12-Week PACES Study Plan | Week-by-Week Preparation Guide 2026

By Dr Zac Hana | 2026-05-19

Why You Need a Study Plan

Most PACES candidates start preparing with good intentions but no structure. They examine a few patients when opportunities arise, read some notes, and hope it comes together by exam day. This approach leads to gaps — stations you haven't practised, systems you haven't examined, and a growing sense of panic as the exam approaches.

A structured plan ensures you cover everything systematically, build skills progressively, and peak at the right time. This 12-week plan is designed for candidates who are working full-time while preparing.

The Three Phases of PACES Preparation

Your 12 weeks divide into three distinct phases:

PhaseWeeksFocusGoal Foundation1-4Learn examination routines, study common conditionsKnow what to do at each station Practice5-9Examine real patients, refine technique, attend courseBe able to do it under pressure Peak10-12Mock exams, targeted revision, mental preparationBe exam-ready

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)

Week 1: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Study (1 hour/day):

  • Learn your cardiovascular examination routine step by step
  • Learn your respiratory examination routine step by step
  • Study the top 5 cases for each system (see our cardiovascular guide and respiratory guide)

    • Practice:

  • Perform your cardiovascular routine on a friend/colleague 3 times
  • Perform your respiratory routine on a friend/colleague 3 times
  • Focus on flow and sequence, not finding signs

    • By end of week: You should be able to perform both routines smoothly without referring to notes.

    Week 2: Abdominal and Neurological Systems

    Study (1 hour/day):

  • Learn your abdominal examination routine
  • Learn your neurological examination routine (upper limbs, lower limbs, cranial nerves)
  • Study the top 5 cases for each system

    • Practice:

  • Perform each routine on a colleague 3 times
  • Neurological examination is the longest — time yourself and aim for 8 minutes total

    • By end of week: All four examination routines should feel automatic.

    Week 3: History Taking and Communication Skills

    Study (1 hour/day):

  • Learn the history-taking framework (presenting complaint → HPC → systems review → PMH → drugs → social → ICE)
  • Learn the SPIKES framework for breaking bad news
  • Study 10 common history-taking scenarios (see our communication skills guide)

    • Practice:

  • Role-play 2 history-taking scenarios with a colleague (14 minutes each)
  • Role-play 1 breaking bad news scenario
  • Record yourself and listen back — identify filler words and missed cues

    • By end of week: You should have a clear framework for any history or communication scenario.

    Week 4: Station 5 (Integrated Clinical Assessment) and Review

    Study (1 hour/day):

  • Learn the brief clinical examination approach (5 minutes focused examination)
  • Study common Station 5 cases (rheumatoid hands, thyroid, skin lesions, diabetic complications)
  • Review all four examination routines

    • Practice:

  • Perform a focused 5-minute examination on 3 different systems
  • Practise discussing management plans out loud (investigations, treatment, follow-up)

    • By end of week: You should feel confident approaching any station conceptually. You know what to do — now you need to do it on real patients.

    Phase 2: Practice (Weeks 5-9)

    Week 5: First Real Patient Sessions

    Goal: Examine your first real patients with clinical signs.

    Actions:

  • Attend cardiology/respiratory outpatient clinics (ask your consultant for access)
  • Examine at least 3 patients with confirmed signs this week
  • Focus on identifying signs, not speed

    • Key learning: Real patients are harder than textbooks suggest. Signs are subtle. This is normal — keep practising.

    Week 6: Attend Your PACES Course

    This is the most important week of your preparation.

    A structured course at a teaching hospital gives you:

  • Real-patient teaching, observed paired practice and individual written feedback
  • Expert feedback on your technique in real time
  • Mock exam conditions to build confidence
  • Study partners for ongoing practice

    • At BitePACES, our 3-Day Comprehensive Course covers every station with real patients at Guy's Hospital. The 1-Day Intensive is ideal if you're short on time but still need hands-on practice.

    Book your course early — popular dates fill up 4-6 weeks in advance.

    Week 7: Post-Course Consolidation

    Goal: Reinforce everything you learned on the course.

    Actions:

  • Review your course notes and feedback
  • Practise the specific techniques that were corrected
  • Examine 3-5 more patients on your ward or in clinic
  • Start timing your examinations (aim for completion in 7 minutes)

    • Week 8: Communication Skills Deep Dive

    Goal: Become comfortable with any communication scenario.

    Actions:

  • Role-play 5 different scenarios with a study partner (breaking bad news, consent, angry relative, capacity assessment, treatment refusal)
  • Time each scenario to 14 minutes
  • Practise the specific feedback from your course

    • Key focus areas:

  • Pacing — most candidates talk too fast
  • Silence — learn to sit with emotion
  • Summarising — always close with a clear plan

    • Week 9: Full Station Practice

    Goal: Practise complete stations under timed conditions.

    Actions:

  • Organise a study group session (3-4 candidates, take turns examining)
  • Complete at least 2 full mock stations per system
  • Practise presenting findings within 90 seconds
  • Identify remaining weak areas

    • Phase 3: Peak (Weeks 10-12)

    Week 10: Mock Exams

    Goal: Simulate exam conditions as closely as possible.

    Actions:

  • Complete a full mock PACES carousel (all 5 stations, timed, with examiners)
  • If no formal mock is available, arrange with study partners
  • Review performance honestly — which stations are weakest?
  • Target revision toward weak areas only

    • Week 11: Targeted Revision

    Goal: Close remaining gaps without over-studying.

    Actions:

  • Revise only the areas identified in your mock exam
  • Examine 2-3 more patients in your weakest system
  • Practise presenting your findings out loud (in the car, in the shower, walking to work)
  • Review common cases one final time

    • Important: Do NOT try to learn new material this week. You should be refining, not acquiring.

    Week 12: Exam Week

    Goal: Arrive calm, confident, and well-rested.

    Monday-Wednesday:

  • Light revision only (30 minutes/day maximum)
  • Review your examination routines one final time
  • Practise one presentation per system

    • Thursday (day before exam):

  • No studying
  • Light exercise, good food, early bed
  • Lay out your exam clothes and stethoscope

    • Friday (exam day):

  • Arrive 30 minutes early
  • Trust your preparation
  • Remember: you've examined real patients, received expert feedback, and practised under pressure. You are ready.

    • Adapting This Plan

    If you have less than 12 weeks:

  • Compress Phase 1 to 2 weeks (learn routines faster, skip detailed study)
  • Keep Phase 2 intact (real patient practice is non-negotiable)
  • Compress Phase 3 to 1 week

    • If you have more than 12 weeks:

  • Extend Phase 2 — more patient practice is always beneficial
  • Add a second mock exam in Phase 3
  • Don't extend Phase 1 beyond 4 weeks (diminishing returns from theory alone)

    • Using the BitePACES Study Scheduler

    If you've booked a BitePACES course, our PACES Prep Scheduler in the Community Hub automatically builds a personalised plan around your exam date and course dates. It tells you exactly what to focus on each week and adjusts if your timeline changes.

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    Ready to start your 12-week plan? Book your PACES course for Week 6, or explore the Community Hub for study resources and partner matching.