RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP) Format Explained
Overall structure
Current summative assessments: MCQ Examination, MEQ Examination, and the Clinical Competency Portfolio Review (CCPR).
Components and structure
The RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP) is assessed across the following components:
- MCQ Examination (mixed-format) — 140 questions, 190 min. 1 mark each (SBA + EMQ) + two Critical Analysis Problems (40 marks); computer-based.
- MEQ Examination (short-answer (SAQ)) — 5 questions, 150 min. Up to 125 marks; computer-based from 2026. Increases to 6 MEQs / 150 marks from March 2027.
- Clinical Competency Portfolio Review (CCPR) (mixed-format). Holistic review of workplace-based assessment evidence across CanMEDS roles. Replaces CCA-MPR from September 2026.
The OSCE was discontinued (replaced via the Alternative Assessment Pathway / CCA from 2022; CCPR from Sept 2026). There is no current OSCE and no structured-viva Fellowship clinical exam.
Exam format glossary
Key assessment formats used in the RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP), 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.
- Single Best Answer (SBA)
- A multiple-choice format in which several options are plausible but the candidate must choose the single best answer for the scenario.
- Extended Matching Question (EMQ)
- A themed multiple-choice format in which several stems are matched against one longer option list, testing discrimination between related diagnoses or management choices.
- 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.
- Modified Essay Question (MEQ)
- A written question built around an evolving clinical case, released in stages, with each stage requiring its own structured written response.
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:
- MEQ structure - the modified essay questions reward a structured, prioritised answer, not a list of clinical points.
- MCQ under-preparation: the breadth across psychiatry subspecialties requires sustained high-volume practice.
- Neglecting the Critical Analysis Problems in the MCQ paper, which test applied reasoning.
- Subspecialty gaps: child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and old-age psychiatry are all examinable.
How PRIMEX maps to the format
- Written practice with AI feedback calibrated to RANZCP examination standards.
- MCQ and MEQ practice mapped to the RANZCP curriculum across all Fellowship domains.
- Curriculum-mapped content across all RANZCP Fellowship domains.
Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP) and practise in the format you will actually sit.
Start free trialFrequently asked questions
What is the format of the RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP)?
Current summative assessments: MCQ Examination, MEQ Examination, and the Clinical Competency Portfolio Review (CCPR).
How many components does the RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP) have?
The examination has 3 assessed components, examined and weighted as the examining body specifies. The structured breakdown above reflects the official examination materials.
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 RANZCP Fellowship Examinations (FRANZCP) with format-specific practice: MCQ banks, AI-graded SAQ practice, and viva or OSCE simulation as the format requires.