# Practising for Anaesthetics (Final FRCA SOE) with MedMock

Canonical page: https://medmock.com/exams/anaesthetics-final-frca-soe

## What is the Final FRCA viva, and how do you practise for it?

The Final FRCA Structured Oral Examination (SOE) is the last part of the Royal College of Anaesthetists' FRCA. It is taken by GMC-registered anaesthetists in training who have passed the Primary FRCA and the Final FRCA written examination, and it tests clinical knowledge, understanding and decision-making in clinical anaesthesia, and the applied clinical science behind it, at the intermediate (Stage 2) level of the anaesthetics curriculum. It has two parts: SOE 1 (Parts A and B) and SOE 2 (a long case followed by two short cases). MedMock lets you practise it out loud against an AI examiner, with examiner-style feedback on any SOE part you finish.

An illustrative example station, written by MedMock with example feedback, is at https://medmock.com/exams/anaesthetics-final-frca-soe/example

## What happens in the real Final FRCA (checked against the official source on 2026-09-26)

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.

- **SOE 1 Part A** (26 minutes): Two clinical short cases, each with a linked clinical science question that may come before or after the case; 13 minutes for each short case and its linked question.
- **SOE 1 Part B** (26 minutes): Taken straight after Part A, in the same form: two clinical short cases, each with a linked clinical science question; 13 minutes for each.
- **SOE 2: clinical long case and two short cases** (36 minutes): 10 minutes to view the clinical material, then 13 minutes on a two-section clinical long case, then 13 minutes on two clinical short cases unrelated to the long case.

Marking: 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.

Sources: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination/final-frca-soe https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/examination-regulations-april-2026/3-structure-rcoa-delivered-examinations https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/examination-regulations-april-2026/10-marking-criteria-standards https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/final-frca-exam-pathways
Full format page: https://medmock.com/exams/anaesthetics-final-frca-soe/format

## How to prepare for the Final FRCA (facts checked against official sources on 2026-09-27)

The Final FRCA SOE is the last FRCA component, and the November 2026 and June 2027 sittings are the last in this format: from July 2027, subject to GMC approval, it is replaced by the Final Clinical Performance Exam (FCPE), and anyone who does not pass in June 2027 moves to that. Prepare by speaking answers aloud to short cases, their linked clinical science questions and a long case against the real timings, because the College's Final FRCA page names failure to practise speaking aloud as the most common mistake at the SOEs.

1. **Plan around the 2027 change** — The remaining SOE sittings are in the weeks of 30 November 2026 and 21 June 2027. If you pass in June 2027 you complete the Final FRCA in the current format; if not, you take the FCPE, one circuit of 12 nine-minute stations, from 2027-28. If you have already failed the SOE five times, the College's 'Deciding whether to sit or wait' page recommends waiting for the FCPE rather than risking your sixth attempt.
2. **Check eligibility and timing** — You need the Primary FRCA or an exempting qualification, a Final Written pass (valid for three years), GMC registration and one of the training or employment routes in Section 4 of the College's regulations; you have six attempts. The College strongly recommends not attempting the SOE until you have started Stage 2 training.
3. **Revise to the Stage 2 syllabus, and beyond it** — The SOE takes at least two topics from the general duties unit, at least four from the six essential units and up to one from the optional units. The College reminds candidates that the Final can also include stage 1 material, including basic sciences, and expects familiarity with recent important reports and guidelines.
4. **Pair every clinical topic with its science** — Each SOE 1 short case has a linked clinical science question that may come before or after it; the College's 2024-25 annual report lists these as clinical anatomy and physiology in part A and clinical pharmacology and clinical measurement in part B. Examiners expect depth on common topics, such as detailed knowledge of the femoral nerve because it is commonly blocked in lower limb surgery.
5. **Practise the long case to its real timing** — In SOE 2 you have 10 minutes to view clinical material, then 13 minutes on a two-section long case and 13 minutes on two unrelated short cases. Practise reading a case pack in 10 minutes and then presenting your assessment, priorities and plan aloud to a colleague who questions you.
6. **Speak your answers aloud, under exam conditions** — Examiners suggest building model answers with a clear structure for common questions and practising them aloud, first alone, then with peers, then in formal viva practice, drawing diagrams as you explain. Simulate the timings: four six-and-a-half-minute questions each for SOE 1A and 1B, and a 10-minute preparation scenario followed by four such questions for SOE 2.
7. **Watch the pass and borderline films** — The College's Final SOE resources include example questions and films of pass and borderline performances in short cases, a long case and applied anatomy. The College warns that a borderline performance is not a safe place to aim for, so study what separates the pass examples.
8. **Use the feedback routes if you are unsuccessful** — Unsuccessful SOE candidates can ask for examiner comments on their performance, and after failing more than once you can request one guidance interview, which becomes mandatory at a sixth attempt.

