Regulations for the Intercollegiate Membership

Examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great

Britain and in Ireland
Revised August 2016
1.

Introduction

1.1

The examination syllabus and the format and content of this examination are
common to all four colleges. (i.e. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh,
The Royal College of Surgeons of England, The Royal College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.)

1.2

Candidates can enter any part of the examination through any college, but may
enter with only one college at each sitting. Any candidate who has entered an
examination with more than one of the four colleges at the same sitting will
forfeit the fee for each additional application.

1.3

Upon successful completion of all parts of the examination, candidates will be

eligible for election as Members of the College at which they have applied for
and passed Part B of the examination, irrespective of where the examination is
held.

2.

The Examination

The Intercollegiate MRCS examination, under these regulations, comprises two parts
as follows:
2.1

Part A Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

2.1.1

Part A is a four hour MCQ examination consisting of two papers, each of

two hours duration, taken on the same day. From 1st January 2017 the
Part A will be a five hour MCQ examination consisting of a three hour
paper (Applied Basic Science) followed by a two hour paper (Principles
of Surgery in General), still taken on the same day.

2.1.2

The marks for both papers are combined to give a total mark for Part A.

2.1.3

The papers sat at each of the colleges at any particular sitting are
identical and are held simultaneously.

2.1.4

The papers cover generic surgical sciences and applied knowledge,

including the core knowledge required in all nine specialties as follows:
Paper 1 - Applied Basic Sciences MCQ paper
Paper 2 - Principles of Surgery-in-General MCQ paper

2.1.5

To achieve a pass in Part A the candidate will be required to

demonstrate a minimum level of competence in each of the two papers

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in addition to achieving or exceeding the pass mark set for the combined
total mark for Part A.

2.2

Part B Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

2.2.1

Part B consists of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

2.2.2

The OSCE will normally consist of eighteen examined stations each of

nine minutes duration. These stations will examine the following broad
content areas:

2.2.3

1.

Applied Knowledge - consisting of anatomy, surgical pathology,

applied surgical science and critical care

2.

Applied Skills - consisting of communication skills in giving and

receiving information, history taking and clinical & procedural
skills

There may, in addition, be one or more preparation stations and one

station that is being pre-tested. This pre-testing station will not contribute
towards the final mark of the examination. Candidates will not be
informed which station is being pre-tested.

2.2.4 To facilitate the assessment of non-verbal communication skills and

interaction with the examiner and patient (or actor in the role of the patient as
the case may be), the colleges will require candidates for the duration of the
stations in question for the Part B (OSCE) to remove any clothing and/or other
item which covers all, or part of, the candidate's face.
2.3

All parts of the examination will be conducted in English.

3.

Entry to the Examination - Eligibility

3.1.

The Intercollegiate MRCS examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great

Britain and in Ireland will be held under these regulations at least three times
each year.

3.2

To enter the examination, a candidate must possess a primary medical

qualification that is acceptable to the United Kingdom General Medical Council
for Full or Provisional Registration or to the Medical Council in Ireland for Full or
Temporary Registration; overseas candidates must hold a primary medical
qualification acceptable to the Councils of the colleges. Prospective candidates
who wish to check the acceptability of their medical degrees should see the
International Medical Education Directory (IMED) on
http://avicenna.ku.dk/database/medicine or the World Directory of Medical
Schools on http://search.wdoms.org/. If the medical school does not appear on
this list, candidates should contact the examinations department/section at the
college to which they wish to apply for the examination for further clarification.
Candidates who have previously entered Part A with one college and then apply
to a different college will also have to supply full details, as set out here, to the
new college.

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3.3

First time applicants whose names do not appear on the Registers of the
UK General Medical Council or Medical Council in Ireland must submit their
original certificate (or an authenticated copy) of a primary medical qualification
acceptable to the Councils of the four Colleges (see note under paragraph 3.2
above on checking eligibility of primary medical qualifications).
Candidates following through under older regulations - June 2006
Regulations, revised April 2009 and September 2007- August 2008

3.4

Any candidate who has passed Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS examination
must complete the requirements of the MRCS examination by applying to sit
Part B (OSCE) under these regulations.

