ANZCA Final Examination Format Explained

Overall structure

Written MCQ + SAQ on one day, then anaesthesia and medical vivas spread over three days.

Components and structure

The ANZCA Final Examination is assessed across the following components:

• MCQ (MCQ) — 150 questions, 150 min. >=40% required to access vivas.
• SAQ (short-answer (SAQ)) — 15 questions, 150 min. >=40% required to access vivas.
• Anaesthesia vivas (viva) — 8 stations, 15 min. Must pass (>=5/10) at least 4 of the 8 anaesthesia vivas.
• Medical vivas (viva) — 2 stations, 15 min. 15 min each + 2 min reading.

>=40% on both MCQ and SAQ to access vivas; >=50% overall; must pass at least 4 of 8 anaesthesia vivas.

Structure per the official examination materials: ANZCA source.

Exam format glossary

Key assessment formats used in the ANZCA Final Examination, defined. Each definition is general and applies across colleges.

Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)

A written item that presents a clinical or factual stem with several answer options, of which one or more are correct, marked automatically against a key.

Short Answer Question (SAQ)

A written question that requires a structured free-text response, marked by examiners against a model answer or rubric rather than by machine.

Viva voce

A structured oral examination in which examiners question the candidate in real time, assessing reasoning, justification and depth of understanding under pressure.

What the format means for your preparation

The single most common preparation mistake is studying as if the examination only had an MCQ component. Format-aware preparation looks like this:

• MCQ components reward high question volume and pattern recognition. Read explanations, not just answers, and revisit weak domains with spaced repetition.
• Short answer / SAQ components reward a prioritised, structured response under time pressure. Practise writing complete answers in the available time, not just outlining points.
• Viva or OSCE components reward verbalised structured reasoning. Practise aloud, ideally with feedback, rather than rehearsing silently.
• Practical or image-based components reward repeated exposure under time pressure. Build a routine that includes timed slide or image interpretation.

What separates pass from fail under this format

Across multiple sittings, these failure modes recur:

• Underprepared for the written SAQ format - examiners expect structured, prioritised answers, not stream-of-consciousness prose.
• Viva anxiety derailing clinical reasoning - structured response frameworks (e.g., A-E, systems-based) are essential.
• Insufficient breadth across subspecialties: pain medicine, obstetric anaesthesia, and paediatrics are common weak spots.
• Attempting to learn new material in the final weeks rather than consolidating and practising.

How PRIMEX maps to the format

• SAQ practice with AI grading calibrated to ANZCA Fellowship examiner expectations, with structured feedback on each response.
• Viva simulation mode lets you practise oral responses under timed conditions before the clinical examination.
• Curriculum-mapped study notes covering all ANZCA Fellowship domains.

Frequently asked questions