NZREX FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the NZREX


The exam is held 5 times a year starting 2013. It used to be 4 times a year until 2012.

There is a morning batch and an afternoon batch. The morning batch waits in the exam center until the afternoon batch starts their exam.


All you need to bring for the exam is your Stethoscope and Passport. Everything else (otoscope, ophthalmoscope, tuning fork, etc.) will be provided to you. You will not be permitted to use your own instruments.




Each student is assigned a station. Once the time starts, you have 2 minutes to read the question. You may not enter the exam room before the 2 minutes end. A bell rings and you enter the room. You have 10 minutes in the room to finish your task. The bell rings and you move to the next station and read the next question for 2 minutes. The time you take to move from one station to another counts towards the 2 minutes. There is a 6 minute break after 8 stations.


No there is no such break except after your 8th station when you have a 6 minute break for water/rest room.


The exam is usually consists of 4 static, 4 history taking, 4 physical examination, 4 counselling stations. Sometimes there could be a mixture eg. take a brief history and discuss management options.


Yes, be prepared to be tested for skills like IV cannulation, Foley's catheter, Speculum exam, Bimanual exam, Suturing, etc. Make sure you use proper sterile techniques and know how to get consent for each of these. To get some practice on mannequins, read this post on "Must-Do's during your Observership"


No, there is no examiner in the room for static stations.


Yes a question sheet will be provided inside the exam room, similar to the one provided outside the station.


They are generally very nice and wont disturb you at all. They may ask you the Differential Diagnosis or any further questions if required at the end of the station. They don't ask difficult questions. They usually do not stop you during your session, but if you finish early, expect some easy questions coming your way e.g. What do you think the patient is suffering from, what are your DDs, is there anything else you'd like to ask the patient, what investigations would you like to do, etc.


Tissues and water are kept in each room. Be very empathetic towards patients. There is a specific way of handling 'difficult stations'. A nice write up on how to handle difficult patients coming soon :)


Make sure the patient is comfortable. Build rapport. Ask a few basic/general questions before you dive into specific depression related questions. Know how to convince a depressed patient to talk!


Yes, ideally you must. A summary at the end would also suffice but you may not have time for that in the end. So a basic, short, running commentary is recommended.


Yes, a paper and pen will be provided inside the room. It will be placed right in front of you on your desk. However, I would prefer looking at the patient and make eye contact, than write notes while they talk.


Each static station has MCQ's. Usually between 4-8 questions. Each static station has a theme around which all the questions are based. So a 'Acute MI theme' may have questions related to MI management and they might put in an ECG as one of the questions.


Yes, normal lab values are provided.


When the bell rings and your time starts, knock on the door and open it. Greet the examiner and shake hands. The examiner may then say "here is your patient, you may proceed". That's when you introduce yourself. Sample introduction: "Hi my name is Dr. AAAA BBBB (full name) but you may call me Dr. AA (shorter and easier version of your name). I am the intern in the emergency department. May i know your name please." There are a variety of ways you can introduce yourself, this is just an example. Make sure you smile, shake hands (if possible) and that you are bold and confident when you introduce yourself and make eye contact. Your first impression must be good! For more info, please read: How to introduce yourself - for NZREX


Its best to call hospitals and ask if Observerships are available. Email is a good alternative. Most hospitals easily offer observerships as long as you apply well in advance. The NZREX acceptance letter may be required. For more detailed info, please read: How to get an observership in NZ and Must-Do's during your observership.
If you have any questions related to "the exam" please ask us in the comments below. 

Comments

  1. Anonymous6:52 PM, April 17, 2013

    During this 10 min exam at each station, are we expected to write the detaied task done on the answer sheet e.g;history, physical examination, D/D or management?
    Is the time sufficient for it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GS9:56 AM, April 23, 2013

      No you are not expected to write down anything at all !! However, you will be provided with a pen and blank sheets of paper so you can write down rough notes for yourself (eg. mnemonics etc.)

      Delete
  2. Anonymous5:30 PM, June 20, 2013

    Thank you for the information, your blog is great. What is the dress code for the exam? Should we take white coats? What about a tie?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GS8:13 PM, June 20, 2013

      Hi,
      For the exam you are expected to wear formals. Shirt, trousers and a nice tie. You don't have to wear a suit really. Yes, but a tie would make you look quite professional!
      You do not have to take white coats. But you must carry your stethoscope along for the exam.

      Delete
  3. Unknown11:56 AM, September 01, 2018

    Hi there . Anyone knows if there is any training institute in Auckland helping foreign medical graduates to prepare AMC MCQ test ?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mnemonics for NZREX

MNEMONICS are learning techniques that aid information retention. Not only can it boost your confidence but can also give the examiner a feeling that you are approaching your task in a sequenced manner! (that can help you score some points for Communication Skills ) SOCRATES for pain S ite: where exactly is the pain – is it all over, one side or both sides, front or back, over the eyes? Is there pain anywhere else in the body? O nset: when and how does it start? Did it start suddenly or after some incident?( trauma, spontaneous or he had the feeling that the headache is going to come in as in migraine)  Since how long does he/she have this pain. Is this the first episode or have you had earlier recurrent attacks. C haracter: how does the pain feel like (is it dull, sharp, does it come and go/ thunderclap/ worst headache in life) R adiation: do you feel it elsewhere? A lleviating factors: what makes the pain better? T iming: do you still have the pain? At what time o...
Read more

Frequently asked questions about NZREX

I am from Country *** or have a post-graduate degree in *** or have a few years experience in *** specialty, do I need to take NZREX? Please take the Medical Council  self-assessment questionnaire  and find out the answer yourself! USMLE vs AMC vs PLAB, which exam should I take? The answer to this question varies from person to person. Given that getting into the healthcare system in NZ is not that easy, it is a good idea to have a backup option. Which exam you take depends on what you want your backup to be. If you plan to apply to Aus as a backup plan, then take the AMC exams and so on. Remember that for those taking the USMLEs, you must take 2 exams Step 1 and Step 2CK, for the others its just the one exam. Eligibility for applying for the NZREX? English language requirements: a.       IELTS with a minimum of 7.5 in speaking and listening; a minimum of 7 in writing and reading. Dated within 2 years. b.   ...
Read more

Observership in NZ

Image
Note: As per updates from recent applicants, it has been noticed that most hospitals in Auckland have been refusing to grant observerships to IMGs. Other hospitals throughout NZ, however, do accept applications. Feel free to apply! What is an Observership? An Observership is when you are posted in specific departments at a Hospital, where you observe or watch the attendings, residents or fellows as do their daily duties. You will not have any direct patient contact and may not touch or examine any patients. In other words, you can watch but not touch. An Externship, however, is when you have the permission to actively be involved in patient care. The extent of involvement depends on your attending and the level of trust they have on you. If you are not a registered doctor in NZ, you can only do an Observership! Is It Recommended? Yes it is. It will surely help you get acquainted to the NZ healthcare system. A lot of students do an observership ...
Read more