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General Surgery


Exams

During the training pathway (ST1 - ST8) you will be expected to take and successfully pass two key exams: the Membership exam of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and the Fellowship Exam of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS).

The MRCS exam is an important part of the eligibility criteria for progression into Specialty Training (ST3 - ST8) and must be completed before your specialty interview in March of each year. The MRCS exam also forms part of your successful completion of Core Surgical Training and the awarding of the Certificate of Completion of Core Surgical Training (CCCST) – a mandatory requirement for progression to ST3.

The FRCS exam taken by a specialist trainee, normally in the final two years of Specialty Training, is commonly known as the 'exit exam'. Only trainees that successfully pass the FRCS exam can be awarded the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST).

As with MRCS, you cannot receive your CCST without successfully completing the FRCS exam. FRCS also forms part of the eligibility criteria for registration with the Irish Medical Council.

More information, along with exam dates, is available in the exams section