FRCA Primary MCQ examination
About the MCQ
The Primary FRCA Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination is a summative assessment aligned to the core level training curriculum. It forms a gateway exam to further detailed and focussed assessment in the Primary FRCA SOE and OSCE components.
The Primary FRCA MCQ examination is delivered online with remote invigilation by our supplier, TestReach. Please refer to our detailed guidance on sitting your examination online.
The successful MCQ candidate will have demonstrated an appropriate breadth and level of knowledge and understanding of core sciences and their relevance to practical anaesthesia and anaesthesia related medicine. Candidates must pass the Primary FRCA MCQ before they can apply for the Primary FRCA OSCE and SOE.
The format of this examination will change in September 2023.
From September 2023, the Primary FRCA MCQ exam will comprise at least 90 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions in three hours. Please refer to ‘planned changes to the examination’ for more information.
The whole syllabus is tested in the Primary FRCA. Those parts tested by the MCQ are detailed in the document entitled 'CCT in Anaesthetics, Annex B, Core Level Training'.
MCQ questions will be divided approximately between the following categories:
The 60 SBA questions will broadly, but not exclusively, comprise:
- 20 questions in pharmacology
- 20 questions in physiology including related biochemistry, and anatomy
- 20 questions in physics, clinical measurement, statistical methods and data interpretation
Each SBA question has a stem or vignette, a lead in question and five plausible options. Candidates must decide which of the five options is the correct or best answer.
The 30 MTF questions will broadly, but not exclusively, comprise:
- 10 questions in pharmacology
- 10 questions in physiology including related biochemistry, and anatomy
- 10 questions in physics, clinical measurement, statistical methods and data interpretation
Each MTF question has a question stem and five options. Candidates must decide which of these options are true and which are false.
Candidates are reminded that MCQ questions may be selected from any of the curriculum codes highlighted as being tested in the Primary MCQ. Candidates should refer to page B96 'Blueprint of the Primary FRCA examination mapped against the core level units of training' within the document 'CCT in Anaesthetics, Annexe B, Core Level Training' for more information.
How it is marked
One mark will be awarded for each correct answer in the MTF section of the paper and four marks will be awarded for each correct answer in the SBA section. Negative marking is not used. The marks for each section of the MCQ are combined to produce the total mark. With 30 MTF and 60 SBA questions, the maximum mark obtainable for the MCQ paper is 390 marks.
The pass mark is provisionally set by examiners using a modified Angoff method. This mark is then reduced by one Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) to give the pass mark. The core group reserve the right to remove questions from the overall marks where error or ambiguity is found. Candidates will not be disadvantaged where this occurs.
Exam Delivery
Taking the written exams online - guidance
Taking the written exams online - demos
A quick guide to eligibility is set out below.
You must be:
| Primary MCQ – maximum six attempts – pass valid for three years |
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| Registered with the GMC or other National Medical Council AND |
| Currently registered with the RCoA as a UK trainee in Anaesthesia, or as an ACCS, a Foundation Programme trainee, ICM trainee or registered as a trainee in Anaesthesia with the College of Anaesthetists, Ireland (ACCS, FTs and ICM trainees are registered with the College on registration for exam purposes only) OR |
| An Anaesthetist who is registered with the College in a recognised membership category (not affiliated) (see Related Information) OR |
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Has previously successfully applied for Temporary Examination Eligibility (TEE) Has not exceeded the maximum number of attempts (six). If failed at the fifth attempt, as submitted an Advanced Educational Training form (AET form) three months before the date of the exam being applied for. Information and AET form is available at Paragraph 8 and Appendix 8 of the Examination Regulations |
The full eligibility for this exam is listed at Section 5 Paragraph 13 of the Examination Regulations.
Language
All FRCA examinations are conducted in English. Where a candidate’s first language is not English, the College recommends that an applicant’s communication and written skills in English are at least equivalent to the level at which a doctor could successfully pass the PLAB (Professional Linguistics Assessment Board) tests or at a level where they would expect to gain an average score of approximately 7.5/9 across all bands of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). However we do not require you to provide us with a certificate proving competency in English.
