Surgery

MRCS Part A is a five-hour MCQ exam consisting of two papers taken on the same day.

• Paper 1 is Applied Basic Sciences and is 3 hours duration
• Paper 2 is Principles of Surgery in General and is 2 hours duration.

The MRCS Part A Examination is held three times per year – January, May and September.

The four Surgical Royal Colleges of Ireland and the United Kingdom will deliver the MRCS Part A in partnership with Pearson Vue at their global network of computer test centres. The new system will make the examination process secure, simple, and transparent. The partnership between the four colleges and Pearson Vue will deliver a high-quality experience for candidates taking their exam.

Candidates who have been accepted to sit the MRCS Part A will receive an email from Pearson Vue on the day when the test centre schedule window will open. Colleges will advise dates of this schedule window in advance.

This email will instruct you on how to book a test centre using the Pearson Vue system. Test centres are available globally and your option will be based on the address you have provided when submitting your application. Candidates may also search for other available test centres.

MRCS Part A - Examination Overview

MRCS – Part B is held three times per year, in Dublin (February, May, and October); twice per year in Bahrain (March and November); twice per year in Penang (January and August); and once a year in Dubai (June).

MRCS Part B OSCE - Examination Overview

Due to the limited number of attempts for MRCS Part B, RCSI offers a two-day intensive course designed to prepare surgical trainees for the MRCS Part B (OSCE) exam. This course is run three times a year in Ireland and once a year in Bahrain and Penang, and covers the core content of the exam through mock OSCEs, interactive workshops, and group discussions in applied surgery/critical care, clinical/procedural skills, anatomy/surgical pathology, and communications.

Please note that our MRCS Part B prep course has a limited number of places so we advise candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible. 

Pastest

RCSI also partners with Pastest – a leading provider of revision resources for the MRCS exams – to offer discounted access to their resources. All applicants sitting MRCS Part A and Part B with RCSI are entitled to a 20% discount off the Pastest online subscription. Candidates will receive their Pastest discount code once applications have closed.

• The MRCS Part A subscription provides access to over 3,600 MRCS Part A SBA practice questions, helpful media resources and a free app
• The MRCS Part B subscription offers helpful detailed lectures, demonstration videos and case studies

Regulations for the MRCS exams can be found on the intercollegiate exams website. You can also view our Facebook page for details.

MRCS Part B OSCE - Preparation Course

Affiliate Membership

Affiliate Membership of RCSI offers access to a comprehensive range of resources supporting candidates looking to complete the MRCS examinations.

We aim to support future surgeons to realise the potential for a career in surgery, support your professional development, offer resources to help you pass the MRCS exams and to embed the value of pursuing the Fellowship pathway.