Coping with an Exam Failure

Abstract

Examination failure is not uncommon among medical students and postgraduate trainees. While failure among final year medical students is low at less than 5%, it can be over 30% for postgraduate exams. Despite its relative frequency among postgraduate trainees, it is seldom discussed. The unlucky candidate undoubtedly finds it to be a painful event. Quite often it is the individual’s first experience of failure. There is the fear of adverse judgement of others. One may attempt to hide or minimize the failure from one’s family and friends. Unfortunately, failure is something that everyone has to deal with in life. It needs to be addressed in a constructive and considered manner...