FRACS · Royal Australasian College of Surgeons; Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship
FRACS Ortho / fix it.
Written exam grader with SBA and EMQ feedback, four-station viva simulator with voice mode, spaced-repetition flashcards and sourced study notes covering every AOA curriculum learning objective. Built for the breadth the orthopaedic fellowship demands.
Pass rate
~55%
per sitting (Written)
Sittings per year
1–2
Written + Viva annually
Format
Written + 4 Vivas
SBAs · EMQs · Anatomy · Pathology · Trauma · Clinical
Topics covered
130
study notes · 2497 flashcards
Organising college
RACS / AOA
Not affiliated with Primex
· Exam domains ·
Four domains.
The full scope of orthopaedic surgery.
The full scope of orthopaedic surgery.
~25%
Basic Sciences
Bone biology, fracture healing, and metabolic bone disease. Biomechanics of joints, implants and fixation constructs. Cartilage, tendon, and nerve physiology. Surgical infection, blood transfusion, and perioperative medicine.
Bone remodelling · Wolff's law · Implant tribology · Fixation biomechanics · Septic arthritis · Osteomyelitis
~25%
Surgical Anatomy
Regional anatomy of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and spine; including surgical approaches, interval planes, and neurovascular structures at risk. Compartment anatomy and fasciotomy landmarks.
Kocher · Henry · Smith-Petersen · Hardinge · Medial parapatellar · Posterior lumbar · Compartment fasciotomy
~30%
Trauma
Upper limb fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries with AO classification and fixation principles. Lower limb and pelvic trauma including hip fractures, tibial shaft, and pilon injuries. Paediatric fractures and growth plate injuries.
Neck of femur · Tibial plateau · Pilon · Pelvis; APC/LC/VS · Salter-Harris · Polytrauma · ATLS principles
~20%
Arthroplasty & Subspecialties
Hip and knee arthroplasty; primary, revision, and complications. Spine surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, foot and ankle, sports medicine, and tumour. Perioperative complications including VTE, dislocation, and periprosthetic infection.
THA · TKA · Periprosthetic infection · DDH · Scoliosis · Anterior cruciate · Foot deformity · Bone tumours
· Feature 01 · Written Exam Grader
SBA and EMQ feedback at the level of the examiner's marking guide.
The FRACS Ortho written exam tests the full breadth of the AOA curriculum through single best answer and extended matching questions. Primex grades your practice attempts and explains each correct and incorrect option with the clinical reasoning the viva examiners expect you to already know.
- SBAs and EMQs across all 18 AOA curriculum sections
- Distractor explanations; why each wrong answer is wrong
- Linked to relevant study notes and flashcards for immediate consolidation
- Performance tracking by domain and topic over time
· Feature 02 · Flashcards
2,497 cards. Spaced repetition calibrated to the viva timetable.
Orthopaedic surgery requires recall under pressure; classification systems, AO fixation principles, surgical approaches, and implant biomechanics all need to be available without hesitation. The Primex flashcard deck covers every card in every topic, with spaced-repetition scheduling that surfaces weak areas in the weeks before your viva.
- 2,497 flashcards across 130 topics; anatomy, trauma, arthroplasty, basic sciences
- AO classification tables, Salter-Harris staging, Garden classification, and more
- Surgical approach anatomy cards; intervals, nerves at risk, patient position
- Custom decks by viva station to focus study in the final weeks
· Feature 03 · Viva Simulator
Four stations. Voice mode. The full orthopaedic fellowship viva.
The FRACS Ortho viva runs across four 30-minute stations: Anatomy, Pathology, Trauma, and Clinical. Each is a different interrogation style. Primex simulates all four with AI examiners that probe beyond the surface answer, with voice mode so you can rehearse speaking your reasoning aloud; which is the only way to know if you actually own the material.
- Anatomy station; surgical approaches, neurovascular anatomy, compartment identification
- Pathology station; bone tumours, metabolic disease, infection, joint disease histology
- Trauma station; case-based fracture management, classification, fixation choice
- Clinical station; outpatient and ward scenarios, consent, complication management
- Voice mode; speak your answers and receive real-time follow-up questions
- Examiner feedback on structure, depth, and clinical safety
· Feature 04 · Study Notes
130 topics. Every AOA curriculum learning objective mapped.
Every study note in Primex follows the same seven-section structure: overview, pathophysiology, classification, investigations, management, complications, and exam focus. Each note maps to the AOA curriculum learning objective it covers, and the exam-focus section condenses what an orthopaedic viva examiner most commonly asks about that topic.
- 130 topics covering the full AOA curriculum; 120 learning objectives across 18 sections
- Seven-section structure: overview → pathophysiology → classification → investigations → management → complications → exam focus
- Curriculum panel on every note showing which AOA LOs that topic addresses
- References to AO Foundation principles, BOAST guidelines, and landmark RCTs
· Feature 05 · AOA Curriculum Tracker
120 learning objectives. A live progress bar for every section.
The FRACS Ortho curriculum is structured across 18 AOA sections. Primex's curriculum tab maps every learning objective to the study notes and flashcards that cover it, with checkboxes and a persistent progress bar so you know exactly which sections are solid and which need another pass before the exam.
- All 120 AOA curriculum LOs mapped across 18 sections
- Checkbox completion with localStorage persistence across sessions
- Click any LO to jump directly to the relevant study note
- Overall and per-section progress bars at a glance
· About this exam ·
The FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Examination
The FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Examination is conducted jointly by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA). It consists of a Written Examination and a Viva Examination, typically sat in sequence over the final years of SET training.
