# Practising for Surgery (MRCS Part B OSCE) with MedMock

Canonical page: https://medmock.com/exams/surgery-mrcs-part-b-osce

## What is the MRCS B OSCE, and how do you practise for it?

MRCS Part B is the Intercollegiate surgical OSCE taken after Part A, set at the level of a trainee early in the second year of core surgical training: 17 examined stations of 9 minutes, each with 1 minute to read the instructions first, divided into Applied Knowledge (8 stations — anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care) and Applied Skills (9 stations — history taking, giving information, and clinical and procedural skills), which are passed separately at one sitting. MedMock lets you rehearse its spoken stations — the two knowledge vivas, history taking and the giving-information stations — out loud against a realistic AI examiner or patient, with examiner-style feedback on any station you finish.

A complete example station — full transcript and the scorecard MedMock produced — is at https://medmock.com/exams/surgery-mrcs-part-b-osce/example

## About this exam

The Intercollegiate MRCS Part B OSCE, set at the level of a trainee early in the second year of core surgical training and required for entry to ST3. The real exam runs 20 stations of 10 minutes — 17 examined, 2 preparation and 1 rest — and you get 1 minute to read the instructions at each station. The 17 examined stations are: 8 Applied Knowledge stations (anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science and critical care) and 9 Applied Skills stations (history taking, giving information, and clinical and procedural skills). Each station is marked out of 20 and you must pass both Knowledge and Skills. MedMock covers the spoken stations: the anatomy and pathology viva, the applied science and critical care viva, history taking, and giving information to a patient, a relative or another health professional. The hands-on clinical and procedural skills stations are not simulated.

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

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.

- **Anatomy and surgical pathology stations (5)** (9 minutes): Five stations of nine minutes each: three on surgical anatomy and two on surgical pathology, using images or other props.
- **Applied surgical science and critical care stations (3)** (9 minutes): Three stations of nine minutes each: one on critical care, one on interpreting written data and one on interpreting visual information.
- **Communication skills stations (4)** (9 minutes): 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.
- **Clinical and procedural skills stations (5)** (9 minutes): 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.

Marking: 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.

Sources: https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/ICBSE-2025/MRCS-Regulations-January-2025-Clean-v2.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/about-the-mrcs/candidate-guidance/ https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-OSCE-Exam-Day-Guidance-Notes-Aug-2021-Clean.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/Candidate-Guide-to-MRCS-examination-August-2021-FINAL.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-Part-B-standard-setting-process.pdf https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/education-and-exams/exams/search/intercollegiate-mrcs-part-b-osce/ https://services.rcsed.ac.uk/exams/exam-details-intercollegiate-mrcs-part-b-osce
Full format page: https://medmock.com/exams/surgery-mrcs-part-b-osce/format

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

MRCS Part B is an OSCE of 17 examined stations, set at the level of early second-year core surgical training, and you must pass both its Knowledge and Skills sections at the same sitting. Prepare across the whole core surgical syllabus rather than just your chosen specialty, know regional and surgical anatomy, answer to current UK and Ireland guidelines and ATLS, and rehearse every station type out loud, keeping strictly to the task set, because marks are only given for what the instructions ask.

1. **Check your attempts and time limit** — You must pass Part A first. You have up to four attempts at Part B, with one more possible under the Additional Attempt Policy, and you must pass within seven years of passing Part A or sit Part A again. You cannot enter a Part B sitting that starts within six weeks of one you have already entered.
2. **Revise the whole core syllabus, not just your specialty** — Topics are drawn from the ISCP Core Surgical Training common content, and the MRCS content guide shows the depth required. The exam aims to test a broad range of surgical conditions, not just the area you hope to train in, and any syllabus topic can appear in Part A, Part B or both.
3. **Know anatomy regionally and surgically** — Three stations test surgical anatomy, using images and other props such as prosections. You need the basic regional anatomy of the whole body plus general surgical anatomy, such as that of varicose veins or the thyroid; detailed specialist anatomy belongs to higher training.
4. **Answer to current UK guidelines and ATLS** — The content guide says the most recent UK and Ireland national guidelines and ATLS teaching are the accepted standards. The applied science and critical care stations cover critical care, written data and visual information, so practise interpreting results, charts and images out loud.
5. **Follow the instructions to the letter** — You get one minute to read each station's instructions, and marks are awarded only for the task set. At all stations the ICBSE expects you to introduce yourself, explain the purpose of the task, confirm the patient's identity and check consent, and to clean your hands before and after patient contact.
6. **Rehearse histories to time, then summarise** — In the ICBSE's example history station you have up to six minutes before the examiners stop you, ask for a summary of your findings and ask questions. Practise both history stations with a timer so you always finish with a clear, structured summary.
7. **Practise giving information, including after preparation** — The four communication stations are two histories, giving information to a patient or relative, and giving information to another health professional. Two stations follow a nine-minute preparation station, so practise reading case information carefully and following instructions closely. Communication is also assessed in stations other than the communication ones.
8. **Practise examinations and procedures fluently** — Three stations are physical examinations and two test generic skills, which may include wound suturing on skin pads or models. Examiners usually watch rather than talk, and you report your findings when asked, so practise examining fluently with a colleague timing you.

Official resources:

- MRCS Candidate Guidance (ICBSE) (https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/about-the-mrcs/candidate-guidance/): The ICBSE's page linking the content guide, the Part B guidance notes, the candidate briefing and the standard-setting documents.
- Guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS examination (content guide) (https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/Candidate-Guide-to-MRCS-examination-August-2021-FINAL.pdf): The syllabus, the knowledge expected, how OSCE stations are built and marked, and example station instructions.
- MRCS Part B OSCE candidate instructions and guidance notes (https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-OSCE-Exam-Day-Guidance-Notes-Aug-2021-Clean.pdf): The full candidate briefing: station types, domains, marking, dress code and conduct on the day.
- Intercollegiate MRCS Regulations (January 2025) (https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/ICBSE-2025/MRCS-Regulations-January-2025-Clean-v2.pdf): Eligibility, number of attempts, the seven-year limit, resits and feedback.
- Standard setting in the MRCS Part B (OSCE) (https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-Part-B-standard-setting-process.pdf): How the Knowledge and Skills pass marks are set for each circuit.
- Core Surgical Training curriculum: programme of assessment (ISCP) (https://www.iscp.ac.uk/iscp/curriculum/core-surgical-training-curriculum/5-programme-of-assessment/): The curriculum the MRCS assesses, and the feedback Part B candidates receive.

Common mistakes examiners report:

- Doing more than the task. For an examination station about a painful knee, the ICBSE says you should not take a history or do a general examination: marks are awarded only for the task set. (source: https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/Candidate-Guide-to-MRCS-examination-August-2021-FINAL.pdf)

Sources: https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/ICBSE-2025/MRCS-Regulations-January-2025-Clean-v2.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-OSCE-Exam-Day-Guidance-Notes-Aug-2021-Clean.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/MRCS-Part-B-standard-setting-process.pdf https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/-/media/Files/IMRCS/MRCS/MRCS-candidate-guidance/2021/Candidate-Guide-to-MRCS-examination-August-2021-FINAL.pdf https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/education-and-exams/exams/search/intercollegiate-mrcs-part-b-osce/ https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/about-the-mrcs/candidate-guidance/ https://www.iscp.ac.uk/iscp/curriculum/core-surgical-training-curriculum/5-programme-of-assessment/
Full guide: https://medmock.com/exams/surgery-mrcs-part-b-osce/prepare

Upcoming sittings: 7–10 November 2026 (Egypt, Cairo); 13–17 November 2026 (Egypt, Alexandria); 5–10 December 2026 (Pakistan, Karachi) (source: Royal College of Surgeons of England, checked 2026-09-23).
All MRCS B dates: https://medmock.com/exams/surgery-mrcs-part-b-osce#dates

## Stations you can practise

- **Anatomy & Surgical Pathology Viva** — Examiner-led viva on the surgical anatomy of a named region, or on surgical pathology. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions. In the real exam the card outside normally carries a short clinical vignette introducing the region, and the examiner questions you over prosections, bones, live surface anatomy, images, specimens or pathology reports; MedMock's card names the region and the viva is spoken only.
- **Applied Surgical Science & Critical Care Viva** — Examiner-led viva on the applied science and critical care of a surgical patient, which may include interpreting results you are shown. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions.
- **History Taking (Surgical Presentation)** — Take a focused history from a patient. After up to 6 minutes the examiner stops you, asks you to summarise your findings and asks you some questions. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions.
- **Information Giving & Consent** — Give information to a patient about a diagnosis or an operation, including consent. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions. This is one of MedMock's two practice versions of the real exam's single station for giving information to a patient or relative; the other is Giving Information to a Patient or Relative. In the real exam that station follows a 9-minute preparation station where you read a clinical notes folder and can make notes to take in; MedMock has no preparation station, so the case comes to you on the door card with 1 minute's reading.
- **Giving Information to a Patient or Relative** — Give difficult information — a diagnosis, a complication or an unexpected outcome — to a patient or a relative. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions. This is one of MedMock's two practice versions of the real exam's single station for giving information to a patient or relative; the other is Information Giving & Consent. In the real exam that station follows a 9-minute preparation station where you read a clinical notes folder and can make notes to take in; MedMock has no preparation station, so the case comes to you on the door card with 1 minute's reading.
- **Giving Information to a Health Professional** — Refer or hand over a surgical patient to a colleague, in person or by telephone. 9 minutes, with 1 minute to read the instructions. This is the real exam's station for giving information to another health professional. In the real exam this station follows a 9-minute preparation station where you read a clinical notes folder and can make notes to take in; MedMock has no preparation station, so the case comes to you on the door card with 1 minute's reading.

## Sample MRCS B questions

- *Applied Surgical Science & Critical Care Viva:* A patient with a high output ileostomy (3 litres/day) develops lethargy and dizziness. Their U&Es show Na 125 mmol/L, K 3.8 mmol/L. What is the likely cause of their symptoms and hyponatraemia, and how would you manage it?
- *Anatomy & Surgical Pathology Viva:* When accessing the femoral artery in the groin, what structures form the floor of the femoral triangle, and what significant structure lies immediately medial to the artery within the triangle?

## Example scenarios

- *Anatomy & Surgical Pathology Viva:* I would like to ask you about the femoral triangle. What are its boundaries and contents, and what lies immediately medial to the femoral vein?
- *Applied Surgical Science & Critical Care Viva:* A 68-year-old is 24 hours after an emergency laparotomy. He is passing little urine. Here is his arterial blood gas. Talk me through it.
- *Information Giving & Consent:* A 34-year-old woman is listed for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Explain the operation to her and take her consent.
- *Giving Information to a Health Professional:* You are the surgical core trainee on call. Telephone the vascular registrar to refer a 71-year-old man with a cold, painful right leg.

## How a practice session works

1. **Choose a station** — Pick from the MRCS B stations — all 6 that MedMock runs, or let MedMock surprise you the way exam day will.
2. **Have the conversation** — Speak naturally, out loud. The AI patient or examiner responds in real time — with follow-up questions, emotions, cues and unexpected turns, just like the real stations.
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, £69 per month for 350 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 station 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 MRCS B stations?

Yes. You can pick any of the 6 stations to drill a weak area, or run a Full Mock that takes you through the stations 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