Deciding whether to sit or wait

With the introduction of the new Primary and Final FRCA examination formats from the academic year 2027–28, candidates approaching the end of their permitted attempts may need to carefully consider whether to take their final attempt under the current (legacy) format or wait to sit the new examinations.

This guidance has been developed to support candidates in making informed decisions about their examination pathway. It outlines key regulatory considerations such as maximum attempt limits, validity of passes, and the College’s “wait-to-sit” policy, and provides recommendations for common candidate scenarios.

In many cases, choosing to wait for the new format may offer advantages, including:

Resetting the attempt count for the relevant examination component.
Preserving eligibility to complete the FRCA by avoiding exhaustion of final attempts.
The possibility of a one-year extension to the validity of written exam passes, where applicable and in line with College policy.
Progression to examinations that are designed to be more integrated and reflective of clinical practice

The scenarios presented on this page represent the most common situations faced by candidates nearing their final attempts. However, individual circumstances may vary. Candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss their options with their Educational Supervisor or College Tutor, and to contact the Examinations team if further advice is required.

Primary FRCA

I failed my fifth attempt at the Primary FRCA MCQ exam and am unsure whether to take my final (sixth) attempt. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt the Primary MCQ for the sixth time.

If you pass, you can attempt CASE (from academic year 2027-28).

If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the Primary written MCQ. You will therefore not be able to resit the Primary MCQ / AKT and will not be eligible to sit any clinical component (OSCE / SOE / CASE).

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Primary Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) (in academic year 2027-28).

This will count as your first attempt at the Primary AKT. If you pass, you can attempt the Primary CASE. If you fail, you will have 5 further attempts at the Primary written component (AKT).

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the Primary AKT (AY 27-28)

This resets your attempt count to zero and avoids the risk of losing eligibility to sit the Primary by exhausting all your attempts at the written exam.

I’ve passed the Primary MCQ and OSCE but have failed the SOE five times. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt the SOE for the sixth time (final attempt) in academic year 2026-27.

If you pass, you will complete the Primary and can progress to the Final FRCA written. If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the SOE and will no longer be eligible to complete the Primary Clinical Component (SOE or CASE) and therefore will not be eligible to continue via any FRCA route.

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28).

This will count as your first attempt at CASE. If you pass, you will complete the Primary and can progress. If you fail, you will have five further attempts at CASE.

Your Primary FRCA MCQ / AKT pass is normally valid for three years under the regulations. However, candidates choosing to wait to sit the new exam format may request a one-year extension to this validity period in line with the College’s “wait-to-sit” policy.

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28)

This avoids the risk of exhausting your final SOE attempt and therefore preserves your eligibility to complete the Primary.

I’ve passed the Primary MCQ and SOE, but failed the OSCE five times. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt the OSCE for the sixth time in academic year 2026-27 (final attempt).

If you pass, you will complete the Primary and can progress to the Final FRCA written. If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the OSCE and will no longer be eligible to complete the Primary (OSCE or CASE).

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28).

This will count as your first attempt at CASE. If you pass, you will complete the Primary and can progress. If you fail, you will have five further attempts at CASE.

Your Primary FRCA MCQ / AKT pass is normally valid for three years under the regulations. However, candidates choosing to wait to sit the new exam format may request a one-year extension to this validity period in line with the College’s “wait-to-sit” policy.

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28).
This avoids the risk of exhausting your final SOE attempt and therefore preserves your eligibility to complete the Primary.

I’ve passed the Primary MCQ but failed OSCE/SOE five times. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt OSCE/SOE for the sixth time (final attempt).

If you pass, you complete the Primary and can progress to the Final FRCA written. If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the Primary clinical component and will no longer be eligible to complete the Primary via any route (legacy (OSCE / SOE) and new (CASE)).

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28).

This will count as your first attempt at the new Primary clinical exam (CASE). If you pass, you complete the Primary and progress. If you fail, you will have five further attempts at CASE.

Your Primary FRCA MCQ / AKT pass is normally valid for three years under the regulations. However, candidates choosing to wait to sit the new exam format may request a one-year extension to this validity period in line with the College’s “wait-to-sit” policy.

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the Primary CASE (AY 27–28).
This avoids the risk of exhausting your final SOE attempt and therefore preserves your eligibility to complete the Primary.

Final FRCA

I’ve failed my fifth attempt at the Final FRCA Written exam. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt the Final FRCA Written exam for the sixth time (final attempt).
If you pass, you can progress to the Final FRCA SOE in academic year 2026-27.

If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the Final FRCA Written exam. You will therefore not be able to resit the Final Written / AKT and will not be eligible to sit any clinical component (SOE / FCPE).

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Final Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) (AY 27–28).
This will count as your first attempt at the new Final FRCA AKT. If you pass, you can progress to the Final Clinical Performance Examination (FCPE). If you fail, you will have five further attempts at the Final FRCA AKT.

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the Final FRCA AKT (AY 27–28). Even if you are highly confident of passing on your 6^th attempt at the Final FRCA Written exam, this is the safest option. It resets your attempts and avoids the risk of losing eligibility to progress.

I’ve failed the Final FRCA SOE five times. What should I do?

Option 1: Attempt the Final FRCA SOE for the sixth time in academic year 2026-27 (final attempt).
If you pass, you will complete the Final FRCA. If you fail, you will have exhausted your six attempts at the Final FRCA SOE and will no longer be eligible to complete the Final FRCA via any route (current (SOE) or new (FCPE)).

Option 2: Wait-to-sit the Final Clinical Performance Examination (FCPE) (AY 27–28).
This will count as your first attempt at the new Final clinical exam (FCPE). If you pass, you will complete the Final FRCA. If you fail, you will have five further attempts at the Final clinical component.

Your Final FRCA MCQ pass is normally valid for three years under the regulations. However, candidates choosing to wait to sit the new exam format may request a one-year extension to this validity period in line with the College’s “wait-to-sit” policy.

Our recommendation: Wait-to-sit the FCPE (AY 27–28)

This avoids the risk of exhausting your final SOE attempt and losing eligibility to complete the Final FRCA.

If your situation is not covered above
These FAQs cover the most common scenarios. If your circumstances are more complex or not listed here, please contact the Examinations team for advice: exams@rcoa.ac.uk