The VPECC course Our course seeks to develop course participants’ study and exam techniques for both the written and oral components of the CICM first part examination. Additionally, VPECC introduces participants to novel study techniques and peer-assisted learning, to encourage self-reflection and effective lifelong learning practices.
Targeted course lectures aim to offer insights and useful tips into the exam process and are delivered by primary examiners as well as recently successful candidates.
The written component of the course includes a short pre-course exam, this allows our faculty to gauge prior learning to better tailor the course on the day. During the course there are small group workshops on techniques to help answer difficult exam questions, followed by a one hour practice exam in the afternoon. The aim is to provide candidates with exam techniques and focused timely feedback. A sample written exam question is provided below.
The viva component of the course seeks to provide participants with tutorials on how to prepare for this part of the exam, techniques to assist with the viva process and viva practice under exam-like conditions.
For both the written and viva components of the exam a vital skill is the ability to draw a number of graphs quickly, legibly and accurately. This is therefore also a key component of the course integrated throughout the various sessions.
Sample written question
Describe the pharmacology of adrenaline and its potential uses in critical care
Sample viva question stem
What is normal renal blood flow? How is renal blood flow regulated?
Sample graph question
Draw a pressure volume loop of the left ventricle
To learn more about the course from a recent participant, click here
Exam Related Resources
Part One - Life in the Fast Lane - Amazing resource, including notes based on the syllabus and key graphs to know developed by Jake Barlow, previous course attendee and subsequently successful candidate
ICU Primary Prep Website- A great resource including notes based around the syllabus and suggested answers from previous exams
AnaesthesiaMCQ - Kerry Brandis' amazing website for the Anaesthetic Primary Exam. Highly relevant
CICM First Part Examination Reports - Reports from CICM examiners on the previous exams. Great for finding those difficult questions that get repeated
CICM First Part Mock Exam - A mock exam to familiarise yourself with the content and style of the exam
For other great 1st part exam resources, this synopsis put together by Patricia Hurune of the VPECC faculty and first published in the CICM Trainee Newsletter is a great source