# Practising for Intensive Care Medicine (FFICM SOEs) with MedMock

Canonical page: https://medmock.com/exams/intensive-care-medicine-fficm-soes

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

On 1 July 2026 the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine became the College of Intensive Care Medicine, and postnominals for current Fellows moved from FFICM to FCICM; this practice keeps the FFICM name because that is what the exam and its postnominal were called up to that date. The Final FFICM has three parts: an MCQ paper, which must be passed first, then a 13-station OSCE and the Structured Oral Examination (SOE), taken together at the first sitting, and both must be passed. MedMock practises the SOE only: four 14-minute examiner-led stations, each with two 7-minute questions of five sub-questions, marked independently by two examiners. FICM publishes no station themes; questions are drawn from across the whole curriculum. These practice stations are grouped by curriculum area (anaesthesia and peri-operative care; medicine, surgery and trauma; science; professionalism) so you can target revision. The MCQ and the OSCE, whose stations draw on data, equipment, professionalism and resuscitation, are not practised here. MedMock lets you practise it out loud against an AI examiner, with examiner-style feedback on any question you finish.

An illustrative example station, written by MedMock with example feedback, is at https://medmock.com/exams/intensive-care-medicine-fficm-soes/example

## What happens in the real FFICM (checked against the official source on 2026-09-24)

The Final FFICM Structured Oral Examination (SOE) has four 14-minute stations, each with two questions, and a two-minute wait between stations. Two examiners mark every question independently as Pass (2), Borderline (1) or Fail (0), giving 32 marks in all, and the pass mark is set by borderline regression.

- **SOE station 1 of 4** (14 minutes): Two questions of 7 minutes each, each with five predetermined sub-questions and marked independently by both examiners. Questions test clinical science applied to intensive care medicine, usually through clinical problems, and are drawn from across the curriculum.
- **SOE station 2 of 4** (14 minutes): Two questions of 7 minutes each, each with five predetermined sub-questions and marked independently by both examiners. Questions test clinical science applied to intensive care medicine, usually through clinical problems, and are drawn from across the curriculum.
- **SOE station 3 of 4** (14 minutes): Two questions of 7 minutes each, each with five predetermined sub-questions and marked independently by both examiners. Questions test clinical science applied to intensive care medicine, usually through clinical problems, and are drawn from across the curriculum.
- **SOE station 4 of 4** (14 minutes): Two questions of 7 minutes each, each with five predetermined sub-questions and marked independently by both examiners. Questions test clinical science applied to intensive care medicine, usually through clinical problems, and are drawn from across the curriculum.

Marking: Two examiners mark each of the eight questions independently on a three-point scale: Pass = 2, Borderline = 1, Fail = 0, giving 32 marks in total (8 x 2 x 2). Each examiner also gives an overall global score for the candidate's performance in each station, and the candidate's total is the sum of the question scores.

Passing: The pass mark is set by borderline regression of the question scores against the examiners' global scores for all candidates, and the Faculty states it will fall in the range of 80% to 85%.

Sources: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/fficm-final-soe https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2022-03/FFICM%20VIVA%20Candidate%20Information%20-%20March%202022_2.pdf https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2025-06/FFICM%20Chair%27s%20Report%20March%202025.pdf https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams/2027-launch-of-the-new-fcicm-exams https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams2027launchofthenewfcicmexams/candidate-faqs https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/calendar-fees
Full format page: https://medmock.com/exams/intensive-care-medicine-fficm-soes/format

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

The Final FFICM SOE is four 14-minute stations, each with two seven-minute questions of five sub-questions, marked independently by two examiners. 2026-27 is the final year of the current OSCE/SOE, with the last full sitting expected in March 2027, before a single clinical exam, ACRE, replaces both from July 2027 (subject to GMC approval). Prepare from the FFICM exam syllabus, answer the Faculty's example SOE questions aloud against a seven-minute clock, and structure every answer, which is what the Faculty's examiners repeatedly ask for.

1. **Decide whether to sit now or wait for ACRE** — The 2026-27 OSCE/SOE sittings are 5 to 8 October 2026 and 15 to 18 March 2027; the Faculty's pages now call the exam FCICM because it is becoming the College of Intensive Care Medicine. From July 2027 you sit ACRE, two circuits of seven nine-minute stations, unless you hold a partial pass. If you have failed five times, the Faculty recommends waiting for ACRE, and if you are in training you must discuss waiting with your Training Programme Director.
2. **Know the rules for your first sitting** — You must pass the MCQ first, and it is valid for three years. At your first sitting you take the OSCE and SOE together; if you then pass one, you only retake the other.
3. **Revise from the Faculty's syllabus and blueprint** — The SOE tests clinical science applied to intensive care, usually through clinical problems, with questions drawn from across all curriculum domains. The Faculty's detailed FFICM Examination Syllabus and the ICM Assessment Blueprint are the documents to revise against.
4. **Practise the Faculty's example questions aloud** — Use the Faculty's example SOE questions and its videos of good pass and borderline answers to endocrine and microbiology questions. Answer each question aloud in seven minutes with a colleague asking the sub-questions, since every question has five predetermined sub-questions.
5. **Build a structure for common question stems** — The Faculty's 2024-25 annual report advises using the FFICM Exam Glossary and creating structured response tools for stems such as 'What is the pathophysiology of?', 'What is the role of?' and 'What additional challenges should be considered?'. Candidates who did well answered systematically without significant prompting from the examiner.
6. **Target the topics examiners flag** — The annual report lists weak SOE areas: applied basic science and pathophysiology (for example inotropes, right heart failure, respiratory physiology and toxicology), organ support such as ventilator modes and settings and renal replacement therapy, common ICU procedures, and professionalism. Earlier reports flagged DNACPR, mental capacity, high-flow nasal oxygen, 12-lead ECG electrode placement and measuring compartment pressure.
7. **Practise with seniors and read the guidance** — The Faculty advises practising with peers and senior colleagues, especially those with examiner or postgraduate training experience, and reviewing published ICM professional guidelines and key research as part of your preparation.
8. **Know the day** — The SOE is run by the RCoA examinations team in the same building as the FRCA exams. Bring a passport or photo driving licence, as hospital ID is not accepted, and remember that every station must be attempted or a fail is awarded automatically.

