FRCS Practice Test

FRCS Exam at a Glance

What changed for FRCS in 2026

• Oct 31, 2026: Score release (Section 1) changed to Within 6 weeks of examination date (previously Within 6 weeks of the examination).^[2]
• Oct 31, 2026: Registration opens (Cardiothoracic Surgery Section 1) changed to 14 January 2027 (previously Opens 14 January 2027, closes 8 April 2027).^[5]
• Oct 31, 2026: Retake policy (Section 1) changed to Maximum 4 attempts within 2 years of first attempt, no re-entry (previously Max 4 attempts within 2 years of first attempt; no re-entry).^[1]
• Oct 31, 2026: Delivery changed to Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and Ireland (previously Pearson VUE test centres).^[3]
• Oct 31, 2026: Eligibility changed to GMC- or IMC-recognised medical qualification, qualified 6+ years, 3 structured references (previously GMC- or Medical Council of Ireland-recognised medical degree, qualified 6+ years, 3 structured references).^[1]
• Oct 31, 2026: Exam fee (Section 1) changed to £600 (previously £600 for Section 1 (from 1 Jan 2027); £2,070 total).^[2]
• Oct 31, 2026: Exam fee changed to £2,070 total (£600 for Section 1 and £1,470 for Section 2) (previously £600 for Section 1 (exams from 1 Jan 2027); £2,070 total for Sections 1+2).^[2]
• Oct 31, 2026: Late registration deadline changed to No late applications permitted (previously No late applications — closing dates strictly enforced).^[2]
• Oct 31, 2026: Next exam date (General Surgery Section 1) changed to 27 January 2027 (previously 27 January 2027 (CBT); next sittings 1 June 2027 and 29 September 2027).^[4]
• Oct 31, 2026: Next exam date (Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery Section 1) changed to 28 January 2027 (previously 28 January 2027 (CBT); next 2 June 2027 and 28 September 2027).^[6]

FRCS Study Tips

• Create a structured study schedule at least 4-6 weeks before your FRCS exam date.
• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising answers for the Intercollegiate FRCS Part A.
• Use our free practice tests to identify weak areas and track your progress over time.
• Review the official FRCS exam syllabus to ensure complete topic coverage.
• Take timed practice sessions to build your exam pace and reduce test-day anxiety.

According to Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations, “A process of standard setting is performed by trained and experienced examiners to set the eligibility to proceed mark.”^[1]

Worked examples: how to reason through FRCS questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Which antiemetic acts primarily as a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and is commonly used for post-operative nausea and vomiting?

1. Ondansetron
2. Metoclopramide
3. Cyclizine
4. Haloperidol

Answer: A. Ondansetron

Explanation:

Ondansetron is correct. It blocks 5-HT3 serotonin receptors at the chemoreceptor trigger zone and on vagal afferents, which is why it is a standard choice for post-operative nausea and vomiting. It causes little sedation, though it can prolong the QT interval and cause constipation.

Metoclopramide is wrong because its main action is dopamine antagonism. Cyclizine is wrong because it is a histamine antagonist. Haloperidol is wrong because it is also a dopamine antagonist.

Rule to remember: name the antiemetic by its receptor target. When a question says serotonin, look for the setron. Dopamine or histamine wording points to the other classes.

Example 2

Question: Which clotting factor has the shortest half-life and is therefore the earliest indicator of synthetic liver failure?

1. Factor X
2. Factor VIII
3. Factor V
4. Factor VII

Answer: D. Factor VII

Explanation:

Factor VII is correct. It has the shortest half-life of the clotting factors listed, and it depends on vitamin K and on synthesis in the liver. When the liver stops making proteins, factor VII falls first, so the PT/INR, which is sensitive to it, rises early.

Factor X is wrong because its half-life is considerably longer, so it changes later. Factor V is wrong for the same reason, and it is not vitamin K dependent. Factor VIII is wrong because it is not made only in the liver and is often raised in liver disease, which makes it a poor marker of synthetic failure.

Rule to remember: the shortest-lived factor shows liver failure earliest, and the PT/INR tracks it.

Example 3

Question: In the context of evidence-based surgery, which level of evidence is provided by a well-conducted randomised controlled trial?

1. Level 1b
2. Level 1a
3. Level 2a
4. Level 3

Answer: A. Level 1b

Explanation:

Level 1b is correct. In the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine hierarchy, a single well-conducted randomised controlled trial sits at Level 1b.

