Intercollegiate Membership examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS Part A)

MRCS Part A examination

We are pleased to announce that the MRCS Part A examination will be delivered on-screen in partnership with Pearson VUE, using their network of computer-based test centres around the world. You will need to book and attend a Pearson VUE test centre to sit your MRCS Part A examination. This webpage provides you with further information about this process.

Scheduling Your MRCS Part A Examination With Pearson VUE

Before using this website to schedule your examination, you must have successfully applied to sit the MRCS Part A with one of the four Surgical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom and in Ireland.

After registering for the examination, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE telling you how to book your examination test centre. This will outline information about the scheduled booking window, and further information on how to book your seat at an available test centre through the Pearson VUE portal.

During this window, you can schedule, reschedule or cancel your test centre seat booking. We encourage you to book your test centre seat as soon as possible as there may be a limited number of seats available at certain locations, and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Candidates should be aware that there is no central list of which test centres are available before the schedule window opens. This is because test centres available will be specific to each examination sitting, and some test centres may become unavailable during the schedule window if their examination seat capacity is reached.

All test centres available will be shown in the Pearson VUE portal during the specific dated schedule window. Please contact Pearson VUE directly if you have any test centre booking or availability queries.

Please note that in order to be able to sit the MRCS Part A examination, you must book your Pearson VUE test centre seat within the above specified test centre schedule window time frame. No refunds or transfers will be available to candidates who have not logged into the Pearson VUE portal to book a test centre during the above schedule window. Candidates who are having difficulty securing a seat must contact the Pearson VUE customer service team in the first instance. If still unsuccessful, candidates must notify their college of application by email during this booking window timeframe.

Cancellation Policy

If cancelling your examination, you should ensure you have read the withdrawal policy in the MRCS Regulations.

If you are withdrawing from the examination on compassionate or medical grounds, in addition to cancelling your test centre seat, you will also need to contact your College of application directly.

If you need to cancel your examination after the College application deadline, you must contact Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account to cancel your test centre seat within the specific dated examination schedule window.

Preparing For Your Examination

We have created a number of useful resources to support you in preparing for the examination experience on your examination day, including a video that shows what you can expect on your examination day.

Arrival At The Test Centre

We ask that you arrive at the test centre 30 minutes before your scheduled examination start time. This will give you adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late from the scheduled examination start time, you will be refused admission.

Admission Policy

You are required to present one form of original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that includes your name, photograph, and signature. The first and last name that you used to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day. Please present a valid passport from your country of citizenship, or an alternative qualifying photographic ID from the country in which you are testing. If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the testing centre for admittance for your examination please contact Pearson VUE customer Service at https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Customer-service.aspx. To view the full ID policy please visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/policies/2.pdf.

Test accommodations

Accommodations may be provided as part of the reasonable adjustments process enacted by each College. They should be applied for at the point of application for the exam in liaison with the College to which you are applying.