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Primary MCQ Examinations Calendar; 2023 - 2024 |
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Application opening date |
Tuesday, 30 May 2023 |
Monday, 7 August 2023 |
Monday, 20 November 2023 |
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Application closing date |
Monday, 10 July 2023 |
Thursday, 28 September 2023 |
Wednesday, 20 December 2023 |
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Examination date |
Tuesday, 5 September 2023 |
Monday, 20 |
Friday, 16 February 2024 |
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Examination fee |
£385 | £385 | £385 |
The online application process will be open for each exam from 0900 on the exam opening date to 1700 on the exam closing date (see dates and fees in the section above). Applications are not accepted outside the application window.
Reasonable adjustments: Any applicant who has a physical or mental disability, specific learning difficulty (SpLD) or on-going or fluctuating medical condition may be entitled to reasonable adjustments. To apply for reasonable adjustments, you should check the ‘I have a disability’ and ‘I require exam adjustment’ boxes. You must do this at the time of booking your exam. Applicants requiring reasonable adjustments should book as early as possible to ensure that there is sufficient time to put in place any specific requirements. For more information on reasonable adjustments, please refer to the Examination Regulations.
Withdrawals: withdrawals before the closing date may receive the full fee paid. Candidates withdrawing after the closing date may be entitled to a full refund, providing the request is made within 14 days of receipt of the application. For withdrawals greater than 14 days, the refund is subject to an admin fee. A candidate who withdraws in any other circumstance within 7 working days of an exam date, including non-issue of entry visas or failure to appear for an examination, will not be entitled to any refund of fee. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on receipt of written evidence. Fees cannot be deferred from one exam to another.
Tax deductibility. The College and faculties are aware that trainees who sit examinations as part of a training programme can claim tax relief on their exam fees. Whilst in a training programme trainees can also claim tax relief on membership fees. Please visit HMRC for further information on how to claim.
Results from the September 2023 Primary MCQ exam will be released by email by 5pm on Tuesday 26 September 2023.
No results will be given or confirmed by telephone.
Candidates sitting the Primary FRCA MCQ exams are provided with a breakdown of question performance against the areas of the curriculum tested in the exam. This allows trainees and trainers to identify shortfalls of knowledge so that focussed preparation can be put in place prior to the next attempt.
Guidance interviews are not normally provided to candidates who fail the Primary MCQ. However, if a candidate fails the MCQ at the fifth attempt, a one-to-one session with a member of the MCQ examiner core group may be possible. Please contact the exams department exams@rcoa.ac.uk
Primary FRCA MCQ Examination
SBAs are used in UK undergraduate and postgraduate medical assessments, and are widely used by medical colleges, faculties and the GMC. Over the last 3 years, the MCQ examination has been increasing the number of Single Best Answer (SBA) questions, whilst reducing the number of Multiple True False (MTF) questions. This change does not affect the exam blueprint for the MCQ and the College will continue to test the same areas of the curriculum across the exam overall.
From September 2023, papers will no longer contain MTF questions. The paper will comprise at least 90 Single Best Answer questions to be answered in 3 hours.
MCQ questions will be divided approximately between the following categories:
The SBA questions will broadly, but not exclusively, comprise:
- 30 questions in pharmacology
- 30 questions in physiology including related biochemistry, and anatomy
- 30 questions in physics, clinical measurement, statistical methods and data interpretation
Each SBA question has a stem or vignette, a lead in question and five plausible options. Candidates must decide which of the five options is the correct or best answer.
With the release of the examination reviews, further changes in line with the recommendations in these reports are anticipated. More information on these changes will be available from February 2023.
Candidate resources are a consolidation of the various example questions, videos, courses and guides, any of which may guide a candidate in their preparation for the various FRCA examination components.