MRCS Exam Guide: Part A and Part B
The MRCS (Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons) is the standard entry exam for core surgical training. This guide explains the two parts and how most candidates prepare.
Always confirm current dates, fees, eligibility, attempt limits and the exam blueprint on the official Intercollegiate MRCS website. They change, and this page is a study guide, not the regulations.
MRCS Part A (written)
Part A is a five-hour written exam sat in one day: a three-hour Applied Basic Science paper followed by a two-hour Principles of Surgery in General paper. It tests the knowledge expected of a surgical trainee two to three years after qualification. See the MRCS exam dates and fees page, and confirm on the official calendar before you apply.
Pass mark: there is no fixed percentage. A panel sets it after each exam using an Angoff benchmark and marker questions, so the pass mark and pass rate vary between sittings while the standard stays the same.
Good preparation is mostly question practice with explanations, plus targeted revision where your scores are weakest. See the MRCS Part A question bank and the 12-week study plan.
MRCS Part B (OSCE)
Part B is an OSCE that normally has 17 examined stations of nine minutes each (preparation or pre-test stations may also appear but are not marked). The stations test basic surgical science and its application to clinical practice, in viva style and in clinical and communication scenarios. Many candidates find the oral stations hardest because they require a clear, structured spoken answer. Practise aloud with the MRCS Part B OSCE and viva simulator.
Eligibility, attempts and time limits
- Eligibility: a primary medical qualification acceptable to the GMC (or the Irish Medical Council); overseas qualifications must be acceptable to the Colleges.
- Attempts: up to six at Part A and up to four at Part B, with one additional attempt possible under the Additional Attempts Policy.
- Time limit: Part B must be passed within seven years of passing Part A, otherwise Part A must be retaken.
These figures come from the January 2025 MRCS regulations; check the current version before you plan.
Preparation principles that work
- Do questions early and often. Active recall beats re-reading.
- Review every explanation, including questions you got right by guessing.
- Keep an error log of topics you miss twice.
- Simulate the day with timed mocks for Part A and spoken, timed stations for Part B.
- Learn anatomy clinically. Ask what injury, approach or operation depends on each structure.
Want to test yourself now? Try the free MRCS sample questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MRCS?
The MRCS is the Intercollegiate Membership examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons. It has a written Part A and a clinical and oral Part B.
In what order do I sit the parts?
You sit Part A first. Passing Part A is required before you can enter Part B, and Part B must then be passed within seven years of passing Part A.
Where are the official dates, fees and rules?
On the Intercollegiate MRCS website. Rules, fees, attempt limits and exam blueprints change, so always confirm them there.