What happens in the Primary FRCA OSCE exam
The Primary FRCA Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the 16-station circuit of the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ Primary FRCA, sat in person alongside the Primary SOE after passing the Primary MCQ. Candidates complete up to 16 live five-minute stations in succession, each preceded by one minute of reading time outside the cubicle. Each station is marked out of 20 and the pass mark is set by modified Angoff referencing.
Checked against the official sources on 24 October 2026.
The parts, in order
A five-minute station after one minute of reading time with a simulated patient played by an actor, taking a focused pre-operative anaesthetic history. Half of the marks are awarded for the clinical content elicited and half for communication skills.
A five-minute station after one minute of reading time interacting with a patient or relative played by an actor on an anaesthetic consent, risk, complication or peri-operative explanation scenario, marked equally for clinical content and communication skills.
Five-minute stations after one minute of reading time in which an examiner asks structured questions on peri-operative investigations, radiographs, ECGs, arterial blood gases, capnography, spirometry and monitoring waveforms.
Five-minute stations after one minute of reading time testing recognition and management of theatre hazards, electrical and laser safety, drug errors, blood transfusion compatibility, scavenging and environmental safety.
Five-minute stations after one minute of reading time testing applied anatomy relevant to regional blocks, airway and vascular access, and checking, explaining and troubleshooting core anaesthetic and airway equipment.
Five-minute practical stations after one minute of reading time testing interactive resuscitation, critical-incident simulation, physical examination and technical procedures.
How it is marked
Each live OSCE station is marked out of 20 against a structured RCoA marksheet. In History Taking and Communication stations, half of the marks are allocated to the clinical content covered and half to communication skills. Up to two additional test stations may be included in the circuit to trial new material and do not count towards the final score.
Passing
Before the examination, the examiners determine a pass mark out of 20 for each station using modified Angoff referencing, and the station pass marks are summed across the live stations to set the overall OSCE pass mark. Candidates must pass both the Primary OSCE and the Primary SOE to be awarded the Primary FRCA.
Worth knowing
- To sit the Primary FRCA OSCE, candidates must have passed the Primary FRCA MCQ within the last three years and hold the Initial Assessment of Competence in Anaesthesia or a recognised equivalent.
- The Primary OSCE and SOE are delivered in person at the College; each component allows up to six attempts, and a pass in one component is valid for three years.
- From July 2027, subject to GMC approval, the Primary OSCE and SOE are replaced by the Primary FRCA CASE (one circuit of 13 nine-minute stations). In 2027-28 legacy OSCE and SOE sittings run only for candidates holding a valid partial pass, with no legacy attempts after July 2028.
Sources
- Primary FRCA OSCE | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Primary 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)
- RCoA: Annual report, Primary and Final FRCA Examination 2024-2025
- 2027: Launch of the New FRCA Exams | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Primary FRCA Exam Pathways | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
Formats change. MedMock is not affiliated with any examining body; always check the current regulations on the official site before you book.
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