MRCS A exam pattern is changing from January 2017. Exam will be 5 hours. Basic Sciences 3 hrs exam and there will be 180 MCQs. Anatomy questions increased from 45 to 75. Principles of Surgery 2 hrs exam and there will be 120 MCQs. Overall: Basic Science 60% and Principles of Surgery 40%. Below is the excerpt from the circular published by RCS.
The total number of questions will increase from 270 to 300.
The total time available to candidates will increase from 240 minutes to 300 minutes, to allow 1 minute per question (candidates currently have to work at the rate of 1.13 questions per minute).
The balance of Applied Basic Science (ABS) and Principles of Surgery in General (PoSG), currently equal at 135 questions for each, will change to become 60% ABS (180 questions, an increase of 45) and 40% PoSG (120 questions, a decrease of 15).
The administrative model will be one three-hour session for ABS and a second two- hour session for PoSG with a break in between. There will be proportionally greater time available for candidates for whom special accommodation is made, as at present.
The number of questions testing anatomy will increase from 45 to 75 (that is, from 16.7% to 25% of Part A as a whole).
Candidates will continue to be judged by the aggregate score on Part A as a whole, with no requirement to pass ABS and PoSG as separate examinations.
The secondary requirement that passing candidates will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in each of the ABS and PoSG paper will be retained.
Circular Link: http://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/new/pdf/MRCS%20Part%20A%20change%20notice
More about MRCS Part A preparation:
HOW TO CRACK MRCS PART A AND THE BEST BOOKS FOR MRCS PART A PREPARATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MRCS EXAM PREPARATION