How to prepare for the Final FRCA

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.

Step by step

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

  The College's SOE page: structure, topic mix, marking, eligibility, dates and feedback.

• 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

  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

  Section 5.6 gives examiners' observations on the Final SOE, with common errors and practice timings.

• Final FRCA Exam Pathways

  What happens after the June 2027 SOE, and the move to the FCPE.

• Deciding whether to 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
• Underestimating the depth needed on common clinical topics, such as the anatomy of frequently performed blocks. source
• Relying on memorised material. Examiners report that candidates who do so sometimes fail when probed further. source
• Not answering the question directly, or giving information without a clear structure, which leads to omissions. source

Questions candidates ask

Sources

• RCoA: Final FRCA SOE
• RCoA: Final FRCA examination
• RCoA: 2027: Launch of the New FRCA Exams
• RCoA: Final FRCA Exam Pathways
• RCoA: Deciding whether to sit or wait
• RCoA: New Exam Format FAQs
• RCoA: Annual report, Primary and Final FRCA Examination 2024-2025
• RCoA: Final FRCA SOE Resources
• RCoA: Examination Syllabus Stage 2
• RCoA Examination Regulations, section 10: Marking Criteria and Standards

Checked on 27 September 2026.