FRCA Primary SOE
About the SOE
The Primary FRCA SOE is a summative assessment of a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the basic sciences, which are the foundations upon which further clinical knowledge is based. The SOE is taken along with the Primary FRCA OSCE and is aligned to the stage 1 UK training curriculum.
The Primary FRCA Structured Oral Examination (SOE) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is delivered in person at the College.
A successful candidate in the SOE will have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of basic sciences, clinical decision-making and the principles and safety aspects of equipment used in stage 1 training. Candidates are required to pass both the OSCE and SOE components before they can be awarded the Primary FRCA.
The SOE complements formative and summative assessments undertaken in the workplace and provides assurance that candidates have reached the accepted national standard of knowledge and competence to allow progression to stage 2 training.
Structure of the Primary SOE
The Primary SOE consists of two subsections:
- 30 minutes of three questions in pharmacology, and three questions in physiology and biochemistry; followed by
- 30 minutes of three questions on clinical topics (including a critical incident) and three questions in physics, clinical measurement, equipment and safety.
How it is marked
Two examiners mark each part of the SOE. Both examiners independently mark every question. There are 12 questions, 2 marks are given for a pass, 1 mark for a borderline performance and 0 marks for a fail, giving a maximum total score of 48 marks.
| Primary OSCE SOE – maximum six attempts – component pass valid for three years |
|---|
| Registered with the GMC or other National Medical Council |
|
Either:
|
| Passed the Primary FRCA MCQ in the last three years |
|
Awarded the Initial Assessment of Competence in Anaesthesia or recognised equivalent. Has not exceeded the maximum number of attempts for the exam applied for. Has submitted an Additional Educational Training form (AET1) prior to the sixth attempt. |
The full eligibility for this exam is listed at Section 6 Paragraph 15 of the Examination Regulations.
Language
All FRCA examinations are conducted in English. Where a candidate’s first language is not English, the College recommends that an applicant’s communication and written skills in English are at least equivalent to the level at which a doctor could successfully pass the PLAB (Professional Linguistics Assessment Board) tests or at a level where they would expect to gain an average score of approximately 7.5/9 across all bands of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). However we do not require you to provide us with a certificate proving competency in English.
|
Primary OSCE/SOE Examination Calendar; 2024-2025 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Application opening date |
Monday, |
Monday, 14 October 2024 |
Monday, 3 February 2025 |
|
Application closing date |
Thursday, 26 September 2024 |
Thursday, |
Wednesday 19th March 2025 |
|
Examination date |
Monday, 4 November 2024 |
Monday, 27 January 2025 |
Monday, |
|
Examination fees
|
£740 |
£740 £400 £365 |
£740 £400 £365 |
Apply and pay online
The online application process will be open for each exam from 0900 on the exam opening date to 1700 on the exam closing date (see dates and fees in the section above). Applications are not accepted outside the application window. We do not confirm a place on an examination until after the booking window has closed.
Prioritisation
Where exams are oversubscribed, we will apply our policy for the Prioritisation of Applications. Please read our prioritisation policy before booking your exam.
Reasonable adjustments
Any applicant who has a physical or mental disability or ongoing or fluctuating medical condition may be entitled to reasonable adjustments. To apply for reasonable adjustments, please complete the relevant section on the online examination application form. Applicants requiring reasonable adjustments should book as early as possible to ensure that there is sufficient time to put in place any specific requirements.
For applications to examinations running in 2025, the process for applying for reasonable adjustments has changed. For these exams, please complete the Reasonable Adjustment form within the specified window for requesting an adjustment stated on the Examinations Calendar.
For more information, please refer to the Reasonable Adjustment policy.
Withdrawals
If withdrawing an application for admission to an examination before the closing date for applications, you may receive back the full amount of the fee paid, providing the withdrawal request is within 14 days of booking the exam.
If greater than 14 days or after the booking window has closed, the refund is subject to an administration fee (the 14-day rule).
