FRCA examinations update: adjustments to prioritisation and validity
The Royal College of Anaesthetists remains committed to delivering examinations in the fairest and most equitable manner, during what continues to be challenging times for the specialty. This is an update on our progress to support the large number of members who require examination places across the 2021/2022 academic year.
The College has previously communicated that we will continue the online delivery of examinations until April 2022. This decision was taken during the previous academic year and remains in place due to the continued level of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the corresponding need to provide Anaesthetists in Training and our members with as much certainty as possible, while also protecting their training and career progression.
Prioritisation
With the online delivery of examinations continuing until April 2022, and the impact this will continue to have on the number of candidates able to be examined, the College has needed to review its Prioritisation of Applications policy. The prioritisation policy used during the 2020/2021 academic year was based on the requirement to maximise progression of Anaesthetists in Training through their training programmes. The policy was successful in achieving this aim by providing examination places to Anaesthetists in Training at critical points in their training progression.
However, it has become clear that this policy has greatly impeded trainees sponsored by the College under the Medical Training Initiative scheme and Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty (SAS) grade doctors from accessing the examination. We do not feel that continuing in this way for the next academic year appropriate given the circumstances and therefore we have made adjustments to the Prioritisation of Applications policy in section 4 of the FRCA Primary and Final Examination Regulations policy.
In consultation with the Association of Anaesthetists and the Anaesthetists in Training Representative Group, an adjustment has been made to prioritise Primary FRCA SOE and OSCE and Final FRCA SOE examination places for MTI and SAS doctors over trainees who are attempting to sit their examinations early in their training path. It should be noted that the 2021 Anaesthetics Curriculum moves the milestones for the Primary and Final FRCA to the end of CT3 (ACCS CT4) and ST5 respectively, allowing Anaesthetists in Training more time to prepare for these exams.
The priority categorisation has therefore been revised for Anaesthetists in Training in Deanery approved training posts on a General Medical Council-approved training programme in Anaesthetics at CT1 and ACCS (Anaes) CT1/CT2 (Primary SOE/OSCE), and ST3 (Final SOE). Anaesthetists in Training from these categories may still be able to obtain an examination place if sufficient places are available during the prioritisation process. The College encourages any Anaesthetist in Training who feels they have exceptional circumstances, as outlined in section 11 of the FRCA Primary and Final Examination Regulations policy, to gain the support of their Head of School and submit their case.
Further guidance for applicants
The College is aware that some candidates have withdrawn from examination sittings that they have applied for. We fully recognise that some circumstances are outside the control of candidates, particularly at the present time. However, examination places are extremely valuable, and we therefore remind all candidates that by withdrawing, you are potentially depriving a peer of a chance to sit the exam.
Validity
Since a validity period comes into effect once an examination had been passed (three years for the Primary MCQ and Final Written examinations, and seven years from passing the Primary to completion of the Final), prioritisation of examination places may have resulted in some candidates being unable to sit an exam and holding exam components that are close to expiring.
In recognition of the challenge that prioritisation has posed, the College feels an appropriate step is to extend the validity periods for candidates who have been unable to gain an examination place during the pandemic. If a candidate received a pass in a given component of an examination and the validity period was due to come to an end from March 2020 onwards, and if they have been unable to gain a sitting at an examination during the 2020-2021 academic year, the validity period on the passed component will be extended by one year.
If other circumstances, such as COVID-related clinical commitments and COVID-related illnesses, have prevented candidates from sitting an exam in the current academic year and caused the validity period to expire, they should email exams@rcoa.ac.uk to outline their case. Please ensure that the email is supported by a statement from your educational supervisor or the mentor supervising your professional development.
The College urges all candidates to read the detailed prioritisation information provided on the College website. Candidates who have any questions about this update are urged to speak with their either their Regional Advisor or College Tutor.
Thank you
As a final point, the College would like to recognise and thank the 31 retired examiners who responded to the call to come back to examining to support their specialty through these challenging times. The College also undertook a large recruitment drive, which successfully delivered an additional 29 new examiners, to whom we are also hugely grateful.
Chair, RCoA Education, Training and Examinations Board
Dr Mark Forrest
Chair, RCoA Examinations Committee