How can I use the OSCE stations platform to practice with others in a group?
Our OSCE Stations platform is a great tool for practising OSCEs in a group setting. How you use it depends on your preferences, group size, and whether you're practising in person or remotely. Below are several options to help you get started.
Not sure who to practise with? You can connect with other students via our platform and Discord server:
👉 How to find people to practise OSCEs with
If you're in a small group (two or more people), we recommend using Group Practice Mode.
This mode lets you assign roles such as:
Candidate, Examiner, Patient, and Observer
You can rotate roles with each station, or keep the same roles throughout a full circuit. Group Practice Mode works for both in-person and remote practice using a shared audio channel.
If you're part of a larger group, here are two ways to get the most out of the platform:
Divide into smaller groups of 2+ people and use Group Practice Mode within each group.
You can all run the same station or circuit, and decide whether to rotate roles or keep them fixed. This works for both in-person and remote sessions.
Group Practice Mode allows for unlimited observers in each session. Observers can view candidate and patient instructions and give feedback.
If you're practising in person and don’t need the shared audio channel, observers can choose not to join Group Practice Mode. Instead, they can open the same station in solo mode, where they'll be able to view all parts of the station, including the mark scheme.
Mock OSCEs are more structured and aim to simulate exam conditions. Typically, candidates rotate through stations, while examiners and patients remain at their assigned stations.
The first step is to create a circuit. Use OSCE stations from our bank, or create your own. The number of stations may depend on your group size. Don't forget to include rest stations if needed.
Once your circuit is ready, share it with your examiners and patients, and assign each person to a station.
You may also want to designate an organiser or invigilator to keep track of timings and transitions.
There are a couple of options then for how you deliver the mock OSCE:
If using group practice mode, everyone will need a computer, tablet or mobile device.
At each station, one person at that station should set up group practice mode for that individual station in the circuit (eg abdominal examination) and allocate roles. At the end of the station, the examiner will end the session and send feedback to the candidate for review later.
Note: if you start a circuit instead of an individual station in group practice mode, everyone will be moved to a new station at each turn; not just the candidate!
If not using group practice mode, you will need to either print candidate and patient instructions, or have these available on a device.
Although printed instructions can require planning, this often ties in more closely with exam conditions. The examiner can use their device or computer to access the station and complete feedback for the candidate, which they can send on the candidate at the end of the station. The candidate will need to provide an email address or similar to receive the feedback. The examiner will also have access to the timer if needed.
Note: stations within the mobile app do not have the option to share feedback when not in group practice mode - you will need to use the web browser instead!
Finding people to practice with
Not sure who to practise with? You can connect with other students via our platform and Discord server:
👉 How to find people to practise OSCEs with
Practising as a small group
If you're in a small group (two or more people), we recommend using Group Practice Mode.
This mode lets you assign roles such as:
Candidate, Examiner, Patient, and Observer
You can rotate roles with each station, or keep the same roles throughout a full circuit. Group Practice Mode works for both in-person and remote practice using a shared audio channel.
Practising as a larger group
If you're part of a larger group, here are two ways to get the most out of the platform:
Option 1: Split into smaller groups
Divide into smaller groups of 2+ people and use Group Practice Mode within each group.
You can all run the same station or circuit, and decide whether to rotate roles or keep them fixed. This works for both in-person and remote sessions.
Option 2: Have multiple observers
Group Practice Mode allows for unlimited observers in each session. Observers can view candidate and patient instructions and give feedback.
If you're practising in person and don’t need the shared audio channel, observers can choose not to join Group Practice Mode. Instead, they can open the same station in solo mode, where they'll be able to view all parts of the station, including the mark scheme.
Running a mock OSCE circuit
Mock OSCEs are more structured and aim to simulate exam conditions. Typically, candidates rotate through stations, while examiners and patients remain at their assigned stations.
The first step is to create a circuit. Use OSCE stations from our bank, or create your own. The number of stations may depend on your group size. Don't forget to include rest stations if needed.
Once your circuit is ready, share it with your examiners and patients, and assign each person to a station.
You may also want to designate an organiser or invigilator to keep track of timings and transitions.
There are a couple of options then for how you deliver the mock OSCE:
Using group practice mode
If using group practice mode, everyone will need a computer, tablet or mobile device.
At each station, one person at that station should set up group practice mode for that individual station in the circuit (eg abdominal examination) and allocate roles. At the end of the station, the examiner will end the session and send feedback to the candidate for review later.
Note: if you start a circuit instead of an individual station in group practice mode, everyone will be moved to a new station at each turn; not just the candidate!
Without group practice mode
If not using group practice mode, you will need to either print candidate and patient instructions, or have these available on a device.
Although printed instructions can require planning, this often ties in more closely with exam conditions. The examiner can use their device or computer to access the station and complete feedback for the candidate, which they can send on the candidate at the end of the station. The candidate will need to provide an email address or similar to receive the feedback. The examiner will also have access to the timer if needed.
Note: stations within the mobile app do not have the option to share feedback when not in group practice mode - you will need to use the web browser instead!
Updated on: 07/04/2025
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