Exams are sobering in two ways. (1) Students don't usually drink in the time leading up to exams... they need to be sober to learn and, more importantly, sober to take the exam! (2) During the semester when content is thrown at us, we feel we're nearly on top of it all, but by the time exams come we realise that we can't quite remember how to do something and the feeling of confidence soon fades away. This feeling is also sobering. However, it's only natural that by the end of the week, having studied hard and downing a few drinks, that we were not feeling sober any more!
PHTY254 practical assessment is worth 15% of the full year paper. Students were given two main questions to demonstrate with five minutes given to each question. We had 10min to prepare equipment (which for me was figuring out how to fix a broken suspension cord) and familiarise ourself with the case study (NB: this is important because the assessor takes the sheet from you while you demonstrate). We had to be competent at all tasks covered in the lab and able to clinically discuss methods taught in the lectures. I had relatively easy questions - phew! I'll list a few examples of students questions, with mine being the first two on the list:
PHTY254 practical assessment is worth 15% of the full year paper. Students were given two main questions to demonstrate with five minutes given to each question. We had 10min to prepare equipment (which for me was figuring out how to fix a broken suspension cord) and familiarise ourself with the case study (NB: this is important because the assessor takes the sheet from you while you demonstrate). We had to be competent at all tasks covered in the lab and able to clinically discuss methods taught in the lectures. I had relatively easy questions - phew! I'll list a few examples of students questions, with mine being the first two on the list:
- Assess right knee flexer weakness for grade two and three using slings and suspension. + Provide an exercise for strengthening at grade three.
- Assess hip abductor weakness for grades three and four (oxford scale for MMT). + Demonstrate a trendelenburg gait.
- Teach a 65-year-old with balance issues how to stand from sitting with use of ambulation aids. + Teach walking with the aids.
- Goniometer measurement of dorsi- and plantarflexion, then demonstrate one stretch for the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.
- Use postural drainage for the left lower lobe and perform manual techniques to help clear secretions.
- Draw surface markings for the right & left lungs, and the fissures.
- Demonstrate two ways of measuring thoracic expansion at three levels.
- Measure FEV1 and FVC (spirometry) then comment on FEV1/ FVC ratio
PHTY251 written exam + the third mastery test MCQ = 64%! We have to pass at least 50% of the written component and achieve more than 50% overall to pass the paper. My advice is to always do the MCQ (if there is one) first - it's a good warm up and may include otherwise forgotten info for the written exam. I felt this exam was pretty good - all the stress and study-torture was worth it.
Did I mention that exams are sobering?? Well, now that my first semester is complete it's time to relax (sleep) and to once again enjoy some fresh air. My third year physio flatmate finished pathology at the same time I finished physiology (her last exam of the semester too), so no doubt we'll share our exam experiences. For many of my cohort year, they will be celebrating together. Essentially, this means a crate drinking competition (alcohol drinking race) between lab groups.
We have a few weeks of holidays between semesters, so I'll continue this blog when I return!
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