Mastering MRCS: A Surgeon’s Essential Guide
“How to prepare for the MRCS?” — Examinations Beyond the Scalpel
Understanding the MRCS 📝
What is the MRCS?
The MRCS, short for Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, is a postgraduate qualification for aspiring surgeons, representing a pivotal step in their professional journey. It is a prerequisite for surgeons aiming to enter specialty training in the UK.
The Royal Colleges of Surgeons meticulously conduct this comprehensive examination (divided into Part A and Part B) to assess the knowledge, practical skills, and clinical competencies essential for a surgical career.
Successfully passing the MRCS exam is not only a testament to a surgeon’s proficiency but also a formal recognition of their readiness to advance in their careers and contribute to the field of surgery. Upon completion, a formal diploma ceremony with the surgeon’s choice of awarding body (i.e., the Royal College of Surgeons) will be conducted to celebrate their achievements, welcoming them into an esteemed community of qualified surgeons worldwide.
Who is eligible to take the MRCS?
Eligibility requires a Primary Medical Qualification (i.e., medical school certificate) that is acceptable by the GMC’s (UK General Medical Council) or IMC’s (Irish Medical Council) standards.
The Intercollegiate MRCS Exam website contains information on eligibility requirements and acceptable medical qualification details.
In short, a basic medical degree, like the MBBS, is sufficient to apply for the MRCS Part A exam. While surgical training is not mandatory, having some experience is advantageous, especially for the Part B exam.
Financial considerations: How much does the exam cost?
When writing this article, the MRCS Part A exam costs £550, and the Part B exam costs £1047.
Bear in mind that examination fees are subject to change over time.
Furthermore, additional costs such as study resources, questions banks, courses, and travel expenses should also be considered.
Demystifying the MRCS Part A 🎇
What is the Part A exam structure?
The MRCS Part A exam spans five hours, consisting of Paper 1 (taken in the morning) and Paper 2 (taken in the afternoon).
The exam is structured in MCQ (multiple choice question) format, where Paper 1 tests applied basic sciences (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, etc.), while Paper 2 assesses your knowledge and understanding of the general principles of surgery.
Paper 1 is three hours long and consists of 180 questions, whereas Paper 2 is two hours long and consists of 120 questions.
A one-hour break is usually scheduled between the two papers.
Where can I take the MRCS Part A?
As the MRCS is an intercollegiate examination, numerous test centers exist worldwide — specifically 5,600 test locations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia!
Before the pandemic, the Part A exam was paper-based. However, ever since 2022, the exam has transitioned to computer-based conducted at testing centers such as Pearson Vue. However, some countries (i.e., Oman, Jordan, and Sudan) still conduct the exam on paper.
The Part A exam is typically held three times a year in January, April / May, and September, simultaneously by each royal college.
Ascending to the MRCS Part B exam 📈
The MRCS Part B can only be undertaken after passing the Part A exam.
Additionally, the MRCS Part A can only be attempted six times, and results are valid for seven years. This also means that Part B should be attempted within seven years of completing Part A.
What about Part B?
While the MRCS Part A is a written paper, Part B is an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) similar to the practical exams in medical school (ah, the nostalgia) or the PLAB 2 (more presently known as CPSA, the clinical and professional skills assessment, the second part of the UKMLA).
At the time of writing, the MRCS Part B exam consists of 17 stations, each lasting 10 minutes. You will be given one minute to read the task prior to entering the station, which contains a brief outline of the case/scenario and the task itself.
The stations are divided into two:
- Applied Knowledge stations — imagine a viva, where questions related to Anatomy, Surgical pathology, Applied surgical science, and Critical care are being asked. Photos of specimens and investigation results may also be given to analyze. This knowledge component of the exam is scored out of 160 marks.
- Applied Skills stations — consisting of scenarios designed to test the candidates’ communication skills, history taking, physical examination, and procedural skills. This skill component of the Part B exam is scored out of 180 marks.
To pass the MRCS Part B exam, candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills components.
The MRCS Part B can only be attempted a maximum of four times and should be taken within 7 years of completing Part A.
Where can I take the MRCS Part B exam?
Similar to Part A, there are international test centers, too! However, due to the exam requiring proper infrastructure, examiners, patients, and equipment, there are fewer test centers than Part A.
Some countries conducting the Part B exam include the UK, Ireland, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
International sittings occur from January to October. Detailed schedules can be found on the websites of your choice of Royal Colleges of Surgeons — Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.
What is FRCS? 😁
While the acronyms may sound similar, the FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons) and MRCS are different qualifications that serve different purposes — the MRCS is a prerequisite to enter higher specialty training. In contrast, the FRCS is undertaken by senior surgeons who have completed their surgical training to become consultants.
Mastering the MRCS is not just about passing an exam. It is also about gaining invaluable knowledge and skills that will help you in higher training. It unlocks a pathway to excellence in surgical practice.
Let this guide be your companion to kick-start your surgical journey.
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