Official resources:

- FFICM Final SOE (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/fficm-final-soe): The Faculty's SOE page: objective, structure, scoring and the rules on sitting it with the OSCE.
- Resources for Candidates (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/resources-for-candidates): The Faculty's syllabus, glossary, example questions, SOE example videos and its list of topics that have scored poorly in past exams.
- FFICM Example SOE Questions (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2022-02/FFICM_SOE_Example_Questions.pdf): Example SOE questions from the Faculty; use them for timed seven-minute practice with a colleague.
- FFICM Examination Syllabus (March 2022) (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2022-03/FFICM%20Exam%20Syllabus%20v1.0%20March%202022.pdf): The detailed syllabus the Faculty produced for exam revision, alongside the curriculum's assessment blueprint.
- FFICM Exam Glossary (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/fficm-exam-glossary): Definitions of the terms and phrases used in exam questions, so you know exactly what each stem is asking.
- FFICM Examination Annual Report 2024-25 (https://ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2025-11/FFICM%20Examination%20Annual%20Report%202024-25.pdf): Section 4.3 gives examiners' feedback on SOE performance and how to prepare.
- The Transition Year (https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams2027launchofthenewfcicmexams/the-transition-year): Who can still sit the legacy OSCE/SOE in 2027-28, and the Faculty's decision pathways after each result.

Common mistakes examiners report:

- Unstructured answers. Examiners have reported SOE candidates who would have scored more easily by structuring their answers, particularly when asked for lists, and by a more structured approach to broad topics. (source: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/resources-for-candidates)
- Vague or unfocused answers to professionalism questions, with no reference to guidelines, ethical principles or evidence-based medicine. (source: https://ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2025-11/FFICM%20Examination%20Annual%20Report%202024-25.pdf)
- Talking generally rather than answering the exact question, and using vague non-medical terms, such as 'heart attack' when anterior myocardial infarction was required. (source: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/resources-for-candidates)
- Deferring to another specialty, for example 'ask a microbiologist' about antibiotic choice. Examiners expect you to understand the management of all relevant ICU conditions and therapies. (source: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/resources-for-candidates)

Sources: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/fficm-final-soe https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/calendar-fees https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams/2027-launch-of-the-new-fcicm-exams https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams2027launchofthenewfcicmexams/candidate-faqs https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams2027launchofthenewfcicmexams/the-transition-year https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexams2027launchofthenewfcicmexams/deciding-whether-to-sit-or-wait-key-considerations https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/resources-for-candidates https://ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2025-11/FFICM%20Examination%20Annual%20Report%202024-25.pdf https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2022-03/FFICM%20VIVA%20Candidate%20Information%20-%20March%202022_2.pdf https://www.ficm.ac.uk/sites/ficm/files/documents/2025-06/FFICM%20Chair%27s%20Report%20March%202025.pdf https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamsexaminations/fficm-exam-glossary
Full guide: https://medmock.com/exams/intensive-care-medicine-fficm-soes/prepare

Upcoming sittings: FCICM OSCE/SOE, 15 - 18 March 2027 (source: Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, checked 2026-09-23).
All FFICM dates: https://medmock.com/exams/intensive-care-medicine-fficm-soes#dates

## Stations you can practise

- **A — Anaesthesia & Peri-op** — Anaesthetic and peri-operative aspects of intensive care: airway (NAP4), peri-op ventilation, organ optimisation, anaesthesia for the critically ill (NELA), and recovery.
- **B — Medicine, Surgery & Trauma** — Acute medical emergencies, advanced organ support (RRT, ECMO, MCS), and acute surgical / trauma scenarios in the ITU.
- **C — Science** — Applied physiology, pharmacology of critical-care drugs, microbiology, equipment, clinical measurement, statistics, and the science behind organ-support principles.
- **D — Professionalism** — End-of-life care, capacity and consent (MCA 2005), brain-stem death (AoMRC Code of Practice, 2025 Update), organ donation, family communication, governance, and duty of candour.

## Sample FFICM questions

- *D — Professionalism:* Discuss your approach to family communication during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy in a patient on full organ support after a non-survivable brain injury.

## Example scenarios

- *D — Professionalism:* Discuss your approach to family communication during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy in a patient on full organ support after a non-survivable brain injury.

## How a practice session works

1. **Choose a question** — Pick from the FFICM questions — 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 question 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 FFICM questions?

Yes. You can pick any of the 4 questions to drill a weak area, or run a Full Mock that takes you through the questions MedMock practises, back to back.

### 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