MRCS Part A Exam Guide 2026: Format + Topics

MRCS Part A has 300 MCQs in two 3-hour papers on the same day. International fee ~£700-900 (varies by college). Pass mark ~70% via Angoff. Max 6 attempts. Sittings 2x/year (Jan/Sep) (Royal College of Surgeons, 2026).

Data last verified September 2026 from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Intercollegiate MRCS specification.

Eligibility

• Medical degree: Acceptable to GMC (UK) (MRCS, 2026).
• Foundation training: UK Foundation Year 1 (FY1) or equivalent completed.

Test format

Source: Intercollegiate MRCS specification (2026).

Sample Q&A (15 questions)

Q1. What is the MRCS qualification?

The Member of the Royal College of Surgeons — required entry to higher surgical training in the UK (MRCS, 2026).

Q2. What is the MRCS Part A syllabus?

Applied basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology) and clinical surgery topics (MRCS, 2026).

Q3. What is the difference between MRCS and FRCS?

MRCS is entry to specialty training; FRCS is the consultant-level fellowship awarded after specialty exit exams (MRCS, 2026).

Q4. What is the pass rate for MRCS Part A?

First-attempt pass rate is ~35-45% — the test is rigorous (MRCS, 2026).

Q5. What is the best-of-five question format?

Five options; choose the single best answer (MRCS, 2026).

Q6. What is the extended-matching question format?

A list of options (typically 8-12); choose the most appropriate option for each clinical scenario (MRCS, 2026).

Q7. What anatomy topics are tested?

Upper limb, lower limb, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, head & neck, neuroanatomy (MRCS, 2026).

Q8. What physiology topics are tested?

Cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, GI, endocrine, neurophysiology (MRCS, 2026).

Q9. What pathology topics are tested?

Inflammation, neoplasia, vascular pathology, trauma, infection (MRCS, 2026).

Q10. What clinical surgery topics are tested?

General surgery (hernias, bowel obstruction), trauma, vascular, orthopaedics, urology, breast, endocrine, paediatric (MRCS, 2026).

Q11. How long should I prepare for MRCS Part A?

6-9 months of focused study; 5,000+ practice questions (MRCS, 2026).

Q12. What are recommended resources for MRCS Part A?

Gray's Anatomy for Students, Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery, Pastest MRCS, eMRCS.com (MRCS, 2026).

Q13. Can MRCS Part A be taken outside the UK?

Yes — Pearson VUE centers in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore (MRCS, 2026).

Q14. How are MRCS Part A results released?

Approximately 6-8 weeks after the exam (MRCS, 2026).

Q15. What comes after MRCS Part A?

MRCS Part B (OSCE) — the clinical component testing history, examination, and procedural skills (MRCS, 2026).

Pass-mark interpretation

Angoff-based cut score ~70%. Cut score varies per sitting. You must exceed the cut score on total performance (MRCS, 2026).

Where to book

Apply via the Royal College of Surgeons of England (or Edinburgh/Glasgow/Ireland). Schedule at any Pearson VUE Testing Center globally. Fee: ~£700-900 (MRCS, 2026).

Resources

Use the TutorsBot entrance-exams hub for cross-cluster practice and the MRCS Part A Syllabus for the official content outline. Recommended: Pastest MRCS, eMRCS.com question banks.

UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026

This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting.

A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage; weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.

After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register.

UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026

This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) form the majority of candidates for PLAB, MRCP Part 1, and the NMC test of competence, with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, and Sudan being the largest source countries.

A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage (focus on the highest-weighted specialties first); weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review of weak domains. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.

After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register after completing PLAB or MRCP + CMT. UK specialty training salaries (NHS, 2026) range from £43,900 (FY1) to £107,000 (ST8+), with consultant pay reaching £150,000+ with on-call and clinical excellence awards.

UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026

This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) form the majority of candidates for PLAB, MRCP Part 1, and the NMC test of competence, with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, and Sudan being the largest source countries.

A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage (focus on the highest-weighted specialties first); weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review of weak domains. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.

After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register after completing PLAB or MRCP + CMT. UK specialty training salaries (NHS, 2026) range from £43,900 (FY1) to £107,000 (ST8+), with consultant pay reaching £150,000+ with on-call and clinical excellence awards.