What this area covers
Clinical-year assessments in Australian medical schools combine written exams (often single best answer questions) with OSCEs and workplace assessments at the end of each rotation and in final year. This page is for students in clinical years preparing for rotation exams and finals.
High-yield topics
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Acute abdomen | Appendicitis, cholecystitis, obstruction |
| Perioperative care | Fasting, VTE prophylaxis, medicines |
| Breast lump | Triple test |
| Vascular | Acute limb ischaemia, AAA |
| Colorectal | Red flags for cancer |
OSCE approach
- Introduce yourself and confirm identity.
- Take a focused history or perform the examination asked.
- Summarise findings and give a differential.
- Explain the plan in plain language.
- Safety-net and check understanding.
Worked example
Worked question · Surgery
Which test combination forms the triple test for a breast lump?
- A Examination, imaging and biopsy
- B Examination, CA-125 and CT
- C Imaging, MRI and PET
- D Biopsy, genetics and ultrasound
- E History, CEA and X-ray
Show the reasoning
Answer A. The triple test is clinical examination, imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound) and non-excision biopsy.
A short study plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core presentations |
| 2 | Management and prescribing |
| 3 | OSCE practice and timed questions |
Do a short timed set most days and review every explanation, including the options you ruled out.
Common traps
- Learning lists without clinical reasoning.
- Ignoring Australian guidelines.
- Not practising OSCE stations aloud.
Free sample surgery questions
Questions from our Clinical Medicine bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A 35-year-old has sudden left loin-to-groin colicky pain and microscopic haematuria. What is the investigation of choice?
- AIntravenous urogram
- BNon-contrast CT KUB
- CMRI of the abdomen
- DPlain abdominal X-ray
- ERenal ultrasound only
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Non-contrast CT KUB is the most sensitive test for urinary tract stones and shows their size and position. Ultrasound is preferred in pregnancy and children.
Learning point: Suspected renal colic: non-contrast CT KUB (ultrasound in pregnancy).
A 22-year-old has 18 hours of periumbilical pain moving to the right iliac fossa, anorexia and a temperature of 37.9 °C. There is tenderness at McBurney's point. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- ARight ureteric colic
- BAcute appendicitis
- CTerminal ileitis
- DMesenteric adenitis
- EMeckel's diverticulitis
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Migratory pain to the right iliac fossa with anorexia, low-grade fever and localised tenderness is classic for acute appendicitis.
Learning point: Appendicitis: periumbilical pain migrating to the RIF, anorexia, low-grade fever.
A 45-year-old woman has right upper quadrant pain, fever 38.6 °C and jaundice. Bilirubin is 78 µmol/L. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- AAscending cholangitis
- BBiliary colic
- CAcute hepatitis A
- DPancreatic head tumour
- EAcute cholecystitis
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Charcot's triad of fever, jaundice and RUQ pain suggests ascending cholangitis, usually from a common bile duct stone. Treat with IV antibiotics and urgent biliary drainage (ERCP).
Learning point: Charcot's triad = cholangitis: IV antibiotics and urgent ERCP.
Practise more surgery questions free
Every surgery subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 11 surgery questions across 8 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Acute abdomen1
- Colorectal2
- Hepatobiliary1
- Hernia1
- Orthopaedics1
- Perioperative1
- Urology2
- Vascular2
Common questions
Are there OSCE stations for this rotation?
Our clinical medicine product includes stations and cases to practise alongside questions.
Which guidelines should I follow?
Therapeutic Guidelines and Australian national guidelines.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.