OSCE results: what if it’s bad news?

RCVS OSCE results are due on January 9, 2014 – another new group hopefully entering the RVN workforce.

Exam results should mean celebration – but that won’t be the case for everyone. The national average pass rate is usually between 70-80%, so not all will receive good news.

So, what to do if it isn’t good news?

1. Breathe – you will get through this
2. Speak to your college and go through the step-by-step feedback
3. Don’t be afraid to ask the awarding body questions – your memory of the exam does not always mirror what happened. If you are confused you can ask for the examiner feedback. Totally separate from an appeal. Just a simple request for information

Then speak to your clinical coach and practice, and practise!

Beware of getting too caught up on individual steps; focus on completing the task requested and getting the key steps correct. Think: your safety, patient safety!

Finally if you have to re-sit, you’ve been through it before, you’ve had valuable feedback, you can do it.

Good luck!