MRCS Part A
The MRCS exam aims to assess trainee surgeons in the breadth of both basic sciences and the principles of surgery. It is an intercollegiate exam, hence the syllabus, format and content are common to all surgical Royal Colleges in the UK and Ireland.
The MRCS Part A is delivered via computer-based testing centres in partnership with Pearson VUE, please see below for further information.
The MRCS is fully-recognised by both the Irish Medical Council and the General Medical Council (UK).
Global MRCS Part A Locations
The Royal College of Surgeons has had candidates from all over the world sit the MRCS examinations. We are committed to supporting the career development of surgeons in training worldwide and have supported doctors in more than 40+ countries sit the MRCS Part A with us. Global locations that our candidates have sat the MRCS Part A include:
- Egypt
- India
- Pakistan
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Jordan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- And more
The Intercollegiate MRCS Part A is a five-hour MCQ exam broken down into two papers:
- Paper 1: Applied basic sciences
- Paper 2: Principles of surgery in general
Part A is a five-hour MCQ exam consisting of two papers, an AM paper of three hours and a PM paper of two hours duration, taken on the same day.
To achieve a pass in Part A, you will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in each paper in addition to achieving or exceeding the pass mark set for the combined total mark for Part A.
Candidates may attempt to pass Part A of the MRCS exam six times.
The MRCS Part A is delivered via computer based testing centres in partnership with Pearson VUE, which has a network of over 5,600 computer-based test centres around the world.
Candidates will be able to book a Pearson VUE centre in which to sit their examination when the booking window opens.
Candidates will be required to schedule their examination via the Pearson VUE website within the schedule timeframe and will be provided with details on how to proceed with scheduling the examination by the College. The schedule window opens approximately 2 months before the examination date.
No refunds or transfers will be available to candidates who have not logged into the Pearson VUE portal to book a test centre during the above schedule window. Candidates who are having difficulty securing a seat must notify their college of application by email during this booking window timeframe.
To enter the examination, a candidate must possess a primary medical qualification that is acceptable to the United Kingdom General Medical Council for Full or Provisional Registration or to the Medical Council in Ireland for Full or Temporary Registration; overseas candidates must hold a primary medical qualification acceptable to the Councils of the colleges.
Prospective candidates who wish to check the acceptability of their medical degrees should see the World Directory of Medical Schools website. If the medical school does not appear on this list, candidates should contact the examinations department/section at the college to which they wish to apply for the examination for further clarification.
Candidates who have previously entered Part A with one college and then apply to a different college will also have to supply full details, as set out here, to the new college.
The MRCS examination will only test knowledge at the level expected of all trainees completing core training irrespective of their chosen specialty.
The syllabus is divided into 10 modules:
| Module 1 | Basic Science Knowledge Relevant to Surgical Practice |
| Module 2 | Common Surgical Conditions |
| Module 3 | Basic Surgical Skills |
| Module 4 | The Assessment and Management of the Surgical Patient |
| Module 5 | Perioperative Care of the Surgical Patient |
| Module 6 | Assessment and Early Treatment of the Patient with Trauma |
| Module 7 | Surgical Care of the Paediatric Patient |
| Module 8 | Management of the Dying Patient |
| Module 9 | Organ and Tissue Transplantation |
| Module 10 | Professional Behaviour and Leadership Skills |
For detailed information on the MRCS syllabus please visit see our guidance and regulatory documents or visit intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk.