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MRCS, which stands for the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, is an intercollegiate exam taken by surgical trainees who want to become a member of one of the four prestigious surgical Royal Colleges in the UK and Ireland. The membership is awarded after successful completion of a written exam and a practical exam.

Holding this postgraduate diploma means that you have the necessary knowledge, experience, and professional skills to complete core surgical training and move on to specialty training.

As we discussed earlier, you must complete a two-part exam in order to achieve this qualification. MRCS Part A is the first one, and it is a written exam which tests basic surgical sciences and applied clinical knowledge. Many candidates make some common mistakes when it comes to preparation. Here in this blog, we will take you through what MRCS Part A is all about, along with the common mistakes that candidates make while preparing for it.

MRCS Part A exam format

The exam is divided into two papers that you can take on the same day. The first paper focuses on Applied Basic Sciences (ABS) and contains 180 questions. The second paper focuses on Principles of Surgery in General (PoSG), and it includes 120 questions. The durations are 3 hours and 2 hours, respectively. So, there will be a total of 300 questions that you need to complete in 5 hours.

Common mistakes to avoid during preparation

• Underestimating basic sciences

Many candidates focus too much on surgical topics and neglect topics like anatomy, physiology, and pathology. This is a big mistake. As the exam focuses heavily on basic sciences, go through the syllabus well and plan your preparation accordingly.

• Lack of a structured study plan

Some students start their preparation without a structured study plan. It will lead to rushed learning and stress when nearing the exam.

• Delaying practice with MCQs

Another big mistake is ignoring practice with MCQs. As the exam requires fast and accurate decision-making skills, you need to incorporate regular question practice in your study schedule.

• Using too many study materials

There will be a lot of resources available for the exam preparation. Jumping between multiple books or question banks can lead to confusion. So, stick with a few trusted materials and revise them well.

• Neglecting exam strategy

Sometimes, even smart candidates will struggle without a clear approach to time management and question-solving skills in the exam hall. So, try to practise full-length timed mock exams and learn how to eliminate wrong options quickly.

Apart from all these, passive reading and studying for long hours without breaks can quickly lead to mental exhaustion. Instead, make use of active recall techniques and make sure you take regular breaks to stay refreshed.

We hope this information will help you in your preparation journey. If you are aiming for the upcoming MRCS Part A exam this year and think you need help in preparation, StudyMRCS can help with our expert-led courses that hold an impressive pass rate of 93% over the last few years. With our live interactive classes, high-quality study materials, daily study group activities, and regular mock exams, you will be fully prepared to tackle the exam in one go.

Connect with our team today to know more.

Authored By: Sarath