Official resources:

- Final FRCA SOE (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination/final-frca-soe): The College's SOE page: structure, topic mix, marking, eligibility, dates and feedback.
- Final FRCA SOE Resources (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/final-frca-soe-resources): Example SOE 1 and SOE 2 questions and eight films, including pass and borderline examples; watch them before your first mock viva.
- Examination Syllabus Stage 2 (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/examination-syllabus-stage-2): The Final FRCA syllabus by unit, with a downloadable version; use it to check your coverage of the essential units.
- Annual report, Primary and Final FRCA Examination 2024-2025 (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/51666): Section 5.6 gives examiners' observations on the Final SOE, with common errors and practice timings.
- Final FRCA Exam Pathways (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/final-frca-exam-pathways): What happens after the June 2027 SOE, and the move to the FCPE.
- Deciding whether to sit or wait (https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/deciding-whether-sit-or-wait): The College's recommendations for candidates near their final attempts.

Common mistakes examiners report:

- Not practising speaking aloud. The College's Final FRCA page calls failure to practise speaking aloud coherently in answer to a question the most common mistake at the SOEs; it is a different skill from writing answers. (source: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination)
- Underestimating the depth needed on common clinical topics, such as the anatomy of frequently performed blocks. (source: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/51666)
- Relying on memorised material. Examiners report that candidates who do so sometimes fail when probed further. (source: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/51666)
- Not answering the question directly, or giving information without a clear structure, which leads to omissions. (source: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/51666)

Sources: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination/final-frca-soe https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/final-frca-examination https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/final-frca-exam-pathways https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/deciding-whether-sit-or-wait https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/examinations/2027-launch-new-frca-exams/new-exam-format-faqs https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/51666 https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/final-frca-soe-resources https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/examination-syllabus-stage-2 https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/examination-regulations-april-2026/10-marking-criteria-standards
Full guide: https://medmock.com/exams/anaesthetics-final-frca-soe/prepare

Upcoming sittings: Week commencing 30 November 2026; Week commencing 21 June 2027 (source: Royal College of Anaesthetists, checked 2026-09-23).
All Final FRCA dates: https://medmock.com/exams/anaesthetics-final-frca-soe#dates

## Stations you can practise

- **SOE 1 Part A** — Two clinical short cases, each with a linked clinical science question that may come before or after its case. 13 minutes per case and its science question; 26 minutes in total.
- **SOE 1 Part B** — Taken straight after Part A in the same format: two further clinical short cases, each with a linked clinical science question. 26 minutes in total.
- **SOE 2 Long Case** — 10 minutes to read the clinical material for the case (history, examination findings and investigations), then a 13-minute discussion of the case in two sections.
- **SOE 2 Short Cases** — Two clinical short cases unrelated to the long case, 13 minutes in total. There is no linked clinical science question in SOE 2.

## Sample Final FRCA questions

- *SOE 1 Part B:* Discuss the principles of difficult airway management in facial trauma.
- *SOE 2 Long Case:* A patient with end-stage kidney disease requires major surgery. How would you manage perioperative care?

