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Exams at MUS 101: Boost Your Grades with These TipsWhat is BIMSA? The Bulgaria International Medical Students Alliance (BIMSA) is a community interest company registered in the U.K. (company number: 15654391) Our aim is to build a more connected community for international medical students studying in Bulgaria and make it more accessible for students to reach out for help and support. We are dedicated to helping students overcome the challenges of adapting to a new culture and education system, by providing essential resources for academic success, cultural integration, and personal growth. Our goal is to create an inclusive community where every student can thrive. We offer support as graduates navigate the intricate process of reintegrating into the NHS. Recognising the unique challenges faced by IMGs who study in and graduate from Bulgaria, we are committed to simplifying the transition to professional practice and to ensure Bulgaria trained graduates are well-equipped for their medical career.A little bit about ourselves... Sam - 4th year medical student. Sofia Preclinical Lead & Events Lead. Harini - 4th year medical student. Sofia Welfare Lead & Student Support Officer. Hina- 5th year medical student. Sofia Academic Lead. Staying on Schedule! THE GOLDEN RULES Productivity apps: Notion - my personal 1. Plan by the Semester - Use syllabus effectively. Create a study plan and learn how to prioritise favourite. according to outstanding tasks. Tackle more OneNote - great for iPad difficult subjects first. users 2. Time Allocation - Top tip: For every hour of a subject you have within a week, try to allocate an Click-up hour for independent study in your own time. Google-Drive 3. Breaking down your goalsNote-taking & Organisation Gain a general understanding and overview of the subject first. Focus on specifics, avoid spending too much time trying to remember minor details. Making notes - no real right way to do it, everyone has different study methods. Flashcards Mindmaps Organising your notes can be useful during exam periods. Use the syllabus!! It’s there to help you.Colloquiuums - How to approach them: Colloquiums or mid-exams - Professors’ way of seeing how much you know about their subject throughout the semester. Each subject has a number of colloquium throughout the year and you will be briefed on which topics you will need to study before the test. They can be presented as MCQs / short answer questions, may be oral and sometimes you may even be asked to write about your topic. Do not be alarmed by this, most often these exams do not count towards the final grade but it is a way for the examiner to track your progress throughout the year. these mid-exams and whatfor can I do to achieve the best outcomes?... Colloquiums As an example: Biology as a 1st year subject. Questions you may be asked: Parasitology - you will be practically examined and Describe the life cycle of the parasite. you may receive some short answer questions. What is the infective form? You will be given a slide that you will have to Mode of Infection? observe under the microscope and correctly identify the parasite. How can you tell that this is Giardia Lamblia: E.g: You will have to describe the specific morphology. Answer example: Pear-shaped ‘trophozoites’ , flagella, binucleated etc. The important thing to remember is that you are not expected to know every minute detail of your topic. You just have to show that you have a good understanding of the topic and that you are able to think critically based on how you approach a question that is asked. A: Giardia LambliaDon’t panic! Divide your learning into bite-sized chunks. e.g. Today’s goal: Focus on Embryology (I recommend getting this part of the syllabus done first as it is shorter and the content can be a bit tricky to study if you leave it too late.) Repetition is key! Revisit topics you have done a week or two later to test yourself on how much you remember. Lecture notes! Please. I’m not kidding. Textbooks. My personal fav for Cytology: Junquiera’s Basic HistologyWhat works best for you? - (Anatomy focused) You don’t just have to stick to one resource! Stop relying on Xerox NOTES! They are riddled with mistakes and written by students. They are not fact checked and in my opinion, it is best not to use them at all. Use resources that are backed up with literature. Group study. Learn one, Teach one method. Written exams Tips for Condensing Information • Use bullet points to focus on core ideas. • Avoid essays—in exams or short answers, time is limited, so give only the specific answers needed. • Identify key facts and essential information by: • Listening in lectures and seminars for what professors emphasise. • Noting what topics get repeated or highlighted as critical. • Distinguish between sufficient information ( essential to understanding) and extra details that don’t add value.Example: Ribosomes 1. Definition • Ribosomes: Small organelles that make proteins. • Composed of rRNA and proteins. 2. Structure • Two subunits (large and small) made of rRNA and proteins. • Assembled in the nucleolus, transported to cytoplasm. 3. Function • Synthesizes proteins by translating mRNA. • Links amino acids via peptide bonds. 4. Location • Found in cytosol and on rough ER. • Assembled in the nucleus, functions in cytoplasm. 