Ask any medical student or practitioner: Dermatology is deceptively difficult. On paper, it’s “just skin,” but in the exam room, you are suddenly staring at a sea of “erythematous papules” and “silvery scales,” trying to figure out if you’re looking at a common case of Psoriasis or a rare manifestation of an internal malignancy.
Below is the exam paper download link
Past Paper On Dermatology For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
The skin is the body’s largest organ and its most honest storyteller. To pass your boards or end-of-rotation exams, you need to do more than memorize a textbook. You need to recognize patterns. That is where Dermatology past papers come in. They force you to translate a wall of clinical text into a visual diagnosis.
To help you get into the “derm” headspace, we’ve put together a rapid-fire Q&A based on high-yield topics that frequently appear in exams.
Dermatology Revision: The High-Yield Q&A
Q1: How do I differentiate between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis on the scalp?
A: This is a classic “distractor” in exams. Look at the scales. Psoriasis typically presents with well-demarcated plaques and “silvery” scales that may bleed when picked (Auspitz sign). Seborrheic dermatitis is usually “greasy” or yellowish and has less defined borders, often sticking to the hairline or the nasolabial folds.
Q2: What are the “ABCDEs” of Melanoma, and why are they still the gold standard?
A: Even in the age of advanced dermoscopy, the ABCDE criteria are essential for rapid screening:
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Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other.
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Border: Irregular, notched, or blurred edges.
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Color: Multiple shades of brown, black, or even blue/red.
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Diameter: Larger than 6mm (roughly the size of a pencil eraser).
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Evolving: The most important one—is the mole changing over time?
Q3: A patient presents with a “herald patch” followed by a “Christmas tree” distribution of lesions. What is the diagnosis?
A: This is the textbook description of Pityriasis Rosea. The herald patch is the single, larger primary lesion that appears days before the smaller, oval-shaped lesions spread along the skin’s cleavage lines (Langer’s lines). It’s a favorite for examiners because it’s a “spot diagnosis.”
Q4: What is the first-line treatment for Bullous Pemphigoid?
A: Don’t get tripped up by complex biologicals yet. The standard first-line treatment remains high-potency topical corticosteroids (like Clobetasol) or systemic steroids if the condition is widespread. Examiners want to see that you can manage the acute inflammatory phase safely.
Why You Need to Download This Past Paper
You can read descriptions of rashes all day, but true mastery comes from testing your knowledge under pressure. By downloading our curated Dermatology Past Paper, you gain several advantages:
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Visual Recognition: Our paper includes high-quality clinical photographs, which are the backbone of any real-world dermatology exam.
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Terminology Practice: You’ll get used to the specific vocabulary—macules, vesicles, bullae, and pustules—so you don’t fumble during the viva.
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Time Management: Dermatology sections are often fast-paced. Practicing with a past paper ensures you don’t spend ten minutes over-analyzing a single mole.
Final Strategy: How to Use This Paper
Don’t just look at the answers. Sit in a quiet room, set a timer for 60 minutes, and try to justify every diagnosis you make. If you choose “Atopic Dermatitis,” ask yourself why it isn’t “Contact Dermatitis.” That distinction is where the top marks are hidden.