If withdrawing in any other circumstances within 7 working days of an exam date, including non-issue of entry visas (with the exception of those described in Section 9, Special Arrangements), you will not be entitled to any refund of fee. This rule also applies to candidates who do not appear for an exam on the exam day.
Fees cannot be deferred from one exam to another and candidates must prove their eligibility for each exam sitting they apply for.
Tax deductibility
The College and faculties are aware that trainees who sit examinations as part of a training programme can claim tax relief on their exam fees. Whilst in a training programme trainees can also claim tax relief on membership fees. Please visit HMRC for further information on how to claim.
Results from the Primary OSCE/SOE in November 2024 will be released by email by 5pm on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.
No results will be given or confirmed by telephone.
Feedback
All candidates who pass or fail FRCA exams will receive the same feedback, which will be sent out with the result letters.
A full list of the type of feedback provided for each exam component is set out in the Primary and Final FRCA examinations regulations - feedback policy.
Guidance interviews
A guidance interview is an informal meeting between a candidate who has failed an exam component and an examiner, to discuss exam performance and areas for improvement. They are intended to give insight to a candidate and aid them in passing an exam.
There are no mandatory requirements for candidates to attend guidance interviews up to the fifth attempt for each component. However before the sixth attempt of any exam component, candidates must attend a Guidance Interview.
A candidate who has failed any of the following components more than once may request a guidance interview. Guidance is limited to one per examination component.
Please note that no special consideration will be given in respect of refunds following guidance interviews.
A guidance interview is not an opportunity to challenge an exam result.
Interviews are arranged locally wherever possible although interviews can be arranged virtually if local trainers and examiners are not available. To arrange a guidance interview, please contact the exams office, exams@rcoa.ac.uk.
Guide to sitting the OSCE and SOE in person at the RCoA
Getting to Churchill House: Map and Directions
Arrival at the College. Please arrive at the Royal College of Anaesthetists at least 30 minutes before the first call time on your Admission Notice. The timetable and marking system do not allow late admissions. Please note that the earliest time you will be admitted to the College is 07.30.
Dress Code: The same dress code for day-to-day clinical practice/contact with patients applies to the FRCA examination. The form of dress should not constrain a candidate’s ability to demonstrate recognised skills including effective communication with simulated patients or examiners. There is no requirement to wear clinical/theatre clothing during any of the examinations.
Candidates are requested not to wear forms of dress that cover the face to ensure easy verification of the candidate’s identity.
Water bottles: Help us to reduce the use of single-use plastic in the College by bringing a water bottle to your exam. Water bottles may be taken onto the OSCE and SOE exam floors and refilled at points around the College.
On arrival at the College. Please report to the reception desk and present your Admission Notice and ID. You will be given clear instructions on when and where to report for each examination component. You must sign in and out at reception when leaving/returning throughout the day.
Access in the College - your electronic pass. We will issue you with an electronic pass on a lanyard to access the building via the electronic gates and to operate the lifts. The pass will contain your College Reference Number (CRN). You must wear your pass at all times when you are in the College. After you have completed all parts of your exam, please return your pass and lanyard to reception before exiting the building.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices. Switch off your phone and store in secure locker/luggage for duration of time in College. A Pound coin is needed for the lockers.
Under no circumstances should mobile phones or smart watches be taken to the exam floor. Candidates will be disqualified if phones or smart watches are found on their person once they have entered the exam floor.
Changes: We do not envisage making changes to exam dates and times set out in admission notices but if there is a ‘National Emergency Situation’ that is likely to affect a majority of College examiners or candidates, there may be a need to implement a contingency plan to deal with the situation. If this happens and there is sufficient time available to us, we will inform you personally. In the unlikely event of this happening at short notice, then an urgent announcement will be published on the College website – homepage (www.rcoa.ac.uk).
Candidate resources are a consolidation of the various example questions, videos, courses and guides, any of which may guide a candidate in their preparation for the various FRCA examination components.