Need some help about preparing MCCEE!

[AprilWenLi]

Hi,everyone
I'm a Canadian resident. As a medical guaduate from China, I'm going to take MCCEE test to become a doctor in B.C.Follow the advice of some post here,I've bought toronto notes , but I found TN is such a big book that make me feel confused about how to use it to prepare the exam.Do I have to read word by word in TN?Is it necessary to remember every detail in the book for the test MCCEE and MCCQE1&2? How to use TN more efficiently?Are there some other useful materials that can help preparing the exams?
I will look forward to any friendly advice and deeply appreciate it.THANK YOU!!!

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[JPR22]

My experience is from the MCCEE, but Ill take a similar approach to the QE1. I started off with the Kaplan notes, then I went through the Toronto notes, which took a while to get through. If you look hard enough theres some old questions available. USMLEWORLD for step 2 was a pretty good resource. Alot of the MCCEE questiosn were vague, or really detailed. PM me if you want more info. Good luck.

 

[AprilWenLi]

JPR22,I'm so glad to see your reply,I think that would be very useful information to me.It seems that it hadn't taken you so much time to read through TN,had you?How long?Have you pass the MCCEE already?
Thank you for your quik reply

 

[JPR22]

It took me about 6 months (1 hour nightly) to get through TN. Of course theres some sections I hit more than others ie.cardio, OBGYN,SUrgery,Peds. I passed the sept/07 MCCEE.

 

[AprilWenLi]

Hi,JPR22!I think maybe I ll take more than 10month to complete TN,because there seems so many new medical vocabulary to me.5 month ago I have finished my medical study in China,and now I have to transfer all Ive learnt to Eglish,so that's like a big project to me.You said you start with Kaplan notes,is that a good book better than TN?Or its just another review material when i want to read more book to prepare the exams? Are you a medical student studing in university or a guaduate?because i havent experence studying mdicine here,so i don't know how the medical education system like here.Thank you for your time and patience to answer my questions,I realy appreciate that!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Before you go down this road, you might want to review this thread. It turns out that IMG's (International Medical Graduates, like yourself) have a very difficult time obtaining residency spots in Canada. Many end up coming to the US to train instead, and then return to Canada (although there are potential problems with that plan also). If you decide to do this, then you'll need to write the USMLE's also.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[AprilWenLi]

Thank you for your information,aProgDirector.Ive read the thread you suggest to me,It sounds difficult to be a residency in Canada as an IMG.But I want to be a family doctor here,is it still that hard?And I havent heard SABA university before,is it a famous medical school in US? THANKS AGAIN!

 

[ammour444]

Hi AprilWenLi, How r u ??
Yesterday, I put my first step in my way to be a Canadian doctor.
I was studying the Kaplan notes when I noticed that This notes doesn't contain all the subject that Toronto Notes talks about.
Let me give u an example:
for the Gastroenterology it 27 pages in Kaplan but it's 56 pages in Toronto Notes. So, I don't think that Kaplan can take the Toronto Notes place in preparing for the MCCEE.
Could anyone help us ??
Thanks

 

[DrCautious]

Hi all.. it seems from a few posts that TN is THE book, and Kaplan is optional. (Do people agree with this?) Anyhow, I'm a psychiatry resident a few weeks from my own final exams in South Africa, but wanna do the MCCEE probably Sept 08 or Early 09. Is this a reasonable time-frame? I'm gonna be ordering/looking for a copy of TN in the meentime. Anyone know whether it's essential to get a new copy of TN(ie 2007 version and more recent?). Thanks all.. and good luck to everyone whose in the process

 

[markdc]

I read the 2006 Toronto notes, did old exam questions, read some online resources and scored above the mean on the exam. No need for kaplan to pass the MCCEE. The more you do can round out your knowledge but you also get to a point of overload and start forgetting the stuff that is particularly useless.

AprilWenLi, have you looked at the IMG program in BC? It is the hardest one in Canada. You will have to work for 3 months unpaid while they assess you, write additional exams and still face a fairly limited selection of specialty spots as an IMG going there. The additional requirements seemed ridiculous to me considering I already have a job where I am and wanted a spot on a program not offered there for IMGs. They are probably limiting their potential applicants with that system.

 

[chrysalisr]

i'm a resident of canada and ive done my grad frm india....ill be givin the mccee xams next yr...doesnt bein a canadian resident help or is the situation as bad 4 them too?i mean the specialities n evrythin...

