MedAll - Prepare for the MRCS exam

The Membership Examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) is a two part exam which assesses whether surgical trainees have knowledge and skills at a level required to complete their core surgical training. At the end of the MRCS examination process, surgeons will receive either a pass or a fail grade. If they pass they are eligible to become a member of one of the four Royal College of Surgeons.

The MRCS is an “intercollegiate exam” which means that someone is eligible to join any of the 4 UK or Ireland Royal Colleges after passing both parts of the MRCS exam: (The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland

The results will be published on the individual Royal College of Surgeons’ website, through which you sat the exam, on the date given. Following this, you’ll also receive written confirmation of your results.

MRCS Exam Part A

What format is MRCS exam Part A?

MRCS Part A is a five-hour multiple choice exam, consisting of two papers. They must be completed on the same day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). The exam assesses generic surgical sciences, applied knowledge and core knowledge required in all nine speciality areas.

Am I eligible for the MRCS exam?

To be eligible for the MRCS exam, you must hold a primary medical qualification which is accepted by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for full or provisional registration or by the Medical Council in Ireland for full or temporary registration. Candidates who qualified outside of the UK or Ireland must provide evidence that their qualification is an equivalent one and that is accepted by the college councils.

How many attempts are allowed for MRCS Part A?

You are allowed six attempts at passing the MRCS Part A exam.

What are the two papers for MRCS Part A?

The two papers for MRCS Part A are:
Paper 1 Applied basic sciences (morning exam, three hours long, divided into two 90-minute sections with a 10-minute comfort break in between, with 180 questions)
Paper 2 principles of surgery (afternoon exam, two hours long, with 120 questions)

How do I apply for MRCS Part A?

Applications for MRCS Part A can be made through any of the Royal College of Surgeons’ websites:
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Royal College of Surgeons of England
• Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland

How often is the MRCS Part A exam held?

The MRCS Part A exam is usually held three times per year, normally in January, April, and September.

MRCS Exam Part B

What format is the MRCS Part B exam?

The MRCS Part B exam is an OSCE-style exam divided into knowledge and skills. The knowledge section includes 8 stations covering surgical anatomy, surgical pathology, and applied surgical science and critical care. The skills section includes 9 stations covering communication skills, history taking, and clinical and procedural skills.

How many attempts are allowed for MRCS Part B?

Candidates have up to four attempts to pass MRCS Part B.

What is the pass rate for MRCS part B?

The exact pass mark varies between exams but the pass rate for MRCS Part B tends to be higher than that of Part A, with the highest recorded pass rate being 75% in 2020.

When are the upcoming MRCS Part B exam dates?

The upcoming 2023 exam dates can be found on each of the Royal College of Surgeons websites.

How much does the MRCS Part B exam cost?

The MRCS Part B exam fee is £1047.

How are MRCS Part B exam results determined?

Each station within the MRCS Part B exam is assessed using a structured mark sheet and generic descriptors to award marks. Candidates are also judged on their overall performance at the station, resulting in either a pass, borderline or fail. The combined marks and performance ratings are used to determine the overall pass mark for each station.

What topics are covered in the MRCS Part B exam?

The MRCS Part B exam is designed to test core knowledge and skills that all surgical trainees need to have. The exam covers the following topics:
• Clinical knowledge and its application
• Clinical and technical skill
• Professionalism
• Decision-making and problem solving
• Situational awareness
•Judgement
• Organisation & planning
• Patient safety
• Communication.

How do I prepare to pass MRCS part B?

Candidates can prepare for the exam using resources such as the MRCS syllabus, revision sessions on MedAll, textbooks, practice questions, and mock exams.

To pass MRCS Part B, candidates must demonstrate understanding in four key content areas in front of examiners; anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care. They also need to show a range of applied skills across a variety of topics.