FRCS Neurosurgery Exam Explained in 2 Minutes

Candidates must have been qualified for at least 6 years to sit the FRCS neurosurgery examination.

Candidates must be at the standard of their CCT or CCST.

Candidates need 3 structured references from senior colleagues who know their practice.

The FRCS neurosurgery exam has 2 sections with up to 7 years to complete them.

Section 1 is written and Section 2 is clinical, and candidates must pass Section 1 before moving to Section 2.

Section 1 consists of two single best answer papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each with 120 questions.

Each Section 1 paper is 2 hours and 15 minutes in duration.

Section 1 is computer-based and delivered at Pearson VUE centers.

Candidates have a 2-year window from their first Section 1 attempt and a maximum of 4 attempts.

Section 2 includes 2 intermediate cases with real patient volunteers conducted in 40 minutes.

Section 2 includes 4 short cases consisting of structured clinical scenarios in 40 minutes.

Section 2 includes 3 oral examinations, each 30 minutes in duration.

The three oral examinations cover operative surgery and surgical anatomy, investigation of the neurosurgical patient including neuroradiology, and non-operative clinical practice of neurosurgery.

The Section 2 examination assesses information gathering, professionalism, structured and logical approach, and clinical judgment beyond factual knowledge.

Candidates have a maximum of 4 attempts at Section 2.

Passing the examination results in promotion to fellowship of the college with FRCS post-nominals.

Each year the highest mark at the first attempt earns the Norman Dot Medal.

The FRCS neurosurgery examination is set at the standard of a consultant.