Level 1a is wrong because it is reserved for a systematic review of randomised trials, which pools several trials rather than reporting one. Level 2a is wrong because it is a systematic review of cohort studies, a weaker design with no randomisation. Level 3 is wrong because it describes case-control studies, which look backwards from the outcome.

Rule to remember: ask what the study design is and whether it is a single study or a review of several. One trial is 1b, a review of trials is 1a, and cohort and case-control designs sit lower.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the JCIE pages on eligibility, fees, retake rules and your specialty calendar so you know your application deadline before you study anything else. Closing dates are strict and late applications are not permitted.

Then take a baseline on the FREE FRCS PRACTICE TEST without notes. Write down every topic where you guessed, not just the ones you got wrong.

Work through the topic sets one at a time, starting with your weakest. Useful starting points are Applied Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Physiology, Pharmacology in Surgery and Statistics, Ethics and Law. After each set, read every explanation, including those for questions you answered correctly, and note the general rule behind each one.

Return to missed topics after a gap rather than repeating them straight away, because delayed recall shows what you actually retain. Keep a short error log of repeated mistakes such as receptor targets, evidence levels and half-lives.

In the final stretch, repeat the full practice test under timed conditions and compare it with your baseline. Our questions are written by us to practise the subject, not copied from real exams, so use them to find gaps rather than to predict a result.

Ready to Pass the FRCS?

Join thousands of candidates who have used our free practice tests to prepare for the Intercollegiate FRCS Part A. Start practising today and build the confidence you need to succeed.

For more in-depth preparation strategies, read our DMV - Department of Motor Vehicles — covering exam format, scoring, and proven study techniques.

Sample FRCS Part A Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free FRCS Part A practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. A surgeon notices a colleague appears intoxicated in the operating theatre. According to GMC Good Medical Practice, what is the surgeon's primary duty?

   • A. Raise a concern to protect patient safety
   • B. Discuss privately with the colleague after the procedure
   • C. Ignore it unless a patient is directly harmed
   • D. Report only to the colleague's defence union

Answer: A. Raise a concern to protect patient safety

GMC Good Medical Practice (2024) states that doctors must raise concerns if they believe patient safety is at risk, including concerns about a colleague's fitness to practise. The duty to protect patients takes precedence over professional loyalty. Concerns should be raised with a senior colleague, clinical director, or through the organisation's reporting mechanisms. Failure to raise concerns may itself constitute a fitness to practise issue.

Answer: B. 90% of patients without bowel cancer will test negative

Specificity is the proportion of truly disease-free individuals who test negative (true negative rate). A specificity of 90% means 90% of patients without bowel cancer will correctly test negative. The false positive rate is 10% (1 − specificity). High specificity minimises false positives.

Answer: A. 7 days

Clopidogrel irreversibly inhibits the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets for the platelet's lifespan (7-10 days). UK guidelines (NICE, AAGBI) recommend stopping clopidogrel 7 days before elective surgery to allow sufficient new platelet production. The decision must balance bleeding risk against thrombotic risk, particularly in patients with recent coronary stents.

Answer: A. Tramadol

Tramadol has a dual mechanism of action: it is a weak mu-opioid receptor agonist AND inhibits reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline. This dual mechanism makes it effective for both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. However, it carries a risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic drugs (SSRIs, MAOIs) and lowers the seizure threshold.

Take the full FRCS Part A practice test

Sources & last verified

1. Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations — passing score, retake policy, validity, eligibility (official source). “A process of standard setting is performed by trained and experienced examiners to set the eligibility to proceed mark.” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
2. Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations — exam fee, score release, late registration deadline (official source). “For all examinations taking place from 1 January 2027: The examination fee is £2,070 [£600 for Section 1 and £1470 for Section 2].” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
3. pearsonvue.com — delivery (official source). “Once eligibility has been granted, JCIE will send candidate details to Pearson VUE, who will schedule your examination for you.” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
4. Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations — next exam date (official source). “Exam: 1153 Exam Date: 27 January 2027 Deadline for Online Registration/Application/ Documentation Upload & Payment: 29 October 2026 Location: CBT Online Applications: The closing date…” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
5. Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations — registration opens, registration deadline, next exam date (official source). “Applications for the July 2027 Section 1 examination in Cardiothoracic Surgery will open at 9am on Thursday 14 January 2027. Applications will close at 5pm…” Verified Oct 31, 2026.
6. Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations — next exam date (official source). “Exam: 1154 Exam Date: 28 January 2027 Deadline for Online Registration/Application/ Documentation Upload & Payment: 29 October 2026 Location: CBT Online Applications: The closing date…” Verified Oct 31, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.