New Intercollegiate Speciality exams
From November 2006The Intercollegiate Specialty Boards have recently provided more detail in relation to the new examination format. This will apply from the end of this year. The assessments in each surgical discipline have been carefully structured and designed to adequately sample each component of the relevant curriculum. The standard tested in the new Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations will be that of a new consultant in the NHS. The new examination will consist of two sections. Candidates will require to perform sufficiently well in the first section before being considered eligible for the second section. Section 1 will be a written test composed of a combination of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ single best answer; 1 from 5) and Extended Matching Item questions (EMI). Each paper will be carefully prepared to cover the curriculum content which can be best assessed in this way. A process of standard setting will be performed by trained and experienced examiners and this will set the pass mark for the paper. Those candidates who have performed well enough can proceed to Section 2. For operational reasons there will be an interval of around 12-16 weeks between the sections. Section 2 is the clinical component of the examination. It will consist of a series of carefully designed and structured interviews on clinical topics – some being scenario based (orals) and some being patient based (clinicals). Candidates will have up to three attempts to pass Section 2. The exact style will be specialty specific and further details can be seen in the relevant guidance notes. The new regulations, examination calendar, all the guidance notes for both applicants and referees and structured reference forms are now available for download from the Joint Committee for Speciality Examinations website. Please note that applicants will still need to complete a formal (colour coded) application form for their specialty - available from the Intercollegiate Specialty Board Secretariat. Those in current training programmes will be able to apply for the new examination in a similar way to the current examination. One important difference now applies. Access to the examination has been opened to applicants who are NOT currently in UK based higher specialist training programmes. All applicants will be considered eligible on the basis of three structured references from trainers or senior colleagues. In the case of those currently in training one of the referees must be the trainee’s Programme Director. Another significant development which now applies for the remainder of 2006 is that individuals who are not in UK based training programmes can apply for a diet of the current examination format during this year. Special guidance notes and application details are available for these interim regulations. Applicants should be particularly careful to obtain the correct documentation to suit their individual circumstances.
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