Reference material and resources
Clinical station examples
- You can take a look at a history-taking example of a couplet station and an example of a physical examination couplet station. Both of these examples include the candidate’s instructions, the examiner’s checklist, and the post-encounter probe questions (with the correct answers).
- You can also take a look at an example of a ten-minute history-taking station that includes the candidate’s instructions and the Examiner’s checklist.
Orientation
Candidates receive a detailed orientation of the process on the day of the examination, which can be previewed here.
Scoring
Candidates are encouraged to review how the MCCQE Part II is scored. Please review the Scoring section.
Objectives for the Qualifying Examination
The Medical Council of Canada uses the Objectives for the Qualifying Examination as the basis for the MCCQE Part I and II. The Objectives have been defined in behavioral terms, and reflect our expectations of competent physicians.
The assumption has been made that it is better to prevent than treat, and that rational treatment is possible only after a diagnosis has been established. The Objectives deal with data gathering, diagnostic clinical problem solving, and the principles of management, which are applicable, in part of or whole, to clinical situations faced by physicians.
The MCCQE Part II is based on common or critical patient presentations related to the Objectives. Consider organizing your study similarly, rather than studying by disease or body system. Working from common or critical presenting problems from different disciplines, by yourself or with others, will align your studying with the format of the examination. For each patient presentation, identify key diagnoses, the critical information needed for diagnosis (and to rule out the differential diagnoses) and to treat, list key aspects of the physical examination, and consider what investigations might be needed, as well as summarizing key aspects of initial management of each problem.
Reference books
The Medical Council of Canada has compiled a list of reference books that may be helpful to you in your studies.
Common mistakes
Review a list of common mistakes
candidates make when they take the MCCQE Part II.
Frequently asked questions
To find out more about the examination, read the frequently asked questions on the MCCQE Part II.