3.5

The Intercollegiate MRCS examination under these regulations may be taken by

those who are not in recognised training posts.

3.6

Candidates must pass Part A before applying to sit Part B (OSCE).

3.7

Candidates who fail the Part B (OSCE) are not required to re-sit Part A.

3.8

Candidates who fail the Part B (OSCE) are required to re-sit all stations of the
Part B (OSCE) in order to meet the requirements of these regulations.

3.9

Number of Attempts
3.9.1 Candidates are allowed up to six attempts at the MRCS Part A (with
effect from April 2013).
3.9.2

Candidates are allowed up to four attempts at MRCS Part B (OSCE).

3.9.3 One additional attempt may be granted under the Additional Attempt
Policy
3.9.4 An attempt is defined as an occasion when a candidate commences, but
not necessarily completes, the MRCS Part A, MRCS Part B (OSCE), MRCS
Part B (OCC) or Part 2 of the DO-HNS examination for the award of MRCS
(ENT).

4.

Timing

4.1.

The number of attempts is defined in 3.9 above. Failure to pass the Examination
within the permitted number of attempts as defined in 3.9 above will debar the
candidate from applying for any component/part of the MRCS examination
under these, or any other regulations.

4.2

Any candidate entering any part of the MRCS under these regulations are
required to pass Part B of the examination within seven years of passing Part A
or seven years from passing the second component of Part 1 or Part 2 of the
Regulations dated June 2006 (revised April 2009).

4.3

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4.4

Candidates who entered the examination under the Regulations June 2006
revised April 2009 had 3 years in which to complete all parts of the
examination dating from their first attempt at Part 2. This regulation applied even
if they chose to sit Part 2 before Part 1. If all parts of the exam were not
completed within 3 years from the first attempt at Part 2, the candidate
became time-expired.
Candidates who are time-expired in the Intercollegiate MRCS examination of
the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland (Regulations June 2006
revised April 2009) or the Collegiate MRCS, are not permitted to sit Part A or
Part B of the Intercollegiate MRCS examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges
of Great Britain, unless they are in a surgical training post as certified by their
ISCP Assigned Educational Supervisor. Those in such posts must pass Part A
and Part B (OSCE) to satisfy the requirements of these regulations.

4.4

Any candidate who has sat the Part A MRCS under regulation 4.3 whether
achieving a pass or fail, is permitted subsequently to apply for all parts of the
MRCS subject to the requirements of these regulations. The number of attempts
for completion of the examination (as defined in paragraph 3.9) will apply to
such candidates.
Note: Any candidate who is permitted to apply for Part A MRCS under
regulation 4.3 but who does not sit Part A at the next available diet after
eligibility has been confirmed will not be permitted to apply for a subsequent diet
unless he or she continues to fulfil the requirements of regulation 4.3.

4.5

Candidates who have passed any component or part of the MRCS examination
will not be permitted to re-sit the same component or part with any of the
Colleges.

5.

Admission to the Examination

5.1

Candidates should consult individual college websites or contact the

examinations department/section of the relevant college for details of dates and
venues for examinations. Details of the examinations department/section of each
of the four colleges are to be found at the end of the regulations.

5.2

Application for entry to any part of the examination must:

5.2.1

be made on the appropriate (paper or electronic version) application

form;

5.2.2

be accompanied by the specific examination fee payment, which must

be received in full by the relevant college before a candidate is entered
for the examination;

5.2.3

reach the examinations department/section of the appropriate

college by the date specified in the examinations calendar.

Applications received after the closing date may be returned.

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5.3

Candidates are not permitted to apply for an MRCS Part B examination when the
exam sitting commencement date falls within six weeks of an examination date
previously entered. This regulation is applicable across all four Surgical Colleges.
Candidates who enter for an examination, with any College, within six weeks of a
previous examination will forfeit their fee.

5.4

If, exceptionally, a candidate is permitted to enter the examination without first

having paid the specified examination fee and fails thereafter to pay the fee, the
candidate shall not be permitted to take any further part with any Surgical Royal
College without payment of the outstanding fee or, if the unpaid fee relates to
such a candidates final part of the examination, the relevant college reserves the
right not to mark or assess that part of the examination or not allow the candidate
to proceed to Membership of the relevant college in accordance with these
regulations.

