How can I study effectively for my surgery and medicine exams as a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student?

How to Study Effectively for Surgery and Medicine Exams as an MBBS Student

Focus your study efforts on completing large volumes of practice questions and self-testing, as this approach produces quantitatively superior exam performance compared to passive reading strategies.

Core Study Strategy: Question-Based Learning

The most effective approach centers on completing review questions rather than passive reading. Research demonstrates that for every 100 review questions completed, exam percentile scores improve by approximately 3.1 points 1. This question-based methodology should form the foundation of your preparation strategy, as it directly translates to measurable performance improvements 1.

Recommended Study Structure

• Dedicate 9-10 hours per week to focused study, with each additional hour per week correlating with a 1.76-point increase in exam percentile scores 1
• Intensify preparation in the month before exams, increasing study time from approximately 2 hours per week to 7 hours per week during the final month 2
• Develop a structured study plan rather than studying haphazardly, as 87% of successful residents adopt formal study plans in the month preceding major examinations 2

High-Utility vs. Low-Utility Study Techniques

Prioritize These High-Utility Strategies:

Self-testing (practice questions) should be your primary method, as 100% of residents use this approach and it correlates with superior outcomes 2, 1. This aligns with educational research showing self-testing produces durable learning 2.

Spaced repetition is another high-utility strategy, though currently underutilized—only 24% of residents consistently employ this technique despite its proven effectiveness 2.

Avoid These Low-Utility Strategies:

Minimize highlighting and passive reading, as 60% of residents overuse highlighting despite it being classified as a low-utility learning strategy 2. While textbooks remain popular (65% use them as primary resources), they should supplement rather than replace active question-based learning 2.

Clinical Skills Development

You must develop technical proficiency in clinical skills laboratories before encountering patients, as skills lab technology is now sufficiently advanced to be indispensable in medical student education 3.

• Utilize Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) as learning tools, not just assessments, as they help identify specific weaknesses in practical and clinical skills 4
• Practice clinical competencies systematically using structured checklists and rubrics, which changes study patterns to emphasize clinical skills over pure memorization 5

Resource Selection

Your choice of primary study resource (textbooks, review books, or question banks) matters less than how you use it—no significant performance difference exists based on primary resource selection 1. However, the evidence strongly supports:

• Question banks (9% currently use as primary resource) should be elevated to primary status given their correlation with higher scores 1
• ABSITE review books (26% use) and textbooks (65% use) should serve as secondary references for clarifying concepts encountered in questions 2

Study Environment Considerations

Individual versus group study shows no significant impact on performance (p = 0.20), so choose based on personal preference rather than perceived effectiveness 1. The critical factor is consistent, focused engagement with practice questions regardless of setting 1.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not rely on passive learning methods like re-reading notes or highlighting textbooks as your primary strategy—these consume time without producing proportional learning gains 2.

Avoid cramming without a structured plan, as residents with formal study plans demonstrate better outcomes than those studying sporadically 2.

Do not neglect spacing your study sessions—this high-utility strategy remains severely underutilized despite strong evidence supporting its effectiveness 2.

Practical Implementation Algorithm

1. Allocate 9-10 hours weekly for structured study throughout the academic year 1
2. Complete a minimum of 500+ practice questions before major examinations, prioritizing question completion over passive reading 1
3. Increase study intensity to 7 hours per week during the final month before exams 2
4. Implement spaced repetition by revisiting previously completed questions at increasing intervals 2
5. Supplement question-based learning with targeted reading only for concepts you miss in practice questions 2, 1
6. Practice clinical skills in simulation labs before patient encounters to build technical competency 3