Plastic Surgery Section 1 — Information & Free Practice

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About Plastic Surgery Section 1

Plastic Surgery Section 1 · GB

Key exam facts

Provider: The Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) supervises the Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations for the four surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland; its Plastic Surgery Specialty Board maintains the examination. Pearson VUE supplies the Section 1 computer-based test centres.
Format: Section 1 only: two Single Best Answer (SBA) written papers delivered by computer-based testing at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and Ireland. Section 2 clinical and oral assessments are excluded.
Exam questions: Total questions: 240.
Time limit: 2 hours 15 minutes per paper; 4 hours 30 minutes of answering time across both papers. This total excludes any check-in, tutorial or interval time.
Passing score: The pass mark is set for each examination using the Angoff cut score plus one Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), representing the minimum performance of a competent day-one consultant in the generality of the specialty. Problematic questions may be removed before scores are finalised; there is no universal fixed percentage stated in this standard-setting policy.
Exam fee: GBP: for examinations through 31 December 2026 the Section 1 allocation is £580; from 1 January 2027 it is £600. Initial online application requires the full Section 1+2 fee: £2,000 through 2026 or £2,070 from 2027. Fees for resitting are deducted from the candidate fee account, with a top-up if insufficient funds remain.

Topics covered

Aesthetic Surgery of Face, Orbit & Neck
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- Rhinoplasty
- Otoplasty
- INTERMEDIATE
- Rhinoplasty
- Otoplasty
- ADVANCED
- Rhinoplasty
- Otoplasty
Rejuvenation/restoration of the trunk, body contouring, liposuction & fat grafting
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Non-Surgical rejuvenation
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Surgery of the Breast
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- INTERMEDIATE
Burns classification, primary management and transfer
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Burns resuscitation and critical care
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Burns early surgery
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Burns late surgery
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- ADVANCED
Burns infection and other complications
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Paediatric burns
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Chest wall reconstruction
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Primary management of cleft lip and nose
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Secondary repair of cleft lip and nose
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Primary repair of cleft palate
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Secondary speech surgery
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Dento-alveolar defect including alveolar bone grafting
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Orthognathic surgery / Working with the Cleft MDT
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Complex wound
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniofacial General Principles
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniosynostosis
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniofacial tumours in adults and children
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniofacial syndromes of tissue deficiency
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniofacial overgrowth syndromes
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Orbital surgery
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Craniomaxillofacial trauma
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Ear deformities and ear reconstruction
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Hypospadias and allied conditions
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Epispadias, Anomalies of Female Genitalia, Ambiguous Genitalia and Acquired Perineal Defects
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Genital Reassignment
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Skin / Soft tissue / Microsurgery / Dupuytren’s Disease
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Fractures and Joint Injuries including Wrist Instability
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- BASIC
Osteoarthritis and Inflammatory Arthritis
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Tendon and tendon-related disorders
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Nerve and nerve-related disorders
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
The Child’s Hand, Vascular Disorders and Tumours
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Basic Sciences – embryology, development, anatomy and physiology / Head & Neck assessment – examination, investigations including imaging and biopsy techniques
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Skin-related neoplasia of the head & neck
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Non skin-related neoplasia of the head & neck
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Techniques for reconstruction of the head & neck
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Reconstruction of specific head and neck sites
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Facial Reanimation
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- BASIC
Assessment and primary management lower limb injuries
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Debridement, stabilisation and compartment syndrome
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- ADVANCED
Soft tissue reconstruction
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Vascular injuries and amputation
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Complications
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Paediatric injuries and outcome measures
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Basic Sciences – including embryology, development, anatomy, physiology and genetics, stem cell biology, biology of scarring and wound healing. Management of abnormal scars Breast assessment – examination, investigations : including imaging and biopsy techniques.
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- INTERMEDIATE
Breast Cancer
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Benign breast conditions
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Breast reconstruction – Implant based techniques
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Reconstruction – Autologous tissue based techniques
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Pelvic reconstruction
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Basic Sciences & Skin assessment
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Primary treatment of Skin-related neoplasia
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Treatment of recurrent and chronic skin tumours
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Reconstructive techniques for skin surgery
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Scarring, wounds and other surgical conditions of the skin
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Multidisciplinary team workings, allied professionals, palliative care and follow up regimes, trials, research and national guidelines
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Vascular Anomalies
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- BASIC
- ADVANCED
Sarcoma
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
- CLINICAL SKILLS
- INTERMEDIATE
- ADVANCED
Dealing with patients impacted by disfigurement and loss of form and function
- KNOWLEDGE
- BASIC
- INTERMEDIATE

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?

Section 1 only: two Single Best Answer (SBA) written papers delivered by computer-based testing at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and Ireland. Section 2 clinical and oral assessments are excluded.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 240.

How long is the exam?

2 hours 15 minutes per paper; 4 hours 30 minutes of answering time across both papers. This total excludes any check-in, tutorial or interval time.

What is the passing score?

The pass mark is set for each examination using the Angoff cut score plus one Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), representing the minimum performance of a competent day-one consultant in the generality of the specialty. Problematic questions may be removed before scores are finalised; there is no universal fixed percentage stated in this standard-setting policy.

How much does the exam cost?

GBP: for examinations through 31 December 2026 the Section 1 allocation is £580; from 1 January 2027 it is £600. Initial online application requires the full Section 1+2 fee: £2,000 through 2026 or £2,070 from 2027. Fees for resitting are deducted from the candidate fee account, with a top-up if insufficient funds remain.

Official sources and references

Plastic Surgery Syllabus Blueprint 2023
Principles for Blueprinting, 5(a), page 2
JCIE Plastic Surgery specialty page
Regulations and syllabus downloads
Plastic Surgery Examination Regulations
Guide to the Scope and Format of the Examination, Section 1
Plastic Surgery Examination Regulations
Guide to the Scope and Format of the Examination, Papers 1 and 2
Standard Setting in Section 1 Examinations
Step 3
JCIE Frequently Asked Questions
Q1
JCIE Terms of Reference
A2, page 2
Plastic Surgery Examination Regulations
Guide to the Scope and Format of the Examination, Section 1, computer-based delivery
JCIE Frequently Asked Questions
Q1, examinations taking place from 1 January 2027
JCIE Frequently Asked Questions
Q1, full payment and fee account paragraph
JCIE Terms of Reference
A1, page 2
Standard Setting in Section 1 Examinations
Step 1

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.