The Guide to Writing a Good MBBS Exam Paper

Hello medicos. As we all know, writing an MBBS exam paper is not just about how much you know. We all know of that one kid, who does not know a lot but still scores very high. Thus, I would like to say that writing exam papers is an art that requires a lot of presentation skills. 

The way you structure your answers, the neatness of your handwriting, and the clarity of your thought process  can significantly impact your grades. Here is the cheat sheet for writing the best papers. 

Neatness is VERYYY Important.

Think from the examiner’s perspective. It will be much easier to correct a paper that has been written in a clear and legible handwriting than correcting a untidy one. Good handwriting equals good mood of the examiner equals better marks.

Tip: Writing in script instead of cursive is often more readable, especially by Indian teachers from different regions. Cursive is not that widely taught in India. Try to write in a bigger font as well. 

Tip: Leave lines where you want to separate a section of your answer from another. But don’t leave so many lines that your paper appears half empty.

School Rules all over again

All these small neatness tips will make a lot of difference. Trust me, I am talking from personal experience.

Tip: When you start a new point make sure that you start writing from the margin of the sheet. Make sure that all your sentences start from the margin instead of being misaligned.

Tip: Leave adequate space between two words.

In short, make sure that your handwriting is legible and pleasing to read.

Structure Your Answer

Again, go back to the examiner’s mind. They know that you have limited time to write the answer. So, if you were to present it in a structured way, the examiner will understand that you have the information readily available in your head.

Tip: Break down your answer into sub-headers. Identify the main points you need to cover and write down the keywords before expanding on them.

I write the word ‘Definition’ before writing the required definition. Similarly, I will write the headers like ‘Clinical Features’ or ‘Pathogenesis’ and then write the related points under these headers.

Underline and Add an Extra Edge

You can underline the main points in the answer. The ones that the question wants. This will save the examiners time. Again, happy examiner equals better marks.

Also try to include extra points high yield points. Like you could include ‘clinical anatomy’ while writing an anatomy answer. 

Draw Diagrams Wherever Possible

Diagrams show that you have really understood the concept. In anatomy or histology, it is a clear sign that you remember what you saw.

In subjects like ‘Biochemistry’ or ‘Physiology’ you can draw flowcharts to show the chain of events. And then, you can elaborate on the main events in the flowchart.

Schematic diagrams are also welcome, the examiner just expects a neat diagram.

BIG Answers And How To Make Them Big

See, although content won’t allow you to write for two pages, I would really really recommend writing 2 page answers at least (For SAQs). Some examiners will grade you based on content, but some will really expect long answers, and won’t pass you if you don’t deliver.

So, ensure a minimum length of 2 pages while writing an answer. Try to add more points and more in depth explanation.

Pro tip: Avoid unrelated blurting of information. Write relevant points. You can also try to write more than questioned, but don’t go entirely off topic.

Example Structure for a Pathology Question

1. Definition
2. Etiology: Try to write the information in a table before expanding on the key etiological features.
3. Pathogenesis: Try to include a flowchart.
4. Microscopy: Describe the microscopy, write the ‘key feature’ and DRAW THE H&E DIAGRAM.
5. Gross Morphology: Again, try to include a diagram.
6. Clinical Features: Make a list then expand on it.
7. Management: This is the extra edge that most people won’t write about. It is not really expected, but you can try and include it.

Conclusion

All in all, writing technique is very important. How you present what you know is as important as knowing it. The promptness and readiness to deal with questions shows a lot of promise to the examiner.

Follow these tips. They will be a savior, I’m sure. Good luck with your exams!