SURGICAL FINALS Passing the Clinical - PasTest

S E C T I O N 1Dress conventionallyAvoid appearing at all unconventional. Men should wear a plain darksuit, tie and white shirt. Women should wear a smart dress or suit. Hairshould be tidy: men should have a recent haircut and women with longhair should tie it back. Make sure that your nails are clean and your shoespolished.Arrive on timeIt is essential that you arrive on time and in a composed state. You can besure that there will be examiners and patients waiting for you, regardlessof traffic delays or train strikes. Excuses wear thin on such occasions. If youare not familiar with the venue, a preliminary visit may be worthwhile inorder to time your journey.Aim to be at the examination at least 30 minutes before the listed startingtime. This will ensure that you are able to find the toilets, check yourdress and equipment, and fill in any necessary forms. It is a good idea,while waiting outside the examination room, to write down the variousheadings of your history and examination on the blank paper provided.Not only does this ensure that you do not forget a heading in the heat ofthe moment, but it limits the space (and hence time) that you spend onany one area.22