CICM Fellowship Examination Format Explained
Overall structure
The CICM Fellowship Examination consists of Written SAQ paper and structured clinical examination covering all domains of intensive care medicine.
The CICM Fellowship Examination includes a written SAQ paper and an oral/clinical component with structured stations.
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:
- Vague SAQ answers without clinical prioritisation: examiners want a management framework, not a list of differentials.
- Clinical station anxiety disrupting the structured thinking that scores marks in each domain.
- Gaps in less-common ICU presentations: toxicology, obstetric emergencies, and paediatric ICU are tested.
- Over-relying on clinical experience without structured examination preparation in the final months.
How PRIMEX maps to the format
- SAQ practice with AI grading benchmarked to CICM Fellowship examiner expectations.
- Viva simulation for structured clinical reasoning practice under timed conditions.
- Curriculum-mapped notes across all CICM Fellowship domains.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the CICM Fellowship Examination and practise in the format you will actually sit.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
What is the format of the CICM Fellowship Examination?
The CICM Fellowship Examination includes a written SAQ paper and an oral/clinical component with structured stations.
How many components does the CICM Fellowship Examination have?
The examination comprises Written SAQ paper and structured clinical examination covering all domains of intensive care medicine. Each component is examined and weighted as the college specifies; consult the official examination guide for the current marking schedule.
Which component is hardest?
Difficulty varies by candidate. Most fail-tier outcomes trace back to underprepared structured-answer technique or insufficient question practice volume rather than to one specific component.
How should the format change how I prepare?
Match your practice mode to the format. SAQ paper means write structured timed answers; viva or OSCE means rehearse speaking aloud under time pressure; MCQ means build pattern recognition through high-volume practice.
Does PRIMEX cover every component?
PRIMEX covers each component of the CICM Fellowship Examination with format-specific practice: MCQ banks, AI-graded SAQ practice, and viva or OSCE simulation as the format requires.