 

[leisa]

Hi, I am wondering if I have to study every chapter in TN to undergo mccee, I heard they test the basics of medicine, pediatrics, psichiatry, surgery, community health and ginecobstetrics. When they say Medicine, Do they refer to dermatology, hematology, ophtamology, respirology, etc? or is it only family medicine, I am an internationlally graduated medical doctor and want to go through the licencing process so I need information, it's greatly appreciated, Thank you very much.

 

[gobaan]

quickest review stuff that is very accurate and easy to understand is Ultimate Review for MCCEE. Go to mcceereview.com and you'll find it there

 

[Giemsa]

 

[NGiorgi]

hi there !!

Well I just did my MCCEE in january 2009; and to be honest with you... all the stress you are feeling now, I probably had that X10 lol
yeah, we always think "is this enough" or "not enough" ?

well, I just RECENTLY bought the Toronto Notes (I'm going to use it for the MCCQE1). For the MCCEE I bought regular books suggested for USMLE step2 CK, I believe I did well (score above the median).

Toronto notes will give one true advantage over other books (destined for the US), and that is canadian-specific stuff (yeah, I know sounds stupid don't it ? )
That's the reason why I bought it for MCCQE1; basically, epidemiology and statistics.

now, to answer different questions:
do you have to read all the chapters ? well... it's a matter of priorities; if you have the time, why not ? there might be a couple of questions based on rare diseases. If you don't have the time, stick to the basics, the "big stuff". If you can't remember Berger nephropathy... well tough luck, you might miss a question, If you don't remember how to read an electrocardiogram... well, don't do the exam just yet.

does being a canadian resident help in anyway ?
well... yes and no, If I am not mistaken, you need to be a canadian resident to get into a residency... but that is about all it will help.
I am canadian (citizenship, passport, etc...) and I have to give the same exams any other IMG has to. Hell, quebec graduates do not need to take the MCCQE2 before starting their residency, we as IMG have to pass it just to be eligeable for a residency in quebec.

hope this helps

 

[sunnyboy123]

Hi NGiorgi,

Thanks for this informative post !
It is very useful.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us !

 

[NGiorgi]

Hi NGiorgi,

Thanks for this informative post !
It is very useful.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us !

you're welcome, but I now have a couple question of my own:
I am a medical graduate (IMG) but haven't done any residency;
how can I apply to quebec ? can I do the ECOS exam ?

Dalhousie university requires me (for family medicine) to do the CAPP, yet from what I gather that exam is the provincial equivalent of the QE2 and is aimed at doctor who want to practice in the eastern provinces. I am looking FOR A RESIDENCY, so anyone know what is the deal with that requirement ?

to be honest, I've been reading the CaRMS website, and even with the QE1, things seem to be a little disheartning, anyone else feel this way ?

 

[Giemsa]

you're welcome, but I now have a couple question of my own:
I am a medical graduate (IMG) but haven't done any residency;
how can I apply to quebec ? can I do the ECOS exam ?

Sorry. I don't know anything about Quebec.

Dalhousie university requires me (for family medicine) to do the CAPP, yet from what I gather that exam is the provincial equivalent of the QE2 and is aimed at doctor who want to practice in the eastern provinces.

The CAPP is intended for International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians who believe they are PRACTICE READY for entry into family practice without any additional formal residency training in Canada. That is, it is for an IMG who has already completed a residency in another country. (Doesn't sound like this is for you.)

I am looking FOR A RESIDENCY, so anyone know what is the deal with that requirement ?

If you're looking for a residency, Nova Scotia dictates that you must be a Canadian citizen/PR who has NOT had ANY post-graduate (residency) training in Canada or the US. Their website on CaRMS notes that "preference will be given to international medical graduates who have the Clinical Assessment for Practice Program (CAPP) or equivalent."

The CAPP website notes:
"Can my CAPP assessment report be used to support an application to a residency program?
Your copy of your CAPP assessment report is yours to use as you wish. If you are not successful in obtaining a medical license and you wish to apply for a position in a residency program you may forward your report to support your application. Alternatively, the CAPP office will forward a copy of your report under CAPP letterhead to a residency program(s) your designate or to the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)."

