Notes from the desk, the ward, and the testing centre.
Honest, specific writing on MCCQE Part I, Royal College written exams, and USMLE Step 2 CK — by residents and medical students who recently sat them.
- July 9, 2026·13 min read
MCCQE Part I in 2026: What the Exam Actually Tests (From Someone Who Just Wrote It)
A first-person breakdown of MCCQE1 in 2026: format, the CDM trap, what really shows up on the MCQ, and how I'd study differently the second time.
Read post - July 9, 2026·14 min read
MCCQE1 vs Royal College Exams: Why the Same Question Bank Won't Carry You Through Both
An honest comparison of MCCQE1 and Royal College written exams, with sample stems showing why pattern-matching reflexes break down at the specialty level.
Read post - July 9, 2026·16 min read
Why Step 2 CK–Style Vignettes Are the Best MCCQE1 Prep (And When They Quietly Aren't)
Where USMLE Step 2 CK and MCCQE1 overlap, where they diverge, and a sane mixing ratio for IMGs and Canadian students preparing for both.
Read post - July 9, 2026·13 min read
A 6-Week MCCQE1 Study Plan Built Around Spaced Repetition (That I'd Actually Repeat)
A concrete week-by-week MCCQE1 schedule built around spaced repetition, body-system rotation, and the discipline to taper before exam day.
Read post - May 14, 2026·12 min read
The Royal College Written Exam: What MCCQE Veterans Get Wrong
Why MCCQE-honed habits backfire on the Royal College written exam, what the SAQ section really rewards, and how to retrain for depth over speed.
Read post - June 7, 2026·6 min read
How to Study for MCCQE1: A Realistic, Question-Bank-First Guide
A practical MCCQE1 study system built around active recall, spaced repetition, and timed mixed question blocks — with a 3-phase plan you can run in 6 to 12 weeks.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Best MCCQE1 Question Bank 2026: 10 Ranked (MDReview, UWorld, Canadaqbank)
The 10 best MCCQE1 question banks for 2026, scored on Canadian blueprint alignment, vignette quality, and price. Free comparison chart + $ per usable vignette.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Best Royal College Exam Prep 2026: 7 Resources Ranked for Written Exam
Seven Royal College written exam prep resources ranked for 2026 — including the only Canadian question bank with AI-graded SAQ practice. Free comparison + pricing.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Top 7 Step 2 CK Question Banks for IMGs in 2026
Seven Step 2 CK question banks ranked for international medical graduates in 2026 — including the best dual-use option for IMGs also writing MCCQE1.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Cheapest MCCQE1 Question Bank 2026: Free & Under $300 CAD
We priced every MCCQE1 question bank per usable vignette. One is free to start, one costs $0.10 a question, and one costs 3x more than it should. Full 2026 price table.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Best AI-Powered Medical Question Bank in 2026 (Ranked)
Six AI-powered medical exam question banks ranked for 2026 — which platforms actually use AI for generation, grading, and adaptive learning vs. which are just GPT wrappers.
Read post - June 12, 2026·6 min read
Best MCCQE2 Question Bank for Family Medicine Residents (2026)
Five MCCQE2 resources ranked for family medicine residents in 2026, with AI-graded CDM-style practice tuned to the Canadian decision-making blueprint.
Read post - July 4, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 Pass Rate for IMGs in 2026: What the Numbers Actually Say
The real MCCQE1 pass rate for international medical graduates in 2026, broken out by cohort, with the score IMGs actually need for CaRMS competitiveness.
Read post - July 4, 2026·6 min read
NAC OSCE Prep for IMGs: A 6-Week Plan That Pairs With MCCQE1
A 6-week NAC OSCE study plan for international medical graduates, with station structure, scoring, common failure modes, and how to run it alongside MCCQE1 prep.
Read post - July 4, 2026·6 min read
How IMGs Should Study for MCCQE1: A Realistic 12-Week Plan
A 12-week MCCQE1 study plan built specifically for international medical graduates — closing the clerkship gap, the Canadian blueprint gap, and the CDM gap.
Read post - July 4, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 Passing Score 2026: What 226 Means & What to Aim For
MCCQE1 passing score is 226 (scaled). Here's how the score is calculated, what a competitive CaRMS score looks like, and how to move your practice average up 30+ points.
Read post - July 4, 2026·6 min read
IMGs and the CaRMS Match in 2026: How MCCQE1, NAC OSCE, and Question-Bank Prep Fit Together
The IMG path to a Canadian residency in 2026 — MCCQE1, NAC OSCE, source verification, and CaRMS timelines, with the sequence that actually works.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 Pass Rate 2026: What the Numbers Actually Mean
The real MCCQE1 pass rate in 2026 broken down by cohort (CMGs, US grads, IMGs), what a competitive scaled score looks like, and the study habits that move accuracy the most.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
How Many Questions Are on the MCCQE1? Full Breakdown
MCCQE1 is roughly 210 MCQs plus 38 CDM cases across a 7.5-hour scored day. Full section-by-section breakdown, timing, and how much practice you actually need.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
How to Apply for the MCCQE1: Step-by-Step (2026)
Step-by-step guide to applying for MCCQE Part I in 2026 — physiciansapply, source verification, session windows, Prometric booking, and the three timing traps to avoid.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 vs USMLE Step 2 CK for IMGs: Which to Take (and When)
Head-to-head guide for IMGs deciding between MCCQE1 and Step 2 CK — content overlap, format differences, pass rates, and how to prep for both on overlapping timelines.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 vs LMCC: What's the Difference?
MCCQE1 is an exam; LMCC is the credential you're granted after passing it, holding a recognized MD, and completing 12 months of accredited training. Here's the clean breakdown.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
How Long Should You Study for the MCCQE1?
Realistic MCCQE1 study timelines for Canadian graduates, IMGs, and repeat candidates — plus the question volume that actually predicts a first-attempt pass.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 CDM Cases: Format, Scoring, and Study Strategy
How Clinical Decision Making (CDM) cases are structured and scored on the MCCQE1 — including the three mistakes that cost the most points and a 3-week CDM-only study block.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
Royal College Written Exam Pass Rates by Specialty (2026)
First-attempt Royal College written exam pass rates for 2026, broken out by specialty for Canadian graduates and IMGs, with commentary on the SAQ gap.
Read post - July 9, 2026·8 min read
MCCQE1 Sample Questions With Answers (2026): 10 Realistic Vignettes
Ten MCCQE1-style clinical vignettes across body systems with worked answers and Canadian guideline reasoning — plus how to calibrate your practice accuracy.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
MCCQE1 Results: Timeline, Score Report, and What to Do If You Fail
When MCCQE1 results release, what the score report shows, what a competitive CaRMS score looks like, and the retake plan if you fail.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
CaRMS Timeline 2027 for IMGs: Every Deadline That Actually Matters
A month-by-month CaRMS 2027 timeline for international medical graduates — MCCQE1, NAC OSCE, source verification, document uploads, interviews, and Match Day.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
Toronto Notes vs Question Banks for MCCQE1: Which One Actually Moves Your Score?
Honest side-by-side comparison of Toronto Notes and MCCQE1 question banks — what each does well, what to buy if you can only pick one, and the right study sequence.
Read post - July 9, 2026·6 min read
How to Pass the Royal College Internal Medicine Written Exam (2026)
A 20-week study plan for the Royal College Internal Medicine written — blueprint, common failure modes, SAQ practice, and resources tuned to the RCPSC exam.
Read post