5. Key Concepts (Optional) • Polyribosomes: Several ribosomes on one mRNA strand. • Proteins made on ER vs. cytosol have different functions. Where to Get Materials • Use Recommended Books & Resources: Professors often suggest specific books, including their own, or resources available through the department. These may be referenced in lectures or exams, so make sure to consult them. • Class Drives/Dropbox: Check the provided digital resources for key textbooks and summaries. • Efficient Reading: Focus on summaries or key pages. Highlight main concepts and note areas of confusion for follow-up with professors. • Be Proactive: Use your initiative. Ask upper-year students or peers for guidance on useful materials Know Your Capacity for Independent Study • Take Responsibility: Manage your time and study habits based on what works best for you (early mornings, breaks, or continuous study sessions). • Build a Routine: Develop a consistent, healthy study schedule over time. • Attend Classes: Regular attendance builds familiarity with different formats (lectures, seminars, practicals) and helps professors recognize your effort. • Key Starting Points: Create a quick reference (a title, sentence, or diagram) to help recall main ideas and prevent blank moments in exams. Go Over the Syllabus • Review Frequently: Go over the syllabus multiple times to refresh your memory. • Plan Your Study: Print the syllabus, break down the topics, and divide them by the number of days until the exam. • Daily Goals: Aim to cover a set number of points each day, aiming to review the entire syllabus 3-4 times before the exam. • Active Repetition: Study at night, then test yourself in the morning. Repeating material helps reinforce learning. • Confidence for Exam Day: If you’ve reviewed consistently and met your goals, you’ll be prepared and confident on exam day. Oral exams Most exams comprise of a practical aspect and a theoretical aspect which includes writing down your knowledge then discussing your topics with the Professor. This is a relatively foreign concept to many students so here are some tips on how to approach this part of your exam.How to make a good impression 1.Prepare thoroughly: Review your course material thoroughly. Create outlines or flashcards to summarise key concepts. Practice speaking about these topics aloud to get comfortable with verbalising your thoughts. 2.Confidence is key: Start with the topic you are most confident in - as soon as you sit down opposite the examiner, always start unloading your knowledge on the topic you have written and understood the most about. This gives a great impression for those higher grades and allows the exam to progress instead of being terminated early. Furthermore, examiners are more likely to give you a chance on a lessor known topic if they can see you demonstrating your knowledge on other syllabus points. Keep speaking - do your best to explain concepts and take everything back to the basics so you can build on your understanding, almost as if you are teaching yourself. This way the examiner is not able to ask you questions in the middle and catch you out while you are still demonstrating your knowledge. Aim for a 6 - if there is a topic you have really understood and you would like aim for a higher grade, you could say “Professor, could you please ask an extra question I would like to have a 6?”.3. Stay Calm: Practice relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, to manage anxiety. Remember that it’s okay to pause and collect your thoughts. It’s daunting the first couple of times so nerves are normal. During the exam, take a moment to think before you speak and take your time while speaking. Structure your answers with a clear introduction, main points, and a conclusion. This will help you organise your thoughts and stay on schedule. 4. Engage with the Examiner: Make eye contact, show enthusiasm, and be open to questions. This interaction can create a more relaxed atmosphere. If you have been attending the lectures, perhaps the Professor may recognise you and may engage with you. If you don’t understand a question, don’t hesitate to ask the examiner for clarification. It’s better to ask than to guess incorrectly and for the examiner to assume you do not know your topic.5. Know Your Audience: Understand who will be assessing you and their expectations. Tailor your responses to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter relevant to their focus. As stated, confidence can go a long way but do not overdo this into arrogance! These examiners are Doctors and Professors who are very experienced in their fields and this means they expect respect from students. Never argue even if you think you have a reason to, most likely the examiners are the same in all the sittings and you do not want to be remembered in a negative light. 6. Practice makes perfect: Ultimately the more oral exams you experiences, the better you will tackle them and learn your own coping mechanisms. Attend the exam fifteen minutes earlier than the time stated, dressed smartly with natural makeup as you want to be as composed as possible and if you have prepared sufficiently, the exam should be successful! Overall... Medical school is academically rigorous and demands a significant commitment of time and energy. However, maintaining consistent study habits, staying organized, and regularly reviewing course material will help manage the workload and make complex concepts more accessible, ultimately making the overall experience more manageable. Peer support is vital in navigating the challenges of medical school. While it is beneficial to seek advice from upper-year students who have experienced similar challenges, it is important to remain adaptable and not be discouraged by their experiences. Avoid becoming overly comfortable with the advice you receive; instead, approach each new phase with a mindset of continuous learning and resilience. During your medical school journey, it is essential to be mindful of your personal well-being and mental health. Be aware that challenges related to discrimination, bias, and the pressures of academic expectations may arise. It is crucial to develop strategies for self-care, seek support when needed, and stay resilient in the face of setbacks or disappointments.Any Questions?