10 Things You Should Know Before Taking the Entrance Exams

A great number of students apply for medical schools in North America, the UK and Western Europe. But many others apply for medical schools abroad, mostly for Europe’s leading universities. In this article you will find 10 important tips that you must know once you finished preparing for the entrance exams.

Print and Save!

What have you studied so far?

1. Chemistry- everything there is to know about the functioning of the human body on the molecular level.
2. Biology- everything there is to know about the functioning of the human body on the cellular level.
3. Anatomy and Physiology- everything there is to know about the functioning of the human body on the organ level.
4. Classical Physics- everything there is to know about mechanics, electricity and medical diagnostic instrumentation.

You studied hard in class, you practiced verbally and in writing, you studied in groups and by yourselves and went through a challenging time in which you created new friendships. It seems that you are ready for the big moment that will determine whether you start studying medicine this year. But you also need to decide when your degree starts and most importantly, where will you study? You must consider all of the above before the entrance exam.

The Entrance Exam!

10 Tips to Consider Before Taking the Exam

5 Tips for the Written Exam

1. Tip no. 1- time management!
   1. Calculate the time of the exam, dedicating 80% for answering the questions and 20% for reviewing and copying the answers to the answers page.
   2. Remember– keep an eye on the watch throughout the span of the exam.
2. Tip no. 2- maximize your score!
   1. Answer the easy to medium questions and do not delay on the difficult questions!
   2. Remember- hard and long questions may seem challenging but they are meant to waste your valuable exam time. The computer checking the exam does not differentiate between the questions’ level of difficulty and each question has an identical score. Leave the hard questions to the end and if you don’t have enough time, guess!
3. Tip no. 3 – do not change intuitive answers!
   1. Do not change your answers to intuitive questions, which usually leads to changing a correct answer to a wrong answer.
   2. Remember- if a second reading makes you realize that you misunderstood the question, then you should correct it! But if a gut feeling provided the answer, an educated guess if you will, than don’t change it.
4. Tip no. 4 – sleep well before the exam!
   1. You shouldn’t come to the exam tired and with bags under your eyes. This would leave a bad impression with the examiner.
   2. Remember- show up vigorous to the exam with enough energy to last for an entire day of written and oral exams.
5. Tip no. 5 – eat well before the exam!
   1. Eat “positive” and energizing sugars such as dates, bananas, almonds and nuts.
   2. Remember- positive sugars help to raise the sugar level and fight tiredness that accumulates during the long exam.

3 Tips for the Oral Exam

6. Tip no. 6 – exhibit self-confidence-
   1. Wear a “mask” and keep your cool and self-confidence.
   2. Remember– an oral exam is a kind of a theatre play where you are the lead actor. So even if you are under a lot of stress, remember that it does not reflect well on you and may be interpreted by the examiner as a sign of weakness and a lack of knowledge!
7. Tip no. 7 – remain polite!
   1. The European examiners should receive the honor that they are entitled to!
   2. Remember- smiling and remaining calm are important when communicating with the examiner, but at the same time, avoid appearing insolent and do not talk back to the examiners.
8. Tip no. 8- dress properly!
   1. Appear presentable!
   2. Remember- tailored pants and a buttoned shirt are the basic dress code. While a suit may be redundant, you should wear clothes that signify the importance of the exam, especially since this is the dress code for the examiners as well.

2 Last Tips to Consider During the Exam

9. Tip no. 9 – Do not Smoke!
   1. Do not smoke while you study!
   2. Remember- do not smoke any type of tobacco, weed or any other substance. Smoking reduces the flow of blood to the brain and makes you less smart.
10. Tip no. 10 – Work out!
    1. Exercise aerobics 3 to 4 times a week!
    2. Remember- physical exercise improves the blood flow to the brain and makes you smarter while you study and during the exam. Physical fitness improves your concentration and your ability to get through a long and difficult exam. Swimming, running and cycling are highly recommended.