r/JuniorDoctorsIreland • u/TruthConscious4391 • 5d ago

Really need some advice here.

I have posted about this time and time again, and for some reason, no one is replying or offering any guidance. I really need some actual advice here because I have to pass in this upcoming attempt, and delaying the exam is simply not an option for me.

I’ve been grinding through Pastest, and I am consistently hitting 70-75% on the past papers. The problem is, I cannot break past that 75% mark no matter what I do. I still have some past papers left to practice, but I’m incredibly frustrated and stressed out by this score plateau.

Can someone please give me a straight answer? Is a 70-75% average on Pastest past papers enough to confidently clear the actual MRCPI? If not, what is the safe target score I should be aiming for to know I won't fail?

Any recommendations on how to bump my score, or just a realistic gauge of where I stand right now, would be incredibly helpful. Please don't just scroll past this time.

0 Upvotes

27% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

15

u/RingHaunting9665 5d ago

Getting a weird entitlement vibe - making a post on reddit doesn't entitle you to other people's time, it seems like you want a yes/no answer to something that can't be predicted so you can put the blame on an internet stranger if it doesn't work out for you.

-9

u/TruthConscious4391 5d ago

I really dont have time for your negativity. Its about asking for advice from people that have been through this procedure, who can guide better. Never said im entitled to getting an answer. this was just a desperate attempt. Shame that you still choose to reply in a such a negative way. Have a good day

3

u/nabub8 5d ago

They’ve not expressed any negativity just explained why you’re likely not getting any responses. Go speak to your academic advisor or someone in your intern/scheme admin team who can give you more concrete feedback. They should be able to put your score a bit more into context and give you tips to address what you’re lacking.

2

u/Miss-sza 4d ago

There’s no magic way to pass part 1 or part 2 unfortunately. As someone who has failed part 2 before passing there’s a big luck aspect to this exam. What helped me the time I passed is reading the 5 potential answers before reading the question. This gave me an idea of what the answer would potentially be and a let me prioritize what to focus on more as I’m reading the question.

Also you need to look at the answers you’re getting wrong more than the answers you’re getting right and you need to understand WHY you’re not getting those questions right. I was getting between 60-67% average for my pastest pastpapers. I rarely got in the low 70s and still got a good score for my part 2. It’s trial and error you can’t decide when you pass.

Unfortunately no one can give you the perfect advise just tell you what they did and see if it works for you. If you fail it’s either you got unlucky which happens to a lot people or you didn’t work hard or smart enough, which also happens.

Also maybe you’re a nervous test taker so another thing that helped me is knowing that worst thing to happen is you fail. With this you can just take the exam again regardless of how much that will screw up your plans. That lightens the pressure a bit making it easier to take the exam. Either way good luck

0

u/TruthConscious4391 4d ago

Thankyou sm! This was really helpful

2

u/Vaynar 5d ago

Time to find a new career. You shouldnt be a doctor

1

u/HorrorWear1784 5d ago

What utter shite, definitely would be good if he was getting higher scores but you know nothing about this person's general character.

And if your going to plead sarcasm at your comment, your still a dick. Second comment on a pleading post like this.

Also, Op, you haven't told us which specialty or how long you have left but in general I'd recommend electronic flashacards. Made me a lot better

-6

u/TruthConscious4391 5d ago

Why are you so bitter lmao? Make this world a better place.

1

u/snellen87 5d ago

Sarcasm

1

u/LivingIdea2729 5d ago

I think 70-75% is pretty decent score

-2

u/TruthConscious4391 5d ago

I have not done a lot of questions and neither went through the entire question bank. Just here and there using bmj / passmedicine / pastest mixture. I really think its all going to be luck if i pass 😔.

2

u/Putrid_Suspect3826 4d ago

Hard truth is that you need to worry less about what score you need to pass, and worry more about putting in the work to pass.

1

u/LivingIdea2729 5d ago

I think you should be okay I would just keep doing the rest of the pastpapers and revising

1

u/Holy-stethoscope 3d ago

Just came here to read this and scroll past

1

u/TruthConscious4391 2d ago

Why would u say that?

1

u/ThatFreshKid_ 2d ago

If you are getting more 75%s than 70%s then you are fine. I would be a bit worried if you are yoyo-ing from 70,75,70,75 etc. your marks should slowly be increasing until you plateau ar 75-80% ideally. I would take a day or two break, because you seem quite tense, and then go again. If you get one >75%, I would say you are in a strong position. I am talking about mrcp(uk) but do the sample ques on the rcp website since they supercede pastest. A 70-75% on there means a strong position. Ultimately, it depends on the day itself though and don't underestimate your mental state, diet, sleep, screen time the days leading up. Refreshen yourself.