However, to participate in CAPP (which is not inexpensive) it appears you must have had some post-graduate training wherever. If you haven't any any residency yet somewhere, it doesn't look like you would qualify to sit the CAPP exam (and I understand from your previous post that you haven't had such experience.)

I might contact Dal and ask them what othe CAPP equivalents exist for assessing IMGs who want to get residencies. CaRMS mentions a "CAPP equivalent" - ask them what this would be.

to be honest, I've been reading the CaRMS website, and even with the QE1, things seem to be a little disheartning, anyone else feel this way ?

The approximate match rate in 2009 for IMGs was 21%. Those aren't great numbers, but you can increase your odds by applying widely across Canada e.g. multiple specialties in multiple provinces. If you're interested in IM, also apply in family, and don't just apply in Eastern Canada - apply all across the country!

 

[NGiorgi]

I might contact Dal and ask them what othe CAPP equivalents exist for assessing IMGs who want to get residencies. CaRMS mentions a "CAPP equivalent" - ask them what this would be.



The approximate match rate in 2009 for IMGs was 21%. Those aren't great numbers, but you can increase your odds by applying widely across Canada e.g. multiple specialties in multiple provinces. If you're interested in IM, also apply in family, and don't just apply in Eastern Canada - apply all across the country!

I'd like to start with a big thanks to you Giemsa, that was a quick response I must say !!

I'll contact Dalhousie to see what is up with that requirement, to be honest I hadn't thought about calling them since I figured they'd probably be swamped and reaching them might be somewhat tricky.


If those are the numbers, they ain't great, but they aren't bad either, basically, 1 in 5 IMG get matched, I can live with those odds (although, knowing my legendary bad luck... lol; yeah, trust me, it's LEGENDARY )

I was planing to apply at first all through Canada, but to be honest, without a clinical assesment test, I don't see how I can do it. Even then, it seems somewhat tricky.
BC has their own assesment test, Alberta requires one to be AIMG certified (I think it's like a year's worth of clinical assesment), Quebec requires the ECOS (which I'll do next august if I pass the QE1, it's only given once a year) or the QE2 which it seems I can't do (I seriously don't get that one year minimum residency requirement, especially since as an IMG you need it for alot of places to get INTO A RESIDENCY );
so the choices seem somewhat limited... or am I missing something ?

For which residency I was planing to go to, I was actually aiming for FM not IM; it's what I like so I might as well .
But yes, putting up IM is a great idea though; you're absolutely right I need to widen the net a little more and as such, increase the odds.

Thanks man for the advise !!
I really appreciate it !!

 

[fjite]

hi
i graduated med school from Pakistan in april 2012.i ve just started mccee prep and i have bought toronto notes only.can i depend on toronto notes alone? How long does it take to prepare for mccee if i am reading toronto notes for the first time but a fresh graduate.ideally i should prepare myself for the september exam for which i have only three months to prepare. What is your expert opinion?
regards

 

[MonteCristo1927]

Hi there!
well, no matter where you come from, we are all IMGs once you are here...
So, if you are a Canadian resident, that's good, since you need to be one in order to apply for residencies on carms.

But, also, you need to pass the exams, not only the MCCEE.
For MCCEE I used the questions online, canadaqbank. I studied (and memorized) 200 questions every day, for 6 months, and take a look on TN whenever I felt the topic was unfamiliar to me. Also, I used medscape, since I find it very updated and useful, besides it has the mobile app now so you can check it anywhere.
but when I was taking my MCCQE1, I saw a lot of Canadian med students with their TN books, so I would say that's a good source of info, the main one.

My advise would be to take the MCCEE before you come here (of course you need to do a lot of paperwork with PCRC in order to take it). and once here, take the MCCQE1 and MCCQE2 exams as soon as possible.
It's expensive, so you'll need a financial backup, or you'll have to work in unrelated jobs to cover your expenses...

Once you have all these exams, you become a stronger candidate, but still is hard to get a spot. You'll have some interviews and finally one hospital will get you.
I've seen once you are here, you need to make connections with the people in the program you are interested in.

All the best in your endeavors.

