Throughout Australia and New Zealand, the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we have done so many things. It goes without saying that covid has changed primary and fellowship college exams. This has meant that registrars have had to change their approach to specialist exams – both written and clinical.

Some of these changes have been logistical and practical. For example, some exams are sat at home on personal computers using not entirely flawless IT platforms. Junior doctors have had to endure the sometimes painful process of learning to deal with IT glitches. Expecting then unexpected has become part of preparation for medical exams. The traumatic experiences of technical malfunctions during RACP, RACGP and RANZCP exams are all too recent. Unfortunately, this has created a great deal of apprehension. In addition, exam dates are changing often and this makes it harder to try to “peak” at the right time.

In addition, trainee jobs have been more stressful, with covid adding multiple additional layers to every day and every task. Also, increased stress levels of friends and family make it more difficult to focus on exam preparation.

Covid has changed specialist exams and this has led to increased levels of anxiety among specialist trainees who are preparing for them. I encourage junior doctors to try to identify and acknowledge these stressors. With awareness of these stressors, doctors can formulate study and practise plans that allow for a balance between study, work and life at home, with family and with friends. This along with tailored relaxation and visualisation techniques allow for more focussed, effective exam preparation.