The Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) examination plays a major role in building a successful career in surgery. This examination provides the aspirants with a golden opportunity to get membership in one of the four surgical colleges in the UK and Ireland.
If you are a medical aspirant looking forward to making one step forward in specialty surgery, then the MRCS exam is the best option for you to fulfil your dreams. This examination assesses the competence, knowledge, and clinical expertise of every aspirant. Here we will discuss the MRCS exam pattern in detail.
MRCS Exam Pattern: Everything You Need to Know
MRCS is a two-step intercollegiate examination for surgical trainees to become members of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) in the United Kingdom. The examination consists mainly of two parts: MRCS Part A and MRCS Part B.
MRCS Part A
MRCS Part A is a written exam that follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) pattern. Part A is further divided into two parts: morning and afternoon sessions.
Paper 1: Applied Basic Science
Paper 2: Principles of Surgery in General
Two hours are allotted for the first paper, “Applied Basic Science,” while the second paper, “Principles of Surgery in General,” lasts for three hours. The total time allotted for both papers is five hours, and the results are based on the cumulative performance of both papers. Each paper also has an individual passing score that the candidate needs to meet. Both the Part 1 papers are to cover the entire spectrum of general surgical topics and applied surgical knowledge.
MRCS Part B
The MRCS Part B examination is an OSCE examination that analyses the aspirants applied knowledge and skills of the aspirants. The exam consists of 18 stations, each lasting 10 minutes. Here, station duration is nine minutes, and one minute is allotted as reading time for each station.
Applied knowledge: anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science, and critical care
Applied skills: communication skills in giving and receiving information, history-taking skills, and clinical and procedural skills.
For passing the MRCS Part B exam, one should focus on developing both their clinical and communication skills.
Widely accepted as a critical milestone in any aspiring surgeon’s career, the MRCS exam is the best option for you to build a successful career in surgery. Before starting your preparation, have a thorough idea of the exam pattern and syllabus. By fixing a study pattern and dedicating yourself to your studies, you can surely have a successful career in surgery
