What happens in the Final FRCA exam

The Final FRCA Structured Oral Examination (SOE) is the last part of the Royal College of Anaesthetists' FRCA, taken after passing the Final FRCA written exam. SOE 1 is two consecutive 26-minute parts, each with two clinical short cases and a linked clinical science question for each; SOE 2 is 36 minutes: 10 minutes to view clinical material, a 13-minute two-section long case and 13 minutes on two unrelated short cases. Two examiners independently mark all 12 questions 0, 1 or 2 (maximum 48), and the pass mark is set by a GMC-approved standard-setting method.

Checked against the official sources on 26 September 2026.

The parts, in order

How it is marked

Two examiners mark independently. There are 12 questions in all (four short cases and their four linked science questions in SOE 1; two long case sections and two short cases in SOE 2), each marked 2 for a pass, 1 for a borderline performance and 0 for a fail. Each examiner can award up to 24 marks, for a maximum of 48.

Passing

The pass mark is set by standard-setting methods approved by the GMC; the College's regulations name the method as borderline regression. The College does not publish a fixed pass mark for the Final SOE, and candidates are given a pass or a fail.

Worth knowing

• Candidates must pass the Final FRCA written exam before applying for the SOE; a written pass is valid for three years. They must also have passed the Primary FRCA or hold a recognised exemption.
• The SOE tests clinical anaesthesia at the intermediate (stage 2) level of the curriculum: at least two topics come from the general duties unit, at least four from the six essential units, and up to one from the optional units.
• The SOE is held in person at the College, and candidates have a maximum of six attempts. Passing it completes the FRCA by examination.
• From July 2027, subject to GMC approval, the SOE is replaced by the Final Clinical Performance Exam (FCPE): one circuit of 12 nine-minute stations. Candidates who sit the SOE in June 2027 and do not pass move to the FCPE from 2027-28.

Sources

• Final FRCA SOE | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
• Final FRCA examination | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
• RCoA Examination Regulations, section 3: Structure of RCoA Delivered Examinations (published 30 Apr 2026)
• RCoA Examination Regulations, section 10: Marking Criteria and Standards (published 1 May 2026)
• 2027: Launch of the New FRCA Exams | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
• Final FRCA Exam Pathways | The Royal College of Anaesthetists