The Written Exam uses single best answer (SBA) and extended matching question (EMQ) formats to test broad knowledge across the AOA curriculum. The Viva Examination comprises four 30-minute stations; Anatomy, Pathology, Trauma, and Clinical; each assessed by two examiners. Candidates must pass both components; the viva cannot be sat until the written is passed.
- OrganiserRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in conjunction with the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA)
- Written formatSingle best answer (SBAs) and extended matching questions (EMQs) covering the full AOA curriculum
- Viva format4 stations: Anatomy (30 min) · Pathology (30 min) · Trauma (30 min) · Clinical (30 min)
- CurriculumAOA curriculum; 120 learning objectives across 18 sections including basic sciences, anatomy, trauma, and arthroplasty
- Training pathwaySET (Surgical Education and Training) programme; typically 5 years post-GSSE
- PrerequisiteRACS GSSE (General Surgical Science Examination); required before entering SET orthopaedics
· Key resources ·
- AOA Curriculum; 120 learning objectives across 18 sections (available via AOA trainee portal)
- AO Foundation Principles of Fracture Management (Rüedi & Murphy); standard written and viva reference
- Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults; comprehensive trauma reference for written and trauma viva
- Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics; standard reference for arthroplasty and surgical approaches
- BOAST (British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma) guidelines; frequently referenced in trauma viva
- NICE and ACSQHC VTE prophylaxis guidelines; high-yield for clinical and perioperative viva questions
- RACS and AOA websites; exam timetable, regulations, and past examiner reports
- Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS); landmark RCTs examiners reference in clinical station
· Pricing ·
Every plan starts with
a 7-day free trial.
a 7-day free trial.
Starter
$9.99
7 days free, then $9.99/mo
- ✓ One specialist exam (your choice)
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition
- ✓ 10 MCQs per topic (sampler)
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✗ AI viva simulation & voice mode
- ✗ MCQ drill mode
- ✗ SAQ question bank & sessions
- ✗ Community feed
Monthly
$24.99
7 days free, then $24.99/mo
- ✓ All 21 specialist exams: SAQ, MCQ, Viva & Voice
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ SAQ question bank & sessions
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Community feed
3 Months
$59.99
7 days free, then $59.99/3mo
= $19.99/mo · save 20% vs monthly
- ✓ All 21 specialist exams: SAQ, MCQ, Viva & Voice
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ SAQ question bank & sessions
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Save 20% vs monthly
Best Value
Yearly
$15.00
per month, billed $179.99/yr
= $15/mo · save 40% vs monthly
- ✓ All 21 specialist exams: SAQ, MCQ, Viva & Voice
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ SAQ question bank & sessions
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Save 40% vs monthly plan
Important: Step 2 of 2
After payment, you'll land on a confirmation page. Click the button there to create your account and your subscription links automatically. If you pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay, use the button on that confirmation page before closing it. No email matching needed; it connects via a one-time link.
Free trial on every plan (7 days)
Cancel anytime before trial ends
Not affiliated with RACS or FRACS
· FAQ ·
Common questions
The Written Examination must be passed before you can sit the Viva. The Written uses SBA and EMQ format to test broad curriculum knowledge. The Viva comprises four 30-minute stations; Anatomy, Pathology, Trauma, and Clinical; each assessed by two examiners. Primex covers both components: written practice with SBA/EMQ grading and all four viva stations with voice mode.
The Anatomy station typically presents a cadaveric or anatomical specimen and asks you to identify structures, describe approaches, and locate neurovascular anatomy at risk. Primex's Anatomy viva simulator presents scenario-based questions on surgical approaches, compartment anatomy, and regional anatomy across all major joints. Flashcards covering surgical intervals and structures at risk are available by region.
Yes; Primex includes a separate RACS GSSE section with 147 topics, 3,509 flashcards (including 240 visual anatomy image cards), and MCQ practice for the GSSE written exam. The GSSE is covered as a distinct exam within the platform. Once you've passed the GSSE and entered SET orthopaedics, the FRACS Ortho section picks up with the advanced curriculum.
The Trauma station presents clinical fracture cases; typically with radiographs; and asks you to classify the injury, outline your management principles, discuss fixation options, and address complications. Primex's Trauma viva simulator presents case-based questions with AO classification prompts, fixation principle questions, and follow-up questioning on complications and paediatric fracture considerations.
Primex flashcards and study notes cover the major AO/OTA classification systems tested in the written exam and viva: distal radius (Frykman/AO), femoral neck (Garden/Pauwels), pertrochanteric fractures (Evans/AO), tibial plateau (Schatzker), pilon (Rüedi-Allgöwer), calcaneus (Essex-Lopresti/Sanders), and pelvis (APC/LC/VS/CM). Paediatric Salter-Harris and Gartland classifications for supracondylar fractures are also included.
Yes. All 130 Primex FRACS Ortho study notes are mapped to the AOA curriculum's 120 learning objectives across 18 sections. Each study note shows which curriculum LOs it covers, and the Curriculum tab in the navigation provides a complete checklist of all LOs with progress tracking. If a topic is in the AOA curriculum, there is a Primex study note and flashcard deck for it.
Yes. All Primex Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly subscriptions include access to all 21 exams on the platform; including RACS GSSE, FRACS General Surgery, FRACS Orthopaedics, and the 18 other fellowship exams. This is useful for registrars who are also revising for the GSSE or who want access to overlapping content in surgical anatomy and perioperative medicine.
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