Responsibilities of the MRCOG Part 2 EMQ Sub-Committee members include attending committee meetings, producing new questions and reviewing the performance of questions following examinations.
The sub-committee is responsible for writing the extended matching questions (EMQ) and setting the papers for the MRCOG Part 2 examination which is held twice a year. The sub-committee workshops take place all day and occurs four times a year in person/remotely.
This appointment is for three-year term beginning in May 2025 and will be appointed by application. UK Fellows and Members (FRCOG, MRCOG) are eligible to apply for this position.
Please see the role description, person specifications, task template and other information at the bottom of the page.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form via the button below. Once completed, you will be asked to share a CV and completed task with us via email to committee.vacancies@rcog.org.uk.
Should you have any additional enquiries please email committee.vacancies@rcog.org.uk.
Application deadline: Thursday 16 January 2025
Task information
To ensure that we are able to choose dedicated committee members with enthusiasm and the correct skillset we are using a question writing task to help judge the applicants in a fair and transparent way.
The task is to write two EMQs, each with ten to twelve answer options. For these tasks, you can use any element of the syllabus that you are familiar with. Each EMQ should have a list of options, a lead in statement or instruction and a clinical scenario or question.
The below RCOG task template should be used for writing your EMQs. Please submit your two EMQs in this template.
Please see example EMQ style questions here.
If you have any queries regarding the sample question please email committeevacancies@rcog.org.uk.
To apply, please complete the application form above first. Once completed, you will be asked to share a CV and completed task with us via email.
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Role description
MRCOG Part 2 EMQ Sub-Committee Member
- Chair of the MRCOG Part 2 EMQ Sub-Committee
- Chair of the Examination and Assessment Committee, RCOG
- Education Board, RCOG
- President and Council, RCOG
Three years, commencing May 2024
- Attend committee meetings regularly. If two meetings in succession are missed, the Sub-Committee member must write to the Sub-Committee Chair to explain their absence, and may be dropped from the Sub-Committee at the Chair’s discretion. Committee members must attend three full meetings out of the four meetings every year.
- Produce new questions prior to the meeting and submit them to the Chair in advance of the meeting before the deadline set by the Chair. Annually, question-writing performance will be reviewed by the Sub-Committee Chair, should there be concerns about the number of questions submitted to the item bank the member may be dropped from the Sub-Committee at the Chair’s discretion.
- Review the performance of questions following the examinations.
- Reviewing past questions and setting questions within Exam Developer.
- Edit questions in committee or review other members’ questions prior to meetings.
- Be aware of the standard setting processes and be involved if required.
- Be involved in the blueprinting of the examination and its sub-sections.
- Be involved in training sessions for themselves or new examiners, as required.
- Recommend books and references for use by the Sub-Committee in formulating new questions.
The successful candidate will work closely with all other members of the Sub-Committee and the Sub-Committee Chair to ensure that the quality of the performance of the MRCOG Part 2 exam is maintained.
There will be a minimum of four committee workshops per year, of which members must attend at least three full meetings.
Members will be asked to assist in reviewing the current bank of MRCOG Part 2 EMQ questions.
This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.
The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.
Membership will be allocated by geographical location and special interest in order to maintain an appropriate balance for the Committee.
Person specification
Essential
- FRCOG/MRCOG
- Currently practising in the UK
- Registered with a licence to practise with GMC or Irish Medical Council, in good standing
- Included on the GMC Specialist register and CCT holder
- Substantive consultant or SAS doctor in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice for at least three years
- Generalist with a special interest, or specialist with broad-based generalist background
- Involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, specialist training, educational supervision and assessment roles
- Active or previous participation in assessment and writing of examination questions
- Evidence of annual appraisal, demonstration of involvement in personal CPD
- Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous three years
Desirable
- Active or previous participation in assessment and writing of relevant types of examination questions
Essential
- Able to maintain confidentiality and security
- Is a substantive NHS consultant or specialty and specialist (SAS) doctor within the UK
- Retired Fellow/Member applicants must be within three years of retirement
- Punctuality and ability to complete tasks by prescribed deadlines
Desirable
- Current MRCOG examiner
- Previous membership of an RCOG Examination Sub-Committee
- Ability to attend all meetings, the dates of which should be published one year in advance
CPD information
The 2019 RCOG CPD Guide can be found here.
Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers
If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.
Reflection is required to claim credits for an Experiential Learning Event. 2 CPD credits are claimable following reflection. In addition 1 or 2 credits are claimable for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.
If you are still using the previous CPD ePortfolio, you can record any new learning that you gain within this role under ‘Reflective Learning’ in the personal/professional CPD category. For some specific activities, credits can be claimed without reflection*.
*
1 credit per hour in the national/international category for giving teaching sessions or leading a workshop on a course
5 credits in the national/international category for giving a formal presentation on a course
1 credit per hour in the national/international category for mock examining
A maximum of 25 credits in each five-year cycle applies for all presentations/teachings sessions given at national/international courses or conferences, and for formal and mock examining.
Terms of reference
Writing the extended matching questions (EMQ) and setting the paper for the MRCOG Part 2 written examination, which is held twice a year.
- Developing a bank of EMQs suitable for the MRCOG Part 2 examination
- Assisting the Examination Department with producing a draft EMQ paper six months prior to the MRCOG Part 2 written examination
- Reviewing the performance of examination questions and the analysis of results
- Reviewing past questions and working with the new exam question banking system – Exam Developer
- Maintaining the question bank and writing new questions
- Undertaking other MRCOG Part 2 EMQ examination matters, as required by the Examination and Assessment Committee
- Developing appropriate standard setting techniques for the MRCOG Part 2 EMQ examination
- Providing updates, on committee related issues, to the Examination and Assessment Committee
- Chair, selected by application and if necessary, competitive interview, according to the approved Role Description
- Eleven members selected according to the approved Role Description
- Chair of the Examination and Assessment Committee, ex officio
Four meetings per year – members are required to attend at least three full meetings.
The MRCOG Part 2 EMQ Sub-Committee reports to the Examination & Assessment Committee.
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