Any Canadian IMGs sitting MCQ E1?

[dasha55]

Hi, I am a Canadian studying Medicine in New Zealand. I am planning to sit canadian MCQs in June this year and just wanted an advice on how much time do I need to prepare and any useful links to learn more about the exam?

I am taking a year off to have a baby in Feburary and thought to get some studying done for both the MCQs and the USMLE; I am currently between Year 4 and 5 of Auckland Uni. So I am also planning to sit USMLE step 1 at same time, has anyone done both; how do the 2 compare in terms of difficulty? Is it helpful to study for both exams at same time? I read that MCQ E1 is similiar to Step 2 from a clinical perspective; I am half way through my clinical training, I wonder if it will be better to write the MCQs after Year 5?

I know I can write USMLE in Auckland NZ (my hometown at the moment), what about the canadian MCQs- do I need to be in Canada to write those.
Also, can someone please clarify some terms: is resident (North American term) same as Registrar?
Any feedback is welcome! Thanks, Daria

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[markdc]

I think resident = registrar in NA.

The MCCEE is the first exam for Canada you need to write in order to apply for IMG CaRMs spots. I think you can't write it till your last year on the program (unlike the USMLE which you can attempt anytime). The exam has recently changed to a CBT and you should be able to write in a designated Prometric testing center. In Aus I think it is Sydney. MCCQE1 requires you to write in Canada.

As for the USMLE step 2 is supposed to be similar to MCCEE but step 1 is alot of biochem and pathology and pharmacology.

Good luck with the studying/baby.

 

[dasha55]

I think resident = registrar in NA.

The MCCEE is the first exam for Canada you need to write in order to apply for IMG CaRMs spots. I think you can't write it till your last year on the program (unlike the USMLE which you can attempt anytime). The exam has recently changed to a CBT and you should be able to write in a designated Prometric testing center. In Aus I think it is Sydney. MCCQE1 requires you to write in Canada.

As for the USMLE step 2 is supposed to be similar to MCCEE but step 1 is alot of biochem and pathology and pharmacology.

Good luck with the studying/baby.

I did some reading and realized YES I need to write the MCCEE first and it should be in my last year of school. The good news I can write this exam from Australia (2 centers). So perhaps I just need to focus on USMLE step 1 for now. Thank you very much for the input! Daria

 

[nerv12]

Hi, I am also a Canadian citizen/permanent resident and I am planning to go to Romania for medical school. When you chose to do your med school in Australia, did you find out everything about being able to practice in Canada? What did they say when you chose to go abroad for med school? ..I am in my final year of high school.

 

[dasha55]

Hi, I am also a Canadian citizen/permanent resident and I am planning to go to Romania for medical school. When you chose to do your med school in Australia, did you find out everything about being able to practice in Canada? What did they say when you chose to go abroad for med school? ..I am in my final year of high school.

Hi Nerv12,
Just to correct you - I am studying in New Zealand not Oz. When I was applying, I just wanted to get in somewhere after getting rejection letters from Ontario Schools for 2 years in a row. I knew that I would have to sit extra exams to come back to North America and that getting back to Canada would be difficult.
At this stage, getting back into Canada is not my #1 goal. It was a life changing decision to move so far away from home and borrow gazellions, but I have no regrets except that a 4 year OZ program with more grad/mature students would have been better (my program is 6 yrs, unless you start from year 2 and most students are just turning 21).
It all depends, how strong you are as a person and how sure you are that Medicine is what you want to so!
All the best, Daria

 

[amandad]

Hello, I'm Canadian and will be studying in Europe. I read somewhere that when applying for residency in Canada, they favour graduates of schools in the UK, Ireland, NZ, Australia. Does the school really matter or is it more of a language requirement?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Amanda

 

[nerv12]

That is not true. They don't favour one over the other anymore. It does not matter where you study medcine as long as the school is listed in the WHO and the FAIMER IMED directory. If your medical school is not listed in those directories then your degree is useless when applying for residency in Canada or the US.

There are 2 rounds of residency. International medical graduates are NOW able to apply in the first round with Canadian graduates so that is a big plus. However, there are 5x more international medical graduates applying so you are not garunteed a spot. It could take another year but it all depends on your MCCQE exam and your interview. When you return to Canada, to apply for residency you will need to sit the MCCQE exam before applying.

I am also a Canadian citizen finishing highschool and going to Romania to do my med school studies there. If you are determined, I say go for it!

Here are some useful websites and phone # that you might want to check out...

CARMS (Canadian residency matching servvices):

1877-227-6742
http://www.carms.ca/

HealthForceOntario:

416-862-2200
http://www.healthforceontario.ca/

College of Physicians and Surgeions of Ontario:

416-967-2603
http://www.cpso.on.ca/

WHO Directory:

http://www.who.int/hrh/wdms/en/index.html

FAIMER IMED directory:

https://imed.faimer.org/


PS. don't believe that BS your school counseller may feed you regarding IMG's returning to Canada and now getting a job. There are more opportunities not for IMG's trying to get residency here in Canada. This is why I chose to go to Romania as soon as I finish high school.

Good luck!

 

[pattycanuck]

is resident (North American term) same as Registrar?

Just to clarify:

Intern year/Resident medical officer (as used in Australia/NZ) is roughly the equivalent of an R1

Senior RMO is about R2-3

Registrar is R4-5

Fellows are fellows 🙂

 

[NGiorgi]

Hello,

Although I am a little bit further down the road, I'm pretty much in your same situation.
I'd like to take advantage of the fact that this thread is open to ask some pertinent questions of my own.

I'm a Canadian citizen who studied medicine in Argentina (it was actually my parent's decision to go there, and .... when you're 16, you can't really say no); So, now I'm finally back here and I'd like to practice in montreal (my "home" city).
I've already done the EE (got the pass/fail thing but not the grade yet), and I am registering now for the fall session of the Q1 (i think it's in november).
Now that the intro is done... the questions:
-I haven't done any residency in argentina, can I still sit for the Q2 ?

-What exams do I need for the matching program ? is EE + Q1 enough, or do I also need the Q2 ?

-If I want to practice in Quebec, do I need to pass other exams ? (mandatory exams that is)

-I heard there's two matching sessions (one in january, the other i have no idea when), what is the possibility of not finding a match as an IMG ?
(I know you may not get one, but is it very likely, sorta likely or unlikely ?)
(btw, how does the match work ? what is it I have to do ?) When is the second match session ? Is the second session easier, or when you don't get in a session, it's pretty much going to be the same every other session ?

-What is the Q1 exam like ? I understand the first part (the morning part) is similar (maybe a little harder) than EE, but I heard the second part is very similar to the step3 USMLE exam, is this true ?

Which brings me to this request/suggestion:
If anyone in montreal is sitting in for the november Q1 exams and would like to have a study partner, please let me know, I'd love to be able to study with someone else, it would sure make things easier.


I realize some of these questions may have been asked before (as I can see in this particular thread, I am not the only one trying to start practicing here, and to be honest, information is generally quite spread and thin.) and I thank all who may provide additional information.

Thanks !!

Nick