CICM First Part Examination Syllabus
Curriculum domains
The CICM First Part Examination syllabus (CICM First Part Examination Syllabus Version 5 (Fifth Edition, 2025)) is organised into 20 curriculum domains. PRIMEX maps every domain below to study topics and learning objectives so you can track coverage as you prepare.
The 20 domains
- A - Cellular Physiology — Cell membrane, organelles, receptors, membrane transport, homeostasis.
- B - Pharmacology Concepts — Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, variability of drug response.
- C - Respiratory System — Anatomy, ventilation, mechanics, lung volumes, gas transport, measurement.
- D - Cardiovascular System — Anatomy, cardiac output, peripheral circulation, haemodynamic measurement.
- E - Renal System — Renal anatomy and physiology, equipment, pharmacology.
- F - Body Fluids & Electrolytes — Fluid distribution, osmolality, electrolyte regulation.
- G - Acid-Base — Acid-base physiology and arterial blood gas measurement.
- H - Nervous System — Neuro anatomy, physiology, ANS, pain pathways, neuropharmacology.
- I - Musculoskeletal System — Muscle physiology, neuromuscular junction, NMBAs.
- J - Gastrointestinal System — GI anatomy, liver physiology, measurement, pharmacology.
- K - Nutrition & Metabolism — Nutritional requirements, cellular metabolism, pharmacology.
- L - Endocrine System — Pancreas, pituitary-hypothalamus, thyroid, adrenal, calcium.
- M - Thermoregulation — Heat transfer, body temperature regulation and measurement.
- N - Haematology & Immune — Blood components, coagulation, immunity, transfusion pharmacology.
- O - Microbiology — Classification of pathogens and antimicrobial pharmacology.
- P - Obstetric & Neonatal — Physiological changes in pregnancy, placenta, neonatal circulation.
- Q - Antidotes — Pharmacology of antidotes and decontaminating agents.
- R - Measurement & Equipment — Physical principles, measurement of physiological variables, ICU equipment and safety.
- S - Procedural Anatomy — Applied anatomy relevant to bedside ICU procedures.
- T - Statistics & Research — Study design, critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine for ICU.
How PRIMEX maps to the syllabus
- Every domain above is mapped to PRIMEX study topics, so the curriculum tracker shows coverage domain by domain.
- Question banks, AI-graded SAQ practice and viva or OSCE simulation draw from these same mapped domains.
- Spaced-repetition scheduling and progress analytics surface the domains where your coverage is thinnest.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the CICM First Part Examination and work through the syllabus domain by domain.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
How many domains does the CICM First Part Examination syllabus cover?
The CICM First Part Examination syllabus is organised into 20 curriculum domains on PRIMEX, each mapped to study topics and learning objectives.
What is covered in the CICM First Part Examination syllabus?
The CICM First Part Examination syllabus covers 20 domains: A - Cellular Physiology, B - Pharmacology Concepts, C - Respiratory System, D - Cardiovascular System, E - Renal System, F - Body Fluids & Electrolytes, G - Acid-Base, H - Nervous System, I - Musculoskeletal System, J - Gastrointestinal System, K - Nutrition & Metabolism, L - Endocrine System, M - Thermoregulation, N - Haematology & Immune, O - Microbiology, P - Obstetric & Neonatal, Q - Antidotes, R - Measurement & Equipment, S - Procedural Anatomy, T - Statistics & Research.
Does PRIMEX cover the full CICM First Part Examination syllabus?
Yes. PRIMEX is curriculum-mapped to the CICM First Part Examination syllabus, so every domain and learning objective above is tracked across the question banks, study notes and curriculum tracker.