FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Pass Rate 2026
The headline number
The RACS publishes pass-rate data in its FRACS Orthopaedic 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 Orthopaedic 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 Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship is a Written and oral examination components covering orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal medicine. Across multiple examination sittings, the following patterns distinguish candidates who pass from those who do not:
- Viva station anxiety: structured communication of orthopaedic management is a learned skill that requires repeated practice.
- Basic science underprepared — biomechanics and musculoskeletal science remain examinable even at Fellowship level.
- Subspecialty gaps: spine surgery, hand surgery, and sports medicine require dedicated preparation.
- Insufficient written practice; structured SAQ-style answers differ from clinical documentation habits.
How PRIMEX helps you cross the pass line
- SAQ practice with AI feedback calibrated to FRACS Orthopaedic examination standards.
- Viva simulation for structured presentation of orthopaedic clinical reasoning.
- Curriculum-mapped study resources across all orthopaedic subspecialties.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship and find out exactly where your preparation stands.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
How long should I study for the FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship?
Most candidates dedicate 26–52 weeks of structured preparation for the FRACS Orthopaedic 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 Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship?
The FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship includes written and oral examination components across all orthopaedic subspecialties.
What is the pass rate for the FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship?
The RACS publishes pass-rate data in its FRACS Orthopaedic 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 Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship?
- Viva station anxiety: structured communication of orthopaedic management is a learned skill that requires repeated practice.
- Basic science underprepared — biomechanics and musculoskeletal science remain examinable even at Fellowship level.
- Subspecialty gaps: spine surgery, hand surgery, and sports medicine require dedicated preparation.
- Insufficient written practice; structured SAQ-style answers differ from clinical documentation habits.
What resources does PRIMEX provide for the FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship?
PRIMEX provides a curriculum-mapped question bank, AI-graded practice, and structured study resources for the FRACS Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship. Start with a 7-day free trial to access the full platform.