Multiple Choice Question

The multiple choice question paper aims to test knowledge at the Diploma in Family Medicine examination. An understanding of its structure is essential and careful preparation using key resources will help gain a good pass.

Objective test methods such as MCQs provide a highly accurate and reliable method of assessing each candidate's core knowledge of family/general practice and complements the written, Oral, consultation skills and practical component of the examination.

In fact the examiners have taken great pains to carefully design and maintain a bank of questions.

The paper last for 2 ½ hours contain 60 questions each having five responses.

Subjects tested in MCQ paper

  1.   Family Medicine
  2.   Community Medicine
  3.   Maternal care – include obstetric and gynecological conditions
  4.   Child care
  5.   General Medicine
  6.   Surgery including ENT and Eye
  7.   Dermatology
  8.   Psychiatry
  9.   Diagnostic procedures

What question formats are used in the MCQ paper?

Most of the questions will be based on traditional ‘true –false' type, familiar to most readers. In addition single or multiple best answer and extended matching questions may be introduced in the future assessments.

Examples of questions using ‘true – false' answers

 

 

Symptoms of anxiety are an associated clinical feature of

A. hypoglycaemia
B. mitral valve prolapse
C. hypothyroidism
D. withdrawal of hypnotic medication
E. withdrawal of alcohol

True : A B C E

Impetigo

A. Is usually caused by staphylococcal infection

B. Causes bullous lesions

C. Is associated with toxic epidermal necrolysis

D. Is manifested on surfaces which are usually covered with clothes

E. Common in infancy

True : A B C

 

 

An obsessional thought is

A. enjoyable

B. receptitive

C. on occasions followed by a compulsion

D. accompanied by a desire to resist it

E. a feature of hysteria

True : B C D

 

 

Recognized sequlae of menopause include

A. vasomotor instability

B. osteoporosis

C. an increased incidence of myocardial infarction when compared with premenopausal women

D. vaginal atrophy

E. loss of libido in the majority of cases

True : A B C D

 

 

In cranial (giant cell, temporal) arteritis :

A..Recognized sysptoms include jaw claudication

B. C-reactive protein is more sensitive marker of inflammation than ESR

C. Sudden blindness does not occur

D. A positive temporal artery biopsy is essential for the diagnosis

E. Treatment with high-dose of steroids will prevent visual loss in the majority

True : A B E

Preparing for MCQ paper

Candidates often find it difficult to devise an effective strategy for preparing for this component. Detailed revision of the entire potential knowledgebase of general practice is clearly impossible, it is important to read around common conditions and issues arising in your dispensary/surgery.

All members in the MCQ core group are practicing general practitioners and current journal such as The Practitioner, British Medical Journal, JAMA (Indian journal) and Medicine International will be helpful