The Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) exam is one of the most sought-after certifications for surgeons across the world. The course certification is awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Glasgow, or England, and it signifies that a surgeon has met the highest standards of knowledge, skills, and professionalism in their field.
Exam Pattern
The exam is divided into three parts, namely Part A, Part B, and Part C
Part A exam is an objective type exam that consists of two papers, each of 180 multiple-choice questions. The exam is conducted online, and candidates have three hours to complete each paper. The questions in the exam are based on the basic sciences, and the clinical sciences related to surgery.
Part B exam is a clinical exam that assesses a candidate’s clinical knowledge and skills. It is divided into two parts, Part 1 and Part 2.
Part 1 consists of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and Part 2 is a Viva Voce exam.
In the OSCE exam, candidates have to perform various clinical tasks, including history-taking, physical examination, communication skills, and clinical procedures. The exam is conducted over two days, and candidates are assessed by examiners at various stations.
In the Viva Voce exam, candidates are evaluvated by a panel of examiners about their clinical knowledge and decision-making skills. The exam assesses the candidate’s ability to apply their clinical knowledge in real-life situations.
The part C exam is an oral exam that assesses a candidate’s knowledge of surgical practice, professionalism, and ethical issues. It consists of two parts, Part 1 and Part 2.
In Part 1, candidates are asked questions related to surgical practice, including management of surgical emergencies, surgical techniques, and perioperative care.
In Part 2, candidates are evaluvated about professionalism and ethical issues related to surgical practice. The exam assesses a candidate’s understanding of the ethical and legal framework of surgical practice, and their ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
Syllabus
The FRCS syllabus is vast and covers various aspects of surgical practice.
The syllabus for each part of the exam is as follows
The Part A exam syllabus covers the following topics
Basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology.
Clinical sciences, including diagnostic methods, investigation, and management of various surgical conditions.
The Part B exam syllabus covers the following topics
Anatomy, including embryology, gross anatomy, and radiology.
Pathology, including microbiology, immunology, and histology.
Clinical sciences, including the investigation and management of various surgical conditions.
The Part C exam syllabus covers the following topics
Surgical practice, including surgical techniques, surgical emergencies, perioperative care, and evidence-based medicine.
Professionalism and ethics, including communication skills, legal and ethical framework of surgical practice, and patient safety.
Finally ,the FRCS exam is a rigorous assessment of a surgeon’s knowledge, skills, and professionalism. The exam pattern and syllabus are designed to ensure that only the best and most competent surgeons are awarded the FRCS certification. Candidates should prepare for the exam meticulously and ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus.
