Just having passed the test, I can tell you that First Aid is pretty good...
But, the test sucked. It was worse than the other two, IMHO, because at least with step 1 and CK, you had an idea of how you did when you left the exam. This exam is so subjective, it drove me nuts!
Some hints:
Do the same thing with every patient, history and exam-wise, with small variations. For me it was PAMHUGFOSS, with a few questions directed at the chief complaint. On the physical, I did HEENT, Lungs, Heart and Abd exam for all, and then did whatever system the chief complaint allowed for. (ie, HA, do a neuro, DM look at their feet and do a fundo (which i never freakin did), hurt something do a musculoskeltal assess). When you do the PE, just freakin pretend. I didn't find one positive finding, and I don't expect many do. Even if there is one, you won't fail for missing it. Do all the steps (ie inspect, percuss, palpate, ascultate) but do it quickly and not with the intent of finding anything. Just get them to mark it off on the list.
Basically, by doing the same minimal exam plus one specific, you are guaranteeing points. And, it leaves little room for the panicky moments where you will forget everything. I don't know anyone that didn't forget to do some things (I did not do a single fundoscopic exam, for example). But if you hit the high spots, and stick to a routine you should be fine.
Remember that they really have no way of knowing if you actually did an abd exam, or if you just pushed on the belly. So, get through it.
In terms of communication: be nice, be supportive, respect comfort of the patient, always tell them what you are going to do, ask about sex, smoking, drugs and drinking and offer to help them quit bad habits. Tell them your differential, and what you will do.
I spent about 2-3 minutes doing a history, about 2-3 minutes doing the exam, and another 3-5 minutes talking to them...I was out early every time, which gave me time to write a good note.
In the note, just get a good differential, and order reasonable tests. Document whatever you can fit that is pertinent. And, I would highly recommend that you don't document something you didn't do, as I would imagine that would be a big red mark.
The most important thing to remember is that this test is a joke. Do what they want you to do...go through the motions. Remeber, they are acting like patients, you are acting like a doctor. You are not being graded on your ability to examine, but rather you ability to talk, and to know what exams to do, devlop a DDx and figure out what studies to run. It is really easy, just give them what they want, and don't stress about any part of it.