## Example scenarios

- *SOE 1 Part A:* A 34-year-old woman undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy develops sudden hypotension, urticaria and bronchospasm 5 minutes after induction with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium. Talk me through your immediate management. The linked science question is on the pharmacology of histamine receptors.
- *SOE 1 Part B:* A 28-year-old woman with poorly-controlled asthma presents in life-threatening acute severe asthma for emergency Caesarean section at 36 weeks. Talk me through your anaesthetic plan. The linked clinical science question is on β2-adrenoceptor pharmacology.
- *SOE 2 Long Case:* An 82-year-old man for emergency laparotomy for ischaemic small-bowel perforation. PMH: severe AS (peak gradient 65 mmHg, LVEF 45%), recent NSTEMI with mid-LAD stent, CKD stage 3b, T2DM. Talk me through your assessment, peri-operative plan, and the conversations you would have with patient and family.
- *SOE 2 Short Cases:* You are anaesthetising for emergency repair of a perforated duodenal ulcer in a 62-year-old man with severe obesity (BMI 47), OSA on home CPAP, T2DM, and reflux. Talk me through your airway plan.

## How a practice session works

1. **Choose a SOE part** — Pick from the Final FRCA SOE parts — all 4 that MedMock runs, or let MedMock surprise you the way exam day will.
2. **Have the conversation** — Speak naturally, out loud. The AI examiner listens, follows up and probes further, exactly like the viva.
3. **Get instant feedback** — The moment you finish, you get specific, examiner-style feedback and a score — what you did well, what cost you marks, and precisely what to fix before the next attempt.

## Price

Start with a one-off £5 taster: 30 credits (30 minutes of speaking practice), not a subscription. After that, or instead, £119 per month for 600 credits. One credit is one minute of spoken practice, or two typed exchanges, and where the examiner or patient speaks first, that opening line is free. Examiner scorecards, mark schemes and model answers for finished sessions are included at no extra credit cost. Cancel at any time. Full details: https://medmock.com/pricing

## Frequently asked questions

### How does the feedback work?

When you finish a SOE part you can have it marked, and the scorecard comes back in seconds — what you did well, what cost you marks, and exactly what to work on next. Scorecards, mark schemes and model answers are included at no extra credit cost.

### Can I practise specific Final FRCA SOE parts?

Yes. You can pick any of the 4 SOE parts to drill a weak area, or run a mixed set to simulate the real exam.

### How much does it cost?

You can start with a one-off £5 taster: 30 credits, which is 30 minutes of speaking practice, with no subscription. After that, or at any time, you can choose a monthly plan, which includes a monthly credit allowance. Current prices are on the pricing page.

## About MedMock

MedMock is a web app for practising the spoken parts of UK medical and dental exams and interviews out loud. The candidate talks; an AI patient, examiner or interview panel answers in real time by voice; and when the station ends MedMock marks the performance against that exam's assessment domains and shows the model answer.

It covers 104 spoken exams and interviews — OSCEs, vivas, structured oral exams, simulated consultations, and specialty-training and consultant interviews. It does not cover written or multiple-choice papers, and it is not a question bank.

It was founded by Mr Sam Nahas, MBBS BSc MEd FRCS (Tr & Orth), a practising consultant orthopaedic surgeon in the UK, with co-founder and CTO Arjan Jandu. It is operated by VirtualPatients Ltd (company no. 16303492).

Pricing: a one-off £5 taster of 30 credits to try it (not a subscription, one per account), and a monthly subscription from £20 to £129 depending on the exam (student exams cost least, fellowship exit exams and consultant interviews most), or £199 to £275 for the Intensive plans, which carry more credits. One credit is one minute of spoken practice, or two typed exchanges, and where the examiner or patient speaks first, that opening line is free. Examiner scorecards, mark schemes and model answers for finished sessions are included at no extra credit cost. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time.

It runs in a web browser on a laptop or phone; spoken practice needs a microphone. There is no public demo: practice needs an account with credits, usually from the taster or a monthly plan.

MedMock is for adults aged 18 or over. Sign-up asks every new account to confirm it.

MedMock is a revision tool. The patients, examiners and cases are fictional and AI-generated; it is not clinical guidance and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any Royal College, the GMC, the GDC or any examining body.

Start with the £5 taster: https://medmock.com/auth/signup