South West Intensive MCQ
(SWIM) Course
Preparing you for the Primary FRCA MCQ
Next dates:
26 - 28th July 2021
During the disruption caused by Covid-19 we wanted to continue to support trainees in preparation for their Primary FRCA MCQ. We successfully ran two one-day online courses. We were very pleased with how these ran, but felt that a certain something was missing - namely the supportive atmosphere we can better offer from a face-to-face course.
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As such, with the government announcements and plans for lifting lockdown, we are excited to now be preparing for our first face-to-face course in over a year!
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We shall return to our previous structure at our usual, fantastic venue in Devon with the caveat that should the covid situation re-escalate we can fall back to a one day online course (on one of the 3 dates which would be determined nearer the time).
This course has been designed by trainees for trainees. We have been there, we know how tough revising for this exam can be and we want to help you prepare.
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Our venue is the beautiful Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre in Devon and includes an amazing two course lunch and plenty of coffee.
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The course consists of three days each focusing on one of the key areas of Physics, Pharmacology and Physiology. Each day consists of a mixture of lectures, exam condition MCQ sessions followed by a Q+A session for facilitated group learning. SBA sessions at the end of each day help familiarise candidates with the exam techniques required to tackle these tricky questions.
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The course will provide you with three days of solid revision with no distractions, just you and your learning group.
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The timing of this course has been chosen to fit in with your revision schedule and ensure your knowledge and ability peaks for the September exam.
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There are only 12 places available to optimise your learning experience, so book your place now!
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What does this course offer?
We have taken inspiration from similar Primary FRCA MCQ revision courses to provide exposure to questions under time pressure which is important for learning time management.
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You will go through MCQs in small groups with a Consultant and a post Primary FRCA trainee to facilitate your learning from each other. Between them they provide knowledge and experience to help with some of the more difficult topics.
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In addition to MCQ exposure, you will be able to consolidate your learning during our lecture sessions delivered by enthusiastic and experienced teachers. We have also taken on previous feedback and increased our lecture sessions from two to three each day.
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Finally, after a day's hard studying you can enjoy all that south Devon has to offer. From the moor to the beaches and amazing local food you can unwind between each day.
What do you need to do?
This is a revision course. We would expect participants to have already started covering the curriculum in order to gain the most from this course, and to have knowledge to share with others.
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You will be expected to work within a group to go through MCQs, learn from one another and to consolidate your learning through teaching others.
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We may provide some books for reference but please bring your own books and notes to refer to.
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Finally, there are only 12 spaces on this first course so book early to avoid disappointment!
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BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW
Email us at
Daily timetable
A typical day on the course would run as follows:
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8.15 - 8.30: Arrival with coffee
8.30 - 8.45: Introduction (first day)
8.45 - 9.15: MCQ paper
9.15 - 9.45: Lecture
9.45 -10.45: Results with Q&A
10.45 - 11.00: Coffee
11.00 - 11.30: MCQ paper
11.30 - 12.00: Lecture
12.00 - 13.00: Results/Q&A
13.00 -13.40: Lunch
13.40 - 14.10: MCQ paper
14.10 - 14.30: Lecture
14.30 - 15.30: Results/Q&A
15.30 - 15.45: Coffee
15.45 - 16.45: SBA session
16.45 - 17.00: Close
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NB: The timetable is subject to change .
Questions?
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have. We are a friendly team of post primary FRCA anaesthetic trainees and we are happy to help!
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What do previous candidates say?
We started this course in 2018 and have three sittings each year which have received excellent feedback from candidates and lecturers/facilitators.
We take candidate feedback very seriously and are constantly updating and adapting the course according to what candidates need.
"I found this very helpful even though I thought I knew it I still learned a lot!"
"Fantastic pace, perfect volume, well structured. I feel much better about the exam now. Thank you."
"Lovely location, great food, friendly faculty."
"Amazing pharmacology lectures. Really simplified difficult concepts."
"I have never understood stats better than now. Amazing, simple, spot on explanations!"
"Great to have lots of practice under exam conditions and to monitor my progress."
"Really useful and well-pitched questions"
"I'd happily use another day of study leave to do an extra whole day!"
"We covered a lot of material with lots of useful tips for the exam."
"Really packed days which maximised our time but plenty of breaks. Perfect amount of content in a day - Thanks!"
"I appreciated the small group style"
"Really useful. I feel I've learned a lot from group discussion."
"Amazing bank of questions."
"Thank you for your attention to detail and enthusiasm. You have given me so much more confidence."
Course Fees
The cost for this course is £200 for the full three days including lunches.
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To book your place please email us at:
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We look forward to meeting you!
Where to stay?
Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre has its own accommodation at Northgate House Conference Accommodation.
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There are many local hotels to choose to stay at, or you could even consider checking airbnb for availability.
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A candidate from our most recent course in July recommended this airbnb:
The Venue
Buckfast Abbey Conference centre is well known in the southwest for its beautiful location adjacent to Buckfast Abbey and its amazing lunches.
For any venue-specific queries please feel free to get in touch.
01364 645530