MRCS Part A_ Essential Revision Notes_ Book 1

Emergency medicine 9
Oncology 8
Surgical Specialties Topic
Number of questions
Cardiothoracic 6
Abdominal 9
Upper gastrointestinal 4–5
Hepatobilary and pancreatic 5
Colorectal 6
Breast 4–5
Endocrine 6
Vascular 7
Transplant 3
ENT 6
Oromaxillofacial 2
Paediatrics 6
Neurosurgery 6
Trauma/orthopaedics 7-8
Plastics 6
Urology 7
It is therefore important that you cover the entire syllabus in order to pick up the greatest number of marks.
Part B: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
To be eligible for Part B you must have passed Part A. The OSCE will normally consist of 18 examined
stations each of 9 minutes’ duration and one or more rest/preparation station. Although the MRCS remains
an exam for the Core part of Surgical Training, six of the stations will be examined in a specialty context
and the other 12 reflect generic surgical skills. You must specify your choice of specialty context stations
at the time of your application to sit the exam.
These stations will examine the following broad content areas:
Anatomy and surgical pathology
2. Applied surgical science and critical care
Communication skills in giving and receiving information and history taking
4. Clinical and procedural skills
Speciality areas are:
ead and Neck • Trunk and Thorax • Limbs (including spine) • Neurosciences