Introduction

As far as the exam is concerned, it is very similar to a chess match. It ought to be treated with respect, but played in a clever fashion. As soon as you try to think of the exam as a wrestling match pitfalls for failing are plentiful. In the orals, just like chess, you have to preempt the move of your opponent, which in this situation is the examiner. It is a time-dependent chess match where every move must be undertaken in a specified time. Keep this analogy as you attempt different clinical scenarios. It is not only knowledge of the subject that is important, but to impart it in an appropriate fashion, which is inherently more important in the orals.

Treat each subject as a chess game that is going to last 5 minutes.

Structured oral examination question 1

A 35-year-old motorcyclist came off his bike yesterday; he has been resuscitated and has an isolated closed injury of the knee.

Minute 1

Here the next 1 minute belongs to the candidate and you can take it whichever way you want to. However, there are essentials to be covered. In the first 30 seconds you are expected to comment on the following:

• Name of the patient.

• Site of radiograph.

• Fracture through the tibia with depression of the lateral tibial plateau and always ask for a lateral radiograph.