J

 

[skystar]

i'm a resident of canada and ive done my grad frm india....ill be givin the mccee xams next yr...doesnt bein a canadian resident help or is the situation as bad 4 them too?i mean the specialities n evrythin...

i am in 5th year of medschool, and i am thinking of taking the MCCEE exam but i dont know anything about this exam plz bhi, if u can help me

 

[drzoya]

hi every1
i am indian mbbs graduate currenty doing internship. i am gettting married to person who is canadian resident. i got to know dat i have to write mccee,. i have purchused the books of kaplan series step1. but i got to know dat we need step 2 notes for that. could u please guide whats the whole procedure.and what are the additional books to be followed

dr zoya

 

[nidhi272]

I think just using USMLE step 2 books (Kaplan, USMLE world) and ethics books recommended on the MCEE site should be fine because of the canadian ethics? Can anyone confirm

 

[Juxsta]

I had very little if any "Canadian ethics" questions. I took my Step 2 CK in late August and did UWorld and high speed DIT. Took MCCEE 1 month later and didn't do any extra studying. I felt it was much easier and straight forward.

 

[KAMAL PATTIYA WATTAGE]

HI,
IM STUDYING TO MCCEE ,,,IM IN SURREY, BC............IF ANYONE READY TO STUDY WITH ME...PLS CONTACT SA SOON AS [email protected]

 

[KAMAL PATTIYA WATTAGE]

HI,
IM STUDYING TO MCCEE ,,,IM IN SURREY, BC............IF ANYONE READY TO STUDY WITH ME...PLS CONTACT SA SOON AS [email protected]

I had very little if any "Canadian ethics" questions. I took my Step 2 CK in late August and did UWorld and high speed DIT. Took MCCEE 1 month later and didn't do any extra studying. I felt it was much easier and straight forward.

hi.im waiting ur reply dear.................

 

[NRdragon]

Hi..
i am an IMG....planning to write the mccee in oct/Nov..
i have purchased The toronto notes..
for internal.medicine, Do i have to cover all chapters or just family medicine? After writing mccee, Can work as a resident?

 

[DrCautious]

NRdrgon, tt sounds like you're an internist, right? The MCCEE is an entrance exam, assessing the candidate's eligibility for the Licensure Exam (LMCC or MCCQE). For the MCCEE you need to do all the chapters, but you can skip sections dealing specifically with Canadian issues, eg Laws, or Health Care structure etc. Do past papers to get an idea. In BC, if you're qualified as a specialist from a certain recognized insititutions oversees you could practice as an Internist in an area of need. No need to do your residency. Check the MCC or RCPSC website to confirm if your institute is listed there.. If you haven't completed a residency yet, and you're not on that list. Things get very challenging. You need to get into a residency post. Which is very hard. (PS: I'm in British Columbia, so these rules pertain to my province).

 

[NRdragon]

Thanks for the reply.
actually i am confused now.
I am currently in my last year of mbbs in china and my university is recognized in canada according to FAIMER. so i thought that after getting the degree, Im suppose to do residency.
I have no.specialization, Just thr mbbs degree
Is internship same as residency?
And do i get an income as an internist or resident?
And is the procedure different for BC nd ntario

hi.im waiting ur reply dear.................

NRdrgon, tt sounds like you're an internist, right? The MCCEE is an entrance exam, assessing the candidate's eligibility for the Licensure Exam (LMCC or MCCQE). For the MCCEE you need to do all the chapters, but you can skip sections deali

NRdrgon, tt sounds like you're an internist, right? The MCCEE is an entrance exam, assessing the candidate's eligibility for the Licensure Exam (LMCC or MCCQE). For the MCCEE you need to do all the chapters, but you can skip sections dealing specifically with Canadian issues, eg Laws, or Health Care structure etc. Do past papers to get an idea. In BC, if you're qualified as a specialist from a certain recognized insititutions oversees you could practice as an Internist in an area of need. No need to do your residency. Check the MCC or RCPSC website to confirm if your institute is listed there.. If you haven't completed a residency yet, and you're not on that list. Things get very challenging. You need to get into a residency post. Which is very hard. (PS: I'm in British Columbia, so these rules pertain to my province).

ng specifically with Canadian issues, eg Laws, or Health Care structure etc. Do past papers to get an idea. In BC, if you're qualified as a specialist from a certain recognized insititutions oversees you could practice as an Internist in an area of need. No need to do your residency. Check the MCC or RCPSC website to confirm if your institute is listed there.. If you haven't completed a residency yet, and you're not on that list. Things get very challenging. You need to get into a residency post. Which is very hard. (PS: I'm in British Columbia, so these rules pertain to my province).

