Exam Structure

The FRCEM Final examination is a Single Best Answer (SBA) paper, replacing the FRCEM Final SAQ. The examination comprises 180 questions to be answered in four hours, presented as two 90-question papers with two hours per paper sat on the same day with a one-hour break. Sample questions are available on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website. RCEM delivers its written examinations electronically via computer-based testing company, Pearson VUE. The examination is conducted in English, and candidates are advised that IELTS Level 7 is the expected standard for completion of FRCEM examinations.

Exam Content

The FRCEM Final examination is mapped to the Specialty Learning Outcomes (SLO) of Year 4 and beyond of the 2021 Emergency Medicine Curriculum. All applicants for the FRCEM Final examination are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the 2021 curriculum, paying particular attention to the key capabilities and descriptors for each SLO assessed in this examination. The RCEM Clinical Syllabus will be sampled across the examination, and syllabus categories and descriptor highlights are indicated against each SLO as a revision aid. The full FRCEM Final Examination Blueprint can be found on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website. The basic blueprint is as follows:

• SLO 1 Complex Stable Patient – 55 questions
• SLO 3 Resuscitate – 40 questions
• SLO 4 Injured Patient – 30 questions
• SLO 5 Paediatric Emergency Medicine – 25 questions
• SLO 6 Procedural Skills – 20 questions
• SLO 7 Complex or Challenging Situations – 10 questions

The glossary of terms used in the RCEM examinations can be found on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website.

Exam Dates and Fees

The FRCEM Final examination fee is £335. Please note that candidates sitting the examination in an overseas centre may be required to pay additional local fees. Up-to-date FRCEM Final Examination Dates and Fees are published on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website.

Exam Applications

Online applications for all examinations will open at approximately 10am (GMT) on the listed application opening date and close automatically at 5pm (GMT) on the listed application closing date. Applications must be completed before 5pm on the closing date; late applications will not be accepted. The link to the FRCEM Final Examination Application Form will be made available on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine website on the listed application opening day.

Exam Results

The FRCEM Final examination is standard set using a modified Angoff Method. One standard error of measurement (SEM) will be added to the cut score identified using the Angoff method to calculate the required final pass mark for the examination. The FRCEM Final examination results will be released on the pre-advised day by 17:00, approximately five weeks after the date of the examination. Results will be released to candidates’ College website accounts where results letters can be downloaded on demand. Examination results will not be issued or confirmed by telephone or email.

More Information

Please see the FRCEM Final Examination Information Pack for detailed information for this examination component. For further queries, please contact the Royal College of Emergency Medicine directly by email: exams@rcem.ac.uk or phone: +44 (0)20 7404 1999.