The Intercollegiate Membership examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) tests the knowledge, experience and clinical competence expected of trainees at the end of their core surgical training.
Passing the MRCS examination grants membership of one of the four surgical royal colleges in the UK and Ireland, and for trainees following the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP), entry to higher specialist training.
The MRCS examination has two parts:
- Part A: written paper
- Part B: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) develops, maintains and quality assures both MRCS and DO-HNS on behalf of the colleges. More information from the ICBSE can be found here.
The Intercollegiate Surgical Committee for Basic Exams also manages the Diploma in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (DO-HNS). This is an intercollegiate exam for doctors intending to join an otolaryngology department in a non-consultant career grade or trainee position.
The diploma is also relevant to doctors who wish to practise within another medical specialty which interacts with otolaryngology and for GPs who wish to offer minor ENT surgery.
Each Surgical College offers training and preparation courses for the MRCS exam.
Preparing for the MRCS Examination - Resources and Support
As you prepare to sit your MRCS examinations, all four surgical Colleges have a wide range of resources available to help support you throughout the exam period with guidance and resources covering every stage of the exam preparation process.
MRCS and MRCS (ENT) Clinical/Basic Science Examiner
SAS Surgeons are now welcomed as MRCS Clinical Examiners. This has also been updated in the MRCS Examiner Criteria and available on Surgical College websites.
More details in about the criteria can be found in the Person Specification document.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
RCSEd’s Foundation Trainee Surgical Societies Presents: Preparing for the MRCS Part A Examination Webinar Series
RCSEd’s FTSS’s have created a webinar series designed to help those who are revising for the MRCS Part A Examination. Topics covered include head injuries, peri-operative care, trauma and burns, orthopaedics, and many more.
RCSEd MRCS Lecture Series
The MRCS lecture is designed to provide insight into the examination with a particular focus on the Part B OSCE exam. This includes the purpose and format of the exam, the broad content areas, domains, how the exam is assessed and marked, and insight from the perspective of an Intercollegiate MRCS Examiner.
The Edinburgh MRCS OSCE Preparation Course
This course is aimed at FY2 and above, and primarily those preparing for the Intercollegiate Part B MRCS Examination. It is designed to help improve candidates' performance in the MRCS Part B Examination via practice sessions with 'mock' MRCS OSCE stations and discussions with examiners on the pitfalls and problems commonly encountered with the examination process. The course structure includes short lectures, discussion groups and OSCE stations.
Surgical Anatomy Study Days
RCSEd runs a series of three, anatomy study days which focus on the trunk, limbs, head and neck. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive review of the important surgical anatomy of the head and neck, trunk, and limbs, from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. It is designed for trainees at an early stage of preparation for the MRCS.
- Surgical Anatomy of the Trunk: A Study Day (MRCS Level - Wade)
- Surgical Anatomy of the Limbs: A Study Day (MRCS Level - Wade)
- Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck: A Study Day (MRCS Level- Wade)
Library Services
The College Fellows, Members and Affiliates have access to use their well-resourced medical and surgical library, with all the latest in texts, journals and electronic resources and a wealth of fascinating historical stock dating from the 15th century to the present.
RCSEd Fellows and Members are eligible for free full-text access to thousands of electronic journals, books and databases through the Knowledge Network.
Acland Anatomy
This dynamic online training resource will be of particular benefit to Affiliates studying for the MRCS examination, especially those with restricted access to anatomy specimens. The filming technique used provides a very helpful three-dimensional perspective of real anatomical specimens. This allows users to focus in on the structures and movements they are studying. Intelligent search and navigation tools make it easy to find the content needed to learn, revise or review.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
MRCS Part B OSCE Revision Modules
Each module focuses on one element of the MRCS Part B OSCE preparation. The modules include thorough introductions from examiners and demonstrations of how stations work and are to be completed. The scenarios are then summarised and feedback is given to allow you to employ best practice when taking your own exam.
