Candidate FAQs
Candidate FAQs
We’ve put together some of the key questions candidates may have regarding the move to our new exam formats. These FAQs will be added to throughout the process, so please check back regularly to stay up to date.
If you have a question that's not answered here, please get in touch by emailing facultyexams@rcoa.ac.uk.
Candidate FAQs
- July 2026– June 2027: Final year of current formats.
- From July 2027: All candidates will sit the new exam formats.
- FFPMRCA SOE becomes FFPMRCA Clinical Performance Examination in Pain (CPEP)
- Written MCQ exams become Applied Knowledge Test (AKT).
- Final FCICM OSCE SOE becomes FCICM Applied Clinical Reasoning Examination (ACRE)
- Primary FRCA OSCE/SOE becomes Primary FRCA Clinical Anaesthetic Sciences Examination (CASE)
- Final FRCA SOE becomes Final FRCA Clinical Performance Examination (FCPE)
Your next steps depend on your result from the SOE. We've created a decision tree to help you understand your options:
From July 2027, all candidates will sit the new exam formats. Current eligibility requirements will still apply.
Exam formats and combinations are considered equivalent.
Current Format | Equivalent New Format |
|---|---|
| FFPMRCA MCQ | FFPMRCA AKT (Applied Knowledge Test) |
| FFPMRCA SOE | FFPMRCA CPEP (Clinical Performance Examination in Pain) |
Candidates will not be disadvantaged because of format change.
Written components are valid for 3 years from the point of passing. Candidates who wish to wait to sit the new examination format should contact us if the validity of their written exam expires during this time. We will extend the validity by one year on request.
Introductory videos from our Exam Development Leads on the new formats.
Mapped options and eligibility to support decision-making
A new Resources Hub containing:
- AKT sample questions and explanations
- Question format example videos
- Marking domain descriptors
- Performance expectations
Throughout 2026-27 there will also be webinars and Q&A sessions provided on the changes to the new exams.
Yes. The new formats are considered as valid and reliable as the legacy exams. Neither the standard of the assessments nor their purpose within the training programme has changed. There is no change to the curriculum or the range of what is being assessed across the entire FFPMRCA examination.
Attempts at the new exams will be classed as your first attempt regardless of previous sittings.
For example, if you failed the FFPMRCA SOE on your fifth attempt in academic year 26-27, taking FFPMRCA CPEP will be classed as your first attempt, not your sixth.
The maximum of six attempts at a component remains unchanged. If you've failed an exam six times, you are no longer eligible to sit further exams.
Examinations fees will change in line with the new formats and the usual processes to review fees for each academic year. No profit is made from examinations, and further information can be found in our Cost of Training guide.
Candidates will be prioritised according to published application prioritisation policies (Section 4).
There is no change to the refund policy (Section 6) which is a full refund (minus £45 admin fee) if withdrawing ≥ 7 working days before the exam.
See our Launch Year Exams Calendar here: