Dr Una Coales's MRCGP and nMRCGP Course testimonials

‘These testimonials are left behind by course candidates to serve as a beacon of hope, a ladder out of the pit, for those either struggling with this exam or facing this daunting task alone. The rest of the 1000s of happy testimonials may be read on the course in several tomes of e-mails, cards, letters, postcards, etc.’

Jan/ Feb 2010 nMRCGP AKT and CSA

‘Dear Una, THANK YOU so much for your help. I passed 11/12 CSA cases (8 CP, 3 MP and 1MF - no CFs!) so am happy! Obviously wasn’t pleased at failing the one I did marginally fail and would have preferred to have all clear passes but hey, can’t have everything! PS: Can you remind me how many clear passes you needed to get equivalent of a merit? Or do you just need a combination of 11 or 12 clear/marginal passes to get merit? Many thanks once again - I am sure I will be writing to you again in the near future r.e. job advice :) Love Juhi xxx,‘No problem Una (consent to add testimonial)! Kind regard! Juhi’ 11/12 CSA passes for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una: They just released the CSA results, I passed with no fail but few marginal passes. This is just to say thank you for all your help, your course was a great help not only toward the exam, but in general life as a GP. Wish you all the best and if you need any help for the courses, it would be my pleasure to work with you. Regards, Omid Yousefi, ST3.’ ‘Dear Una: Of course, with pleasure (consent to add testimonial). Thanks again Omid,’ 12/12 CSA passes for Eastern Deanery.

‘Just to let you know, i passed CSA 1st time, 10/12 cases, absolutely delighted, found your course extremely useful, Regards,’ Mudasir, Glasgow, ‘Thanks Una, Absolutely, you can put my emails on your testimonial page, Got 10/12 passes with 6 Clear passes & 4 marginal passes Once again thanks for all your help, it was a GREAT course !!- Kinds Regards, Mudasir, Glasgow’ CSA passes for West of Scotland Deanery.

‘Hi Una! Just wanted to let you know I passed the CSA! Thank you so much for your help. The 10 commandments definitely works. I wish you and your team all the best and good luck to everybody else sitting the CSA in the future. Stannic P.s. Yes you can add my words to your testimonials.’ CSA pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘Dear dr. Coales, I have cleared my CSA all thanks to you. I found your ten commandments so useful. It was great to have a format in mind specially when you are tense about the exam. I am glad I took the course! Thanks a lot. Regards, Namrata. p.s. yes please add my name to your testimonials page.’ CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Just wanted to let you know that passed with a score of 84%. Admittedly I was somewhat sceptical of attending a revision course for the AKT exam, but your advice and course material were invaluable in enabling me to attain a score over 80%. It certainly helped me revise in a more smart and time efficient manner. Look forward to seeing you at one of your CSA courses. Many thanks Mike.’ ‘Dear Una, Forgot to mention that you are welcome to use my comments on your testimonials page. Thanks Mike.’ 84% AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I PASSED!!!!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! I got 82.5%!! (mean mark 72, pass mark 67). Thanks for everything you taught us on the course, and also for inspiring and motivating us! I am most grateful to you! I did the following: 1) I recently completed the MRCP, which was helpful 2) I did all the passmedicine questions twice, read their advice/commentary that comes with the answers, and read around the topics- this was excellent, and the most useful set of questions and learning resource overall. I read around all the topics I didn’t know about using: a) Oxford Handbook of GP b) NICE guidelines / www.eguidelines.co.uk c) Oxford Handbook of Specialities (occasionally) 3) I went through all your course material and all the topics you had covered in your course booklet- ie the 'hot topics' 4) I did all of Alia Khan Masterpass nMRCGP AKT Study Guide book, which was good. 5) I did most of Rob Daniels AKT book, which was good in parts- the admin/stats bit was especially good. 6) I did all of the nPEP questions, and read around the topics- this was extremely useful, and a very good resource to gauge which topics the AKT examines on. 7) I also went on the X course which was also very good, and very motivational. Thank you once again Una. I hope that you continue to help trainees like myself not only with their exams but also by motivating them as GP's! Warmest Regards,’ Hamed. ‘Dear Una, Yes, of course! Please feel free to use everything I wrote in that last email however you want, I would be delighted if it helps anyone sitting the exam. Once again thank you very much Una! Dr Hamed Khan MBBS MRCP(UK) Chairman of London Deanery GP Training Committee, 82.5% AKT pass for London Deanery.

November 2009 nMRCGP CSA

‘Hi Una, I attended your CSA course in Aug 2009, sorry it’s taken ages to get round to writing this email. Just to let u know passed my CSA in Nov 09 with all 12/12 passes thanks to all your wonderful advice!!!! thanks again,’ luv Nousha-Farin Hassan (West Midlands Deanery). ‘Hi Una, Thanks again, of course u can add what i've written!! luv Nousha.’ 12/12 CSA passes for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Just found out that I have paaasssssedd!!! I do not have words to express my gratitude for you for your encouragement..! Thanks for being so inspirational and overflowing with love and smiles :) Please stay in touch. Lots of Love,’ Ankush xx, ‘Please feel free to quote my expression on your webpage and I would feel glad if my comments could inspire others.’ CSA pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thank you for all your help with my CSA. I attended both your AKT and CSA course (twice for CSA due to unfortunate theft incident). I passed both exams at my first attempt which I’m so very pleased!! Your course is the best! It is so practical, as long we do what you say, especially with the ultimate ‘Una Coales 10 Commandments’!

Here, just a few tips to fellow trainees of what I did to pass my CSA.

- Attend your CSA course, this is a must and will give you a great foundation especially on your consultation.

- Read and practice all your notes. Listen to Dr Coales- she knows!!

- Memorise and practice the 10 commandments with your trainer over and over again (my trainer really approved of the 10 commandments, it’s so well rounded and covers everything, and proven to be so useful during CSA. I did panic several times in between station or half way through a consult, but I constantly remind myself of the 10 commandments to carry on)

- Print out patient info leaflet from patient.co.uk. It is easy reading and helps you to understand common conditions and how to explain it in lay term to patients.

- I also read a book by Peter Tate on consultation recommended by another trainer (sorry I forgot the exact title of the book). I find this very helpful as Tate list examples of dialogue to help in consultation.

- I also read some AiT journals, Pulse and General Practitioner magazines on current hot topics.

To everyone who will be sitting the CSA- yes it is very nerve-wrecking, both preparing and actually sitting the exam. Remember common things are common and we can never know everything about general practice! This is the main reason I sat my CSA 4 months into my ST3. So as long you have good consultation skills and mannerisms, you will pass even if you haven’t a clue what the diagnosis/management may be. Like Dr Coales says, believe in yourself and you will pass!

You may use all the above as a testimonial to your excellent course Una.’ Dr YT (Lawrence) Low, CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I passed too. Got 10/12, 5 clear passes and 5 marginal passes. Thank you very much for all your help. Your tips were great. I did exactly what you taught us on course…I was very calm during all the consultations and that worked. I must say you were great and special thanks to you. Kind Regards,’ Feroze, ‘Thank you very much. I would be very pleased if you add my comments on testimonial page.’ CSA re-sit pass for London Deanery.

‘hi Una, Thanks for your support and advice. I do wish you luck in your career and life and ever-lasting happiness. I passed the CSA.’ Dr. Aws Alfahad M.B.CH.B M.R.C.S.ed, ‘I wish you share it. It was my first CSA exam and thankfully the last one. I only had 3 months of general practice training and lots of support and encouragements from you and my supervisor Dr S. I followed your advice and did the exam early in my ST3 and surely was the best advice. Hope you success and happiness with the people you love.’ CSA pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed my CSA passed 11 out of 12 stations. Very thrilled with the score. Thanks for all your help. I’m happy for you to post my response on your website. Regards Anjani Kallay.’ 11/12 CSA passes for Yorkshire Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales Thanks a million. I have passed my CSA exam today. I can't forget this special day. Regards,’ Latha. ‘Dear Dr Coales That should be fine (consent to add testimonial). I am delighted. Regards Latha.’ CSA pass for West of Scotland Deanery.

‘Hi Una I passed the exam- got 9 passes 3 fails. I really appreciate your guidance (10 commandments/time Mx) in preparing for this exam. Regards,’ Nikhil Jaiswal, ‘Thanks Una Merry christmas to you and your family as well And of course you can add my comments on your testimonial page Regards Nikhil.’ CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

September 2009 nMRCGP CSA and October 2009 nMRCGP AKT

‘Hi Una, Thanks for letting us know about the results. Just to let you know I passed and got 92.9% so I'm very happy! Thanks for all your help. Your course and handbook were very useful,’ Nadia Tavares, ‘Dear Una, Thank you for your lovely email last night. I'm very shocked at my result, to be honest. I didn't feel I had done that well! Thank you again for your excellent course and handbook. The handbook was great for gaining a lot of knowledge quickly. You are welcome to use my comments on your site. Love Nadia x’ ST3 92.9% AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed!! Thanks for all your help..amazing course. I got 85% in stats??!! Thanks to you. See you on the CSA course!’ N Kumar, ‘Thanks Una, Sure you can add my comments.’ AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una I have passed, score 81.91% thanks a lot. I believe it’s all your course material which helped me score above 80%. SS,’ 81.91% AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una! I passed! Yay! 81% Many thanks for your help! FA,’ 81% AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thank you for your email, I am happy to tell you that I have passed with 81%. Just wondering, do you know what mark is needed for a merit? Thank you for all your help & guidance on your course. Best wishes, AA,’ 81% AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘EXCELLENT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!! I PASSED WITH ............. 85.93% PASS MARK 67.84% MEAN 74.63% Excellent your prediction was correct....... I thought you were joking at the time you wrote my name on the pass list MP,’ 85.93% AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Hope you are well. I am extremely delighted to let you know that I have passed AKT with a score of 77.89%. Thank you very much for your help. I am recommending your course to everyone. I think your course material is superb. Regards, DB,’ AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed. 74 %. thanks for ur help. Stats helped a lot, SM.’ AKT pass for Oxford Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Tell your husband that we can now go together for a cricket match. I made it. I passed 11 cases 6 clear passes and 5 marginal passes. Anyway thank you very much for the support and your encouragement. Dr Brighton Chireka,’ 11/12 CSA passes for KSS Deanery. ‘Una Yes please go ahead no problem (permission to add testimonial).’

‘Dear Dr Coales, I did my CSA 2w ago and passed all 12 cases. I attended your course in January this year. Thank you for you help and guidance. It was an excellent course! Shirley Srivastava,’ 12/12 CSA passes for Yorkshire Deanery. ‘i am happy for you to add me comments to the webpage - it was the best CSA course i've been on as it was the most relevant and practical ! i have recommended it to other registrars in york! thanks again, shirley.’

‘Hi 12 Passes! Needless to say, i am very very happy! Many thanks Sanjeet’ Dr Sanjeet Chana, 12/12 CSA passes for Eastern Deanery. ‘Many thanks for your kind words! Of course my words can be added to the webpage. Thanks again for the advice and the practice (and the lunch!) See you at the ceremony! Sanjeet.’

‘Una, Myself and Nick wanted to say thank you so much for all your help and support with the CSA. All your advice was invaluable and spot on, especially the 10 commandments. We are so glad that we came to your course before we sat the CSA and think it’s very good value for money rather than risking it and having to pay the extortionate amount for the exam more than once. You really do care about your candidates and that shows. Thank you again,’ Laura and Nick, ‘PS Please use this for the website if you feel it’s relevant!’ Dr Laura Duckworth, 11/12 CSA passes for Northern Deanery and Dr Nicholas Whitelaw, 12/12 CSA passes for Northern Deanery.

Dear Una, I passed in my 3rd Attempt. I scored 10/12 with 3 clear passes and 7 marginal. I have noticed that there is not a single "x" flagged against the feedback. Thank you very much for helping me pass. Best Wishes Hussein Alibhai, ST3 Severn Deanery,’ 10/12 CSA passes for Severn Deanery. ‘Thanks Una, Go ahead (permission to add testimonial) Hussein.’

‘hello una, your course is the best undoubtedly. thanks once again,’ manish vishnoi CSA re-sit pass for WALES Deanery ‘If you would like to Una certainly you can add it on. your course I feel is a must for NEFL drs as It is the only one that tells us what to do (10 CSA Commandments consultation model) , cause we NEED to be told how to do it and then we learn how to adapt/deal with different case scenarios and situations. Additionally you understand the difficulties and issues with NEFL Drs (in the cultural context).regards manish ps dr X will be attending your course , close friend of mine , he asked me which course he should be attending , the answer was simple 'THE COURSE' by una coales.’

‘Dear Una! Can’t express enough my gratitude! thank you very much for your help! Have got 12 passes! Warm wishes Dil xxx’ 12/12 CSA passes for Wessex Deanery. ‘Yes, by all means add my e-mail to your testimonials! I remember how much I was impressed by other peoples' words! thank you again Love Dil xx.’

‘Hi Una I am so glad I've passed!! I got 12 passes...10 clear and 2 marginal....I CANNOT believe it. I have to say your 10 commandments really helped me! Many thanks Una xx hiral.’ Dr Hiral Patel, 12/12 CSA passes for Eastern Deanery ‘Hi Una Yes of course you can use my message as you wish! I'll definitely look out for the awards ceremony and keep in touch! Love hiral x.’

‘Dear Dr Coales I am writing this to inform you that I have passed my CSA exam. I came to the course on 2nd September 2009. CSA is so different from the FRCS I did years ago. I followed all your Ten Commandments. When we were walking to the tube station after the course, we were all talking about you and the hard work you did on the day. I will not hesitate to tell you that from beginning to end this course was not rushed and until the last minute you kept your calm and smile and did not let us feel that you are bored. Above all your Taurean hospitality was wonderful and you made sure that we are well fed all day along. I have attended other courses and near the end they were all rushed. Thank you for your help and please keep up the good work. Sincerely,’ Babar Agha ‘Yes please you can use my comments about you and your course on your brochure etc. It was not only your hospitality that suggested you as Taurean, but your very hard work, clear concepts, straight forwardness, sincerity, kitchen cabinets full of food and you being house proud all suggested that you are a Taurean. Take Care With Best Regards Babar.’ Dr Babar Agha FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Ed) MRCGP, CSA pass for London Deanery.

April 2009 nMRCGP AKT and May 2009 nMRCGP CSA

‘hello Una, Had to ring you on wednesday evening as soon as I learned of my CSA result!!! words cannot describe how excited, ecstatic and dazed I was when my results were finally released online (after the full payment!!!). I had 9 passes!!! Oh my god, seeing the PASS finally was exquisite!!! Was in Chessington with my family for a few days break on the wednesday, back now, and what a great time we had! I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wished I had gone on your course much earlier! I followed what you told me, the 10 commandments and most of my cases were completed on time and miraculously-PASSED! I was told by the deanery on tuesday that if i failed, that will be it, they wouldn't be extending me anymore! Phew! thank God I went on your course. I must say when I was looking at your website prior to booking my place on it, I felt tears welling up my eyes when I saw so many people passing with your help and all the thank you's, etc on your testimonials and here I was facing my 4th CSA! So I showed my already fed up partner your testimonials and told her I was going to your course NO MATTER WHAT IT TOOK (i had already been to so many other courses that didn't help that she had already given up on me!). i told her this is the one (the final one) that can help me as my own practice was not doing me any good at all and frankly nothing was. The x factor was missing somehow.

So there you are, I have now passed it and you are the ONLY person I can thank for this. My partner also believes in you now! …Please put this email on your website…thank you Una once again and many times again. you saved me! Take care! ukong chong’4th CSA passed for overall nMRCGP for West of Scotland Deanery. ‘To understand the meaning behind CSA, is to understand how to pass. Not only is Ukong ready for partnership and will continue to practice as a top-notch Future Practitioner, but now his partner trainer has further insight into how she may help Future Practitioners pass CSA to complete their training. And I am so pleased that Ukong found me before he was forced to give up medicine forever. He thinks of others when he bares his soul and leaves behind his testimonial for others who are still suffering.’

‘Dear Dr. Coales, Once again I have to say I am ever so grateful for your guidance for the exam. As you know this my second attempt. Prior to the first attempt I did not attend any course. This was partly to do with listening to my Course Organisers that no course was necessary - I have to say a few of the doctors passed without any course. I think for overseas doctors it is different. My personal opinion is overseas doctors NEED a course. And not just any course....YOUR course.

After my first exam I knew that it was not the knowledge that was the problem. After my first MSF I knew that time keeping was an issue - which I had already corrected during my first attempt at the CSA. When I saw the results I knew there was SOMETHING that I was not doing right and I did not know anyone - friends, colleagues, trainer, VTS organiser - anyone who could direct me. How could I improve myself when I did not know what to do? The feedback I got from the first attempt was useless - totally useless. It is not case specific so I could not reflect properly.

When I attended your course every time you said something I felt - YESS she is so right!!! Why did I not do this before!!!. I had a big smile on my face when I left your course because I knew I had cracked it. My girlfriend told me that night that I had changed. I felt EMPOWERED! This time I knew I could do it. I did everything you said…You told me exactly where people were being doctor centered or patient centered…I used your 10 Consultation rules for my videos - and guess what?? My trainer found it hard to find faults with them.

This time 1 clear pass, 10 marginal passes, and 1 marginal fail. Now for the best bit....last time I had 6 areas highlighted for improvement. This time....wait for it...NONE. Yes that’s right....NONE. No problems with exam, time keeping, doctor centeredness, consultation etc etc.

You were so right Dr. Coales!! I remember you saying that you are not only teaching us to pass the exam but also to become partners. I will use all I have learnt from you for the rest of my working career. And honestly I do not think any course/half day/book or article has had such an impact on my way of thinking or practise. Thank you so much.

Now I will be trying to help my friend who unfortunately did not get through the CSA this time. Please continue your excellent work with educating doctors and I wish everyone finds your course as useful as I did.

Yours sincerely, Bobby. Dr. John Bobby Thomas ST3 Bridgend VTS Wales.’ 11/12 CSA passes for WALES Deanery. ‘Dear Una, It’s from the heart. The course has changed my practise! Please feel free to put up my letter for others to see amongst the testimonials. Yours sincerely, Bobby.’

‘Dear Una, I was in your April 16th Course Group. Passed with 12 passes, 7 Clear, rest marginal. Really pleased, didn't think I had passed after the exam but there you go! Thanks to you and your husband for all your help, Babu Kangesan.’ ‘You are welcome to add my comments to your web page. Babu.’ 12/12 CSA passes for Wessex Deanery.

‘Dear Una Thanks for your mail. I got 12 clear passes, your course certainly helped… I feel ready to join my partnership in August. Thanks again Rohit Mishra.’ 12/12 CSA Clear Passes for Wessex Deanery. ‘I'm more than happy for you to add my message as a testimonial on your site.’

‘Dear Dr Coales, Your course was super. 11 stations passed. Thank you very much, Regards, David.’ 11/12 CSA passes for KSS Deanery. ‘Dear Dr Coales, You may add my words by all means. Plus I will do my utmost to spread the word, Thank you again, Regards, David.’

‘Dear Una, Sorry I haven't got back to you until now but you'll be delighted to hear that your good work helped me in passing 11 out of the 12 stations! I have recommended you to one of my friends who wasn't as fortunate. Many thanks for your top tips and I hope you keep up the great work!! All the best Dominic Kanga.’ 11/12 CSA passes for Severn Deanery. ‘Una, Course you can add my comments to the testimonials.... anything that will add positive vibes to those who are yet embark on such a journey!!... All the best Dom.’

‘I have passed CSA. Many thanks for your effort. The course was great. I am very sure if I didn't attend your course I wouldn't pass the exam. Being an overseas doctor and English is not my first language, while CSA is all about good communication with patients, it is not an easy exam for foreigners. However you had made it so simple, structured and straightforward, I could pass it easily. I definitely encourage all my friends and colleagues to attend your course. Kind regards A Farag.’ CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery. ‘Many thanks i am ok with that (consent to testimonial) A Farag.’

‘Hi Una, I passed my CSA, first attempt , cant believe it , had 9 passes. Thanks for all your help, your course was absolutely fantastic, Take care Regards,’ Abir Yakoob, ‘Hi Una, Thanks a lot , of course you can (consent to testimonial). Regards Abir.’ CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘HI Una, Rashmi here. I just saw my results and have passed 10 out of 12 cases! Thanks to you for all the help and support! I wish I had come to you the first time!!! Thanks again a million! Regards, Dr.Rashmi Sadananda.’ ‘Dear Una, Thanks for everything! Yes sure by all means you can include this in the testimonials. Life sure feels wonderful now thanks to you, Regards, Rashmi.’ CSA pass for WALES Deanery.

‘Hi Una i am a GPST1 (first year GP) and have received my result- 76%. i have passed!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all your help Una as your book is really really excellent!!!!! Your course is amazing. Once again thanks for all your help,’ Ghias, ‘No probs (consent to testimonial)-Many thanks- this course is highly recommended and is a must!!!’ ST1 AKT pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Thank you so much Una for your inspirational course! The resources I used for revision were as follows: I went through passmedicine 3 times (>1250 questions) - extremely helpful and the detailed answers they gave is where I did most of my learning. I did loads of MCQ exam question books (4-5), RCGP NPEP twice (150 questions), did the AKT questions at the back of ALL the AiT booklets to date (AiT journal started in January 2008) and of course read through ur course booklet thoroughly and made annotated notes. I also printed off all the main NICE guidelines (about 12, which I would strongly advice anyone sitting for the AKT to do) and read the first 200 pages of Ox handbook of GPs (essential for the "Organisational questions" in the exam + first 20 pages of BNF - as you advised repeatedly on your course! Many thanks once again!!" Dr, J. Tandon, 86% AKT pass for London Deanery, April 2009.

"Dear Una, thank you for such an interesting and comprehensive course with excellent tips which helped me achieve 83.4% in the AKT exam first time as an ST1! I will definitely be telling my friends and colleagues about your course and look forward to seeing you again for your CSA course! Thanks again, Devoshree Chatterjee,” 83.4% AKT pass for ST1 London Deanery.

‘Hey Una I passed with a mark of 72.63 - Many many thanks for all your help in enabling me to focus on this exam. Seems your course really is the ONE to attend - Will be telling all my friends! Keep it up Una - we need you. Assid Jaleel.’ AKT pass for London Deanery. ‘Sure why not (consent to testimonial) Una - Thanks again! :-)’

‘Dear Una, I wish to say a big thank you and let you know how very grateful I am for all your help on my AKT exam. Your course has been an inspiration especially your top tips/advice and all the confidence you gave us for the exam. I took all your advice, and this is what I did to pass my AKT on my 1^st sitting! You're welcome to post this on your site if you wish.

Went through your course book twice. I started revising about 2 months prior to the exam and did a total of 160 hours ++ in total as advised by you. I would definitely say to everyone to stick to your recommended revision hours of at least >120 hours to guarantee a pass.

Did the 2 question papers of yours only once on the last few days of the exam, found this to be extremely useful as it helped to consolidate all my knowledge. Would probably revise your papers twice if had more time!

Did BNF 1^st chapter page 1-20 definitely useful.

I only did questions from passmedicine.com only managed to do about 1100 questions. Didn’t try one examination so couldn’t comment. Would recommended passmedicine as it’s cheaper, has good explanation and gives you tips on how to memorize certain things. I think overall passmedicine’s questions are easier than the real AKT exam but the scope it covers is similar and relevant to the exam.

Loved your statistics, ENT and ophthalmology sections you taught us. I agree with what you say that we MUST be able to do stats to pass this exam!

I agree AKT is a tough exam as the scope to cover is so wide. Your course has definitely made it so much easier on what and how to revise! I am so glad I came to your course because I know I probably wouldn’t have passed it if I hadn’t. Look forward to seeing you at the CSA course! Best regards, YT Low.’ AKT pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Dr Coales Just to let you know I passed with 76% (pass mark 63%) I'm sure a lot of it was down to your teaching so thanks very much! I'd already failed once so it means a lot to me to pass thanks for your help,’ Anita Reddy, ‘Hi Una Of course you can mention my words on your website! Funnily enough I didn't find this AKT as hard as the one I failed a year ago, which just goes to show how much better an exam seems when you have done enough effective work for it! Thanks again Anita.’ AKT pass for South Yorkshire Deanery.

January nMRCGP AKT 2009 and Jan/ Feb CSA 2009

‘Dear Una, Yesterday was indeed a happy occasion for me and my family and I thank God for it. It was a great joy to have seen you and I once again thank you for what you have done for me and for all my other colleagues. May I wish you good health and all blessings. I am also sending the copy of the photo that we have and I leave it with you to choose your choice to put it on your website. Love anne & family.’ Dr Anne Mashil MRCGP attended the NMC on Feb 13, 2009 and I was so happy to see the end of her journey and applaud her as she received her MRCGP diploma in front of her son and consultant husband. CSA 11/12 passes for overall MRCGP for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I am hoping that your prediction is true. You have been one of the best teachers I ever had, and hopefully my friend will pass too (she has failed once). Thank you! Cheryl.’ ‘Dear Una, I PASSED!!! 11 passes, 7 clear passes, 4 marginal passes, 1 marginal fail. Thank you SO much!!! Love Cheryl x.’ ‘As I used your 10 commandments, I can confidently say that 99.99% your method is really good. I chose not to go on the ---- course although free, because I didn't want to have too many teachers, and since you have such an excellent recommendation, I chose to travel to you (and got lost!) rather than going nearby. Going to your course have been the BEST thing I have done so far, so I have to say, you have a part in me passing my CSA and also in moulding me to be a good GP. It is very nice now, as I have gone back to my previous practice to do last 6 months, and every time patient gets up to door, always ask if I will be permanent etc, which is so nice. Your method works! Thanks Una! I am certainly lucky enough to have heard about your course, and attended it and passed it. M, N, and C all finish this August, so it is their last chance! I have told them about your course now. M listened and already booked your course! She is a girl after all. I paid £££ (and know I don't get it back despite this economic climate), and travelled all the way down to London instead of a free 2 day course. Honestly, all my friends went for that course. I chose to be different! Cheryl.’ 11/12 CSA passes for South Yorkshire Deanery. Update: Partnership accepted for April 2010.

‘Hi Una, I passed the CSA-got 12 passes. Did AKT in May 08-87% (attended your AKT course too).Thanks for your great courses. TA.’ 12/12 CSA passes for West of Scotland Deanery. (Update: her husband also passed his CSA Nov 2009 for West of Scotland Deanery!)

‘Hi Una How are you? I thought you'd like to know that I received confirmation of my pass by Royal Mail on Friday, and yes they are giving me a merit for the CSA, an overall distinction for MRCGP. I am pleased! To be honest I was a bit annoyed thinking I'd missed out on a distinction! Thanks for all your help. Nina x. I would be happy for you to use my email on your testimonial webpage.’ Dr Nina Vadgama 11/12 CSA passes (Written MERIT, Oral MERIT Winter 2006) for overall MRCGP with DISTINCTION for East Midlands Deanery! Nina has now accepted a part-time partnership.

‘Hi Una, I passed! Such a relief! Thanks a lot for all your help and advice. Your commandments are absolutely brilliant! I would unreservedly recommend your course to all. Many many many thanks. Deenee.’ ‘Dear Una I wish to thank you again for your very kind words and excellent training. To attend the AKT and CSA courses, I had to take the 4am train from Newcastle due to family reasons. Your excellent coaching (especially statistics and handbook for AKT and commandments for the CSA) were inspiring and all completely worth it. I did not realise my passes constitute a merit equivalent- that's definitely something to add on the CV! I would unreservedly recommend your course to all who wish to give themselves the best chance to get through the exams. +would be happy for you to add my comments on your website. I hope everybody else have done well too. + Look forward to meeting you at the graduation ceremony :) Best Regards Deenee.’ Dr Jenandeenee Desha MRCP MRCGP, 11/12 CSA passes for Northern Deanery, (AKT 85% pass Oct 08).

‘Hi una, Thanks for all your help. Passed CSA (12 passes). Thank God its all over; I can now relax. Hope all is well with you. David.’ 12/12 CSA passes for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hello Una sorry for my late reply, but I guess I was overwhelmed with my result. I passed all the 12 stations with 5 clear passes and 7 marginal passes..woooooooooooooooooooow thanks a million xxxxxxx Fatma Hussein,’ 12/12 CSA passes for Trent Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thank you for all your help. I passed with the testament of 'Una's 10 COMMANDMENTS' and a bit of practice with my group. Got 7 clear passes and 3 marginal passes. Thank you so much in helping me to overcome this vey big hurdle. Bal Sidhu.’ ‘Hi Una, Once again thank you so much for your help, you are a GOD SEND!!!!!! Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! I passed, I think after all that anticipation, results are taking time to sink in. I can honestly say your course made a big impact on my performance and gave me the motivation to practice. I hope that over time I can one day reach similar heights to yourself or at least half way there. I wish you all the best too, see you at ceremony, I will defo book my place and bring my missis too. Carry on doing the great work you are, you are an inspiration to many. Thanks Bal Sidhu p.s. of course you can use my testimonials.’ CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Passed all 12- 8 clear and 4 marginal. Many thanks for all your help. Best wishes, Deryn,’ ‘Dear Una, many thanks for your inspiring words and top tips! Please feel free to put my words in your webpage- your courses were both very helpful and a great confidence boost. Many thanks once again, Deryn.’ Mother of 3 under 4! AKT pass as an ST2 in April 2008 and now 12/12 CSA passes for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thank you - I stuck to the 10 commandments, although the exam didn't feel like it went well I passed 11 out of the 12 stations! See you at the membership ceremony (E-portfolio permitting!!!) Dr AW.’ 11/12 CSA passes for Mersey Deanery.

‘thanks Una passed all stations Faiz,’ 12/12 CSA passes for KSS Deanery.

‘Thanks Una!!!! I passed.....10 passes in total, thanks to you! thank goodness it's all over....I've completed the MRCGP!! Now I can concentrate on meeting my future husband...let me know if you have any courses in this department!!! Best wishes, Yasmin x,’ ‘Hi Una, Definitely will be celebrating over the weekend!!! You're more than welcome for my words to go on your website! Thanks for the top income tips and would really appreciate your husband manuscript too! Thanks again! Yasmin x.’ Dr Yasmin Heerah MBBS MRCGP CSA pass for an overall MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed the CSA. thanks for your help I followed your commandments it really works. Thanks G.’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, 11 Passes!!!! Can’t believe it!! M.’ 11/12 CSA passes for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed AKT and CSA. 6 clear passes and 5 marginal passes. KS.’ 11/12 CSA passes for London Deanery.

‘Passed CSA. Got 10 out of 12. Thanks for your help. N.’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi there Una, 10 clear passes, 2 marginal passes, no fails! Thank you sooo much for your excellent course - I will recommend it to all future victims! Love Jess x.’ ‘Of course you can use my comments!’ 12/12 CSA pass for North West Deanery.

‘Hi Una Just to let you know- I passed with 11 passes - 7 CP and 4 MP. Many thanks for all your help and all the best for your future course candidates. Regards S.’ 11/12 CSA passes for Northern Deanery.

‘i passed with a score of 83% thanks Una main downfall was "organisational" section in which i scored 65%...Please feel free to add my testimonial. I am not sure how many hours i did overall but i would guess it would be between 100 and 150. The resources I used were: passmedicine.com - including the links it provides in the answers. The questions on here are a little easier than in the AKT but the topics covered are very similar and the explanations are excellent, onexamination - which I found less useful than passmedicine, NICE guidelines - very useful, your course book - does provide a decent revision textbook - i would advise people to use it as a resource early on in their revision. Your course itself - the Ears, eyes and stats parts were extremely useful. thanks again. Pav.’ Dr Pavan R S Kaliray MBChB BSc (Hons), AKT ‘merit’ pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una I passed my AKT too!!!!! Thanks for all of your help. I scored 73.3 percent. Regards Dr AY.’ AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Passed with 81%. Thanks for all your help Dr CTA.’ AKT pass for East Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una, thanks for everything. i passed 72.22%.’ Dr BO, AKT pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Dr. Una Coales, I passed the AKT with 72.22% and thanks for your help in my success. I appreciate the boost up I got from the course. Thank you Nand (The tall ENT Man if u remember!),’ AKT pass for Northern Deanery. ‘Hi Una, Thank you for your encouragement. You may add my words to your Web page indeed. I will be pleased to let the word spread to other fellow Gp Trainees. It was nice to be associated with you and hope we will keep in touch. Thanks once again Nand.’

‘To Una, Thanks for your help I passed with a score of 76%, many thanks to you and your book, awaiting CSA results hopefully tomorrow. Once again many thanks, take care, R.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una, let it be two GPs now. This was my third attempt and finally did it. Dr MYS.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed!!!! Can't believe it! I got 80.3% ... am so happy! Thanks for all your help and support! Hope you're well BW Dr RD ST2 Epsom VTS.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I have passed with 85%. Thank you so much Regards, A.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una, i passed akt, got 80.3 percent. thank you for your help una, your manual was a life saver. Mona Vaidya.’ ‘Sure you can (use testimonial).’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I passed (84%)!!!! So relieved. Thank you for all your help. BW, A.’ AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘I passed finally!!!!! It took me five attempts but I did it this time!!!! Yay!!! My medicine mark improved a lot so I am truly delighted, I cannot believe it !!!!! Thank you Una sooo much Love Fran,’ AKT pass for Mersey Deanery. ‘Dear Una I am happy for you to add any of my words to your page: I cannot be happier. I cannot thank you enough for your advice, and encouragement. Moreover, the AKT preparation course gave me the impetus to push on and have some confidence in myself and my abilities after failing the AKT so many times. That is what helped me so much. I began revising in a much more focused way, which i am absolutely sure was the secret. Thank you a million times. Fran Cunningham.’

‘Hi Una Thank God I passed AKT. Only if I could thank you and your course enough for the utmost help I got from it !!! You may remember I only booked the AKT course and attended it 2 weeks before exam. I didn't have time to go through the full manual..I didn't score very high but then I didn't start my preparation till v late and not got time to learn your HT manual by heart. If I had done so, I'm sure my score would have been v high. Extremely useful course and absolutely highly recommended…We had TWINS last August, so you can imagine how did I prepare for the exam with life so busy!!!). Many many thanks again and I have no doubt in saying that if it wasn't for your course, guidance and the material you provided, I couldn't have made it. Kind Regards Yasir Jehan.’ AKT pass for West of Scotland Deanery. ‘Of course, you can add my comments on your website (if that helps anyone) !!!!! Thanks again for everything.............’

Winter 2008 MRCGP

‘Hi Una, Thanks for the news! Your courses are fantastic! Please do put this on your website: - UNA CAN REALLY IMPROVE YOUR MARKS! Thank you and have a happy and peaceful Christmas, Best wishes, Sally (MRCGP)!’ Dr Sally Jowett, Written Merit Pass, Oral Merit Pass, CSA 12/12 Pass, for Overall MRCGP with DISTINCTION for London Deanery for an outstanding GP partner of 20+ years! Sally claimed 1 of 4 DISTINCTIONS awarded at the last ever sitting of the old MRCGP exam, Winter 2008.

‘Dear Una, Thanks for helping me pass my video in April. Happy Christmas, Dr JS MRCGP.’ 3^rd Video Pass for Overall MRCGP for Severn Deanery. ‘Once she saw the light as to what was required to demonstrate competence, the path was easy-peasy. She had made a mental note in the summer to send me a special Christmas present!’

‘Dear Dr Coales, Christmas is a time of the year when we all think about the most important events of our life. At the same time we remember people who had helped us to achieve what we achieved and is a time to thank them. I would like to share my joy with you and say a BIG THANK YOU to you. I have past my viva in June (3rd attempt) and got my MRCGP. It wasn't easy as I was in Sydney already and had no one to practise with. It took me about 2 months of hard work. A week before exam I left my children with my husband in Sydney, flew to London for 40 min exam! and went back to Sydney the next day. My exam was at 2 am Sydney time! After 2 months I was granted a Fellowship of Australian Royal College of General Practitioners. At the moment I am working in the most beautiful place near Sydney and finally feeling very happy and relaxed. Once again thank you very much for your help and I wish all the best to you and your family in the next New Year! Best wishes, Daiva.’ ‘Dear Una, I am more than happy to help to inspire anyone who is struggling with the UK GP exams. No problems at all - you can use my photo and my story if it is of any help to others. Once again I am very grateful to you for all your help in achieving my degrees! Kindest wishes for Christmas and the New Year!’ Dr Daiva Kuzinkoviene MRCGP (UK) for West Midlands Deanery, FRCGP (Australia). MCQ Pass 2007, Written Pass 2007, One-on-one oral tuition Oral Re-sit Pass 2008.

Dr Daiva Kuzinkoviene’s workplace in Sydney, Australia.

‘Hi Una, I have this evening spotted my name in the “passes with merit” list for the written paper on the RCGP website. I am extremely happy and relieved! For this paper I have attended 3 other courses, 2 of them after attending your course in September (I was that desperate!), but I am sure this is mainly, if not entirely, due to your exam technique. Thank you so much. It says on your website that the doctors you list on your website gave permission for publication. My name is not (yet) listed, but I would be very happy to have my name included, if you like. You are a real inspiration. All the best to you and your family. Happy Christmas! Stephanie.’ Dr Stephanie Franz, Dr. med (Berlin), DRCOG, DFSRH, MRCGP. MCQ Pass 2006, Written Merit Re-sit Pass 2008 for Overall MRCGP for Bristol.

‘Dear Una, I have a feeling my earlier e-mail to you after the exam results was sent to a wrong address and probably did not reach you hence I am using your alternative e-mail address. I want to say a big thank to you for all your help in getting me and my colleagues through the 2008 MRCGP winter exams(written) and therefore achieving a total pass. Your course was excellent and most helpful. Thank you once again and please keep up the good work!! Dr E.I.’ Written Pass for an overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

Dear Una First of all I would like to thank you very much for your wonderful course - I had attended the MRCGP written paper course for the last sitting of the written paper in September and I passed the exam, and quite comfortably! I am sorry for the delay in thanking you, but I am very grateful to you.. I only wish I had come to see you sooner!...Thank you very much for your help, and being an inspiration to us all, Kind regards Dr MR.’ Written Pass for an overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, May God’s blessings float down like soft snowflakes setting lightly on every part of your world. Happy New Year to you and to your family. I am sorry I send this message late, because I was on holiday and my access to email was difficult. I passed my AKT with 74.26% and got my MRCGP!!!!! I have never forgotten your help and support in a time that I really need it. Thank you so much for all support and precious help that you gave me. I would like to thank you again and keep in touch Kind regards,’ MK MRCGP xxxxxxxxx 5^th MCQ/AKT Pass for Overall MRCGP for London Deanery. I would like to pay personal homage to Dr AW, Convenor of the Panel of Examiners, for granting special consideration to many, many GPs who have found themselves facing a 4^th or 5^th attempt at this exam. Over the years, I referred GPs to him and then asked them to attend my course after permission was granted. His permission has allowed so many to complete this exam, without having to re-sit the 3 other modules. He has given GPs the best opportunity to show their abilities and pass this exam and I hope GPs remember to thank him while celebrating their victories!

‘Dear Dr Coales! I've passed and i'm so pleased!! Thank you once again for all your support and inspiration. I know you really understood the hardships of these exams. Other than help with knowledge and skills, it was your support that i appreciated a lot. Thank you…I know i have learned an awful lot and it feels so good to have pts who keep asking me - "how long are you here for? Can you be MY doctor now? i feel you really listened to me and understood etc etc etc" And also when you said in one of your emails that you thought i was " a top notch GP"!!!!!! I just love it - no one has ever referred to me like that! So thank you again. I hope you have a really lovely Christmas and very happy new year. I may see you at the graduation - i need to find out how to get on there. Best wishes From K.’ ‘And yes you can use my email if it will help. I remember reading all the testimonials for the past 2 yrs and asking myself, "will i ever get there too?" I also wanted to add that i have the utmost respect for what you do for doctors, your dedication and constant support means SO MUCH. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the best! (would you please add this to my 1st msg before you add it to your website).Thank you again. Best wishes from k.’ Dr KR MRCGP, Oral Pass 2007, Postal Video Service Pass 2008 for Overall MRCGP for Yorkshire.

‘Hi Una Just to let you let I got MRCGP finally. I dont know how to say THANK YOU.... you are brilliant!!!!!! Love Farhat.’ ‘Thanks Una. It is such a big relief after what I went thru, before I attended your courses. Please feel free to add my comments to your web page. I would recommend your course to everyone who is sitting membership exam. The pains you take for every candidate is commendable, that is why all are thankful to you. Have a nice Xmas & A happy New year. Farhat.’ Dr Syed Farhat Khan MRCGP. Written Pass Spring 2008, Postal Video Service Pass Winter 2008 for Overall MRCGP for WALES.

‘dear Una Thanks for your input. I passed the video with a merit! And now I have an overall pass! This was achieved with 9 sessions, a longhaul flight, 11 months in rural South Africa, a borrowed jacket from my brother and 2 hours a day of intense cycling in London...in winter. no problem (use of e-mail testimonial online) kind regards riaan’ Dr Riann Swanepoel MRCGP Postal Video Merit Re-sit Pass for Overall MRCGP.

‘Looking at your website and achievements make me think that at some point you may need a good holiday. I can certainly recommend some very good spots to snorkel, game view and chill out out here near Kosi bay mouth! Kind regards Dr Riaan Swanepoel.’

‘Dear Una, Saw my name in the overall pass list for the MRCGP winter exam!!!!Im so excited, Finally this long expensive journey has ended!!! Thanks for all your help and encouragement, by the way do you have any space left as I have a colleague who is doing the exam in Feb, he is a resit. God Bless Esther.’ ‘add all my comments no worries. Thanks Esther.’ Dr Esther Okumo MRCGP. Written Pass 2006, Oral Pass 2006, CSA pass 2008 for Overall MRCGP for London Deanery and the end of a journey which began in 2004!

Dec nMRCGP CSA 2008

As the only course provider to offer a nMRCGP CSA course for those sitting the extra RCGP Dec CSA exams, I am pleased to have helped clear as many ST3s as possible who needed to complete training by Jan 2009.

‘Dear Una I passed my exam, feels like such a big load off my head. 10 commandments are the magical things needed for exam. A big thanks to you and Mr Coales. Thank you again & again & again,Vineet.’ ‘Hi Una I owe my success to (your) ten commandments hence it is only fair that others also realize how important they are. I will be only happy if you add my comments to your testimonial page. Now I can have a Happy Christmas. Happy Christmas to your family. Thank you again. Yours Sincerely Vineet.’ Dr VB MRCP MRCGP. CSA re-sit pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘hi una. passed 11 stations. many thanks for caring. the template worked well but need to know when. many thanks for your help. Quang.’ Dr Quang Nguyen MRCS (ENT) MRCGP CSA re-sit pass for Mersey Deanery. After my November course, he demonstrated the 10 commandments for his Mersey trainer who approved this consultation model; he practiced the 10 commandments model for a week and passed his December CSA with 11/12 passes. He had failed his 1^st CSA in October after attending another course. Please come to me 1^st! He was the 1^st to inform everyone else that the results were out and was ‘over the moon’ to read he had passed.

‘thank you una i passed 10/12 many thanks.’ Dr KHM MRCS (Urology), 3rd CSA pass for Mersey Deanery. Update: He has now accepted a salaried post with a 6-figure salary!

‘Hi Una, How are you? Hope you're well and the Christmas spirit is ticking along well. The CSA results came out early ie tonight and I passed my CSA 11/12 stations! Well chuffed. Thank you ever so much for your help. How did the others do? Happy Christmas to you and yours! Kind regards, Kevin.’ ‘Hi Una! Thanks sooo much for the email congratulations! I feel on top of the world for passing. Yes OF COURSE you may use my words in your testimonial. Yes I believe that I attended the Away Day for a reason! Thank God for your course and your help. I actually found out the result was out early from... Yes indeed he too passed 11/12: soo great! Now I can relax over Christmas! Slightly annoyed for losing my glove but that pales in comparison to the joy of passing!! I actually went out to buy some new ones to congratulate myself lol! OK enough ranting...Hope you and your family have a great Christmas and hope that you're able to help more people pass their CSAs in Jan! KR Kevin.’ Dr Kevin Yee MRCGP, CSA re-sit pass for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una I passed my CSA, I had 11 passes all marginal & 1 marginal fail. Thank God it's over. I really feel its not fair exam. Anyway not complaining now. Your course gave me confidence. Thanks Once again Dr PB MRCS (Cardiothoracic Surgery) MRCGP. CSA re-sit pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Dr Coales, We both Passed CSA. Thank you very much for your guidance. The Course was really helpful. Great Relief for us now. Happy Christmas and New Year. Regards Dr.Manchineni.’ ‘Hi Dr Coales, You could use my words of joy on Your Testimonials. I am happy and great relief now. Ten Commandments helped me to focus on the consultation and I stick to that. Thank you once again. I will send my wife to Your course next year. Prasad.’ CSA re-sit pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I am very grateful for all the tips u gave.10 commandments is THE life saver. your course is worth every penny & hats off to all your efforts to help registrars get through. myself & my friend Dr.Manchineni (see above testimonial) passed. Many thanks again.’ ‘Hi Una, hope you had a nice christmas. this was my 2nd attempt & im happy for you to add to your testimonial. many thanks again Daksha bhadrashetty.’ CSA re-sit pass for Northern Deanery.

‘hi una just checked my csa results i have passed the exam. so glad and relieved to have passed the exam in 3rd attempt, thanks to your support and help. mohammed kadarsha.’ ‘Hi Una Thanks for your congratulatory message, you may use my e-mail in your testimonials. many thanks once again. mohammed.’ 3^rd CSA pass and AKT pass (79.8% - borderline merit) for PENINSULA Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I am pleased to inform that I have passed and Ur course was definitely useful. Thanks for Ur wishes. Yes it is a tremendous relief. I should say U have had a part to play in the success and I am indebted to U for that. Thanks Dr PK MRCGP.’ CSA re-sit pass for Yorkshire Deanery.

October nMRCGP AKT and CSA 2008

‘hi una i passed akt . my score is as under overall 88.89 %, clinical medicine 90%, evidence interpretation 85%, organisational questions 83.33 %. thanks for your help…the course was really useful and helped me a lot and yes sure you can put my name and results on your testimonials. yes you can put my marks breakdown on your website. it will be my pleasure yes you can put on your website about my study hours as well ( > 200 hrs) i will suggest to readers to study the following things: 1. passmedicine 2. your course papers 3. your book 4. statistics: ur course sufficient 5. NICE guidelines: study in group and ask each group member to summarise one guideline to one A4 size page (discuss them just one hour after each VTS meeting). Thanks suhail jan.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una I passed! I got 88.38% Clin Med 89.38% Evi interp 90% Organis 77.78% Thanks for your help...see you for the CSA prep! Kind regards Sally Mok.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery. ‘Thanks for your e-mail Una...yeah thats fine you can add my marks to the website....So in terms of the resources I used to study for the AKT....Not sure how many hours I did, but it was enough to comfortably go through all the questions on Passmedicine.com twice. I think it is a great website which is completely up to date with all the most recent Nice guidelines and the links to the relevant sites are very helpful. I obviously also attended your course, went through the practice papers you provided us with and read through the hot topics manual twice....oh I also read through some old med school notes on statistics and did the questions in the MCQ book by Nuhzet Ali. I think it also helps as I was about 6 months into my registrar year so have just picked up a lot of stuff doing the job....hope this is helpful!’ Update: Author Dr NA was an alumni Distinction GP and has my endorsement! (see her testimonial under Winter 2006!)

‘Hi Una, just got my result and i passed. i really found your course book and words of encouragement very helpful. thanks. anwuli.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery. Hi Una, yes you can add my email to your testimonials webpage.’

‘Hi Una Passed the AKT with 84%!! Thanks for your help and encouragement. David (Mersey).’ AKT pass for Mersey Deanery. ‘Also no problems adding my words to your testimonials webpage. I hope you have an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas. David.’

‘dear Una...many thanks for your kind help and support .i have passed my AKT (and my last module of my MRCGP - old format). I am officially a royal college member now. I would never forget your kind help and support. your course and materials were excellent. keep on the good work!!!! regards,’ Dr.K Shanmugam MRCGP, AKT pass and overall MRCGP for Northern Deanery. ‘Dear una, feel free to do so…many thanks.’

‘hi una i have passed my akt, my score= 79.8% thanks for all your help, u made stats easy for me. now i can concentrate on my csa. thanks once again mohammed kadarsha.’ AKT pass for PENINSULA Deanery. ‘hi una of course u can add my words, it will be my pleasure, glad to be of some help mohammed.’ Update: Mohammed went on to also clear his CSA.

‘Hi Una, I have passed AKT with an overall score of 75.25%. I attended your course in sept 08. Thank you very much for all your help and advice. Now I have completed all modules of MRCGP and Summative Assessment. I officially complete my training on 27 nov 08. Lots of paperwork to go through yet. Thanks again. All the best. Regards, Dr.S.Sivamalar. ‘Hi Una, Thank you. Yes by all means you can add it. Regards, Sivamalar.’ AKT pass for an overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery

‘Hi Una, AKT 85% ST2 West Mids deanery many many thanks!!!!! Hope to see you for CSA course next year Thanks Jas (Still in my first four month post for ST2!!! but I have young daughter who is nearly 2 and getting louder and louder- this is motivation enough to passing these exams)…PS The hand book is amazing and saves you hours flicking through the NICE guideline! Jas.’ ST2 and father of a 2-year-old. AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I PASSED ! Thank you for you excellent course material which was imperative for the exam, your guidance was brilliant! Your course was worth every single penny and for that I thank you. I'm so glad I went on your course! Thank you Una for providing such an excellent course. Please keep in touch, it'd be really nice. Kindest regards,’ shahzad, AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery. ‘Please by all means thanks fine to use for testimonials, i think that courses like yours are a real must for this exam. kindest regards to the best course ! shahzad.’

‘Hi Una, Thank you for your help. Should have done better was disappointed with myself lost some silly marks i think due to burnout! Here’s a break down of my marks: Overall Score 82.83% Mark for clinical medicine 85% Mark for evidence interpretation 80% Mark for organisational questions 66.67% Thanks once again, your a star! Bal.’ AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery. ‘Hi, Feel free to post results and breakdown on your website as you wish. thanks once again Bal.’

‘hi i passed…got just under 80%. 90%in one-- May i Say thank you to you Una for your help as If i hadn’t done your course I don’t think i would have passed. Good luck to everyone else!!.’ Dr Raj Kanwar, MRCS, AKT Pass for Oxford Deanery. ‘Please add my comments. Well like you say 1 down 1 left- your predictions were true going on the course meant i got just short of 80%.’

‘Dear Una, Thanx for your sincere wishes. Just received my result and thankfully have passed. Thanx a million for everything.’ Dr KS, AKT pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Hi Una Thanks to all your help i passed- i got 84%! Im very pleased, i can now focus on th csa...Good luck to everyone!’ Dr IA, AKT pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I have passed the AKT. Thank You very much for your help & last moment guidance when I was panicking I think...It is so very different when U have a family & a small kid to concentrate & study. I know what I went through as it was half term prior the exam & my kid was very unwell & so could not attend any playgroup & all my time calculation went wrong. I was informed about the result last night by my kind friend but I have actually seen the result this morning. The result is as follows: Overall score: 86.36% Clinical Medicine: 85% Evidence Interpretation: 100% Organisational questions: 83.33% I Thank you once again, it wouldn’t have been possible without your guidance & moral support. I shall see U soon on the CSA course in the New Year. Regards,’ Dr PB. AKT Pass for Trent Deanery.

‘Dearest Una I am mailing to say a big thanks for helping me out with the CSA. I passed. Thank you so much for all the help and the encouragement. I followed the 10 commandments religiously and it worked. keep up the great work and god bless. You are a great teacher. All the best AO.’ Dr Anjana Oommen, CSA pass for West of Scotland Deanery. ‘Yes Una you can add my message to your testimonials regarding the CSA and don’t mind you writing my full name.’

‘Hi Una, Finally I have passed the MRCGP!!!! I got my CSA results today. I had 3 clear passes 7 marginal passes. Praise God and thanks for your course stay blessed, Esther Okumo.’ CSA pass for an overall MRCGP for London Deanery. ‘Its like a dream I never knew I could finish this exam!!! God Bless Esther.’ Update: I met Esther, her supportive husband and her darling little daughter at the NMC award ceremony Feb 13, 2009.

‘AKT - I got 84.34%. I'm delighted. That' all my exams over in ST2 (Kim did part of her ST3 early to qualify for CSA). Now preparing for south africa in feb 09. Lots to do. Your courses for both CSA and AKT were live savers. You are wonderful and thank you for the positive vibes, belief and encouragement you've given Una. x kim (as of course any comments in this email you can stick on your website. go for it!).’ ‘Dear Una, I passed the october CSA - 11 passes. I'm delighted, and your course was worth every penny. you are a legend!...Thanks Una, Of course you can quote me on the webpage. I've told ALL my good friends your CSA course is a must so I'm sure some will be coming your way! All the best Kim.’ Dr Kim Rollinson MRCGP, AKT and CSA passes for London Deanery.

‘Would like to say a really BIG thank you to you, Dr Coales…CSA results released...and i passed! So, thanks once again, as you played a significant role in this success story of mine. I am of course happy for you to include my testimonial on the webpage and hope others will get inspiration & encouragement from it. The "10 commandments" are DEFINITELY gospel! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!! PRACTICE AGAIN & AGAIN...& AGAIN with friends & colleagues to get into the habit as it were and so that doing these types of consultations almost becomes second nature. Regards, Dr Wande Fafunso, Lewisham VTS (I attended the Sept 15 CSA course).’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘I have also luckily passed my CSA! many thanks,’ Dr AA, CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I passed the CSA -11 cases. Thanks for your support and wise words. I will complete my current post on the 31st jan. Many thanks, Shweta.’ CSA pass for London Deanery. ‘Dear Una, I am very happy for you to add my message.’

Hi Una Just to let you know I have passed! - overall 11/12 cases. (6 Clear passes 5 Marginal Passes and 1 Marginal Fail). Thank you for all your help Una!! Nazim x, ‘Sure you can add me to the testimonals... thank you again!!! Nazim x.’ Dr Nazim Mahmood MRCGP, CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Thanks a lot Una-I passed my CSA and am really thankful to you for your 10 commandments and guidance. I managed to crack all 12-7 clear and 5 marginal passes! Monica Sinha.’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, yes, 12 passes (3 were only a bare pass though). Thanks for all the help. Great advice on the written paper course…! The advice on the timing of the questions and what order to do them in was invaluable for someone who is 25 years past finals, it worked perfectly. Best wishes Sally.’ (GP partner for 20 years) CSA pass for London. ‘Hi yes please use words as testimonial.’

‘Hi Una! I just wanted to let you know that I have passed as well. I passed 9 out of 12 and you needed 8 to clear. I only had one clear fail. Your CSA commandments gave me the confidence to use an organised approach. Certainly none of the examiners felt I was disorganised. Thank you!! I told everyone at my VTS about your fantastic course and a few have booked with you as well. I cannot see how you can score the points in 10 minutes without having been on a course. Someone said last times pass mark was 47%. I can believe that. Unfortunately I didn't think I needed a course for the AKT which I took last week. Extremely hard questions-many on MRCP level. And this comes from someone who did MRCS. I didn't do well so I may see you again….Hi Una. Feel free to use my testimonial. Bye Stavroula.’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I have passed my CSA as well, 11 passes. Thank you! Inke.’ CSA pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I am delighted to inform you that i have passed my CSA and now have completed my MRCGP [did all 3 components-oral, mcq and written-from old mrcgp. i would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to you as i owe my success to you. After reading the testimonials, i can proudly say that you have contributed to my success in a very special way as last year this time i had a nervous breakdown following my failure at the video component of my summative leading to an extension in my training! my mentor and trainer during my extension term and you have helped me regain my confidence and boy am i proud to have the alphabets MRCGP AFTER MY NAME. Do continue the extraordinary work and you will find my name as DR Shivakumar and not Gopal as i am registered with gmc as dr shivakumar. i attended both your oral and csa courses and it has been very much worth it. god bless you and your family and once again thanks very much….thanks una-you can by all means put my email in your testimonials, i honestly do not mind my personal details re my struggle on the contrary i would like you to put in on as its only after reading other people stories did i volunteer my information and also since you have had such a major impact on my life-sorry got to go-doing a locum in 30 mts- ta jay gopal.’ CSA pass for an overall MRCGP for Hull.

‘Hi Dr Coales, By Gods grace i passed my CSA. Thank you very much for your help. Kind regards,’ Dr SD, CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una I passed all cases with 8 clear passes and 4 marginals. Thanks for all your help especially with improving my consultation structure and using less words…You're very welcome to use my comments on your testimonial webpage. You've obviously got a winning formula and I would recommend your course highly. BW Ruth.’ CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una I passed in 10 stations. Regards,’ Dr KJ. CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hello Dr Una Coales, I passed the CSA....very happy..thanks Regards, Dr SN (Northern deanery).’ CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Dr Una Coales, Happy to inform that I have passed. Thanks for the course and support you gave Dr Harsha Lumburu.’ CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una Passed CSA with 11 passes Great course,’ Dr HS, CSA pass for North Western Deanery.

‘hi una, good news- i've passed my CSA finally. all the credit goes to you. thanks for guiding me to get through this exam. thanks.’ Dr PM, CSA pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Dear Una Thank you for the support. Glad to say that you can add my name to those who passed CSA - 10/12 cases :-) …Hey Una post on the website asap. Thank you. Kind regards Rajeev Kaja.’ CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Dear Una I'm very happy to let you know that I have passed the CSA exam (passed all the cases as well).Thank you so much for your help and advice. Keep up your good work.’ Dr MG, CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una Thank you for the tips and help, I managed to pass my exams…Thank you,’ Dr AS, CSA pass for South West Scotland Deanery.

‘hi una steve- here i passed as well thanks for all your good tips, all the best steve, i am now back in dublin and doing my new job next week thanks again your course will be highly recommended….hi una please add my words to your website thanks again and hope to see you at the ceremony take care steve.’ CSA pass for West of Scotland Deanery.

‘dear una i am glad to tell you that i have passed my CSA-OCT 2008. i am so very grAteful to you for all the help and the training you have imparted. it would not have been possible without your magnificent training and fantastic help you provided. i could only describe you in two simple words-"DIVINE ANGEL". thanks a lot once again…thanks a lot dr coales. regards,’ Dr Vinay K., CSA pass for West of Scotland Deanery.

‘hello Una, i have passed my csa. i passed 10 out of 12 cases and am really pleased that i attended your course as it was really helpful. thanks once again Dr Tirugulla.’ CSA pass for WALES Deanery. ‘hello Una, sure u can add my comments as they are true. thanks.’

‘Hi Una, Passed the CSA and definitely thanks to your course. will definitely, in fact have already started recommending your course to all I know. Thanks once again for preparing us with the right approach and the confidence to get through the exams.’ Dr ST, CSA pass for WALES Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yes have passed as well 6 clear passes and 6 marginal passes. very happy. thank you again for the course.’ Dr CB, CSA pass for Yorkshire.

‘Dear Una, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to write to you. I've been to your CSA course in September '08 and have passed my CSA in October '08. So many thanks to you. Your coaching was excellent. The whole day was packed with opportunities to practice my consultation skills. The most helpful tool for me was your 10 point approach to the consultation. This gave my consultation a useful structure and it prevented my mind from going blank during the exam. I've already recommended your course to some of the new GP Registrars. Also many thanks from my children who are glad that their mother managed to pass her last exam. With many thanks,’ Ulrike, ‘Una, thanks for your good wishes. Yes, please add my words to your testimonials. Love, Ulrike.’ Dr Ulrike Woltersdorf MRCGP, CSA pass for an overall MRCGP for Severn Deanery (AKT passed Jan 08).

‘Hi Una Thanks for your help. I passed. keep up the good work,’ Dr IA, CSA pass for Severn/ Trent Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I passed the CSA!!!! Thank you for your help. Dr Dipo Odubanjo.’ CSA pass for an overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery. ‘Please feel free to add my testimonial to your page. Once again, thanks for your help, very much appreciated. I followed every thing you said re: your 10 commandments and it worked.’

‘Dear Una, I am delighted to inform you that I passed my CSA exam this time! Kind regards, ‘Dr YTC, CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hello Una i have passed CSA, actually I passed 11 out of 12 :) thanks for your valuable advice and good course regards…hello Una again thanks for your perfect course. all i did for this exam was attending your course, studying 5 days and practicing for 2 days :) which worked well (11 pass) thanks to your valuable advice. yes of course you can (post on website). love babak soleimanpour west midlands.’ CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

Summer MRCGP 2008

‘hi dr.coales..this is dr.bala pillai (hope u remember me!!!)..i went for my awards ceremony 3 days back in bournemouth and it was indeed a once in a lifetime feeling getting the scroll from the president of the RCGP and thank u for helping me achieve my goal...my sincere and best wishes for all the g.p's coming for your winter oral, written, AKT course and hope each and every one of them pass with merit and add pride to your already famous name..take care..dr.balakrishnan pillai locum g.p dundee Scotland.’

‘Dear Una, I am so happy to see my name in the pass list too! Yes, it is really a super hard job for me to prepare the oral and the consultation module. I must put you on the top of my thank you list, because without your teaching, help and on-going encouragement, I definitely cannot obtain the overall MRCGP pass. Sure, you can show my DVD in your next class. When I visit London next time, I shall treat you a big lunch / dinner and thank you personally. Again, many thanks! Best wishes,’ Dr. So. Postal Video Service pass for an overall MRCGP (International) for HONG KONG, MCQ 2006, Written 2006, Oral 2007)… ‘ add the lines to your testimonials webpage; or mention my story in your webpage if you like. I really appreciate your enthusiasm in helping GPs to pass the MRCGP! Without your tips and rules in taking video, and other constructive advice, I don't think I can pass the video and overall MRCGP. Best regards, Dr. So.’

‘Dear Una, Thank you…You have indeed played a significant part in my getting through the Video Module. The insight you provided was very helpful. I benefited immensely from your detailed step by step guidance, as well as your honest yet positive critique of my performance. I am very impressed with your personal attention combined with your enthusiasm for your candidates success. You are a very special teacher and mentor. I certainly wholeheartedly endorse the course for anyone who wants to take (and pass!) the MRCGP videos. Ike.’ Postal Video Service Pass for an overall MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales Thank you very much for your help with the videos .I have passed my video…I would not have been able to do the video without your guidance. thanks Dr S Karale.’ Postal Video Service Pass.

‘Dear Dr Una Thank you very much for your help!!With your help i passed my written exam with merit! You r doing a great job of helping students like us. Yes and i passed all 4 modules now. You gave us that confidence to face the orals as well! really grateful to you. God bless you and your lovely family. thanks again,’ sushma x, ‘i wish i had found better words to thank you, just listen to your advice is the best i can say.’ Written Merit Pass, Oral Pass for Overall MRCGP with MERIT for Trent Deanery.

‘I passed!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for all the support you have given to me. It has meant a lot to us. I think it is my wife, H----- and me who passed this b**** dy exam!!Now my professional and personal life can now move on!! Once my feet touched the ground, will write a proper letter to you to thank you. perhaps will see you in college. I still have this dread feeling every time I come to London!! Dr WBT, GP Partner, Oral Pass for Overall MRCGP with MERIT for Trent Deanery (MCQ Merit Pass, Written Merit Pass, SS Pass 2007 Courses).

‘Dear Dr Coales, I just wanted to drop you a line with a feedback on my overall recent MRCGP results. I am very pleased to say that I passed all 4 parts with merits in each and overall distinction. I attended your course in spring 2007 for the written paper and found it very helpful indeed, especially the stats part and as the result scored highly in the paper. Thank you for your help, Best wishes, Dr Olessia Vrublevskaya.’ Written Merit Pass for Overall MRCGP with DISTINCTION for Trent Deanery.

‘hi dr.coales..i have passed my oral module and now finally obtained my overall MRCGP..a ton of thanks to you as it was your course that paved the way for my success...i just followed your instructions and was bang on target for the oral questions citing the codes again and again..once again thank u sooooo much in helping me pass the exam..i will surely recommend your course to my colleagues who still have to pass the old MRCGP which is going to be the last one in the winter session..take care and keep up the excellent work...thank u..dr.bala pillai locum g.p Dundee Scotland, ‘my sincere best wishes to all the g.p's who are taking your course to pass the MRCGP exam this winter..i sincerely hope every one passes and add pride to you and your wonderful course...its indeed a god given boon to come for your course and come out with flying colours.’Oral Pass for an overall MRCGP for Dundee SCOTLAND.

‘Dear Una I’ve passed my written MRCGP module as well. I don't know how, But I have. I must says I could not read more than 3-4 days. Even a day before written exam, I had to do Locums, I was under stress, PMETB was late and I had to locums in AE AND Psy. But remembering tips provided by you, I’ve managed to pass all module in first attempt. However I had just tried to go through your written module book. I really appreciate your guidance during this course. This was not possible without attending it. Many thanks Tahir…Please ALSO write that it was not possible to pass this exam without attending your MRCGP course.’ Written Pass for Overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery (AKT, Oral, Video passes, Winter 2007 course).

‘Dear Una I came on your course on the 2nd of June and was doing my oral for the 3rd time. I wanted to let you know I passed at last and have got my MRCGP with a merit. I'm glad I went on your course; it showed me where I was going wrong and I followed your advice and was more much more relaxed and confident and dropped a few key phrases and the GMC code which must have worked. Thanks again Ranjit Atwal.’ Oral Pass for an Overall MRCGP with MERIT for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Just a quick email to say thank you for your help with my Videos. The advice you gave was spot on and it helped make sure I passed this time around and get the MRCGP - it was the last video sitting too so there was no room for error. Keep up the good work. Kind regards,’ Dr SC, Postal Video Service Pass for Overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, thank you again for all your help with the exams, I passed MRCGP with merit overall. I’m sure that your courses helped me get there, Many thanks…Feel free to put up my testimonial- I have already recommended your course to my friends, and your excellent books, Warm regards, Rishabh Prasad.’ Overall MRCGP with MERIT for Eastern Deanery (AKT, written, oral and video courses, Winter 2007).

‘Dear Una I had not looked at the site, for the results and was waiting for the post to arrive. i happened to access my email late in the evening yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to see your mail,telling me I had passed. I think it’s appropriate that I got the news from you. After almost giving up hope, the feeling is anti-climactic rather than ecstatic. Thank you for giving me the mental support when i needed it most.with grateful thanks Abraham, ‘another member of the Una Coales fan club’.’ GP Principal, Written Pass for Overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales I came for 1 on 1 tuition for oral and was doing it for the 3rd time .Thank you! You showed me how to answer questions i followed your advice and passed and obtained my overall MRCGP .Thanks again. My best wishes to all the GP`s who are taking your course to pass MRCGP this winter. Regards Dr SB.’

‘Dear Dr Coales, Just a line to say I am very grateful for the feedback you gave regarding my videos and I have managed to clear the exams. Do really appreciate the fact that you kindly fitted my work into your busy schedule. Thanks again.’ Dr GMV. Postal Video Service Pass for Overall MRCGP.

‘I sat for Oral + Written MRCGP and passed on my first sitting despite lots of problems that I had (I am originally from Zimbabwe and I got disturbed with the problems going on in the country). THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COURSES, I really benefited a lot hence I passed. Please keep up the good work. You are a very good source of inspiration and hope to many people especially me. I just don't know how to say thanks to you and your husband + kids for helping and changing many people's lives. PLEASE CARRY ON THE GOOD WORK. Philomina Nhemachena.’ Written and Oral Passes for Wessex Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Well I must thank you once again for the help your course has given me with the MRCGP exam. Some how I managed to pass my exam WITH merit as well! I got a merit in both the written and AKT components and apparently I was in the top 15% of the people who took the exam! So thank you very much!! Regards Chris Lam.’ Written Merit Pass, AKT Merit Pass for Overall MRCGP with MERIT for Manchester.

‘Dear Una, Many thanks for your courses. I almost lost hope, you have given me the direction, confidence and very valuable materials. Tell them all they can do it!!! Lots of love Dr Galina Atkin.’ Written Pass for Overall MRCGP for Lincoln.

‘Dear Dr.Coales I passed written module of old MRCGP and it was only because I attended your course. I had failed on earlier occasions not because I did not have the knowledge but because I had no idea of how to score marks. Thanks for helping people with your excellent courses. Dr.Farhat.’

‘Hi Una, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your top videoing tips. I put them into practice but didn't have enough time to send my new videos back to you, so I posted them off and kept my fingers crossed!! Anyway I passed with merit which means I have MRCGP with DISTINCTION!!!!!! I am over the moon and will be eternally grateful. Louise.’ Postal Video Merit Pass for Overall MRCGP with DISTINCTION for Mersey Deanery (Merit AKT, Merit Written and Oral Passes, Summer 2007 courses). Louise was referred by Terry who achieved the highest Distinction score for Mersey Deanery 2006. It is only befitting that Louise also achieved Overall MRCGP with Distinction. 2 Distinction GPs in 1 very special practice in Mersey Deanery!

Dear Dr Coales, I have passed my video and oral module and that gives me an overall pass. Thank you for your help and tips. The postal video service and feedback was good. I also thank you for your oral course which I attended, and that was excellent. Thank you Regards,’ Dr Soumendra Nath Chowdhury Postal Video and Oral Passes for an Overall MRCGP Pass for West Midlands Deanery. ‘I believe - hard work, determination and good guidance is what everyone needs to achieve their goal.’

‘Dear Una I passed the oral exam and so now the MRCGP as whole. Thank you so much for all your help and support and kind words. They really encouraged me. I remembered all the different tips on answering. Everything went fine and of course your course helped me for all the other modules too. Thanks again for everything. kind regards sheeba.’ Oral Pass for Overall MRCGP Pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Thank you ever soooooo much. Couldn't have managed to get there without your encouragement and fantastic courses. Una you are too good !!!! I can't thank you enough for the support I have had from you in the last year and a half. Thanks to your Husband once again for organising everything, the lovely food and the warm welcome we get at your place. Please keep in touch. We are going to India on 31st July for 25 days, can't wait. You get a 100% credit for my success. Love, Shilpa. PN: My husband has asked me to send his special thanks to you for your great help. You must come and visit us in Stockton- on- Tees. If you anytime plan to hold courses in the North East I would be willing to help you…Me and Vikram have come out with a slogan: If you want to attain your goals attend courses by Una Coales!’ Video pass for Overall MRCGP for Northern Deanery (MCQ, Written, Oral Passes, Summer 2007 courses). Update: I congratulated both Shilpa and her newly-appointed consultant surgeon husband at the RCGP NMC award ceremony Feb 13, 2009.

‘hello Una coales, Sorry about the delay. I was on holiday. I passed the theory and AKT with your help and guidance. of course wonderful course, very useful, very practical, very oriented. recommend to everyone. with kind regards,’ HRV. AKT and Written Passes for WALES.

‘dear una, i passed the oral module of exam. thank you very much for your help at the course. regards,’ hitesh shah. ‘…add my recommendation for the course...’

April/ May nMRCGP 2008

‘Dear Una, Happy to say that I passed with a score of 94.95%. Hope everybody else did well. Best wishes, Rachel Williams.’ ST2, Distinction May AKT pass for Eastern Deanery and the highest AKT pass in the UK for Spring 2008.

‘Dear Una, Hi am writing to let you know that I passed with 85.86%. Many thanks for your great course. Tara.’ ST2, May AKT pass for West of SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘Hi Una i have PASSED!!! by 74.24% this is my 4th attempt! and all credits to your course n book!! thanks so much, i have also a partnership waiting!...indeed i feel relieved after 2 hard years on mcq/akt, i kept failing this part by 1 or 2 %, but i am thankful to my trainer (dr pw) who suggested your name and the course and well it was in london, but the travel from inverness took an overnight train and on the way back it was my longest bus journey- about 16 hrs!! but it was all for a splendid course, your personality is indeed inspiring for all exam goers!! and i am again very thankful for your course and teaching..god bless and keep doing the good work do give me a buzz if you have any plans of visiting Highlands!!bye dr m idris Inverness.’ May AKT pass for Inverness, SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘hi..dr coales..this is dr.bala pillai from dundee in scotland.. i would like to take this opportunity to thank u immensely becos i have finally passed my AKT exam...ur course paved the way for this pass and i got an overall score of 72%...i now have just my oral module to go and i am sincerely hoping for the best...once again my sincere thanks to you for helping me pass the AKT module...thank u...dr.bala pillai locum-g.p dundee scotland.’ May AKT pass for Dundee, SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘Dearest Una, Just to say thanks and to let you know That I passed my AKT, Thank you for your Kind help and support Kind regards Mohammad from Scotland.’ May AKT pass for SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘Dear Una Yes I have passed too-got 83.33%-Ur course material was grt-showed me what to focus on-Thank you. Monica Sinha.’ May AKT pass for KSS Deanery. Update: Monica scored 12/12 CSA passes!

‘Hi Una, I passed too – 81%. Lynne.’ MRCP May AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Just to let you know that I have passed. I am very pleased of course! Thanks!!! Inke.’ May AKT pass for KSS Deanery. Update: Inke scored 11/12 CSA passes!

‘Hi Una, I have passed the AKT, all thanks to your superb teaching. Will have to see you for CSA again Many Thanks Mohit.’ May AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hello Dr coales Just to let you know that i passed my AKT (73%), not great but i don’t care. i read your papers only. thank you for that regards Ali Najjar.’ May AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hello Dr Coales, How are you? Both were surprises, in the sense I had no courage to look at the scores. For the CSA I left it 2 weeks after till my trainer back from holiday told me the news by surprise. The same yesterday he was more anxious than I was and already had a peekabo, knowing I would leave it to the weekend. Yes, I passed both AKT and CSA. Thank you very much for your course which gave me definitely a direction what to study and taught me to separate the hot topics from the details!! Muchas Gracias! All the best, Pang ps: by the way I told another peer to attend your course.’ May AKT pass for KSS Deanery. Update: The Dean of KSS personally rang him to congratulate him on his AKT and CSA passes!

‘Dear Una, Apologies for the delayed reply. I attended your AKT course prior to the May exam. I am pleased (and relieved) to let you know I passed - 85.4%. I have been telling all my colleagues to apply for your next courses in the autumn. See you on a CSA course soon. Many thanks and kind regards Andrea Watt Mersey Deanery.’ May AKT pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. LOTS OF LOVE. PETER.XXXX.’ May AKT pass for Mersey Deanery. (Overall Pass MRCGP). Update: Appointed Partner.

‘Dear Dr Coales Passed the AKT thanks to to your course - that was my 3rd attempt and having passed the other 3 modules I was in a desperate way as I needed it to finish in August and get the old MRCGP completed My sincerest thanks for a great course and your guidance Qamar Siddiqi.’ May AKT pass for Mersey Deanery. (Overall Pass MRCGP).

‘Dear Una I have passed the May AKT exam with the score of 80.3. Thank you for your help and keep up the good work. Hope to see you in CSA course. Bye Now Meera Gowripalann.’ MRCPaeds May AKT pass for Mersey Deanery. Update: Meera scored 12/12 CSA passes.

‘Hi Una, I cannot thank you enough as your course is of tremendous help in my preparation to sit AKT. I received email yesterday confirming my pass result. Thank you once again. Regards, Dr Lavanya Dasari.’May AKT pass for Northamptonshire.

‘Dear Una, Sorry for the delay in replying. I passed both AKT and CSA. Thank you for everything. Your courses were fantastic!!!!! Madhu,’ May AKT and CSA passes for Yorkshire Deanery ‘Thanks once again Una, I scored 83% in the AKT (100% in the stats!! ). CSA wasn't as good as I hoped. 4 CP 7 MP and 1 MF, but am not complaining. Regards Madhu.’

Dear Una, just checked my NHS mail, have passed akt !!, Thanks a million…75.71%. I didn't think I was going to pass because of so many silly mistakes. I can confirm that I have completed MRCGP now and owe it to your excellent courses. Thank so much. Ehsan.’ Partner, May AKT pass for Eastern Deanery (Overall Pass MRCGP).

‘Dear Una, Many thanks for all your help- I passed with 77%. A huge relief. Thanks again and hope you are well Deryn.’ mother of 3, 3 and under! ST2, May AKT pass for Eastern Deanery. Update: Deryn passed her CSA with 12/12 passes in Feb 2009 as an ST3!

‘Hi Una, Passed AKT! Thanks for organising such a great course. Regards, Fiona.’ May AKT pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I rang the RCGP re: the results & they told me they're sending out all the results by email this time to the old candidates today. They said to check my email which I did & low & behold there it was! 87.47% Really pleased, they're not deciding on merits until July 10 but I'm hoping for the merit. Thanks a lot for all your help, your course has been fantastic & has been instrumental in helping me achieve merit in the written & the above mark in the AKT. I recommend you to all my colleagues & friends. Just need to wait for the video component & am sitting the oral later this month. Thanks Una, After all, I was tutored by the best. Your method instils the will to strive for the best and that’s what I appreciate most. It’s more than just a case of merely passing, you want to achieve something more memorable. That’s one of the reasons why I opted for the old exam. Your material was also fantastic, up to date and so easy to follow. I can see the effort that you put into your course which makes it so much easier for us to revise, therefore I thank you for all that you have done. I think that your course is the best out there and I will continue to recommend it to whoever I come across. Kind regards Ajaz.’ May AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thanks for your course! I passed with 78.28%! pass mark was 67.7 Regards, Raghu.’ May AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi I have passed!! You'll probably see me for the CSA course! With regards, Dr R Malhi.’ ST2 May AKT pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Dr. Coales, Just to let you know that I passed the AKT with a pass mark of 72.3%. Thanks for your help and helpful material. Regards, Riz.’ May AKT pass for East Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yes i actually did manage to pass my AKT, which was a wonderful surprise! Thanks, Sehar.’ May AKT pass for East Midlands Deanery.

‘yes I have passed - thank you so very much Una, your courses are invaluable and thoroughly recommended to all MRCGP candidates!!’ Christopher, May AKT pass for Manchester.

‘Passed - 82.3% Thanks, Claire.’ MRCP. May AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Good news- I passed the MCQ! Can't believe it. Your course was really good and helped me so much- thank you. Hope you and the family are well. Love Sunanda xx.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery. Overall Pass MRCGP.

‘Dear Una, Just to let you know I passed!!!!! AKT Assessment Date 07/05/2008, Result Pass, Overall Score 81.82%, Mean Mark 73.13%, Pass Mark 67.7%, Mark for clinical medicine 83.33%, Mark for evidence interpretation 70%, Mark for organisational questions 81.82%. Kind regards Dr. Shora.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘dear una I passed with 80.8%. so pleased, thanks for your help! Amili.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery.

Hi Una, I have passed, got 76.77%, thank you ever so much... it was a great course and i will recommend it to everybody…thank You once again. You were simply great!!!! i really enjoyed your statistics teaching...Regards Ria.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘i also passed. thank you. Bindu.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thank you for your help! I passed the AKT! Still waiting the result for the Written. Nice w/end to you and your lovely family! Love Anna.’ May AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una! Thanks for your email. I passed with 82.3%. Your handout/ statistics teaching and book were undoubtedly instrumental in this process. I am glad I took the 4am train that Saturday morning to come and listen/ absorb and digest your pearls of wisdom :) I hope to get a place on your CSA course soon :) Many thanks again. Cheers Deenee (Yenandeenee Desha).’ MRCP May AKT pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Dear Una I have cleared AKT. Thank you for the help. Will meet you at CSA course. Dr Ajith K Prabhakaran.’May AKT pass for North Western Deanery.

‘hi una, i passed also. thanks again Sirhan.’ May AKT pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Just to let you know that I passed CSA &AKT both in May. Thanks for all your help and for having a last minute course in May. Having a checklist did in fact help in the exam. I am Glad it is over now. Poorna Kandeeswaran.’ May CSA pass for Liverpool.

‘Hi Una, I'm doing the old MRCGP so believe I have to wait until 11th July! It was a tough exam and the wait is painful!! I'll let you know how I got on when results are out. Your course was brilliant - material was really relevant to the exam. Thanks! Just hope I put enough revision in. Rosie Page’… ‘Dear Dr Page, I am writing to let you know that the results of the Applied Knowledge Test sat on 7^th May 2008 were as follows: • Overall score: 74.75% • Clinical Medicine: 73.72% • Evidence Interpretation: 75% • Organisational questions: 81.82%. The mark required to pass the AKT on this occasion was 67.7% and the mean mark achieved by the cohort was 73.13%.’ May AKT pass for Trent Deanery.

‘Hi Una Please to inform that have passed CSA- first attempt-. You are the GURU for CSA-your mantra does work. Regards and good luck with your endeavours.’ Rupesh Jha’ May CSA pass for East Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yep - I passed. 11 clear and 1 marginal passes so not too bad! Cheers Lynda.’ Outstanding May CSA pass for Yorkshire Deanery.

‘Hi Dr Coales Just thought id let u know, I attended ur csa course on 10th may at ur home, straight after my akt. did csa on 17th may....AND I PASSED!!! thanks. fingers crossed for my akt result!...whoops forgot to mention, 6 clear passes and 4 marginal passes. thanks pamela (Hull).’ May CSA pass for Yorkshire Deanery… ‘Hi Una Just to let you i passed my akt (77.27%) as well as csa thanks to u(May ) your courses were definitely useful! thanks again. Pamela.’ Update: May AKT pass also for Yorkshire Deanery.

‘Dear Una I have indeed passed the CSA. As you probably know I sat the May exam. And I am so glad I have passed. What a relief. I give all the glory to the Lord. Dear Una, I really thank you so much for your help. Your course was very helpful. The little tips you gave and the fine tuning you gave all of us have been very useful. You are doing a good job. You really seem to know what the exam tests and the skills needed to get through. Thanks once again. My trainer is also impressed when I told him about your course. Take care. God bless Loving regards anne.’ May CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘thanks una..i passed.’ EA, May CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘hi Una, many thanks yessssssssssssss,me and hesh both have passed our CSA module ,i passed 10 cases and hesh 9 cases,we only had 2 marginal fails ,i had 6 clear pass 4 marg pass…we felt foll 10 commandments made a big difference cases flowed and we finished in good time. once again cant thank u enough .regards DR Rakhee Kamath.’ May CSA pass for Trent Deanery and Heshan (May CSA pass for East Midlands Deanery). Update: Dr HA has accepted partnership at his training practice.

‘yes i passed! there was some problem with my mail box ,we sorted it out and result came thank you very much for your help.’ SS. May CSA pass for Trent Deanery.

‘hey una, many thx for ur course, i felt so awful after the exam as your 10 point check list was out of the window for first 3-4 cases, didn't have a clue what was happening....but got bk on my feet again & remembered to tick the boxes & things came back in control...though i din do well with initial cases still managed to PASS with 8 passes(3 clear & 5 marginal)....aahhhh what a relief, now i have 8 months of pure GP reg to enjoy & of course look for job.....many thx -but message to rest is practising in small groups really helps....hope you keep helping others with PASSING exam – cheers Dinesh.’ May CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thanks for the E mail. I passed the CSA... Regards Tara.’ May CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘My dear Una, I have passed the CSA!! Thank you for having been such a tremendous help. I have started to drop the name of your course to friends who are due to sit the exam. I had 5 clear passes and 3 marginal passes and no clear fails. It confirms what you already know. Your system really works. What a difference a day makes! Your friend for life. Sam Arthur’ FRCS (general surgery). May CSA pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Hello Una, I have passed this time. Passed 8 cases of 12. The exam was much easier this time compared to February…The cases I failed were the ones I didn’t finish on time! Thanks for all your help and advice. Best wishes Komal Thakkar.’ May CSA pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Just to confirm I have passed as well, thanks for all your help! Akeel Jamil.’ May CSA pass for North Western Deanery.

‘Hi Dr.Coales, I have passed my CSA as well - what a relief ! Thanks for your advice. Indu Pemmasani’ May CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Dr Una Coales, I passed my CSA, Many thanks for your help, the structure has helped a lot. Thanks once again. Regards, Dr Kavita Gone. May CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yess, I passed! Thanks for your help. I think the course was very useful. It gave me direction and a structure to prepare, which was invaluable. I got 8 clear passes, 2 marginal passes and 2 marginal fails. Punam.’ May CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Thank you very much for all the help Una, yes I have passed the exam... Hope all is well. Mamta.’ May CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘attended your course and passed the akt in may08! hurray! kind regards, Meena.’ May CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘THANKS UNA FOR YOUR ADV AND COURSE I PASSED ,, ITHANKS FOR YOUR HELP A LOT I...yes i think it was really tough on sat when i gave the exam it was the last day but i followed your thing to be empathetic i know many many people have failed on sat ..i am also glad that i ve done it v early just at the start of my registrar yr...once again THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND GREAT COURSE’ Samina May CSA pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una As you predicted....follow the commandments and you will never be forced to enter Croydon again in your lifetime. Even my TomTom said "turn around when possible" upon reaching the city limits! Eight clear and four marginal was very acceptable! Thank you so much for priceless inspiration. Do not waste money on expensive imitations - there is only one CSA course you need! Luke "MRCGP" Ashford’ BSc (UCL), MRCGP. CSA pass for Trent Deanery (AKT pass in Jan 08).

‘Hi Una, I also passed my CSA. Thank you for all your help - the revision course was invaluable! Yours, Jo Sherratt-Wyer CSA pass for MOD (Air Force), ex-New College, Oxford University!

‘Dear Una, Just to let you know that I passed my CSA on first attempt on 19th April and all credit goes to you and your meticulous methods. I have certainly recommended the course to some of my colleagues who haven't done very well. Many thanks Best regards, Faith Garise [GP registrar-CSA pass for South West Deanery].’

‘Dear Una, Yes, Wednesday was a very exciting day as I did indeed pass the exam (11 clear passes and one marginal pass), but I also felt my baby move for the first time too! Hope everyone else did well too. BW Emma.’ MRCS, MRCGP. CSA pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘hi una! I passed the csa- thank you saumya.’ MRCP, MRCGP. CSA pass for Wessex Deanery (AKT pass in Jan 08).

‘Dear Una, Hope this finds you well. Thanks for the well organised course. I have passed the CSA..Warm Regards, Pavan.’ CSA pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I am happy to let you know that I have passed CSA. Your course added structure to my consultations. Thank you, Teresa Deacon.’ CSA pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘hi una, yes i have passed, got 7 clear passes & 3 marginal, ur course definitely helped , unfortunately i could not get anyone to practice, the only practice i had was at your course, i have got my MRCGP completed now, in fact i attended all ur courses (mcq, written, orals),thanks again for helping me get my membership, dr jyothi navale CSA pass, MRCGP for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yes I passed, many thanks once again!!! Shimal xx’ CSA pass for London Deanery (AKT pass in Jan 08).

‘Yes I passed, thank you Una. Best Wishes Nikki’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Una, Just to let you know I passed the CSA. Many thanks for the help and support - the '10 commandments' were very useful. Best wishes, D.’ CSA pass for London Deanery (AKT pass in Jan 08).

‘Hi Una Its Tarun here, just to confirm that you can add my name to your list of people who did Una Coales course and passed CSA. Once again thanks for your help. Tarun Narula. CSA pass for East Midlands Deanery.

‘Thanks for your kind e-mail, Una. Your lessons from the course came in very handy, and I tried my hardest to be… I'm pleased to say that both myself and Katie Smith from the VTS group passed comfortably. Thanks again. Lorna Burn.’ Ex-Barts medical school graduate! CSA pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I assume Lorna let you know our results. I am so pleased and relieved that i passed!! Your course really helped us perfect the patient centred approach and time management skills necessary and I will definitely be recommending it to my friends. Thanks again Katie.’ CSA pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una I have passed, thank you for all your help the 10 points really helped. Thanks again Anita Mehmet.’ CSA pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Whew! can finally relax. Passed the CSA. Thanks for the tips.’ PA. CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Pleased to inform you that I passed my CSA with flying colors-many thanks- your course was amazing!! We just breezed through!!My friend Sandar Hlaing who attended your course passed too!!Keep up the good work.Regards Divya n Sandar’ 2 CSA passes for WALES Deanery.

‘hi UNA just to let u know that i passed the April 19 CSA it was tricky but your template was useful…take care Celestine MRCS ( the ex surgeon)’ CSA pass for WALES Deanery.

‘Hi Una. Didn’t even know the results were out. Checked after reading your email and I’ve passed! Thanks for your help. Vinod.’ CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Hi Una Just to let you know I passed my CSA. Thanks for the help! Dr Niraj Singh CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

Jan/ Feb nMRCGP 2008

‘Hi Una As you predicted i passed both the AKT and CSA. On the AKT i scored 84% and got clear passes on all the CSA stations. Thanks ever so much for your course and guidance. Harvey Rao’ AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Just to say that I passed the CSA! Thanks for your help on the course. Christine.’ CSA pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yes I passed, thanks so much for all your help... and I scored 86% so am pretty pleased! Shimal’ AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Just wanted to let you know I passed the AKT (I took Jan 2008 sitting)…. much of the success is due to the course! Thanks for the course and HT manual - they were instrumental in helping me pass. The pass mark was 69.8% I obtained overall score of 87.94% (which I’m very pleased with). Cheers,’ Dheraj, ST2, AKT pass for London Deanery. Update: He went on to clear his CSA too barely 3/12 into his reg year. He has just informed me that he will be attending the Nov 2009 AGM NMC so I may applaud him as he receives his diploma in front of family!

‘Hi Una Can confirm i passed, 75%. Your course made all the difference as only studied for 4/52 beforehand after working hours! Thanks Gunen, GP reg’ AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Quick email to let you know that I passed the AKT with 84.42%, thank you for your help, I attended your course in December 2007. Thank you again,’ Nazim, ST3, AKT pass for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una Just to confirm that I did pass my CSA - i hope all the candidates did! I've been spreading the word and advertising your course to people I know! Thanks for all your help! Regards Davinia.’ CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘thanks for the top tips yes I passed the CSA your course was brillant thanks.’ Liz Blantern, CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una I have passed CSA, and I must say that your course was very helpful, and I have recommended to all my friends who are planning for CSA to try to attend our course. Thanks again. Batool Aly.’ CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales, Just to let you know I passed the CSA exam. I attended one of your CSA courses in February a week before my exam. I was delighted to get 9 clear passes and 3 marginal passes. The course was helpful in preparation particularly in time management. Thank you for the valuable course, I hope the rest of the people who I met at your course passed too, I'm sure they did. Best wishes, Dr Rebecca Livesey.’ CSA pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una just wanted to confirm that I passed the CSA thanks to your help. Also I managed to pass the AKT with your help. Thank you very much for your guidance and confidence. Amit’ Jagota, AKT and CSA passes for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi, Many thanks for your email and all your help to help me pass!! It was a fantastic course and I'm spreading the word! Thanks again, Minoli’ AKT pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘Hi Una i passed the AKT and got 80.3%.your booklet was like the bible for passing this exam. thank you soooooo much. saumya Jha’ AKT pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I am thrilled to say I managed to pass my AKT with 84.4%! All the hard work and studying your course notes paid off. Kind regards,’ Mandy, AKT pass for Wessex Deanery.

‘Hi Una Yes I passed the AKT – 90%. Thanks for your help, your course was really good and definitely helped for the exam. I have already told all my friends to book on your AKT course. Bushera xx’ ST3, AKT pass for North Western Deanery.

‘hi una I passed AKT at 82 %. thanks for your help on the course was very useful. thanks for your help once again Rashmi Malhotra GP St 3.’ AKT pass for North West deanery

‘hi una,,,thanks for your mail,, sorry to inform u late ,, but yes i passed both the exams-- do agree the course & tips was very helpful,,i am actually finishing in august - & must start applying for jobs soon,,thank you for tips ,,regards preeti.’ AKT (postal) and CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘Dear Dr coales passed my CSA i have found your 10 commandments very helpful thankyou for all the help. Uday’ Gajawada, CSA pass for Northern Deanery.

‘dear Una. i passed AKT with 85%...very pleased indeed!! i have a 2 year old daughter at home and work full time..hence i did not do much reading prior to your course. My husband, WJ, has been to your course before and highly recommended it. After the AKT course i based my reading on just your questions and reading materials..and it was just 3 weeks of preparing..your course helped me to stay focussed and i guess i was reading just what was important. i am ever so grateful to you for guiding me and i must say i owe this success to you... with warm regards,’ Sarah, AKT pass for W Midlands Deanery.

sarah flowers 2.jpg Sarah greeted me at my doorstep for her CSA course with a huge bouquet of pink flowers in gratitude for help with AKT!

‘Dear Una, I passed the CSA, managed 5 clear passes, 3 marginal passes. Your course gave me a lot of confidence, thanks safoorah’ Ishaq, CSA pass for W Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I am glad to say that I passed the CSA. I passed all 12 cases. I have already recommended your course to my friends. Many thanks, Ban Al-Niaimi’ CSA pass for W Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una, i passed all 12 cases :) thanks for your help, the course was very helpful.’ Sami Ozturk, ST3, CSA pass for Eastern Deanery (AKT pass Oct 07).

‘Hi Dr Una Coales, Thank you very much. Both me and my husband (Susmitha Pavuluri and Dr Balaji Donepudi) have passed the CSA. Thanks once again. Yours Susmitha and Balaji’ 2 CSA passes for Eastern Deanery (2 AKT passes Oct 07).

‘Hi Una, I passed 80.9%. The course was so useful. Thank you! Miriam Winn’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I passed the AKT with 84% - really thrilled as I thought it was a very ambiguous exam and was sure I would fail !! Thanks for your help - I would definitely recommend the course. Nic Averill,’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi I passed with 81.45%, Madeleine.’ AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thanks very much.Yes indeed, did pass both, 87% in the AKT and 11/12 on the CSA so very pleased. Thanks again for you help, the courses did the trick! Best, Anand.’ Patel, ST3, AKT and CSA passes for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una I passed, so relieved! Thanks for your help, I thought it was an excellent course. i went to another CSA revision course which was nowhere near as good. I don't think I would have as well without this course! Best wishes Christina’ Kong, ST3, CSA pass for KSS Deanery.

‘hi una hope you’re well i passed! 2 clear passes, 10 not so clear passes, 1 just failed thank you so much for a really excellent course - it was invaluable. you have a friend for life. best wishes to you and your family thank you so much again, davendra.’ CSA pass for South Yorkshire Deanery.

‘Thanks Una, I can confirm a pass with 79.4%. 10 clear passes and 2 marginal passes, happy with that!! Mark’ Stevenson, AKT and CSA passes for SE SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘Dear Dr.Coales, I got my results for CSA today and I have passed. I am very excited and happy. Thanks for all the guidance and the tips that helped me a lot. Thanks once again. regards, Tej’ Murthy, West of SCOTLAND Deanery.’

Hi Dr Coales, Happy to inform you that I cleared both AKT and CSA exams. AKT I cleared in October 2007 with 79.5% marks and CSA in Feb 08. I am glad to write I did wise decision in attending your courses especially CSA. As I attended quite early in my Registrar year it gave me good time to prepare as you instructed. Also I found your CSA most useful. Thanks for your guidance. It’s a wonderful feeling to clear all the exams quite early in the registrar year, now I can concentrate on my rest of training. To be honest I have recommended this course to many of my colleagues as well as juniors. Thanks again, also to your husband for taking care of us during the course.regards, Dr. R.M.D'Costa’ ST3, AKT and CSA passes for Aberdeen, SCOTLAND Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Yes, I passed and got 82%. Your course has been immensely useful. Thank you very much for keeping your 'Hot Topics' folder up to date and your great teaching. All the best, Ulrike.’ AKT pass for Bristol.

‘Yes, I passed. 75% which didn't set the world alight (given the mean was 77%) but my excuse was having awful morning sickness whilst trying to revise! Thanks, Keira’ AKT pass for Severn Deanery.

‘Dear Una I passed my CSA exam. I had 5 clear passes and 4 marginal passes and 3 marginal fails. Many thanks for the help you gave me. Your course is right on the mark for realism. My friends who went to the ---- courses were overconfident, whereas with your course I felt better prepared. My friends came out shell-shocked whereas I felt as if I expected the cases to be not as clearcut as the college pretends them to be. The exam is not easy, like you said!!! You were spot on saying that the exam was NOT easy. Your course was pitched at the right level and I have recommended it to all my fellow registrars. Once again many thanks, Zishan Ali’ CSA pass for Oxford Deanery.

‘Hi Una Passed! But then i attended your course (even if i was suffering from flu!). 86% overall.’ Luke, AKT pass for Trent Deanery. Update: Luke is now practicing in Western Australia!

Winter nMRCGP/ MRCGP 2007

‘Hi Una, Just wanted to say that I found the advice sheet that I picked up to be brilliant. Since the results came out both myself and my trainer weren't able to figure out why I failed (bit strange especially as he is a RCGP Video examiner) and after 2 mins of reading your sheet I worked out that I had submitted the wrong case mix to hit PC5. I am videoing already so hopefully should have a tape to you within next few weeks. Thanks for your help, it has been priceless. Kind regards, SSC.’ (Passed AKT and Written with my courses and has now asked for help with Postal Video Service as facing resit Video 2008).

‘UNA you fantastic fantastic person. i passed my video yippee! Thanks for your guidance Love Iram’ Khattak MRCGP, Video Pass (postal service) for overall MRCGP for W Midlands Deanery. Update: I congratulated her in person at the RCGP Awards Ceremony, Kensington Town Hall, April 2008.

‘Hi Dr Coales Thank you and I couldn't have done it without you. I was waiting to get the result in writing , it arrived today and now I can finally believe it! It would be my pleasure if I could help anyone in similar predicament as mine so yes please do use it as you need to. May I wish a very happy Christmas and New year to you and the family. Thanks a million Abia’ MRCGP, Merit Video Pass (postal service) for W Yorkshire Deanery.

‘Hi, My name is Dr.Raychaudhuri. I attended your written paper course before the winter 2007 exams. I had already attempted the exam 4 times and was on the verge of despair. I did exactly what you said and passed. I remember you telling me I will, at the end of the course, but I was feeling hopeless then. Thank you very much. you have turned my life around. regards, DR.Raychaudhuri’ Written Pass for Overall MRCGP for North West Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I passed the Oral Exam!! What a wonderful feeling on my 4^th attempt, and coming on your course (nov 5) made all the difference. I have been shouting and screaming and sharing a glass of red with my wife. I was surprised at how thoroughly you covered every aspect of the exam: ….The small size of the group in such intimate setting also made it excellent, with one on one tuition. Going into the exam, I heard your voice in my head: …..so well worth it for that alone. So very many thanks to you and your husband (brilliant cook he is!) for having me on the course. Also to my wife who was my sounding board back home, and also to God who gives all good things. I am SO EXCITED and thanks once more!! Dr E MRCGP (I hope everyone on my day at the course also passed), GP Partner.

‘DEAR UNA, AFTER ONE HUNDRED (OR SO) ATTEMPTS, I HAVE FINALLY GOT THE MRCGP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.I HAD MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING YOUR COURSES.I WILL NOT FORGET WHAT YOU SAID TO US ABOUT HOW YOU FOUND TIME BETWEEN WORK AND HOME COMMITMENTS TO DO YOUR EXAMS. THANK YOU (AGAIN AND AGAIN) FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR MRCGP CANDIDATES. PEGGY OKOLO MBBS DFFP MRCOG

MRCGP (yes!!!at last)’ Written Pass for overall MRCGP (Written and SS courses Winter 2006), GP Partner in London.

‘Hi Una Thankyou for the e-mail. I am so grateful to you for getting me going in the first place by highlighting on your website that this could be the last time likes of me could take MRCGP. I had made up my mind that if I was to become a member I wanted to do it the proper way!! I work in a small surgery of 1 and 3/4 drs. I am the full timer so as you can imagine the last year has been pretty tough. My family have been very supportive and understanding as all the weekends which were the only realistic time I could do valuable revision were taken up. However, without a shadow of a doubt there is no way I would have got through without your help and guidance. I was convinced after my second set of oral examiners that I was going to fail that pt part of the exam so when I nervously looked up on the website to have passed I was absolutely delighted . I did not realise that I got a merit in AKT until my wife looked at the results again. I was amazed that I scored 90% in the AKT. So thank you so much for all your help support and encouragement. I hope you have a peaceful christmas and a happy new year Best wishes,’ RK MRCGP, GP Partner in London.

‘Hi Una, Thanks so much for the e-mail! I couldn't have passed it without your help. I spent the week prior to the exam drilling through the questions on your book and bought a medical ethics book from the RCGP website and read through some of the scenarios over and over again. I was actually really nervous going into the exam since I failed it the 1st time. I was especially paranoid that I would say something wrong again but luckily it went by really smoothly. Both set of examiners were really nice, and I talked and talked til the bell rang. I didn't even realize how fast time went by cuz I knew what to expect and it wasn't so difficult once you know the principles and the construct grid. Thanks again for all your help, about how to…. (I was actually hoping I may have gotten a merit. :P but I'm very pleased that I can finally call myself MRCGP certified!!!) Yes, it was really tough flying all the way back to the UK - using my vacation time ... in fact on my way back to the US I was delayed twice... , so i ended up arriving back in Buffalo 1 day later!! but i didn’t have to start work til Monday so I didn’t actually miss any time off work.) but it was worth all the hassle... I managed to visit some of my good friends in Glasgow and learnt alot about what a good GP is supposed to be just by reading thru the material for the oral exam. I'm doing a busy rotation this month in Family Medicine and i'm on-call tomorrow again... was on 24 hr call on Tuesday and I'm pretty exhausted right now but I have Sunday off so that will be a relief... and also its Christmas time so everyone is happy and festive in the hospital :) Anyhow, wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Regards,Winston Goh MRCGP.’ Oral Pass; SS Pass Spring 2007 for overall MRCGP for Glasgow, Scotland, now completing a US Residency in Family Medicine.

‘Dear Una, your wishes for me came true, your guidance was fruitful and your confidence in my abilities proved right. I have passed my MRCGP winter 07. My result was delayed for CPR certification. I am grateful for all the help and care..million thanks... I owe you a lot for encouraging and guiding me at hard times....My family are thanking you for sharing such happy moments with us , especially my husband who is eager to see this good teacher!!!!!!! Perhaps you know that although I practice in Saudia, I come from the Sudan in north Africa. Now that I got my MRCGP ,family is considering to move into UK.....that might involve further advise from you ...Family is taking me to Dubai for a luxurious celebration at the end of this month ,,,,what a coincidence...my daughter graduated in the same week of my result with distinction .She won the prize in surgery. Things could not have been better timed..Best regards to your family. YS Badria’ El-Faki MRCGP for SUDAN (4^th GP to ever acquire the MRCGP working in SAUDI ARABIA and the end of a 10-year MRCGP journey!).

‘Hello Dr Coales! I'm really pleased with the results! Thank you for your help and encouragement. I had only checked the pass list and felt terrible when my name was not on it. I carried on feeling sorry for myself for 6 hours, before i decided to go back on the website to see how my friends did - and that's when i saw my name on the merit list! I could not believe it. I'm so excited. So a big thank you for all your help. I didn’t want to let you down. Best wishes for the new year and happy christmas to you!’ Kusum, Merit Oral Pass for Yorkshire Deanery. Update: Kusum gained her overall MRCGP in 2008.

‘Dear Una, I did pass with a Merit after all, 6 months late but with work and family commitments I really can't complain. Many many thanks once again. I genuinely wouldn't be in this position without your help. Ellis x’ MRCGP (Overall Merit Pass) for West Midlands Deanery. Update: Ellis is now a GP Partner!

‘Dear Dr Coales, Sorry for a late letter of thanks but I wanted to reply in detail and to thank you immensely for your step by step guidance through the Oral and Postal Video Course. I took your course for the Orals in the summer 2007 but failed to pay precise attention to your….lesson, but in winter exam retake, I followed it to the hilt, and hurrah! I managed to smoothly pass….facing not one but two Female examiners!...Your stringent and honest criticism was enough to get me through this module (video) as well….’ Dr NJ (Oral and Video Passes for KSS Deanery).

‘Dear Una, Complements of the season. Apologies for not getting in touch sooner. I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big Thank you for your help towards my success on the MRCGP exams, your advice and encouragement were invaluable. The material presented at your courses were extremely relevant and I dare hasten to say that your course + hand-outs +a little GP experience and most importantly positive mental attitude would be sufficient to attain a pass, this is by no means saying that the exams are cheap but indeed praising your efforts in the preparation and research of the course material coupled with the simplistic way in which it is presented e.g statistics. Once again thanks a million!!! Elizabeth Pase’ Written Pass Spring 2007; AKT and Oral Passes Winter 2007 for overall MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una I thought I'd take a moment to say THANK YOU. Bernard got his MRCGP results yesterday and did pass both his written paper and video modules. We truly are elated and very thankful to God for this. Attending your course certainly did make an evident difference this time around - many thanks again Una. Bernard and I both wish you a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. Do MAKE a GREAT day! Dr BAO MRCGP, Written Pass for overall MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Hi! Just to let you know I passed the viva! I didn't get a merit but hey three merits out of four not bad - thanks for your brilliant books. They were a saviour whilst I was feeding my little baby and trying to revise! Just curiously does this mean a merit or distinction overall (they were all 1st attempts but taken at different sittings!) Keep up the good work!!!... ‘Hello! My name is on the distinction list - yippee!!!! You may definitely use my quote! Have a lovely christmas and new year - I know I will be! Satvinder Lall, Oral Pass, Merit Written Spring 2007 course for an overall MRCGP DISTINCTION for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thanks for your well wishes. Yes I am very happy about the results and was very surprised. I thought I probably had a merit for the oral (they were all really nice to me) but I was so stressed about the videos that I felt physically sick the whole week before the results came out. In fact I thought I was going to vomit when I saw the results - what a relief! I just couldn't afford to fail as I'm going to work overseas in Feb and it would totally mess up everything. Went out for dinner to celebrate once the nausea wore off!...Well thanks for your help and the useful practice questions, tips and books. Now I can have a life again. Happy Christmas to you and your family. Best wishes, Sam’ Written Merit Pass, Oral Merit Pass for another overall MRCGP DISTINCTION for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una Coales I have passed MRCGP.I am extremely grateful to you regarding your written and AKT course and material without which I would not have passed MRCGP in 1st attempt.I also passed my orals this time and my video last time(thanks for this too).I also agree to what you told us at the course ie just read your notes . MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Best Wishes’ Dr A Kunde MRCGP (AKT Merit Pass 81%, Written Pass, Video Pass Spring 2007 for overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, I attended your course for the written paper & must admit it was highly beneficial as I achieved a merit in the module so thankyou. I am planning on sitting the AKT on ….therefore would like to attend your course on... However I am unsure about a couple of issues with regards to the exam. I have contacted the RCGP and they have informed me that I am eligible to sit the exam (although it says on the website that it is only for nMRCGP candidates) as I need it for SA. However I am not sure if they are awarding merits for the exam as they did in Oct 2007. If they are not then I may decide to sit the exam in the Summer as I would be aiming for a merit… Have a nice Christmas anyhow. Kind Regards AA,’ Written Merit Pass for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Thank you so much Una you may certainly use any of the videos. You were the major difference in me achieving my new title. I will write on your website merry merry xmas ps I was with my wife at a west end musical tonight when I got a text from a friend who had just done 1 module and got the result, I had such butterflies I couldn't wait to get home and also almost had a coronary when the pass list ended in R....All the best Shaun Segal MRCGP.’ Postal Video Pass for overall MRCGP, London.

‘Dear Una, Many thanks for your help. I got through MRCGP - AKT. Completed all the parts & it was possible with your expert guidance. Many thanks & Good Luck. Seasons greetings to you & family,’ Sanjeeva Naganathar MRCGP, AKT pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I hope you are doing well. Wanted to inform you that I managed to pass the written and oral exam. I found your course very helpful and certainly believe it made the difference. I did exactly what you said and it all went to plan. Thank you once again. Enjoy your christmas and new year break, Kindest regards, MER, Written and Oral Passes for Leicester Deanery.

‘Hi Una, thank you for mail, I passed the written paper as well, I've double checked on the pass list, my name is still there! thank you for all your advice, I did not do anything else but following your tips... and it worked! have a happy Christmas! love, DAS xxxx’, Written and Oral Passes for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una I don’t know how to thank you. today was one my best days in my life. i had 4 men examiners. all of them smiling during exam because…. i had a great time during exam. i was the only person who was very relax and smiling after exam. i felt during the exam that i am going to pass. examiner were very friendly, helped me to answer. i had a very bad cold and cough that day but they gaive me time to relax. questions were easy. I like to thank you again. merry christmas and happy new year to you and your family. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Mitra’ Resit Oral Pass for London Deanery.

‘Hey Una- Thanks for the e mail. I am pretending that I don't really care anymore but inside I am beaming of course- this has been a thorn in my side for a while obviously! If anything in this exam I learned to deal with the exam instead of being a super awesome GP-This time i thought a lot more about your tsk strategy- spent about a month doing questions from your book, pastest, the rcgp website etc and TIMING my answers so I could write as good an answer as possible in 10 minutes - then showing them to my mom (a teacher) who soundly assessed my handwriting. Thanks for all your help over the years- I will def recommend your courses to any registrars I might bump into- And If you ever feel you need to know how to break someone’s arm in three places with the flick of a wrist- you're probably eating too much red meat :) Much appreciation and Happy Crisps to you and your family Waqar’ Written Pass for overall MRCGP for Belfast, Ireland, Merit Oral 2006.

‘Thank you Una I knew after the exam that I had done it as I had the guts to ask them!!!! they saID i DID fine so I think this added to my impression Never so driven in my life!!!!! good to have it done now and MRCGP after my name Thanks for all your help and tit bits Happy Christmas,’ DO, Resit Oral Pass for Overall MRCGP for Cork, Ireland.

‘Dear una Thanks for your guidance as this was wise decision I had taken to book for your course. I really appreciate your insight into mrcgp exam and I m glad I listened to u to pass my exam. I had very little and was lucky to go through your course material. Wish u happy x mas n new year. Tahir’ AKT, Oral, Video Passes for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I'm at present in the library of our RCGP and replying to your lovely email. I'm soooooooooo grateful to your help and support through this exam.I would like to keep in touch. Also a big Thank you to your husband and his great hospitality. THANK YOU again and Happy Xmas and a great New year. Ciao Theo’ Written Pass (Merit Oral 2006) for Overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery. Update: Theo is now a newly appointed GP partner!

‘Dear Una Thanks for your useful course, I have passed the viva and got the MRCGP Magdy Abdalla.’ Oral Pass for Overall MRCGP for Trent Deanery.

‘Dear MS Coales, I wish to share my good fortune with you. I could not have done without your help and the wonderfully useful "manual" Thank you for helping me getting through the AKT module. this brings my MRCGP exam to a completion and I am sure will open many venues for me in Australia. Even though there are no words to express my gratitude please accept my simple THANK YOU. Alag’ Korapadi Alagarswami MRCGP, AKT Pass for overall MRCGP for Trent Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I wanted to let you know that I passed the oral with merit and so passed the MRCGP overall. I found your orals course to be very good preparation for the exam, especially because you pointed out that the examiners may…... I would have been really thrown if I had not anticipated that. I really did get the ….. as one of my examiners! Best wishes and merry Christmas, VK MRCGP (Merit Oral Pass for Eastern Deanery).

‘Dear Una, I have passed the AKT and Orals. Thanks to you for all your advice and help. See I listened to you and did only akt and orals this time and passed.I had already passed my written,so now only have the videos to do. Seems to be a long journey but hopefully should come true. Once again thanks to your courses that I passed these modules. Please keep in touch. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to you and your family. Regards.Shilpa.’ AKT pass, Oral pass, (Written Spring 2007, attended courses in Spring 2007) for Northern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Many thanks. Couldn't have done it without you. And I put off the other modules till later because I wouldn't have had a chance if I tried to sit them together - needed to study for them separately, and even so, I thought it was all a bit hairy, so I'm really glad. (anyway, I'm happy I didn't spoil your statistics! I thought it was touch and go there for a while.) Thanks again, Arthur Hwang MRCGP (Merit) for KSS Deanery. PS. Heinrich got an overall pass with merit too, and he never misses an opportunity to say how superb your course is!’

‘Thanks Una! As you can imagine, I am ecstatic! Your help through my “journey” was central to my success, in fact I have been talking about your courses and superb guidance with so much enthusiasm that some have been joking….! I too will remember Arthur’s genius brain- well deserved….I am now 2 weeks into my partnership and it is extremely challenging and not a day has passed that I did not benefit from MRCGP. Many thanks for your help and support. On my own I may have scraped a pass but with your help I managed a merit! Unthinkable. Merry Christmas!’ Heinrich, MRCGP (Merit) for KSS Deanery. Update: Heinrich is now a newly appointed Partner.

‘Dear Dr Una Coales I would like to take the opportunity of thanking you much for the time & effort you very kindly spent for me. I have cleared the MCQ & Video parts. Written & Oral to go. I am planning to sit for these --written & oral in May. I will definitely need your help. Best regards & Merry Christmas & Happy new year to you & to the family. Thanks Mohammad (Postal) Video Pass for Grimsby.

‘Dear Dr Coales, I got the result for the written exam and I passed it. I am very happy about it and thanks to your course…I wish you happy new year and merry Christmas Farid’ Written Pass for GERMANY.

‘Dear Una, Hope you are well. Wanted to inform you that I managed to pass the written exam. I found your course very helpful and certainly believe it made the difference. I did exactly what you said and it was ok… Thank you once again. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year 2008. Dr Zelamal MRCGP.’ Written Pass for Overall MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Thanks Una for all your help with the oral exams. I passed with flying colours and have now completed the MRCGP…Thanks again for a great course and preparation. Have a good christmas!’ Dr. Shaikat Dhas MRCGP, Oral Pass for overall MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, the nMRCGP results came out on the e-portfolio today. I passed both CSA and AKT! V surprised and pleased with my AKT result: 80%.Thanks for everything. I'm off to Rome on Wednesday, now I can spend my in-case-i-didn't-pass-the-csa-first-time contingency fund on something ultra frivolous. Thanks again Aasia xx (smiling insanely) ST3, AKT and CSA Passes for Trent Deanery.

‘hello, the results are out early and I did it with 82%! Pass mark was 70.9. Thank you very much - am recommending your course through gloucestershire... i hope everyone else did ok too....Rachel Stone’ ST, AKT Pass for Bristol.

‘Hi Dr.Coales, i attended ur Sept. AKT course and passed scoring 87% , many thanks…Regards Sami.’ ST, AKT Pass for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Una Coales, I am Dr BD. I have attended your AKT course in sep 07 along with my wife and we are pleased to let you know that both (not just One) of us secured >80% in the recent AKT. As both of us are on a holiday in INDIA until…i am unable to make a booking for your CSA course, we would both like to attend the CSA course on …BD (ST’s, 2 AKT Passes for Eastern Deanery – husband and wife).

‘Hi Una, I passed the CSA. I achieved a clear pass in 10 stations and marginal pass in 2 stations. Overall needed 9 marginal passes to get through so I am quite relieved. Thanks for your help. Regards VR ST3, CSA Pass for KSS Deanery.

‘Hi Dr coales, i have passed my CSA, what a relief! Many Thanks. Anu’ ST3, CSA Pass for LNR Deanery.

‘Hi Dr. Coales, Hope you still remember me, J… from Scotland, I attended your AKT and CSA course in August/September. I have got through the AKT, which is a big relief, and now am thinking of doing the CSA in February. Regards! JA (ST, AKT Pass for Elgin, SCOTLAND). Update: JA went on to clear his CSA and I congratulated him in person and met his beautiful wife at the RCGP NMC awards ceremony Feb 13, 2009.

‘Hi Una, I am not the genius, you are!! You predicted I will pass my exams and I did!!!! Yes, Una, I cleared both the AKT and CSA! I still cannot believe it, I am in some internet cafe in town looking at the computer screen in disbelief! You have been my guide all the way, thank you so so much!! Whew! Yeahhhhh! Long live MRCGP courses! Bye. Love, LA Ps. Anu also passed!’ ‘…I just logged on my e-portfolio to check if the scores had not changed! Of course you can use what I wrote on your web site. I'll tell you something. During 'nights' in the past few months, I usually logged on the site just to read the comments candidates made. These motivated me. My AKT score was 73%; just scraped through! The pass mark was 70%.Take care. Bye. Leke Asong, ST2-3, AKT (postal) and CSA Passes for Trent Deanery.

‘Hi Una, how are you? Did the AKT today! I think it went well but one never knows. There is always the surprise odd question! Your manual were of TREMENDOUS help. Bye!’ L.A. (ST, Trent).

‘hello dr coales, good news i passed the akt, got an overall score of 80.5%. found your course very useful. Thanks, dr IS (ST, AKT Pass for North Western Deanery).

Summer 2007

‘Hi Una, thankyou very much for your great courses and all the effort you must be putting in constantly! I am very pleased to have passed and thanks for your help! Good luck with the new MRCGP! Best wishes, Anne’ Brickwood MRCGP (Merit) for Northwestern Deanery.

"I had to write and say thank you. Another testimonial for your ever growing list. Dr Coales knows how to nail this exam - and will make sure you do too! Thanks again. Sam Gartland" MRCGP for Northwestern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thank you very much - feel very relieved. Your course was great and made me feel much more confident…Thank you and i'll recommend your courses to all my friends! love, Steph - the happiest girl alive! ps i went to cambridge like your hubby - so returning there for the exam was all very odd.’ Stephanie Novitt MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Hope you are well- i am sure you are..always smiling and positive. You may not recall me but i attended ur MRCGP weekly course IN MAR 2007- i was attempting all 4 modules- 1st time sitting....and I am glad to say I PASSED ALL 4 MODULES AT MY 1ST EVER SITTING AND DISTINCTION IN ORALS and just missed distinction in MCQ...i've got 4 little kids (do u remember me now?) , working PT and alone!!!folks always seem to remember me when i tell them that!!! Aneela Malik MRCGP for Yorkshire.

‘Hi, Una. Hope you are doing well. Just to say thank you for your help and support. Keep up with the good work. Thank you again. Abdool.’ Koodaruth MRCGP for West Midlands Deanery (MCQ pass, Oral pass).

‘Hi Una, Thanks for your kind words. It was such a b£$%ll ache! but it is finally over! And how relieved I feel. As for your material, I based my entire revision on your material, it was brilliant! I wish I had known about earlier. You might smack my hands for this... I did'nt do as you said, due to work & family commitments, I only revised for 10 days. I suppose it also reflects the quality of your material. Anyway, best wishes and pass on my regards to your husband. Abdul’ Mannan MRCGP (3^rd resit MCQ pass).

‘Dear Dr Coales, I successfully completed MRCGP MCQ (with merit!) in May 2007 after attending one of your excellent courses but I would be very grateful if you would be able to advise me. I have the choice of continuing with the old MRCGP/summative route or doing nMRCGP as I did the MCQ before starting my GP registrar post in August 2007. I would of course be taking advantage of your relevant courses either way. Kind regards, PL.’ MCQ merit pass for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una, I am definitely of the opinion that it was your course that made the difference to my performance in the oral exam. I took the advice that you gave me and practiced using a deeper voice as you suggested. Indeed, I involved all the staff at my practice, who encouraged me, and told me off if I used my normal voice. In the end I had to take a little break because I gave myself a sore throat! Over that time I noticed a marked difference in the way that patients responded to me. Suffice to say I still use a deeper voice and feel that consultations have become a lot easier. I also took on board the information that you gave us about….In terms of further revision, after the course I used only your oral exam book and the course notes that you had provided and did not even open other books that I had bought….After the discussions regarding female examiners that took place on the day of the course that I attended, I was very dismayed to find a female examiner at each of my tables!!! I didn't let this put me off and bullet pointed all my answers where possible as you suggested, making sure I did that little bit extra to ensure the pass, but without backing myself in to any corners! The experience of this oral was completely different to the two I had undertaken previously where I had left feeling battered and bruised and more than a little confused and frustrated. After your course I completely changed the way that I approached the exam, and I am glad to say it paid off! Many thanks once again, Andrew.’ (3^rd attempt Oral Pass for overall MRCGP for London Deanery).

‘Dear Una, Sounds like I won't be allowed study leave to swat for the written, so could be a problem - I took 2 weeks for the MCQ and with your course, it made all the difference. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Seem to have forgotten everything already, but the breakdown showed I got 100% for the research bit which must be thanks to your grid, and that made all the difference as I only got 73% for management. Will keep you posted re. the written. Thanks again, Arthur.’ Update: Arthur sat his written, video and oral modules in Winter 2007 for 2 passes and another merit for Overall MCRGP with Merit for KSS!

‘Hi Una, Thanks very much for writing.......It was nice to hear from you. Sorry for our delay in replying.....we were away again :D this time it was Tenerife. We were both very relieved to get through the exams. The written paper in particular was a horrible exam; the time pressure was incredible. To be fair in my case I must have had some very understanding examiners as although my content was good, my writing was illegible even for me ;) We are both grateful for all your help and we will never forget how to …..!! Now just the Viva and the video to go........love Brett & Sophie xx’ Yorkshire (MCQ merit, Written merit; MCQ pass, Written pass).

‘Dear Dr Coales, This is just to say I did your full course in autumn 2006, I took MCQ's only at that time and passed. Now I have passed the rest of modules all in first attempt. Without your guidance it could not have been possible. I do recommend your course to everyone who asks for advice. Thanks a lot, Dr.Neeraj Aneja’ MRCGP W Midlands.

‘I was really pleased with the merits I scored 87% in the MCQ and just over 80% in the sim surg…And yes it'll be nice to get an overall merit when i study the preparation material and pass the oral in the winter!!!!Once again thank you. If you are ever stuck in the midlands in the floods, snow drifts or whatever natural disaster hits us next or in the area for a meeting and you are bored/free please don't hesitate to give me a call. Of course I'll let you know how i get on...EH.’ Update: EH passed his oral in Winter 2007 for Overall MRCGP with Merit for Eastern! He accepted partnership 2008.

‘Dear Una, I wish to express my gratitude to you, as I have passed my MRCGP exams. Your course was very helpful esp. the exam oriented approach .Keep up the good work. Thanks again. yours sincerely, Dr.Madhu Kesavalu MRCGP, GP Partner.

‘Dear Una, Thank you for your kind email. I was so pleased to receive a pass in the final component, the videos and to receive a merit overall. Your advice definitely helped. I found this section the most difficult to complete and I am sure it is less easy for those of us who have been in partnership for sometime to find appropriate new patients with new problems to submit. I was therefore exceptionally pleased to pass this area. I thank you again for all your support and advice especially in the MCQs and written paper. I firmly believe that if people follow your advice and AND work hard there is no reason NOT to get a merit in these areas and with a little luck and additional work in the more subjective areas too. Both HH and I received two merits and two passes in the end to get a merit overall. I feel we achieved this through hardwork as a study partnership and by following your advice. As we are both established GPs and therefore do not have the support of a deanery or tutor/trainer your help and our mutual support was invaluable. I am now looking forward to a year without exams!! At the beginning of next year I have my first sabbatical after 5 years in partnership and will be sailing across the atlantic on a tall ship with the knowledge that I have my MRCGP under my belt. I hope you have the oppurtunity to spend some relaxing time with your family and perhaps get away from your hectic schedule for a few weeks over the summer, you deserve it. The certainly wont be much in the way of sun here! Thank you again. Best wishes,’ Claire Broadley MRCGP (Merit) for Wessex, GP Partner x ‘PS If you speak to anyone who you feel would benefit from talking with myself or H I am sure we would be more than happy to chat with them and pass on some of the helpful hints we have obtained.’

‘Dear Una, You will be pleased to hear that I passed the MRCGP on this my first attempt! And to my amazement, a Merit in the Sim Surg Exam! Thank you so much for all your invaluable advice and support during the Oral and Sim Surg courses. As an established GP attempting the exam for the first time I did not have the benefit of support or advice of a Trainer or a peer group, so I especially appreciated your courses which were so informative and encouraging. Thank you again for all your help and support, With kindest regards and very best wishes,’ PM MRCGP for Essex.

‘Hi Dr Coales, Thanks so much for the guidance and marking of video, I wish i had spoken to you first time instead of trainer, which is a shame .I appreciate all the help, sorry it took time to get back to you, as i am in india holidaying right now. Suma’ MRCGP for Northwestern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Sorry for the delay in my answer, I just went on holidays to Spain the day after I knew the results. I am obviously extremely happy and I must thank you not only for your teaching but also for your moral support. Your course was without doubt fundamental in my preparation but it was also your encouragement and positive outlook that helped me in this last and most stressful attempt. I hope you have a nice summer. x’ Dr FC MRCGP (5^th resit written pass) for W Midlands Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Just got back from a relaxing holiday. I am so pleased with result and look forward to sitting the papers. Thanks for your course tips , it makes the difference. I have not sat the mcq/written yet , and hope to pass them on first sit hopefully in Oct 2007.I have withdrawn twice as I just know that I hadn't done enough revision. Look forward to giving you good news soon,’ ME. (Oral pass, Video merit)

‘Dear Dr Coales, Although I did not have time to attend your oral course this year, I studied the oral manual of your course in 2006 and practice with the questions given, and passed the oral this year. Really thanks for your help, without which I definitely cannot pass the written, MCQ and oral now,’ Dr YPS (HONG KONG).

‘Hi Una, Thank you so much for your kind e-mail; I had come in early today to write one to you but you beaten me to it! I am thrilled (but also a little disappointed with myself - having thought I'd be lucky to pass at all after the actual exam modules, I see I got 59.05 on the written paper, and 60.15 was required for Merit which would have given me an overall distinction! How frustrating, but I won't sweat the small stuff now, just enjoying my moment!). I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you for all your help and encouragement (and support when the college messed me about with the sim surg module too). I know I wouldn't have achieved as well as I have without your expert guidance, and my nerves would have been terrible if you hadn't counselled us so well on the format and approach of each module. You run superb courses and you can be justly proud of all our results too, as we wouldn't have them without your hard work. I shall continue to recommend your excellent courses to all I know, and thank you again! Love Sara T (the red headed Sara) Sara Thompson MRCGP (Merit) for Eastern Deanery (Oral merit, SS merit, Written pass).

‘Dear Una, Thank you for your congratulations! We are all thrilled and off out tonight for a little celebration. Thank you for all three of your courses which were great preparation for the real thing. Your Sim Surg course was especially valuable (Merit time for both Sara T and me!): the small size group was really helpful with your fantastic actors…We will toast you tonight and wish you continuing success! Best wishes, Sarah x’ SF MRCGP (Merit) for Eastern Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales, Thank you very much, i appreciate your assistance in my preparation for the exam, u gave me the confidence that i needed so badly. Thank you once again.’ Mustafa M. MRCGP (3^rd resit Oral pass)

‘Dear Una, A big thanks for the courses I did in Feb. Very happy to get a merit in the written and only half a percent off the MCQ merit. I'd like to do the oral course on ......please. I am also planning to start videoing straight away in August. …How long will it take do you think? Thanks, LC (Merit Written pass and MCQ pass for Trent Deanery).

‘dear Una, Thank you for all your help with my driving test. as you predicted I did score a merit in…….which is absolutely amazing as on the day i felt so disillusioned after the first patient- the whole experience was such a drag- a surgery from H--- luckily……….pulled me through…Happily i passed the other components comfortably. Thank you again for the top tips,’ Wathani, ‘and please mention that i was the one who was so sceptical about doing it at this stage straight out of maternity leave/ tiny kids etc. if it wasn't for your encouragement I would probably have split it all up and still need to be doing a few in the months coming. Thank goodness i don't need to. Yours’ KW Sivaniah MRCGP for Trent Deanery.

‘hi una, its nids here. sorry about the late reply..i have been celebrating my mrcgp with merit!!! i attended the viva and the written course and must admit your written course was wicked in retrospect...i quoted evidence as u said and me thinks it helped!!!! i got 70.57% in the written and S,S,G,G in the oral..have no idea what that means but anyways..thanks again...the viva course was brill too, cheers. best of luck for the future!!!nids NP MRCGP (Merit) for Northwestern Deanery.

‘Thank you for your correct prediction! I have been so nervous but am so thrilled to have got a merit in my oral which gives me an overall merit! Thank you so much for your continued support over the last year even after I had to postpone the oral when my daughter was born, you gave me so much confidence and it paid off. Thank you so much again. I am sure there are plenty more happy students today who have been on your courses! Sarah’ now Morgan MRCGP (Merit) attended Winter Course and sat this summer.

‘Dear Dr Coales, Thank you for your excellent course, I have passed the MRCGP simulated surgery. Till the day of the course, I had prepared nothing. The course taught me everything that I needed to improve my consulting skills and to pass the exams. Yours Sincerely,’ Cyril, MRCGP for Wiltshire.

‘Dear Una, As you know, it was my third and therefore final attempt at the MCQ and so I was really stressed! I passed, I have now completed MRCGP and I feel so happy. Your MCQ course was excellent, thankyou; you are a truly inspirational teacher. Love Jayoti x’ Pramanik MRCGP for Mersey Deanery.

‘MRCGP success – finally! Dear Una, I am very thankful to have now passed the written and final module of the MRCGP exam. I did give more attention to my handwriting…. I must also admit that I do think that the Summer 2007 paper was the least demanding of the three I have sat, especially the critical reading (qualitative research) part. Another resource that has helped me much were the past papers & answers from mrcgpbook.com... I think it is worth recommending it to those who still have to do the 'old style' MRCGP written paper and attend your courses. Thanks again for your advice, tips and interest in our success in the past. Best wishes, Nijs Stam MRCGP.

‘Hi Una, I've finally passed my exam. Although it did take me 2 goes, just wanted to say thanks for your help last year. love, Katie Saffin’ MRCGP for London Deanery (Resit MCQ pass; Winter passes: Written, Oral, Video).

‘Dear Una, A quick email to say thanks!! i attended 3 courses for 3 modules and passed all 3. Unfortunately i failed the video-(i didnt take your course!:(-my fault). Ill see you in your video course. Thanks again.’ She sent me her failed video submission, and the story continues…. ‘Thanks Una, Woah. What an eye opener!! I will get to work as soon as i get your list. Thank you very much you’re a Star. I will send you my second video set as soon as i get it done. Best wishes, Iram Khattak’ Update: She sent me her 2^nd video via the postal video service and passed her video module Winter 2007 for an overall MRCGP for W Midlands.

‘Dear Una, Many thanks for your help on the Oral (and Written) course - I passed! I'm really pleased, and very much appreciated your support. I hope everyone else did well too. Best wishes’ Rachel Tallent MRCGP for Leicester Deanery.

‘Dear Una Just to say THANKS! Passed video section with merit! (second time) I am now MRCGP. Thanks for all your help and advice. I have been recommending your courses to all who are interested. I will continue to do so. Take care. Regards, Sapna Kaul MRCGP (Birmingham)’

‘Hi Una, Hope everything is well. I passed both the oral and simulated surgery. I thought I did badly the second table of the oral but after it ended, one of the examiners said…. Thanks to your advice, I…Best regards,’ Teik Goh MRCGP for Northern Deanery.

‘Dear Una, This is to say thank you for your support ,advise and kind words, during the MCQ course at the college on a Saturday and also the Simulated Surgery course in our house. Thankfully it has all paid off with the well laid out programme. Continue with the good work and I will continue to recommend your courses. Kind regards,’ Belinda Agoe MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Thank you for your teaching. All went well. The only thing I would advise is to emphasise the examination... I did not get the details of the very nice non-clinical GP from Ireland. If you ever have a minute would you consider sending me his email, maybe after checking with him. I do hope he passed. Again, many thanks. Alisdair’ MacNair MRCGP (Merit) for Eastern Deanery (Simulated Surgery Merit).

‘Dear Dr Una Coales, I am very pleased to thank you for your help to train me to pass simulated surgery. I did MCQ and SS only and passed. I have to do written and orals in winter and obviously i will book a course with you later. Thank you.’ NB (W Midlands).

‘Thanks, Una. A lot is due to your good advise and support with looking at my previous video as well as the course. Yes, I finally did it. A fine feeling....Have a lovely summer. BW,’ Angelika Razzaque MRCGP for London Deanery.

‘Dear Una, Thanks for your lovely email. Also thanks for your coaching and advice throughout these modules. Just Nina to complete and submit her videos - hopefully w/ merit and overall distinction. My best to you and your family, Richard’ Ibrahim MRCGP (Merit) for Trent Deanery (Simulated Surgery Merit, Oral pass; Nina - Oral Merit, Winter, 2006), Update: Both Richard and Nina are now GP Partners, 2008 and 2009!

‘Thanks!! I know Jayoti very well and she is absolutely delighted! I haven't submitted a video yet, but plan to later this year. I have just started videoing at --------- Health Centre, so I may be in touch! Thanks again for your handy tips for the exams, it is good to get them out of the way. Louise.’ (MCQ merit, Written merit, Oral pass for Mersey Deanery)

‘Wow! Thanks Dr Coales! I was checking the website 2 days ago and the results were still not posted yet so i got a bit worried. I'm so glad I passed the Simulated Surgery!! Thank you so much for all your help. Your tips were really helpful! I couldn't have made it without your guidance - your technique on… is really helpful... I think it made a good impression on the examiners.. I will be sitting the Oral exam this Winter - because I have just started work in the US. I just finished orientation week and going to be on-call for Family Medicine starting Monday. It has been an intense week. My 3rd yr residents go to work at 5AM to see their patients and ward rounds begin at 8AM- gosh, people here work EXTRA hard... I can't believe it... I am beginning to wander whether I should have stayed in the UK instead!!! But all is well, I'm learning alot each day. I should be returning to the UK around mid Nov to sit the final part of the MRCGP and hopefully I will pass and then get my full MRCGP qualification. Thanks again for all your help. Yours Sincerely, Winston.’ Update: WG flew from Glasgow for my SS course and passed his SS the next day to successfully complete his MRCGP in Winter 2007 for SCOTLAND. He is now undergoing a Family Medicine Residency in Buffalo, NYC.

Winter 2006

'- mrcgp with distinction!!! - god bless you! - azma ( Dr N A-Ali MRCGP (Distinction) for Oxford Deanery). Update: Dr A-Ali received a letter of consideration for the Frazer Rose Medal and has now published a book on the nMRCGP AKT exam!

'Thank you Una! Your prediction was correct - I got distinction and I am totally blown away!! Your course was very useful - not only did it give the information required, you helped instill confidence in me - so that I started to believe I could clear this exam. Many many thanks - have a great Christmas with your family. Sheila Eves MRCGP (Distinction) for SCOTLAND. Her father is a University Professor of Maths in Scotland – genius genes run in the family!

'Dear Una, Really happy - couldn't believe I got merit in all four modules. Will have a good xmas I think! I have to admit I did not start this year looking for merit or distinction but am really happy with the result. Thanks for your guidance and I think my advice would be for other candidates to concentrate on topics that re-occur in the exams and spend some time deciding what you think the examiners will ask you - once you hone in on those topics, its a lot easier to get the marks. Many thanks again - I think all three days I attended were great fun. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year By the way who goes to the awards ceremony - I dont know anything about it! Love MW MRCP MRCGP (Distinction) for London Deanery, author of MRCP book.

'Dear Una, A Merry X'mas to you! I am on holiday in Sri Lanka and heard my results. Passed the exam overall with Merit (Merit for the Oral and MCQ). A huge Thank You to you for all the advice and support! Greatly Appreciated! Take Care, Kalum' Samawickrema MRCGP (Merit) for London Deanery.

‘I( asian GP registrar with a diamond nose stud who had asked you whether to remove that ornament or not before the viva!!!) had been one of your students for the MCQ, written & viva courses 2006. It is with sincere gratitude that I am sending this mail to let you know that I have cleared all 4 modules of MRCGP in the 1st attempt itself. Without your coaching I would not have learnt statistics at all. To everybody's surprise, got 73% for MCQ though I did not get time to attempt the last 14 questions! 55% for written, merit for video and … for viva THANKS A LOT TO YOU, Regards Manju’ (Das MRCGP for KSS Deanery).

'Dear Una, A quick e-mail to thank you for your advice - I passed both MCQ/written modules three months into my registrar post. A massive weight off my shoulders! Only the oral and video to do next year. I wanted to book myself onto your video course on…' Regards IH.

'Hi Una, I must admit that i did not expect to get a merit for the video! In fact, in first instance i though i did not pass as my name was not on the list!! There is no doubt that …..and your tough feedback helped to change the approach to the video element !! I only video'd an extra 3 days and managed to get 6 out the 7 consultations from these 3 days. So that shows that once you know how to approach the video, you can gather the consultations swiftly. It is important to stress that Michelle and myself are very grateful for your help: your course has been worth its price in gold!! We don't think we would have passed without your guidance. Especially that as non-principal you don't have the benefit of a trainer, so in a way you were our trainer… Wishing you a happy christmas and new year, fondest love, robin and on behalf of Michelle ("the boss").' MRCGP (Merit) for KSS Deanery for husband and MRCGP for wife. Update: RC is now an RCGP examiner!

‘Hi Una Wish you a very Happy new year!! I passed my exams--all parts. Just wanted to Thank you for all the help and efforts you put in for all of us. I would strongly recommend your course. Thanks once again! Luv Sulaxni’(Nainani MRCGP for KSS Deanery).

‘Hi Una, Just to thank you for a great course. passed the written and merit for the oral so really happy! thanks again. your course was a real confidence builder! happy xmas and new year! bu o'brien.’ Merit Oral for West Midlands Deanery.

‘Dear Dr Coales, I write to thank you for your help during the course. I appreciate that I only attended the first course but found both reading materials useful. I am unsure if you were aware that I did not sit the Summer sitting (always planned for the Winter one) and sat the written, MCQ and viva in the Winter sitting 2006. I gained merits in both the written and MCQ papers but found it difficult to concentrate during the viva. It was so noisy with 4 pairs of examiners in such a small room. However, I did manage to pass it. I must also congratulate you on your videos and viva book, both sections of which i found very useful. I have completed my videos and will be submitting them in April. A merit would be nice but we'll see. Have just finished my audit so hopefully will be able to enjoy my final year…I think attending your course prior to having done any revision was a real impetus to knuckle down...Thanks again and regards,’ Julian Waller and gained overall MRCGP (Merit) in 2007. Update: Emigrated to Canada to start his own private practice.

'When I first looked at the college website for results, I felt awful because my name wasn't on the list of passes. So it was a fantastic feeling to then see I was on the pass with merit list instead - a real surprise as I genuinely thought I'd failed at least the MCQ. Many thanks to you for your guidance and support. Your course and books were at the heart of my exam revision and I'm sure they made a difference. Shame I couldn't write neater, but at least I made it readable! Now I can enjoy Christmas with my family knowing that I never have to think about MRCGP again. Best Wishes and Happy Christmas' GE MRCGP (Merit), former editor of the BMJ. Winter 2006 was a tough time for those sitting the written; they were competing against such a distinguished GP!

‘Dear Una, I just wanted to send you a brief message to thank you for the very useful help and tips on your MRCGP course. You may recall I attended with my colleague HR and thankfully we both passed the Oral. Thanks for your help- It is great to finally have the MRCGP! Mike Pollard’ MRCGP for Wessex Deanery. Update: Mike was promoted to partner from salaried after recommending my course to his partner colleague who also passed!

'Hi Una, sorry not been in touch after the exam but as you probable already know I passed and got the predicted merit. amazing !!! thank you so much, the course was invaluable.' harj bhatoa MRCGP for Ealing.

'Hello Una, I could honestly say you made it possible. Prior to attending your course the mrcgp was like a 'mirage' of which I could never work out the way to reach it. You demistyfied the exam and most importantly gave us the inspiration that following basic examination techniques, reading the right books and continously practising the written,oral and video techniques we took home from your course, the MRCGP was in the bag. I thank my lucky stars for meeting you in RSM organised course last year. It was at that point 'I saw the light'. My word of advice to those who will be doing the examination in the future for the first time or resitting is to avoid the 'big' course organisers and attend personalised and small group ones like yours otherwise they will realise several months down the line, the've wasted their funds and time. As long as you continue running the course, I will continue recommending it to anyone who'll be doing the exam because in my 4 years as a GP it is still the course to beat. Have a merry Xmas with your your family and I'll see you next year in the College. Lots of love Ferdinand (Osuagwu MRCGP).

'Dear Una, thanks for your help- I have passed the MRCGP'- Vinitha Mathew MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

‘Hi Una, Its Dr K- here...I was the doctor who had come over from Dubai to do simulated surgery. I'm so sorry I just got a pass! But you won't believe it I just missed the merit. I was something like 0.1% literally out! Can you believe it? I think it was not hearing the start whistle which threw me off for the first few cases. Anyway nonetheless wanted to say thank you for all your help...I wouldn't have passed without your help. Regards Sabina K.’

'to una, i attended your mcq course.i had the mcq module left . i have passed this have now completed the mrcgp. i would like to thank you for helping me pass this module .i am sure the course and your advise helped me pass .i did travel 6 hours from north wales to attend and it was well worth it. i have already told the gp vts organisers in our area to ensure that all that give the exam are informed about your course. keep up the great work!!!! Harminder (Bolina MRCGP for North WALES).

'thankyou very much for all your help with the various parts of my exam. i have passed my mrcgp. the simulated surgery course was very helpful. i enjoyed myself doing your courses and will recommend it to my friends. thanks again,' santhosh gangadharan MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

'Dear Una, Thank you for your kind email and all your help over the last few months. I was surprised that my two merits were from the MCQ and written papers, if anything I expected to get one in the oral especially as…Anyway, two merits and a pass so far is good enough in anyones books…Both HH and myself are convinced you are the reason we both got merits in the MCQ paper; your course, books, practice papers and tips were perfect preparation for this exam, which many found very difficult this time round… I can now enjoy my singing and sailing again and am looking forward to the partys and spending time with my family and friends over Christmas. Thank you again for your help. I will definitely recommend your course to others including my younger brother who will be sitting the exam next year….Best wishes and have a lovely christmas with your family, Claire Broadley.x'

'Hi Una, Passed Written and Merit for MCQ! Couldn’t have done it without your help! I never passed a postgrad exam first time. I am convinced your method works and am continuing to advertise you locally. MANY THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Xmas. See you next year to work your magic for my orals!' Heinrich van wyk Update: Heinrich passed his Video with Merit in Winter 2007 for an Overall MRCGP with Merit for KSS.

'Dear Una, I passed my Resit written paper. I never did your course the first time round . The course was brilliant and so were your handouts. I did exactly what you taught us and passed…I have recommended your courses to all my colleagues and friends. I think you are an excellent teacher. Best wishes,' Jayoti X Written pass for Mersey Deanery.

‘Hi Una, A tiny note to say thanks a million for your help with the written module MRCGP – I passed!! Now hoping you will work your "magic" again with the MCQ revision. Cheers, Peter.’ Written pass for Mersey. Update: Peter is now a GP partner!

'hi dr coales, just a quick note to thank you . passed mrcgp with distinction. happy xmas,' gisa george MRCGP (Distinction) for WALES.

'Hi Una I've just finished my wee dance to celebrate passing the oral!! Thanks for all your help - your course certainly made all the difference for my preparation.' Neil Lafferty MRCGP for SCOTLAND.

'Dr Una thank you as much as the number of the stars in the sky, as much as the drops in the sea for your valuable and greately hlpful coarses in the SS. without them the way could be quite difficult to pass, with them I could make it real to pass the whole exam. Thanks to God then thanks to you ==> Naif’Al-Dahri MRCGP, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

'Dear Una, Just a quick note to say thanks for all your support and advice for the exams. I got a Pass with Distinction! I'm absolutely thrilled and once again thanks for all your help.' Radhika Vohra MRCGP (Distinction) for KSS Deanery.

'Hi Dr Coales, Just to let you know that I have passed all 4 modules at first attempt!!! I have recommended your course already to many of my friends and your books and scripts were so useful! Now I can do exactly what I should be doing: sit back, relax and stuff myself with Christmas biscuits! Thanks again, Elisabeth (now MD MRCGP DCH DRCOG DFFP).' (Dr Olynetz MRCGP for London Deanery). Update: she is now enjoying life as a GP in Australia.

'Dear Una, I attended your courses for MCQ/Written/Oral this year. I'm the northerner whose accent you couldn't understand on the oral course! Was very pleased with my results: Merit in MCQ & Written and merit overall! I found your courses and books very useful, especially the oral course. Thank you very much.' Jonathan Smith MRCGP (Merit) for Northern Deanery.

'Dear Una, Just to thank you for helping me through the oral exam. I spent the remaining time leading up to the exam going repeatedly over the questions with a friend as if in an exam situation. My presentation was more sharp by the end….I can recommend the Harrods No 1 cafe in Knightsbridge opposite Harrods for a wind down drink , the hot chocolate is lovely ! Thanks again, B. Thursby-Pelham MRCP MRCGP (for KSS Deanery).'

'Hi Una, I have passed the oral component and hence the MRCGP! Thank you so much for your guidance not only in the course but also with answering my queries via e-mail….Many thanks again. Keep up the good work! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Regards.' Ganessane (Ipswich) MRCGP.

'Hi Una, I have been strongly recommending your course to all the GPRs and potential GPRs I know because your course helped me get my merit in the written paper!!!!! PS: its the only course I recommend to colleagues. Many thanks once again. Take care Helen' (Mitakidis MRCGP (Distinction) for KSS Deanery).

‘Hi Una, I really just wanted to say thank you ever so much for help in prep for the oral viva. I got lucky and managed to pass it ok. Thank you again for everything. I think the course is superb, really worth its weight in gold. Thanks again.’ Samir Shah MRCGP for KSS Deanery.

'Hi Una, I passed my simulated surgery and I am really grateful to you. Your course was fantastic and helped me a lot to pass this module. Many thanks for all your help. Happy Xmas and happy new year! Kanjhana Ramanan' MRCGP for Southampton.

‘Dear Una, Apologies for a delay in thanking you for all your help in the Dec. Sim. Surgery exam. My access to email has been a bit erratic as I'm still on Christmas holidays would you believe!! I was absolutely thrilled with my result & could certainly never have done it without your help & advice. The course was a lifesaver & really gave me my confidence back. I have to say failing the video & then the Sim. Surgery the first time was a real blow to my confidence. I'm much more enthusiastic about going back to work now when our stint in the USA is over. Of course passing the MRCGP is now a licence to spend money wildly as I had promised myself so much if I passed!! I don't know how people do the exam without you! With much thanks & good luck for your future candidates,’ Clare Condon MRCGP for USA.

Summer 2006

'Hi Una, Have just seen the results online. Passed the written and passed the oral with merit - so when you said the examiners were assessing me for merit in the oral you were correct! So very pleased, particularly considering the stressful circumstances of -------- and new baby. Your courses were absolutely invaluable and thank you for ensuring I was so well prepared. I will whole-heartedly recommend your courses to future candidates. Thanks again and here's to a great summer!! Best wishes, Kevin' Barnett MRCGP for Milton Keynes.

'Dear Una, Thank you for all your advice during the course it was extremely useful and helped me focus. I am very pleased with my result and ending up getting merits in all the sections was good, it made it even more pleasing as I had just started a new job a wk before the results came out and was feeling like a duck out of water and concerned i may have failed the mcq. So I think the results came at the right time to boost my confidence. Thank you again for all the help,' Ramsey Jabbour MRCGP (Distinction) for London Deanery.

'thanks again for your invaluable help. I was the only registrar to pass all parts in the 1st go. The only other Dr to pass was a part of our study group where we used your methods and materials exclusively. Don't be surprised if you are inundated by candidates from suffolk... I've told everyone.' Dean Dorsett MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

'Hi Una, Thanks soooo very much for all your help & advice in the MCQ course. I do believe that your manual was invaluable as it provided all the really essential & concise info that was really hard to find…I have been drinking many glasses of Moet & Chandon champagne since thur night including tonight, currently working & living it up in Dublin & looking forward to a great hol in Tokyo & then going to treat myself on another shopping trip to New York! Life is definitely sweet post passing MRCGP!!!!!! I do remember you saying "every exam can be passed when you know how to". Thank you once again Una for all your help, advice & encouragement at the MCQ course with very best regards & I hope you & your family are keeping well, very best wishes, Elaine Abberton (now proudly MRCGP!!)' for KSS Deanery.

'Hi Una, Just to let you know that I have passed my MRCGP Oral in first attempt. I have a lot to thank you for. I came to do your Oral Exam Course on 6.6. You make it tough but that's how it should be. Best wishes,' Ritu Kothari MRCGP, Nottingham.

'Dear Una, Thanks for your tips for the written! Trisha's book is a must! I was able to talk about triangulation/ qualitative research methods which was quite a difference from before…missed the mark by one point in my first attempt. Now I have my MRCGP it feels good. Just to say thanks and keep up the good work. It is hot and lovely this summer in Regina, Canada, but I was having a bad day till my results came. I could have achieved merit in all easily..if I had studied. Don't mind about merit..just relieved! Your course sure got me in the right direction for which I am grateful. Anyway thanks again. With best regards,' Ruky Ugwumba MRCGP, Partner, CANADA.

'Thanks for the teaching - it was helpful and confidence boosting. Your personal approach to teaching is a great bonus in this day and age where the individual always seems hidden behind a beguiling corporate veneer. I thought I'd come a cropper after a rather difficult start on a seemingly easy audit question... the questioning examiner seemed to be asking vague questions and expecting very specific answers - he also kept interupting me in a way that made me feel I was giving the wrong answer before I could reveal it was the right answer.... I thought I might have failed (but just hoped the marking examiner could see my dilemmas)... anyway much to my surprise got a merit! I have to admit to being a bit of a pessimist when I take exams! Thanks again,' Robert McLaren MRCGP (merit).

'Hi Una, Wanted to say thanks for your help with the SS. I got a merit. So very happy with that. Take care,' Adnan Hussain MRCGP for Doncaster.

'Hello Una, Praises to God !!! I passed both oral and written modules after a previous fail in both two years ago, Indeed Im ecstatic!! Both your courses helped me a lot especially the oral course and the hand book for the orals, your technique of …………was invaluable during the exam. God directed me to your course. Im sooo happy, pls kindly give me details on the Simulated Surgery course for the Winter exam, God Bless you,' Dr EO. Written and Oral passes for Essex.

'Hi Dr. Coales, Thank you for the guidance! You may remember myself and my wife came to your oral prep course in May. We both were in the first year of the VTS in Nottingham. And both of us attempted three modules - written, MCQ & Oral. I passed all three modules and also got Merits in the Written & MCQ modules. Funnily enough I thought I did the orals the best! My wife also passed the written and the oral modules. Unfortunately she will have to resit the MCQ. She plans to resit it immediately i.e. winter 2006 exam. We would like to know whether you run a prep course for the MCQ paper and any other pearls of wisdom. Once again thanking you for your advice and assistance, Regards,' Thilan & Dayani Bartholomeuz for Trent Deanery.

'Dear Una, I much appreciate your advice and guidance and recommend this course to everyone. Thanks very much for your help,' Rafia Hamid MRCGP (MCQ merit) for KSS Deanery.

'Dear Una, You predicted I'd get a merit on course day, and it perturbed me a bit as I didn't think I would, but I did and thank you for an excellent course.' JC (Oral merit for KSS Deanery).

'Dear Dr Coales, Thank you for your excellent teaching during the recent MRCGP oral course. The course instilled the confidence and the knowledge required to pass the oral exams. I have to redo my videos as I have failed on them twice. Can you suggest anything to help with the videos?' Regards CS. Oral pass for Wessex Deanery.

'hi una - i am still stunned at the result - and have only started to believe it since i had written confirmation today!!! i have to say i had no hope for even a pass in the oral - as it was such a nightmare scenario - grilled me well and proper and i felt as if we kept going round in circles and not getting to the answer that they were looking for. i was all ready to resit in october!! but thank god, that will not be the case. many thanks,' AR MRCGP (Distinction) for London Deanery (Oral Merit).

'I found the Una Coales' simulated surgery course simply quite brilliant. It is a must for all those doing the exam and I doubt I would have passed without it. The excellent actors and the course notes cannot be bettered. Go on it and you are guaranteed at the very least a pass if not higher,' Debashis Singh. SS (merit) for London Deanery.

'Dear Una, Thanks for the last minute tips and encouragement before the exam and thanks for the good wishes on passing. I must admit that I was "gutted" at not getting a merit but I know why....Once again, thanks for the help and for getting me through. Enjoy the weekend, sorry for not getting a merit. PS. Any places on you courses for the written papers this September/October....?' NC (passed SS).

'Hi Una, Just a quick note to say ... I passed! Yippee! Thanks for all your help! Love,' RR MRCGP for Northern Deanery.

'Dear una, thanks for your help from the exam course. Having received my feedback i got a good pass in everything. i had been worried about the MCQ, but actually just missed getting a merit. what i did for the exam was practice lots of questions. it seemed to be more about technique.especially critical appraisal and statistics- and it was the only thing i knew was definitely going to come up so it was worth spending the extra time on it. it didn't get me a merit. but i didn't really think that was a realistic aim for me. i passed all 4 modules in one sitting. i'm just relieved it's all over. thanks again,' Mimi Chatterjee, MRCGP for SCOTLAND.

'Dear Una, Thank you so much for helping me pass MRCGP!! I bet you didn't think i would get a merit in the sim surgery! I was the one with all the Umms! I did a lot of practice after my viva for 4 days solid! Thanks again, i couldn't have done it without your course. It was brilliant and i will recommend you to my colleagues. Best wishes,' AR (Oral pass, SS merit pass for Eastern Deanery).

'Thank You Una, Delighted with my results-did really well in writtens (84%) and MCQs (85%)too so everyone v proud of me at work. Its a nice way to finish GPR year. I did my oral 7 days after your course so everything was fresh in my head. Best Wishes, keep up the good courses,' TM, Oral Merit Pass and overall pass MRCGP with Distinction for SCOTLAND.

'Dear Una, Just to say a big thankyou for your help in passing the oral component of the MRCGP. This was my final attempt at the oral exam and I found your course extremely helpful. Currently living in Ireland and pursuing a career in psychiatry for the last four years made the exam all the more difficult for me and your course went a long way to compensate for this... In fact I believe the preparation for the oral exam in particular, would be helpful for any doctor working in a clinical field. Thanks again,' Pauline Devitt MRCGP for IRELAND.

'I was the only candidate in the block that was videoed for auditing purposes, but as a result they were really nice and i passed oral with a merit! Ps thanx for all your help and confidence-boost.' SV MRCGP for London Deanery.

'Thanks for your help in getting me through the exam Una. I certainly wouldn’t have managed without spending the day at your house.' CK MRCGP (merit) for Trent Deanery (Written Merit Pass).

'Dear Una, Thank you for your course which helped me tremendously to pass the written module,' PK MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

'Dear Una, Thanks for your very useful books and the written course I went on was very useful. I have just moved to Oz to start work with the family as a GP…Thanks again for your help in passing. Best wishes,' EK MRCGP (merit) for LNR Deanery.

Winter 2005

'Dear Una, Just a quick note while on holiday in the Caribbean. The pass in the MCQ after a previous failure is even better than the beach and sunshine. I can now enjoy the rest of the holiday. Many thanks again for your guidance which was instrumental in my success. You have a great gift and fantastic optimism which I hope you continue to share with others. Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and new year.' Richard Look Tong MRCGP for Southampton.

'Thank you for all your help. I passed the orals, on my last attempt, thanks to you. I am so glad I did not spoil your 100% record. I passed the MRCGP with merit overall.' GS MRCGP (Merit) for Trent Deanery.

'I will say THANK YOU very much indeed.Without your course, I'm not sure that I would even have passed summative assessment - with the course, I passed with merit.(and yes, I'm happy for you to quote that, and will be recommending your courses to anyone who asks!)' Cathy Sloan MRCGP (Merit), Cardiff, WALES.

'Dear Una, Thanks for all the good advice and tips for the oral exam. It went much better than first time round in London! (and thank goodness I didn't re- meet the same examiners!) Anyway, I passed with a merit so I'm really pleased. Thanks again. Best wishes.' Kate Addada MRCGP (Oral Merit) for Mersey Deanery.

'Just wanted to let you know I passed. I came to your oral module revision group - and I passed the oral with merit. Thanks very much for your advice and support!!!!! I noticed my name wasn't on your web list - I thought I'd given 'permission' for you to publish my results - overall pass, all 4 modules for the 1st time, merit in the oral. (Confusion as my first initial is 'S', rather than 'R'). Thanks again,' SS MRCGP

'Just a quick note to let you know.. I passed the Winter MCQ with merit. Don't know the exact marks, but who cares! Your MCQ course was excellent, and the handouts were so useful - Thank you!!' RS, SHO. MCQ merit for London Deanery.

'Thank you for your help - especially the questions in the oral week. I got through my oral second time - it was a million times better. MRCGP finished!!!! Hope u have a good christmas and new year.' Sabina Khushnud MRCGP for Nottingham.

'thank you for your help. the course was fantastic and the result of course even better. sorry i didn't reply to any earlier emails..... i was sulking 'cos i thought i had made a mess of it. kind regards,' PJE MRCGP for Eastern Deanery.

'Thanks for the course so glad that I passed second time had a merit overall!' EH MRCGP (Merit) for WALES.

'thank you for all your guidance and hard work to prepare us all for this exam. last year i attended ….. course, but your course is much better. wish you all the best in your future work and merry xmas to you all. regards,' Mirko Sulic MRCGP for London Deanery.

'Thanks a lot Una, can't believe I got merit for oral!!! Will definitely recommend your course to anyone I hear is taking their exam in the future!!' KEAW MRCGP for Wessex Deanery.

'I stuck to EXACTLY what you taught us. If you would like to quote me in promoting your courses I would be more than happy. Something like "death, taxes and passing by doing as Una says" Reading blink at the moment-v inspiring read. Thank you again.' Stefan M Wilson MRCGP (Merit) for KSS Deanery. Update: Stefan arranged for a HUGE bouquet of thank you flowers to be delivered to my home on 20 December! Boy was I touched by his kindness.

'Thanks a lot for your help with the simulated surgery. I had a video camera in my room throughout the exam! It ran out of tape just before the end. Your course was very helpful and it helped improve my confidence. I highly recommend your simulated surgery course,' Joyce Akpotor MRCGP for London Deanery.

'i would like to say thank you and would like to add your course was excellent and very focussed for the exam.I will have no hesitation in recommending your course to my colleagues. I just wonder if you have thought about organising in other places apart from london. thanking you again,' Sajthivel Arun MRCGP for Birmingham.

'Dear Una, I just received my result today. I passed the MRCGP and I have to admit, I wouldn't do it without your help. English is not my first language, but I did what you told me to do in the viva and I passed it. For the written paper, again I did what you advised me to do and that was really helpful. I believe you deserve more than thank you. Thanks once again and have a nice christmas and all the best for the new year,' MM MRCGP for Ealing.

'would like to take this opportunity to thanks you for your guidance and advice. Keep the good work going. I have to say the course was incredibly useful and certainly was the right one as my result shows. In the last six months I have worked only about 3weeks in terms of full time work. So I am absolutely thrilled. Once again Thank you very much. Regards.' Dr Anbu Sivapitchai MRCGP (sounds better doesn't it!)

'I wanted to inform you that I have passed my written (paper 1) module. This was my first attempt. Many, many thanks for your help and all the material for study, could not have done it without you. I did not go for the oral exam this time, will do next year.' SS.

'yes a big THANKS to you! (and the rest of the Coales clan!) couldn't have done it without you!' Terry (attended 4-module course and completed MRCGP with Distinction in Summer 2006 with the highest MRCGP Distinction pass mark for Mersey Deanery). Update: TM commenced partnership and is now a GP trainer.

'Your course was brilliant!, very comprehensive and focused. I found it most useful. Well done for putting together such good packages. I should recommend it to anyone doing the exam. Happy Christmas!' RT MRCGP for KSS Deanery.

'Dear Una, As you predicted, I managed to get a merit for my oral (and also for the MCQ paper) and hope it wasn't entirely due to being posh! Most of the questions were pretty standard and covered well in your course. Anyway thanks for your help and the course. Best wishes,' MS MRCGP (merit) for KSS Deanery.

'I just wanted to say thank you for all you help before the simulated surgery exam. I thought your course was excellent. It helped improve my confidence, get a really neat structure to the consultation, and gain tips for earning brownie points. I just hope that all the preparation paid off, we shall know soon! Fingers crossed.' Jane Barnard. Update: JB passed SS with merit, overall pass MRCGP with merit) for KSS Deanery.