FRCS Cardiothoracic Surgery

Part 1

Taken in local Pearson Vue test centres.

Only Single best answers (SBA) – choose one correct answer out of five options. Previously one paper had EMQs (extended matching questions), but no longer included.

Two papers (AM and PM) – 120 SBA questions each (total 240 questions) in 135 minutes (67.5 seconds per question).

Have to pass both papers to pass the exam. Marking is based on a modified Angoff method.

Results given as two scores (not percentages), as well as as single combined passing score. Unclear whether it translates into a score out of 240, as some questions may not be used for scoring.

Part 2 (from Oct 2022)

Candidates declare interest in either cardiac or thoracic which will determine the additional viva station topics. Split into Cardiac and Thoracic stations for each of the following (1-3):

  1. Intermediate Cases (45mins) – 3 clinical scenarios, 15 minutes each.
  2. Instruments & Imaging (30mins)
  3. Oral (30mins) – 6 scenarios, 5 minutes each. On critical conditions, intensive care and trauma.
  4. Specialty oral (30mins) – either Cardiac OR Thoracic

Legacy Part 2 (upto May 2022)

Automatically eligible once Part 1 is passed.

Taken in a hospital, hotel or conference centre over 2 days. First day is Short and Intermediate cases; second day is Oral examination. Usually finishes by mid-day on second day.

Split into Cardiac and Thoracic stations for each of the following:

  1. Short Cases (30 minutes) – Imaging, Instruments, 2 clinical scenarios. 7.5 minutes for each sub-section
  2. Intermediate Cases (30 minutes) – 2 clinical scenarios. 15 minutes each. Previously one ‘Long’ case for 30 minutes.
  3. Oral (30 minutes) – 6 scenarios, 5 minutes each.

There are 36 scoring opportunities. Each score is based on a five-point scale, with 4 being the lowest mark and 8 being the highest mark. Passing mark is 6 out of 8. 4 and 5 are failing marks. As there are two examiners, maximum mark for all questions is 36 questions x 2 examiners x 8 marks = 576 marks. Passing score is 432 marks (36 x 2 x 6). Can fail in multiple areas as long as total mark is above 432.

Oesophageal questions may be included in Thoracic Short Cases. Congenital Cardiac questions usually do not feature in Part 2. Marking is undertaken by two examiners for each station. Unclear how much mark allocated to each section. Results are given as Pass (with no marks or feedback) or Fail (with limited feedback/marks).

McCormack Medal (after Robert John Murray McCormack, FRCSEd (1948) 1922-1981) for highest annual mark in Part 2 among all candidates in that exam year (both diets included).

Resources

  1. Official information
    1. JCIE Regulations – https://www.jcie.org.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=13
    2. Application forms and criteria – https://www.jcie.org.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=22
    3. Exam dates – https://www.jcie.org.uk/calendar/calendar.aspx
    4. Exam results statistics – https://www.jcie.org.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=9
  2. Question banks
    1. JCIE sample questions for s1 and s2 – https://www.jcie.org.uk/content/content.aspx?ID=13
    2. 250 SBAs in Cardiothoracic Surgery (2017) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/3659789038/
    3. 200 Practice Questions in Cardiothoracic Surgery (2015) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1634822188/
    4. Single Best Answer Questions in Cardiothoracic Surgery (2014) – https://novapublishers.com/shop/single-best-answer-questions-in-cardiothoracic-surgery/
    5. MCQs in Cardiothoracic Surgery (2008) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1425158145
    6. TSRA online Question bank – https://candidate.speedexam.net/signin.aspx?site=thoracicsurg
    7. TSRA app Question bank – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tsra-multiple-choice-review/id969793444
    8. SESATS 9 – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sesats-ix/id601665070
    9. SESATS 10 – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sesats-10/id1528818078
    10. SESATS 11, 12, 13 – http://www.sesats.org/purchase/
  3. Revision books
    1. Key Questions in Cardiac Surgery (2011) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1903378699/
    2. Key Questions in Thoracic Surgery (2015) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1903378869/
    3. Core Topics in Congenital Cardiac Surgery (2018) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1107034019/
    4. TSRA Review 2e (2016) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1523217162
    5. uptodate.com
    6. cthmasters.co.uk – ?
    7. www.statpearls.com/boardreview/Cardiothoracic%20Surgery – ?
  4. Viva/Clinical preparation
    1. Birmingham Review Course – https://www.birminghamreviewcourse.com/
    2. London Core Review – https://www.londoncorereview.com/
    3. SCTS ST7a Revision and viva course
    4. Ad-hoc revision course by Nottingham Cardiothoracic Dept
    5. Thoracic Gurus Youtube channel -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyrJL_RNSCAw2qqu0J7HQgA/videos
    6. TSRA Clinical Scenarios – https://www.amazon.co.uk/TSRA-Clinical-Scenarios-Cardiothoracic-Surgery/dp/B08F6RC5B1/
    7. TSRA Decision Algorithms – https://www.amazon.com/TSRA-Decision-Algorithms-Cardiothoracic-Surgery-ebook/dp/B07TWKCSVG/
  5. Guidelines

GuidelineYearTopicLink
Aorta (ESC)2014Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/35/41/2873/407693
Atrial fibrillation (AHA)2020Cardiachttps://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000665
Atrial fibrillation (ESC)2020Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/5/373/5899003
CPB (EACTS)2019Cardiachttps://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezz267
Heart failure (ESC)2021Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab368/6358045
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHA)2020Cardiachttps://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000937
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ESC)2014Cardiachttp://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/35/39/2733.full-text.pdf
Infective endocarditis (ESC)2015Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/36/44/3075/2293384
PE (ESC)2019Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/4/543/5556136
Pericardial disease (ESC)2015Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/36/42/2921/2293375
Perioperative medicines (EACTS)2017Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/ejcts/article/4360955/2017-EACTS-Guidelines-on-perioperative-medication
Revascularisation (AHA)2021Cardiachttps://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.006
Revascularisation (ESC)2018Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/ejcts/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ejcts/ezy289/5079878
Valve (AHA)2020Cardiachttps://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
Valve (ESC)2021Cardiachttps://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehab395/6358470
ACHD (AHA)2018Congenitalhttps://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000603
HLHS (EACTS)2020CongenitalHttps://Doi.Org/10.1093/Ejcts/Ezaa188
Lung cancer (NICE)2019Thoracichttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng122/chapter/Recommendations
Malignant effusions (EACTS)Thoracichttps://erj.ersjournals.com/content/52/1/1800349
Mesothelioma (BTS)2018Thoracichttps://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document-library/guidelines/mesothelioma/bts-guideline-for-the-investigation-and-management-of-pleural-mesothelioma/
Mesothelioma (EACTS)2020ThoracicHttps://Doi.Org/10.1093/Ejcts/Ezaa158
Pleural disease (BTS)2010Thoracichttps://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document-library/guidelines/pleural-disease/bts-pleural-disease-guideline/
Pulmonary nodules (BTS)2015Thoracichttps://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document-library/guidelines/pulmonary-nodules/bts-guidelines-for-the-investigation-and-management-of-pulmonary-nodules/

One thought on “FRCS Cardiothoracic Surgery”

  1. Extremely helpful for a definite means of reference for frcs cts. Thank you for the effort.

    Reply

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