What is the FRCA exam?

The Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) is the UK’s national postgraduate examination in anaesthesia. It assesses whether trainees possess the scientific foundations and applied clinical judgement required for safe practice, progressing from basic sciences to consultant-level decision-making.

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What does FRCA stand for?

FRCA stands for Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It is the qualification awarded on successful completion of the examinations and training requirements, widely recognised for its academic rigour.

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How many parts does the FRCA have?

The examination is split into two stages:

• Primary FRCA – focuses on physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physics and clinical measurement; assessed by SBAs and a Structured Oral Examination (SOE).

• Final FRCA – focuses on applied clinical anaesthesia, critical care, and perioperative medicine; assessed by written papers and a clinical/oral component.

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Primary FRCA — exam structure

The Primary FRCA begins with a written Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) paper, which is a three-hour exam consisting of 90 Single Best Answer MCQ questions. The questions are evenly spread across the Stage 1 syllabus, broadly divided into pharmacology, physiology with relevant biochemistry and anatomy, and physics with clinical measurement, statistics, and data interpretation. Passing this MCQ paper is a prerequisite before you can progress to the next stage.

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Once the MCQ is passed, candidates move on to the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and the Structured Oral Examination (SOE). The Primary OSCE is a circuit of stations that test communication skills, data interpretation, equipment checks, clinical scenarios, and applied science in a time-pressured format. The Primary SOE focuses on physiology, pharmacology, and physics, probing both factual knowledge and the ability to explain concepts clearly and apply them to clinical practice.

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Final FRCA — exam structure

The Final FRCA has two main components: the written section and the oral section. The written section must be passed before candidates are eligible for the oral examination, and the pass is valid for a set period of time.

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The written section consists of two papers taken in the same sitting. The first is a three-hour MCQ paper with 90 Single Best Answer questions covering the breadth of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine, critical care, and pain. The second is a three-hour Constructed Response Question (CRQ) paper, made up of 12 questions that test clinical judgement, data interpretation, and management planning in short-answer format.

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Successful candidates then take the Final SOE, organised as two linked oral examinations. These explore applied clinical anaesthesia, perioperative medicine, intensive care, pain, and the associated applied sciences through short structured cases and targeted problem-solving. Performance is judged on the clarity of thought, prioritisation of safe management, and justification of decisions.​

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Who runs or “enforces” the FRCA?

The Royal College of Anaesthetists sets the syllabus, standards, eligibility rules, examination regulations, professional conduct requirements, and progression criteria.​

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When should I sit the Primary FRCA?

Most UK trainees target the Primary within 18–24 months of starting anaesthesia. Ideal timing balances adequate clinical exposure with a consistent revision window. Many candidates plan backwards from the intended sitting, allowing 12–16 weeks of structured preparation.

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How hard is the FRCA?

It is demanding because of:

• The breadth of content across basic sciences and monitoring/equipment.

• The depth expected in oral examinations where reasoning is tested live.

• Strict timing and standard-setting.
  With disciplined study habits, high-fidelity mocks, and repeated viva practice, pass rates are very achievable.

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How should I prepare for the FRCA?

Use a layered plan:

• Map your reading to the exam blueprint (physiology, pharmacology, physics/clinical measurement, anatomy).

• Convert notes into active recall questions and spaced-repetition decks.

• Sit timed SBAs weekly to normalise pacing and question style.

• Practise SOEs aloud, focusing on structured, concise answers and safe clinical reasoning.

• Consolidate with podcasts/notes during commutes and on-calls.

 

-- FRCA.Ai brings these together with unlimited AI viva drills, targeted SBA banks, and lecture-style audio notes to fit busy rotas.

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How do I pass the FRCA Primary?

Think “content × technique × cadence”:

• Content – high-yield physiology (cardiorespiratory, renal), pharmacokinetics/dynamics, gas laws, measurement, vapourisers/flows, airway anatomy.

• Technique – in SBAs, read stem → predict → test each option; in SOEs, speak in headings (definition → mechanisms → clinical relevance → risks/limits).

• Cadence – short daily sessions (30–60 minutes) beat weekend cramming; add 2–3 full mock papers and several viva circuits in the final month.

 

-- FRCA.Ai’s revision paths and instant feedback shorten the loop between learning and performance.

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How do I get FRCA?

Typical pathway: Join approved anaesthetic training posts, pass Primary FRCA, progress through higher training, pass Final FRCA, and meet curriculum and assessment requirements. The fellowship is awarded when examinations and training sign-offs are complete.

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How to do FRCA / How to pass FRCA?

Plan early, book a target sitting, and build a weekly rhythm: 3–4 SBA sessions, 1–2 viva sessions, plus ongoing consolidation. In the months before the exam, increase full-length mocks and viva exposure. Keep a running “errors log” and revisit it twice weekly.​

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