FRACS General Surgery Fellowship Pass Rate 2026
The headline number
The RACS publishes pass-rate data in its FRACS General Surgery Fellowship examination reports. PRIMEX updates this page when each report is released. You can access the official data at https://www.surgeons.org/become-a-surgeon/examinations.
Trend over recent years
Pass rates for written and clinical specialist examinations in Australia have generally been stable over the past five years, though individual sitting results vary. Factors including cohort size, examination difficulty calibration, and the proportion of first-time versus repeat candidates all influence the result for any given sitting.
For the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship specifically, RACS adjusts the standard periodically to reflect evolving clinical practice and training requirements. Candidates are assessed against a consistent standard, not ranked against each other. The most reliable source of trend data remains the official RACS examination reports.
What separates pass-tier from fail-tier candidates
The FRACS General Surgery Fellowship is a Written and oral (viva) components covering general surgery across all subspecialty areas. Across multiple examination sittings, the following patterns distinguish candidates who pass from those who do not:
- Viva anxiety: oral examination performance requires structured, confident communication of clinical reasoning under examiner scrutiny.
- SAQ answers that lack prioritisation — the written paper rewards a structured management framework, not comprehensive prose.
- Subspecialty gaps: hepatobiliary, colorectal, and upper GI are consistently tested and require explicit preparation.
- Over-relying on operative experience without structured exam preparation in the final months.
How PRIMEX helps you cross the pass line
- SAQ practice with AI grading calibrated to FRACS General Surgery examiner expectations.
- Viva simulation for structured oral presentation of surgical management decisions.
- Curriculum-mapped content across all general surgery subspecialties.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship and find out exactly where your preparation stands.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
How long should I study for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship?
Most candidates dedicate 26–52 weeks of structured preparation for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship. The exact duration depends on your prior knowledge base, clinical experience, and available study time per week. Starting earlier generally produces better outcomes than compressing preparation into a short period.
What is the format of the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship?
The FRACS General Surgery Fellowship includes written SAQ and oral examination (viva) components covering all general surgery subspecialties.
What is the pass rate for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship?
The RACS publishes pass-rate data in its FRACS General Surgery Fellowship examination reports. PRIMEX updates this page when each report is released. You can access the official data at https://www.surgeons.org/become-a-surgeon/examinations.
What are the most common failure modes in the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship?
- Viva anxiety: oral examination performance requires structured, confident communication of clinical reasoning under examiner scrutiny.
- SAQ answers that lack prioritisation — the written paper rewards a structured management framework, not comprehensive prose.
- Subspecialty gaps: hepatobiliary, colorectal, and upper GI are consistently tested and require explicit preparation.
- Over-relying on operative experience without structured exam preparation in the final months.
What resources does PRIMEX provide for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship?
PRIMEX provides a curriculum-mapped question bank, AI-graded practice, and structured study resources for the FRACS General Surgery Fellowship. Start with a 7-day free trial to access the full platform.