Examinations

Examinations of knowledge are one of several summative assessment methods used within the programme e.g. the MRCP Part 1 Examination for acute medicine, the FRCA Primary MCQ Examination for anaesthesia and MCEM for emergency medicine. The syllabi for these examinations of basic level knowledge are contained in the individual specialty CCT programmes.

Acute Medicine Exams

See MRCP website for up to date information.

AM trainees will normally be expected to have completed MRCP 1 before entering CT3 and to have passed MRCP2 & PACES by the end of CT3. The requirement for acquisition of MRCP(UK) prior to entry to ST3 is likely to become mandatory in 2010.

Emergency Medicine Exams

See the College of Emergency Medicine (CEM) website for more information.

EM trainees will normally be expected to have completed MCEM Part A before entering the CT3 year and must pass MCEM B and C by the end of CT3

In addition, trainees will be expected to complete the three life support courses – ALS, ATLS, and APLS before ST4.

Anaesthesia Examinations

Trainees moving from ACCS training will normally be expected to have passed the FRCA Primary MCQ assessment of knowledge before entering CT2 Anaesthetics (eg by the end of the initial 2 years of ACCS). The full primary examination (MCQ's, SOE & OSCE) must be passed before entry to ST3 of anaesthesia training. For further guidance on examinations, see the Royal College of Anaesthetists website.

The RCoA has issued advice on examinations:

25% of ACCS (Anaesthesia) trainees will not start their anaesthetic module until the final 6 months of the 2-year ACCS course and therefore are not obtaining the Initial Assessment of Competence in Anaesthesia (IAC) until 22 months into their 2 year ACCS training. This could limit the opportunities such trainees have to sit the Primary FRCA Examinations. To address the problem Council has agreed to allow any registered trainee to apply to sit the Primary FRCA MCQ Examination as soon as they start an approved training post in anaesthesia or ACCS. This replaces the previous regulation that a trainee must have passed the IAC before applying to sit the MCQ Examination. However, College Tutors are strongly recommended to advise their trainees not to attempt the MCQ before they have obtained their IAC.