Starting Out: Facing the Mountain

When I registered, I felt the same fear most candidates do: “How on earth can I cover everything?” The syllabus isn’t published, and the breadth of knowledge expected is daunting.

What helped me was accepting two things:

• I would never know everything.
• Success was about breadth, consistency, and exam technique, not perfection.

I started structured prep about 9 months before the exam, which gave me a crucial head start. Some people recommend 12 months; however, this wasn’t possible for me.

My Study Plan

Timeline

• Foundation phase (Months 1–4): Broad reading and structured topic coverage.
• Consolidation phase (Months 5–7): Revising weak areas, summarising notes, and starting practice questions.
• Exam phase (Months 8–9): Almost entirely MCQ practice under timed conditions.

Daily Rhythm

I studied 2–3 hours before work and larger blocks on days off. Short, consistent sessions beat late-night marathons.

Weekly Plan

Each week I covered at least one specialty, reviewed practice questions, and sat a small timed mock.

Study Group

I joined a small online group. Once a week we quizzed each other — it kept me accountable and broke the isolation.

Resources That Actually Helped

Core Texts

• Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine — my foundation reference.
• Talley & O’Connor — surprisingly relevant even for the written exam.
• Specialty guidelines — particularly cardiology, endocrinology, and infectious diseases.

Question Banks

• LearnPhysician: Good breadth, but clunky interface and brief explanations.
• FRAPPractice.co.nz: Some exam-style stems, but inconsistent quality.
• AceTheExam: Large volume, but not tightly exam-focused.
• PassFRACP.com: The standout. Closest to the real exam, with detailed explanations and analytics.

Advice: Make PassFRACP your mainstay.

How the Exam is Marked: Modified Angoff and Rasch Calibration

The Modified Angoff Method

The pass mark is set by expert judgment using the Modified Angoff method:

• Fellows estimate how many minimally competent candidates would answer each question correctly.
• Probabilities are aggregated to set a cut score.
• Full calibration occurs every 5 years.

Historically, the pass mark lies between 55–65%.

Rasch Model Psychometric Analysis

To ensure fairness across years, psychometric analysis using the Rasch model anchors the exam. Anchor questions are reused to stabilise standards. This ensures difficulty shifts are balanced with adjusted cut scores.

What This Means for You

• The pass bar is stable, not random.
• You don’t need 90% — mid-50s to mid-60s usually suffices.
• Consistent performance above the borderline is key.

Exam Technique: The Real Game-Changer

• Time discipline: ~1 minute per MCQ.
• Pattern recognition: Classic associations recur.
• Answering strategy: Pick the most likely answer.
• Practice under stress: Simulate real conditions.

Wellbeing: The Forgotten Factor

What helped me avoid burnout:

• Sleep discipline — at least 7 hours most nights.
• Exercise — short runs or gym resets.
• Breaks — full weekends off every 6 weeks.

Exam Week & Exam Day

The Final Week

• Reviewed high-yield summaries.
• Revisited incorrect PassFRACP questions.
• Sat one or two timed mocks.

On Exam Day

• Ate a slow-release breakfast (Weetbix!).
• Took water and snacks.
• Reminded myself: “You don’t need perfection — just clear the cut score.”

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Neglecting breadth — don’t just study your subspecialty.
• Over-reliance on textbooks — MCQs matter more.
• Starting MCQs too late.
• Ignoring basic sciences — they still appear.
• Last-minute cramming — poor retention.

Guest Perspective: James W (Perth)

“My advice to anyone asking how to pass the FRACP written examination is simple: consistency and the right resources. PassFRACP.com was the closest to the real thing. Other banks were useful background, but not exam-ready.

Remember it’s marked using Angoff and Rasch methods. You don’t need to ace every question — you just need to stay safely above the borderline.”

Final Thoughts

• Start early, stay consistent.
• Prioritise MCQ practice, especially on PassFRACP.com.
• Protect your wellbeing as much as your study.
• Remember: the exam is anchored and fair. You don’t need perfection, just consistent performance above the borderline.

The FRACP Written is brutal, but it’s passable. With the right strategy and mindset, you can absolutely get through it.