MRCS Part A_ Essential Revision Notes_ Book 1

The MRCS exam and syllabus is being constantly updated and the best way to keep up to date with its
requirements is via the website ‘http://www.intercollegiatemrcs.org.uk’ which contains information on :
xamination dates • Regulations
uidance notes • Domain descriptors • Application forms • Syllabus
andidate feedback • Annual reports
Different people prepare for MCQ examinations in different ways. The key to success is to do as many
practice questions as possible. You may prefer to revise a topic before undertaking practice questions or
use practice questions to highlight areas of lack of knowledge and direct your learning.
The PasTest book series also includes practice SBAs and EMQs for Part A of the MRCS. In addition
over 4000 practice questions are available from PasTest Online Revision, including apps for android and
i-phones.
D The Syllabus
The syllabus essentially remains the same although it is structured differently every few years. The most
up-to-date version can be found on the intercollegiate website. The syllabus from 2012 has been
structured in 10 modules: Module 1: Basic Sciences (to include applied surgical anatomy, applied
surgical physiology, applied pharmacology (centred around the safe prescribing of common drugs),
surgical pathology (principles underlying system-specific pathology), surgical microbiology, imaging
(principles, advantages and disadvantages of various diagnostic and interventional imaging methods)
Module 2: Common surgical conditions (under the topics of gastrointestinal disease; breast disease;
vascular disease; cardiovascular and pulmonary disease; genitourinary disease; trauma and orthopaedics;
diseases of the skin, head and neck; neurology and neurosurgery; and endocrine disease) Module 3: Basic
Surgical skills (including the principles and practice of surgery and technique) Module 4: The
Assessment and Management of the Surgical Patient (decision making, team working and
communication skills) Module 5: Perioperative care (preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative
care, including the management of complications) Module 6: Assessment and management of patients
with trauma (including the multiply injured patient) Module 7: Surgical care of the paediatric patient
Module 8: Management of the dying patient
Module 9: Organ and tissue transplantation
Module 10: Professional behaviour and leadership skills (including communication, teaching and
training, keeping up to date, managing people and resources within healthcare, promoting good health and
the ethical and legal obligations of a surgeon)