FRCA Primary MCQ (UK Anaesthetists) — Free Online Mock Test
90 SBAs in single 3-hour paper (post-Sept-2023 format; MTF removed). No negative marking. 30 pharmacology + 30 physiology/biochem/anatomy + 30 physics/clinical measurement/data interpretation. · Official language: English.
FRCA Primary exam at a glance
FRCA Primary full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length FRCA Primary mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 90-question, 180-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
FRCA Primary key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), UK; delivered online (remotely invigilated). |
|---|---|
| Official website | rcoa.ac.uk ↗ |
| Mode | A computer-based exam of 90 single-best-answer questions in 3 hours (multiple-true-false questions were removed from September 2023). |
| Frequency | Several sittings a year. |
| Scoring & marking | 90 single-best-answer questions on the basic sciences of anaesthesia — pharmacology, physiology and biochemistry, physics and clinical measurement, and statistics. There is no negative marking; the pass mark is set per sitting by a modified Angoff method (not published in advance). Passing the MCQ is the gateway to the Primary OSCE and SOE. |
| Score validity | A pass counts toward the Primary FRCA and anaesthesia training. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for FRCA Primary?
GMC (or equivalent) registration plus RCoA trainee registration; the College recommends passing the Initial Assessment of Competency first. A maximum of six attempts is allowed.
Last verified July 2026 against RCoA — Primary FRCA MCQ. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
FRCA Primary section breakdown
The FRCA Primary mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. Inter-section breaks are enforced.
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FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q)
FRCA Primary scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: FRCA Primary has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: FRCA Primary (% accuracy, no negative marking).
How FRCA Primary is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
Tools available during the FRCA Primary exam
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Lab Values
Wrexa Edge renders these tools inside the mock test exactly as they appear on the real FRCA Primary exam — same shortcuts, same behaviour.
FRCA Primary time strategy
With 90 questions in 180 minutes, you have about 120 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
FRCA Primary topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of FRCA Primary, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q)
- Cardiovascular · 8
- CNS · 8
- Antimicrobials · 8
- Respiratory · 7
- Renal · 7
- Lower Limb · 7
- Anticoagulants · 3
- Carbohydrate Metabolism · 3
FRCA Primary difficulty calibration
Elite tier. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months.
90 SBAs in single 3-hour paper (post-Sept-2023 format; MTF removed). No negative marking. 30 pharmacology + 30 physiology/biochem/anatomy + 30 physics/clinical measurement/data interpretation. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's FRCA Primary bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for FRCA Primary
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what FRCA Primary really tests
The Primary FRCA MCQ is a basic-sciences gatekeeper for UK anaesthesia training, and since September 2023 it is 90 single-best-answer questions (the old multiple-true-false format is gone), with no negative marking. Pharmacology and physiology dominate, and because it is the gateway to the OSCE and SOE, a deep, SBA-drilled command of the basic sciences — not clinical anaesthesia yet — is exactly what it rewards.
Preparation tips
- Prioritise anaesthetic pharmacology and physiology — the heaviest domains.
- Practise the current single-best-answer format (MTF was removed in 2023).
- Do not neglect physics, clinical measurement and statistics.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Preparing from old MTF-era material or question styles.
- Focusing on clinical anaesthesia instead of the basic sciences this paper tests.
FRCA Primary study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- Build anaesthetic pharmacology and physiology — the heaviest areas
- Anchor study to the RCoA Primary syllabus
- Start SBA practice to learn the single-best-answer style
- Study physics, clinical measurement and equipment
- Cover statistics and data interpretation
- Do high-volume SBA questions with an error log
- Take full-length timed mocks (90 SBAs, 3 hours)
- Consolidate pharmacology and physiology, the highest-yield areas
- Remember: passing the MCQ unlocks the OSCE and SOE
Where FRCA Primary can take you
A strong FRCA Primary result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Anaesthesia training
- Primary FRCA (OSCE/SOE)
- Anaesthetist career (NHS)
- Intensive care & pain pathways
Best books & official prep for FRCA Primary
- Primary FRCA question banks (Pastest) — Various
- Pharmacology for Anaesthesia (Peck & Hill) — Peck & Hill
- Physiology / physics for anaesthesia texts — Various
- RCoA Primary syllabus — RCoA
Official practice: RCoA publishes the Primary syllabus and resources; the exam is basic-science heavy, so SBA practice in pharmacology, physiology and physics is essential.
Previous-year papers: RCoA does not release past papers; the syllabus and reputable SBA banks are the best preparation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the FRCA Primary exam pattern?
- FRCA Primary MCQ (UK Anaesthetists) contains 90 questions across 1 section: FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q). Total duration is 180 minutes (about 120 seconds per question).
- Does FRCA Primary have negative marking?
- No — FRCA Primary has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is FRCA Primary scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 100. FRCA Primary (% accuracy, no negative marking).
- How can I practise FRCA Primary online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length FRCA Primary mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of FRCA Primary?
- FRCA Primary is rated Elite difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months. 90 SBAs in single 3-hour paper (post-Sept-2023 format; MTF removed). No negative marking. 30 pharmacology + 30 physiology/biochem/anatomy + 30 physics/clinical measurement/data interpretation. · Official language: English.
- How long is the FRCA Primary exam?
- FRCA Primary runs for 180 minutes total. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including mandatory inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in FRCA Primary?
- FRCA Primary is split into: FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. 90 SBAs in single 3-hour paper (post-Sept-2023 format; MTF removed). No negative marking. 30 pharmacology + 30 physiology/biochem/anatomy + 30 physics/clinical measurement/data interpretation. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during FRCA Primary?
- Built-in lab values reference table (USMLE-style).
- Is the FRCA Primary test adaptive?
- No — FRCA Primary is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many FRCA Primary mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct FRCA Primary variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 4500 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free FRCA Primary test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge FRCA Primary test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are FRCA Primary previous year question–style papers included?
- Every FRCA Primary mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 90-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free FRCA Primary mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's FRCA Primary mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the FRCA Primary mock test on mobile?
- Yes. FRCA Primary mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the FRCA Primary syllabus?
- The FRCA Primary syllabus maps to its 1 section: FRCA Primary — SBA (90 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for FRCA Primary?
- GMC (or equivalent) registration plus RCoA trainee registration; the College recommends passing the Initial Assessment of Competency first. A maximum of six attempts is allowed. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic FRCA Primary practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the FRCA Primary exam and how should I prepare?
- Official FRCA Primary exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free FRCA Primary mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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