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If you are a medical graduate who wants to build a successful career in the field of surgery, then MRCS, which stands for the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, is one of the most sought-after qualifications across the globe. It is an intercollegiate exam conducted by four surgical Royal Colleges in the UK and Ireland. Those who successfully complete the exams will be awarded this postgraduate diploma.

Passing the MRCS exams shows that you have the required knowledge, skills, and experience to complete your core surgical training and are ready to move forward into specialty training. However, you need to clear two exams in order to achieve this highly prestigious postnominal.

MRCS: Exam format

The MRCS exam has two parts – Part A and Part B. Part A is a computer-based written test, which evaluates basic knowledge in surgery and related subjects. Part B is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that tests how well you can apply your acquired knowledge in real-world scenarios. It also assesses your communication skills.

MRCS Part A: A quick overview

MRCS Part A is the first hurdle in the MRCS journey, and it must be cleared before attempting Part B. The exam has two papers, both of which are in multiple-choice format, and it is conducted on a single day.

Paper 1: Applied Basic Sciences (ABS)

Duration: 3 Hours

Number of Questions: 180 MCQs

Paper 2: Principles of Surgery in General (PoSG)

Duration: 2 Hours

Number of Questions: 120 MCQs

The scores from both papers are combined to give a total mark for Part A.

Who can apply?

To appear for the MRCS Part A exam, you must meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Must hold a medical degree that is accepted by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) or the Medical Council in Ireland for full or provisional registration.
• First-time applicants whose names are not on the GMC or Irish Medical Council register must send their original medical degree certificate or an authenticated copy via email to SurgicalEligibility@rcseng.ac.uk.
• All eligibility documents must be submitted within two weeks of booking the exam. If not, the application will be withdrawn without a refund.

There is also an update for candidates sitting the exam in Egypt. According to the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE), it is now mandatory to complete your internship before booking the exam. Proof of internship completion, along with an English translation, must be submitted by email within one week of booking.

We hope now you have a clear understanding regarding the MRCS Part A exam. If you still have any doubts about the exam, do not hesitate to contact our team. Additionally, if you are aiming for the upcoming exams, we provide various short and long-term MRCS courses, led by experienced mentors, to help you clear it on your very first attempt confidently.

Connect with our team today to know more.

Authored By: Sarath