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Intercollegiate MRCS Part A — Information & Free Practice

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About Intercollegiate MRCS Part A

Intercollegiate MRCS Part A · GB

Key exam facts

Provider
Shared intercollegiate examination of the four surgical Royal Colleges of Edinburgh, England, Glasgow and Ireland, coordinated by ICBSE. Pearson provides computer-based test-centre delivery.
Format
Computer-based single best answer multiple-choice questions at Pearson test centres in the UK and internationally; two papers on the same day.
Exam questions
Total questions: 300.
Time limit
Five hours answering time: three hours Applied Basic Sciences and two hours Principles of Surgery in General. A scheduled one-hour break between papers, check-in and the on-screen tutorial are separate from answering time; approved reasonable adjustments may alter individual time.
Passing score
Minimum competence in each paper plus the combined Part A pass mark. Angoff standard setting and marker questions maintain the standard; the cut-off is determined for each sitting, not a fixed percentage.
Exam fee
GBP £650 before the announced change; GBP £670 effective for all candidates from 1 January 2027 (ICBSE announcement 4 August 2026). College booking pages already display £670 for upcoming bookings; local fees may apply as stated for the selected location.

Topics covered

  • Applied Surgical Anatomy (25%)

    • Regional Anatomy
    • Surgically related embryology and development
    • Surface and imaging anatomy
    • Thorax
    • Abdomen
    • Pelvis
    • Perineum
    • Limbs
    • Spine
    • Head & neck
    • Brain
    • Autonomic nervous system
    • Abdominal wall & cavity
    • Abdominal viscera
    • Abdominal vessels
    • Upper limb & breast
    • Lower limb
    • Head
    • Neck

  • Applied Surgical Physiology (15%)

    • General physiological principles
    • Cardiovascular system
    • Respiratory system
    • Gastrointestinal system
    • Urinary system
    • Endocrine system
    • Neurological system

  • Applied Surgical Pathology (12.33%)

    • General pathological principles
    • Surgical immunology
    • Surgical haematology
    • Surgical clinical chemistry
    • Principles of neoplasia & oncology
    • Cardiovascular system
    • Respiratory system
    • Digestive system
    • Genitourinary system
    • Central and peripheral neurological systems
    • Skin cancer
    • Lymphoreticular system
    • Musculoskeletal system
    • Pathology of the breast
    • Pathology of the endocrine glands

  • Pharmacology as applied to surgical practice (2.67%)

  • Microbiology as applied to surgical practice (2.33%)

  • Imaging (1.67%)

  • Data interpretation and audit (1%)

  • Common congenital and acquired surgical conditions (15%)

    • Gastrointestinal disease
    • Breast disease
    • Vascular disease
    • Cardiovascular & pulmonary disease
    • Genitourinary disease
    • Orthopaedic conditions
    • Diseases of the skin, head & neck
    • Neurology and neurosurgery
    • Endocrine disease
    • The lymphoreticular system
    • Principles of cancer therapy and palliative care
    • Acute emergencies

  • Perioperative management (11.67%)

    • Preoperative assessment & management
    • Intraoperative care
    • Perioperative care
    • Postoperative care
    • Nutritional management
    • Haemostasis & blood products
    • Coagulation, deep vein thrombosis & embolism
    • Metabolic & endocrine disorders

  • Assessment and management of patients with trauma (including the multiply injured patient) (10%)

    • General
    • Shock
    • Wounds & soft tissue injuries
    • Burns
    • Fractures & dislocations
    • Organ-specific trauma

  • Surgical care of children (2.33%)

  • Medico-legal aspects of surgical practice (1%)

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Computer-based single best answer multiple-choice questions at Pearson test centres in the UK and internationally; two papers on the same day.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 300.

How long is the exam?

Five hours answering time: three hours Applied Basic Sciences and two hours Principles of Surgery in General. A scheduled one-hour break between papers, check-in and the on-screen tutorial are separate from answering time; approved reasonable adjustments may alter individual time.

What is the passing score?

Minimum competence in each paper plus the combined Part A pass mark. Angoff standard setting and marker questions maintain the standard; the cut-off is determined for each sitting, not a fixed percentage.

How much does the exam cost?

GBP £650 before the announced change; GBP £670 effective for all candidates from 1 January 2027 (ICBSE announcement 4 August 2026). College booking pages already display £670 for upcoming bookings; local fees may apply as stated for the selected location.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.