Reminder of change to FRCA MCQ question distribution and notice of change of eligibility for Final FRCA

We are updating you on the change to the allocation of different types of questions in the Primary FRCA and Final FRCA MCQ exams, taking effect in September 2022, and also to advise of a change in the eligibility for applicants for the Final FRCA exam.

Changes to MCQ exam question allocations

As you will know, we have been making incremental changes to the distribution of Single Best Answer (SBA) questions and Multiple True False (MTF) questions, so that we reduce reliance on MTFs in favour of SBAs. This is in line with a shift to SBAs in other medical colleges, faculties and the GMC. We wanted to write again now to make sure you still had this change in your sights and to ask if there is anything you need to support the change.

We had expected to make the most recent incremental change in March 2022 but due to the pandemic this will now take place from September 2022. There will be a further and final change on or after September 2023. The format of the final change has not yet been confirmed because we want to acknowledge and incorporate any learnings from all the sittings in 2022/2023 academic year and also from the independent review of our exams currently being undertaken.

Breakdown of question types, for both Primary and Final FRCA MCQ:

The breakdown of the topics in each of the question formats can be seen on our website for Primary and Final MCQ exams.

Please do make sure that your Anaesthetists in Training who are preparing for FRCA MCQ exams are aware of the change.

Eligibility for Final FRCA applicants

Please note that from March 2022, there are some eligibility changes for candidates who wish to sit the Final FRCA. A full breakdown of the criteria can be found here, but a key change can be summarised as below:

Applicants will no longer need to be in receipt of the UK Core Level Training Certificate (CLTC) or Stage 1 certificate. However, they do need to have passed the Primary FRCA exam or an exempting qualification. While not an absolute requirement, we strongly recommend that candidates should have these in place before sitting the exam so that they are as prepared as possible.

Please advise your anaesthetists in training to prepare as much as possible for the exams; both in terms of format, content and timing. The examination process can be stressful, time consuming and financially costly. As a College we will also be doing as much as we can to provide training and preparation materials, resources and information for the exam.

Dr Roger Sharpe, Chair, FRCA Exams and Chair, Primary FRCA exams
Dr Kevin O’Hare, Chair, Final FRCA exams