Assessment Strategy for 2021 Anaesthetics Curriculum

The Final FRCA Written examination

The Final FRCA Written examination is a summative assessment, blueprinted to Stages 1 and 2 of the training curriculum. The examination assesses the knowledge required of an anaesthetist in training at the end of Stage 2 training in anaesthetics. The Written examination forms a gateway to the Final FRCA SOE, which assesses application of this knowledge.

The Final FRCA Written examination has two parts, the Final FRCA SBA examination and the Final FRCA Constructed Response Question (CRQ) examination.

The Final FRCA Constructed Response Question (CRQ) examination comprises 12 questions which are blueprinted to Stage 2 of the curriculum. Each question is tagged to the Primary and Final FRCA syllabi.

The CRQ paper assesses the mandatory areas of training. These areas may appear as stand-alone questions or as part of a question, for example, pain management within a perioperative case. In addition to specific knowledge-based competencies, examination material may be developed from guidance or recommendations published by healthcare organisations. The public expects doctors to keep up-to-date with important developments and such material may be examined under the collective umbrella of ‘professionalism’.

The CRQ examination complements the SBA paper, and whilst both parts test factual knowledge and understanding, the CRQ assesses judgment and the ability to prioritise information.

The Final FRCA SBA examination contains 90 Single Best Answer questions.

The parts of the syllabus tested by the SBA are detailed in the document entitled 'CCT in Anaesthetics, Annex C, Intermediate Level Training'. Relevant key capabilities from the 2021 curriculum will also be referenced. The SBA questions will broadly, but not exclusively, comprise:

• 45 questions in general anaesthesia
• 10 questions in perioperative medicine
• 10 questions in regional anaesthesia
• 25 questions in other curriculum domains

Each section can include questions related to applied basic sciences.

Each SBA question has a stem or vignette, a lead in question and five plausible options. Candidates must decide which of the five options is the best answer.

Candidates are reminded that questions may be selected from any of the curriculum codes highlighted as being tested in the Final SBA. Candidates should refer to the 'Blueprint of the Final FRCA examination within the document 'CCT in Anaesthetics, Annex C, Intermediate Level Training'. for more information.

The Final FRCA Structure Oral Examination (SOE)

The Final FRCA SOE is a summative assessment of a candidate’s knowledge, understanding and decision-making abilities in clinical anaesthesia and the applied underpinning clinical science. It complements formative assessments undertaken in the workplace and provides assurance that candidates have reached the accepted national standard of knowledge and competence to progress to Stage 3 of anaesthetic training.

The Final SOE assesses clinical anaesthesia and comprises 2 parts, SOE 1 and SOE 2:

• SOE 1 contains parts A and B, which are taken consecutively. Each part comprises two clinical short cases, each with a linked clinical science question. The clinical science question may come before or after the clinical short case.
• SOE 2 comprises a two-section clinical long case followed by two stand-alone clinical short cases taken in one sitting. This SOE is 36 minutes long, with 10 minutes to view clinical material, 13 minutes for the two-section clinical long case, and 13 minutes to answer the two clinical short cases on clinical anaesthesia, unrelated to the clinical long case. The SOE tests generalist and specialist topics from within Stage 2.

The Final SOE is the last component of the FRCA examination to be taken, and successful candidates are awarded the Fellowship by Examination of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.