What happens in the MRCS B exam
MRCS Part B is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) of 17 examined stations, each nine minutes long, and lasts about three and a half hours. The stations cover anatomy and surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care, communication skills, and clinical and procedural skills. Each station is marked out of 20 with a separate overall judgement of pass, borderline or fail, and candidates must pass both the Knowledge and Skills sections at the same sitting.
Checked against the official sources on 24 September 2026.
The parts, in order
Five stations of nine minutes each: three on surgical anatomy and two on surgical pathology, using images or other props.
Three stations of nine minutes each: one on critical care, one on interpreting written data and one on interpreting visual information.
Four stations of nine minutes each with simulated patients or actors: two history-taking stations, one giving information to a patient or relative, and one giving information to another health professional.
Five stations of nine minutes each: three physical examination stations and two generic skills stations. Candidates may be asked to perform procedures such as wound suturing, and skin pads or models may be used.
How it is marked
Each station is marked out of 20 on a structured mark sheet, with marks given for domains (clinical knowledge and its application, clinical and technical skill, communication, and professionalism) using generic descriptors. Examiners also give an overall judgement of pass, borderline or fail for each station. Most stations have one examiner; some, such as communication skills stations, have two, each assessing different aspects of performance.
Passing
There is no overall pass mark: candidates must reach the pass mark in both Knowledge (8 stations, 160 marks) and Skills (9 stations, 180 marks) at the same sitting. Pass marks are set for each circuit using borderline regression, so they vary slightly between circuits.
Worth knowing
- Candidates must pass Part A before applying for Part B, and are allowed up to four attempts at Part B.
- There may also be one or more preparation stations and one unscored pre-test station; candidates are not told which station is being pre-tested.
- At the start of each station candidates have one minute to read instructions that outline the scenario and the task.
Sources
- Intercollegiate MRCS Regulations (January 2025)
- ICBSE: MRCS Candidate Guidance
- ICBSE: MRCS Part B OSCE Candidate Instructions and Guidance Notes (updated August 2021)
- ICBSE: Guide to the intercollegiate MRCS examination (MRCS content guide, August 2021)
- ICBSE: Standard Setting in the MRCS Part B (OSCE)
- Royal College of Surgeons of England: Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons Part B OSCE
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: Exam Details, Intercollegiate MRCS Part B - OSCE
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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