its inception and the other was one who examined for the first time this diet. Both had the same views when it came to marking candidates.
They stressed that what was most important was correct method. They observed the candidates going through history taking, clinical examination and communication and noted whether they appeared competent in the skill they were demonstrating. If they demonstrated competence they were most likely to pass.
If the candidate failed to demonstrate competence at history taking, clinical examination and communication then they would fail even if they got the findings right.
One of the examiners gave me two examples of candidates who examined the abdomen and the respiratory system. Both had what he described as appalling technique but both were able to give all the findings when asked. However, both failed, as the exam is a judge of the ability of the candidate to demonstrate or show competence in clinical method rather than an ability to memorise the findings in a given condition.
The secret of passing the PACES examination is practising clinical methods (history taking, physical examination and communication) over and over again until you can do it without even thinking about what comes next. Then you will pass with ease
