Blog

If you are an MRCEM aspirant preparing for the MRCEM OSCE exam, you might have probably heard a lot of scary stories about it and how challenging it is. And honestly, that’s true for most candidates. There will be a sense of relief once the written exams are over, but it does not last long. Because you know well that the OSCE demands something completely different.

Unlike the theory exams, which test your theoretical knowledge and memorisation skills, the OSCE tests how you think, communicate, and act in real clinical situations. And that’s exactly why most candidates fail the MRCEM OSCE. That shift from theory to practical performance throws many off track. So, understanding where things usually go wrong is the first step toward getting it right.

Expert Insights & Solutions

1. Poor understanding of OSCE structure

Many aspirants underestimate the format of the OSCE. Not knowing how stations are scored, mismanaging time inside the stations, and missing key checkpoints examiners look for can easily lead to failure.

Expert solution

• Study the exam blueprint thoroughly
• Familiarise yourself with common station patterns
• Practise under strict timed conditions

2. Weak communication skills

Communication plays a crucial role in OSCE scoring. Using too much medical jargon, struggling to explain your reasoning, or failing to show empathy can affect your performance, even if your knowledge is good.

Solution

• Use simple, clear language
• Practise with simulated patients
• Follow structured communication frameworks

3. Lack of a systematic clinical approach

Some candidates jump into tasks without having a clear structure. Missing red flags, forgetting basic examination steps, or providing incomplete differential diagnoses are issues that can reduce your score.

Solution

• Use clinical checklists consistently
• Practise with experienced mentors
• Follow recognised formats like ABCDE and SOCRATES

4. Not practising enough stations

Success in OSCE highly depends on hands-on practice. Candidates who only read notes usually struggle with unpredictable scenarios or fail to manage time effectively during the exam.

Solution

• Join practice groups
• Attend mock OSCE circuits
• Review your recorded performances

5. Inadequate preparation for non-clinical stations

Many candidates focus mainly on clinical content. But stations involving safeguarding, breaking bad news, prioritisation, or conflict resolution are equally important and often neglected.

Solution

Prepare specifically for communication-heavy stations

Get feedback from mentors experienced in EM

Use structured approaches to manage emotional or ethical scenarios

6. Not understanding examiner expectations

Candidates often lose marks because they don’t know what examiners look for. Ignoring safety steps, failing to show clear reasoning, or overlooking simple observations can cost valuable marks.

Solution

• Learn how marking works
• Understand what examiners assess in each station
• Practise with feedback from trained examiners

7. Preparing without expert guidance

Preparing alone may work for theory. But when it comes to OSCE, it needs support and feedback. Without expert guidance, many performance gaps remain unnoticed till exam day.

Solution

• Train under experienced MRCEM mentors
• Join structured OSCE courses or live circuits
• Take feedback seriously and refine your approach

We hope this blog gives you some clarity and genuinely helps you refine your preparation. If you feel you need structured guidance, we are here to help. At StudyMRCEM, we offer both short and long-term MRCEM OSCE courses, all led by experienced mentors who understand the exam well. And before you even enrol in the course, you can try out our premium study materials for free on the StudyMEDIC LMS.

You are welcome to know more about our courses.

Authored By: Sarath