Examination reports and pass rates
About our reports
The exams department carries out regular systematic analysis of data generated by the FRCA examinations. The College is committed to ensuring appropriate verified information, in the form of pass/fail rates, exam summary reports and research papers are published in the public domain.
Exam chair reports and Newsletters
The chair of Primary and Final release an annual exam review report. Each report looks at the performance of their individual exam components across the academic year and compares outcome results with historic data. These reports provide information on standard setting, exam reliability, general utility, quality assurance and examiner training and standards.
Cost of Training
Cost of Training - the College, the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine ensure that trainees, members and fellows are provided with an appropriate breakdown of costs of supporting trainees and in the provision of the examinations that form part of the relevant training programmes.
Exam research reports
The College is committed to carrying out exam related research and publish the findings of all qualitative and quantitative research undertaken. Recent research undertaken by the College aims to explore the findings and answer important questions in regard to differential performance in examinations. There has also been exam research carried out to better inform both candidates and trainers on how to optimally prepare for the FRCA.
Examination pass rates (Academic year 2020 - 2023)
The College publishes statistical information on pass / fail rates for both FRCA Primary and Final examinations. Further information on exam processes, standard setting, reliability and quality assurance can be found in the Primary and Final chair's annual exam review reports.
FRCA Internal Examination Review
We are committed to improving the calibre of our examinations, ensuring that they are delivered in line with best practice in assessment for each medical specialty. As part of that commitment, we undertake regular reviews of the FRCA examination, the most recent of which we published in January 2023.
Independent Review of Examinations
The report of an independent review of the assessment processes of the RCoA. We commissioned the review to provide independent assurance and insights into the development and delivery of our assessment processes, alongside our regular internal reviews of the FRCA. The review considered all aspects of the FRCA, FFICM and FFPMRCA exams.