NRdrgon, tt sounds like you're an internist, right? The MCCEE is an entrance exam, assessing the candidate's eligibility for the Licensure Exam (LMCC or MCCQE). For the MCCEE you need to do all the chapters, but you can skip sections dealing specifically with Canadian issues, eg Laws, or Health Care structure etc. Do past papers to get an idea. In BC, if you're qualified as a specialist from a certain recognized insititutions oversees you could practice as an Internist in an area of need. No need to do your residency. Check the MCC or RCPSC website to confirm if your institute is listed there.. If you haven't completed a residency yet, and you're not on that list. Things get very challenging. You need to get into a residency post. Which is very hard. (PS: I'm in British Columbia, so these rules pertain to my province).

 

[NRdragon]

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the reply.
actually i am confused now.
I am currently in my last year of mbbs in china and my university is recognized in canada according to FAIMER. so i thought that after getting the degree, Im suppose to do residency.
I have no.specialization, Just thr mbbs degree
Is internship same as residency?
And do i get an income as an internist or resident?
And is the procedure different for BC nd ntario

nks

 

[NRdragon]

One more doubt...so do i need to write mccee since my university is recognized (for ontario or BC)?

Thanks in advance.


nks

 

[Medstart108]

Thanks for the reply.
actually i am confused now.
I am currently in my last year of mbbs in china and my university is recognized in canada according to FAIMER. so i thought that after getting the degree, Im suppose to do residency.
I have no.specialization, Just thr mbbs degree
Is internship same as residency?
And do i get an income as an internist or resident?
And is the procedure different for BC nd ntario

You need to write the MCCEE and then sign up for the NAC OSCE which is a clinical examination
You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
You need to apply for residency (there is no internship in Canada, it is just residency)
You get income as a resident (it is the same across all specialties and varies by province but usually starts around 50-60k in your first year)
The application is done completely through CaRMS. BC and Ontario have different eligibility requirements and different rules, but all this is available on https://www.carms.ca/

 

[NRdragon]

Ok thank you.
do i submit my documents through physicians.ca or by mail?

 

[DrCautious]

Sorry, there seems to be a mix-up of terminology. By 'Internist' I meant I thought you were a specialist in Internal Medicine. My bad. Good luck with your choice...

 

[Modeselektor]

.

 

[Mittymed]

Hi... I'm brazilian. I would like to make Neurology in British Columbia. Do I have to make Family or Internal Medicine first? I haven't found the option to assess Neurology Residency. Anyone here can tell me if it's necessary MCCQE1 and 2. In the website of UBC there are no information about this. Just the MCCEE and NAC are required, the canadian citizenship, and the 3 months Program of Assessment is recommended. Witch book do you recommend me to study? PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. I'm a little bit lost! =)

 

[Pashahh]

Hello,

I am an IMG and I have completed 2 years of my psychiatry residency in England and have given my MRCPsych. I am looking to give the mcee next year and start a PGY3 internship in toronto. I just wanted some guidance as to when is the best time to get done with the MCEE in time for applications for PGY3, what is the application period, when does the job start etc. Also, there is a lot of talk of using the Kaplan books but would the 'oxford handbook of internal medicine' and 'oxford handbook of clinical specialities' work too (used these books for the UK licensing exams)?

Also, what did you mean by 'speciality positions'?

Thankyou.

Being a Canadian resident helps, but there really isn't much available in terms of specialty positions for IMGs in Canada. Also, not to be rude, but I would really work on your written English if you legitimately hope to be taken seriously.

 

[Dr Uzma]

take the help of Toronto notes, books displayed on official mccee.ca and get some qbank practice on mcceeqbank.com, i recommend you this qbank because it has all the quality.

 

[BinaS]

Hi guyz, I have a coupon for:

http://qchimp.com/mccee
50% OFF Coupon Code: MARCH50OFF

 

[Distant]

I heard that you only need 1 week after taking the Actual Step 2 CK Exam, to prepare for the MCCEE Exam, What is the Single most important source during this week?
Will the Ck Bundle [UW, MTB2&3] Suffice?
If I had to Add either Canada Q bank OR Toronto Notes What Should I add?
How Long should it take to go over these After completing the Step 2 CK prep?

Thanks

 

[BDUS]

I didn't do any additional or different prep after Step 2 CK for the MCCEE way back when this evaluation exam was required.