Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
Part A
The first of two intercollegiate MRCS exams run by Colleges of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland. Part A consists of two papers; Applied basic sciences and Principles of surgery in general
Our solutionsPart B
The MRCS Part B is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) and tests anatomy and surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care, clinical and procedural skills and communication skills.
Our solutionsAbout the MRCS Exams
The MRCS Part A exam
The Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Part A is the first of two intercollegiate MRCS exams run by Colleges of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland. Earning a Diploma of Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons proves a candidates enhanced capabilities and clinical competence. The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) has recently been introduced to shortlist CST applicants. For ST3, MRCS (Part A & B) must be completed by the time of offers.
The MRCS Part A exam is 5 hours long and consists of two papers, both taken on the same day. Paper 1 (applied basic sciences) consists of 180 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and lasts for 3 hours. Paper 2 (principles of surgery in general) consists of 120 MCQs and lasts for 2 hours. The full MRCS syllabus for both MRCS exams can be found on the Royal College of Surgeons website.
In order to effectively undertake MRCS Part A revision we recommend practicing high quality MRCS Part A questions. Our resource contains over 4300 exam-style questions covering all the specialties found in the MRCS Part A syllabus.
In the UK and Ireland, there are three exam sittings or 'diets'. Exam dates vary between the UK and Ireland exams, and International exams. For a full list of MRCS Part A dates visit the Royal College of Surgeons website.
The MRCS Part B exam
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) Part B is the second of two intercollegiate MRCS exams run by the Royal College of Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland. The MRCS examination determines whether a trainee has acquired the appropriate skills, knowledge and attributes to progress to higher specialist training in surgery. The MRCS Part B is an objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) and tests anatomy and surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care, clinical and procedural skills and communication skills.
The MRCS Part B OSCE consists of 18 examination stations, each 9 minutes’ duration and ‘manned’ by one or two examiners. The MRCS Part B stations are divided into 4 broad content areas (BCAs) grouped together and collectively known as 'Applied Knowledge' and 'Applied Skills'. 'Applied Knowledge' (8 stations = 160 marks) includes: Anatomy and surgical pathology (5 stations) and Applied surgical science and critical care (3 stations). 'Applied Skills' (10 stations = 200 marks) includes: Clinical and Procedural Skills (6 stations) and Communication skills (4 stations) which breaks down further into Giving and receiving information and History Taking.
Although Part B is a clinical examination, theoretical knowledge is still being tested. The Pastest resource seamlessly integrates the station experience into one resource for MRCS Part B preparation. Each station contains MRCS Part B questions and additional resources such as anatomy videos, images, exam scenarios, and station summaries, all designed to prepare you for the four BCAs. Read our MRCS Part B blog for more information about why we updated our MRCS Part B Qbank to more closely reflect the real exam.
In the UK and Ireland, there are three exam sittings or 'diets'. MRCS Part B exam dates vary between UK and Ireland exams, and International exams. For a full list of MRCS Part B OSCE dates, and to book the exam, see the Royal College of Surgeons website.
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