MRCS Part B OSCE Preparation Modules
MRCS Part B Preparation Courses
This 2-day course prepares you for the MRCS Part B OSCE Exam. The course combines online, flexible and independent learning with classroom-based scenarios and preparation that benefit from direct interaction and feedback from faculty.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
MRCS OSCE Prep Course
This condensed one-day course aims to prepare surgical trainees for the MRCS Part B Objective Structured Clinical Exam (MRCS OSCE). You will gain an insight into the structure of the exam; as well as the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions focusing on the different types of OSCE stations found in the examination
Practice MRCS OSCE Anatomy
Practice MRCS OSCE: Anatomy is a virtual classroom led by examiners that will give you the opportunity to experience the anatomy stations on MRCS Part B exam by replicating the exam environment and allowing you to practise answering questions similar to those you will encounter during the exam.
RCS England Library Services
Candidates can search full text across the collection of current surgical materials, including books and journals, both online and in print. You can also find links to online resources, including Visible Body, ClinicalKey and Acland's Video Atlas of Anatomy, along with help on accessing them.
The collection of books for exam preparation is available for loan in the Members' Library. Books that are available for loan can be issued onsite or borrowed and returned by post. This service is only available for Members and Affiliates living in the UK.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
MRCS Revision Course
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.
Pastest
RCSI 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.
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.
Library Services
RCSI’s expert team of health information specialists provide advice and services ranging from expert search and retrieval, information and digital literacy skills development, research data management bibliometric profiling, open access publishing and onsite and online services.
How to apply for your MRCS Exam
Applications can be made via the four Royal Surgical Colleges, start your application process below:
My MRCS Story - Shagorika Talukder, ST5 Speciality Registrar
I sat the MRCS part A exam for the first time in April 2017. I had previously done well in most single-best answer papers, and so thought as long as I perform the practice questions once online (such as on eMRCS or Pastest) then I would be fine. I found myself a study partner and we set about attacking the question bank, but really looking back now I didn't read through the answers and explanations thoroughly especially when I got answers wrong. We distracted each other most of the time and this study partner was too much of a friend to be able to effectively work together. Both of us, unfortunately, failed the exam in April.
The second time I sat part A I studied alone, taking the time to read through the answers and explanations for the questions on eMRCS only. I did not subscribe to any other question bank and I made notes this time, including flashcards and reminders for topics that I found hard to remember going up on my wall to serve as learning by repetition. I also ensured I completed the question bank twice, approximately 2000 questions on each go. This time I arrived at the venue feeling better prepared and passed.
Part B I sat for the first time as I was applying for ST1 Cardiothoracic Surgery training, for which I am happy to say I obtained a training number but did not manage to give enough time to MRCS study and therefore failed part B.
The second time, I sat it a year later during my ST1 year, I studied from the Dr Exam books (DrExam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide: Book 1: Applied Surgical Science & Critical Care, Anatomy & Surgical Pathology, Surgical Skills & Patient Safety and DrExam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide: Clinical Examination, Communication Skills and History Taking Bk. 2). I found these two books incredibly helpful, and apart from an anatomy atlas, I did not use any other books. I also utilised the eMRCS part B question bank to guide me to the types of questions the examiners may ask, although this is harder to do for a practical OSCE exam. Again, I spent time reading through the explanations and answers. I focused very much on anatomy, trying to learn each muscle and vessel and nerve and its trajectory through the body as the variety of anatomy questions is huge.
For part B I additionally studied with a buddy. For this exam, having a friend was immensely helpful and I think key to me passing the second time I sat it. She and I would meet virtually (even though this was before COVID) and prepare 5 questions to ask the other person and the 'candidate' would need to demonstrate how they would practically answer (or examine/demonstrate) during a real exam. Both of us really benefitted from this practice, even just how to speak and phrase our answers adequately in front of an examiner. We also both attended a College anatomy revision for Part B and found these very helpful as experienced surgeons taught us and utilised the Surgical College prosections. We both thankfully passed in February 2019.
Tips
From the above, my main tips would be the following:
- MRCS Part A: utilise one, or max 2, question banks and complete the full bank of questions twice, taking your time to read the answers/explanations. This revision can be done alone or as a group, whatever suits your learning style, but Ipreferred it alone.
- MRCS part B: find a study buddy, practice practice practice the questions with that person, and use the Dr Exam books, an anatomy atlas and the RCS anatomy courses to prepare for this exam.
Good luck!