5.5

The colleges reserve the right, regardless of eligibility to take the examination, to
review applications on an individual basis in exceptional circumstances.

5.6

The colleges reserve the right to make recordings of the examinations for the
purposes of quality assurance and training.

6.

Proof of Identity

6.1

Candidates must bring proof of identity to each examination. Proof of identity

must be an official document, such as a current passport or drivers licence that
includes the candidates name, signature and photograph.

6.2

For the purposes of visual identification, any candidate sitting any examination
will be required to remove any clothing and/or other item which covers all, or part
of, the candidate's face. The colleges will observe sensitivity and, in specific
circumstances privacy in the visual identification of candidates.

7.

Withdrawal from the Examination

7.1

A candidate who withdraws in writing an application for admission to any part of

the examination may be refunded the fee paid (less an administrative fee of
20%), provided that notice of an intention to withdraw is received by the
examinations department/section before the closing date by which applications
are due, as shown in the examinations calendar. No refunds are normally made
to candidates who withdraw after the closing date.

7.2

Applications for consideration of a refund on medical grounds must be

accompanied by a medical certificate. Applications for consideration of a refund
on compassionate grounds should be supported by the College or Clinical Tutor
or the Assigned Educational Supervisor and the Head of the School of Surgery.
All such applications must be submitted to the examinations department/section
of the appropriate college within 14 days of the commencement of the
examination.

7.3

For information on pregnancy and deferral see paragraph 12.

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7.4

Candidates with special needs should advise the appropriate college at the time
of application of the nature of their needs and any assistance that they require.
Requests should be supported by medical evidence (an educational
psychologists report is required for requests for extra time because of dyslexia).
If appropriate, details of extra time or other allowances made by other examining
bodies should be given, although the colleges are not bound to follow these.

8.

Results
Results will be placed on the website and sent out in the post by the
examinations department/section of the college through which the candidate
entered.

9.

Feedback
Candidates will receive a breakdown of their marks for both Parts of the
examination. No further feedback is available.

10.

Appeals Mechanism
Details of the appeals process and fees charged may be obtained from the
appropriate college.

11.

Improper Conduct by Examination Candidates

11.1 In the case of improper conduct of an examination candidate, as defined below,

the colleges acting jointly may impose a penalty relating to the candidates
eligibility for the relevant or future examinations. Improper conduct is defined as:
11.1.1

Dishonestly obtaining or attempting to obtain entry to the examination

by making false claims about eligibility for the examination, or falsifying
any aspects of the entry documentation.

11.1.2

Obtaining or seeking to obtain unfair advantage during an examination,

or inciting other candidates to do the same. Examples of unfair
advantage are:
11.1.2.1

having on the person any material that would give advantage

in an examination once the examination has commenced
(this includes electronic communication devices);

11.1.2.2

communicating, or attempting to communicate, with another

candidate, once the examination has commenced;

11.1.2.3

refusing to follow the instructions given by invigilators,

examiners or examinations staff concerning the conduct of,
and procedure for, the examination.
This list is not exhaustive.

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11.1.3

Removing or attempting to remove from the examination any

confidential material relating to the examination.

11.1.4

Obtaining or attempting to obtain confidential information concerning

the examination from an examiner or examination official.

11.1.5

Passing confidential information on the content of the examination to a

third party.

11.1.6

Seeking to gain prior knowledge from, or provide knowledge to, other

examination candidates on content of the examination.
This list is not exhaustive.

11.2 If a candidate is found to have acted improperly, his/her name may be reported to
his/her national authority. The colleges may also on an individual basis decide
that a candidate should not be allowed to proceed further with the examination or,
having passed the examination, may not be admitted to Membership according to
their own statutes and regulations, in cases where serious misconduct not related
to the examination is judged to make the person unfit to become a Member of the
College.

12.

Notification of Pregnancy and Deferral

12.1 A deferral may be permitted to a candidate supplying an appropriate medical

report which satisfies the relevant college indicating that:
12.1.1

the candidate has any pregnancy related problems or illness; and/or

12.1.2

the candidates confinement is due shortly before or around the date of

the examination; and/or

12.1.3

the candidate has sufficient discomfort for her to consider that it will
have a detrimental affect on her performance.

In such circumstances, a deferral will be permitted and no further fee will be

required.
12.2 Any candidate who does not inform the college of her pregnancy and is
consequently unable to sit for that examination will not normally be allowed to
defer this examination without submission of another fee.

13.

Eligibility for Diploma of Membership

13.1 Candidates who have passed the Intercollegiate MRCS under these regulations
may apply for Membership of one of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain
or in Ireland providing they satisfy the criteria below. The candidate must:
13.1.1

hold a primary medical qualification that is acceptable to the United

Kingdom General Medical Council for Full, or Provisional Registration

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or to the Medical Council in Ireland for Full or Temporary Registration;

overseas candidates must hold a primary medical qualification
acceptable to the Councils of the four colleges.
13.1.2

have passed the examination requirements which may be satisfied in

one of the following ways:
13.1.2.1

A pass in Part A and Part B of the Intercollegiate MRCS.

13.1.2.2

A pass in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Intercollegiate MRCS

examination (Regulations June 2006 revised April 2009),
and a pass in Part B of the Intercollegiate MRCS
examination.

13.1.2.3

A pass in Part A of the MRCS and Part 2 of the DO-HNS

examination for the award of MRCS(ENT).

13.2 Candidates should apply for membership in accordance with the laws of the
College at which they have applied for and passed Part B or Part 2 DO-HNS
examination, (irrespective of where the examination is held).
NOTE: These Regulations are under continual review. It is recommended that
candidates keep in regular contact with their college to ensure that they have the
most up-to-date information. Any changes will be announced on the
intercollegiate website: http://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/

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Appendix

Recommendations and Advice for those in Training Posts and seeking a CCT
1.

It is recommended that Part A should be taken in Specialty/Core Training Year 1

(ST/CT1) and that Part B (OSCE) should be taken in Specialty/Core Training
Year 2 (ST/CT2). Candidates may, however, take the examination earlier
subject to the requirements of paragraph 3.2.
Note: Candidates in Foundation Training are highly unlikely to have
gained the necessary experience to pass the Part B (OSCE). Given that
candidates are permitted a maximum of four attempts in which to pass the
Part B (OSCE), Foundation Trainees may disadvantage themselves by
making premature attempts at the examination.

2.

With effect from the April 2013 Diet, candidates will be entitled to a maximum of
6 attempts at Part A. New candidates after that date, as well as candidates who
are already in the system under the previous unlimited attempts regulations will
be allowed to proceed up to a maximum of seven years from passing the first
part of the examination in accordance with these GMC guidelines:
Any valid passes in national professional examinations can be counted
towards a CCT even if obtained outside approved training - provided
that the candidate enters, or where appropriate, re-enters, approved
training within seven years of the examination pass.
This limit of seven years may be applied flexibly in individual cases
subject to a detailed review of the circumstances. Examinations will not
be counted towards a CCT if they are taken after doctors have
completed their training programmes.
No candidate will normally be allowed more than six attempts at an
examination. In order to sit an examination once the limit of six has
been reached, a candidate will have to demonstrate additional
educational experience for each re-sit. Colleges will determine what sort
of evidence will count in these circumstances but it will have to be
relevant for all candidates including those who are not in UK training
schemes.

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College Details

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Examinations Section
Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9DW
Ph: 0131 527 1600
Fax: 0131 668 9231
E-mail: examinations@rcsed.ac.uk
Web: www.rcsed.ac.uk
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincolns Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3PE
Ph: 0207 869 6281
Fax: 0207 869 6290
E-mail: MRCS&DOHNS@rcseng.ac.uk
Web: www.rcseng.ac.uk
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
232-242 Vincent Street
Glasgow
G2 5RJ
Ph: 0141 221 6072
Fax: 0141 241 6222
E-mail: exams@rcpsg.ac.uk
Web: www.rcpsg.ac.uk
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
123 St Stephens Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
Ph: 00353 1402 2221
Fax: 00353 1402 2454
Email: pgexams@rcsi.ie
Web: www.rcsi.ie

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