Primary FRCA Examination Pass Rate 2026

Q: What is the pass rate for the Primary FRCA Examination?

RCoA publishes per-component pass rates: Primary MCQ, all candidates (February 2026 sitting) 72.07% (Feb 2026); Primary MCQ, all candidates (November 2025 sitting) 75.06% (Nov 2025); Primary MCQ, all candidates (September 2025 sitting) 69.96% (Sep 2025); Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (May 2026 sitting) 61.25% (May 2026); Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (January 2026 sitting) 69.42% (Jan 2026); Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (November 2025 sitting) 62.78% (Nov 2025). The RCoA publishes pass rates per sitting for three cohorts: UK trainees at first attempt, UK trainees at all attempts, and all candidates. The value shown for each sitting is the all-candidates pass rate; UK trainee first-attempt rates run higher (for example, the February 2026 Primary MCQ was 87.93% for UK trainees at first attempt versus 72.07% for all candidates, across 401 attendees). Figures are taken from the RCoA examination pass-rates page and are updated by the College after each sitting.

Q: What resources does PRIMEX provide for the Primary FRCA Examination?

PRIMEX provides a question bank, AI-graded practice, and structured study resources mapped to the Primary FRCA Examination curriculum. Start with a 7-day free trial at primexstudy.com.au/frca-primary.

The headline figure

The RCoA publishes per-component pass rates for the Primary FRCA Examination. These are the most recent verified figures:

Primary MCQ, all candidates (February 2026 sitting): 72.07% (Feb 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary MCQ, all candidates (November 2025 sitting): 75.06% (Nov 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary MCQ, all candidates (September 2025 sitting): 69.96% (Sep 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (May 2026 sitting): 61.25% (May 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (January 2026 sitting): 69.42% (Jan 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (November 2025 sitting): 62.78% (Nov 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.

The RCoA publishes pass rates per sitting for three cohorts: UK trainees at first attempt, UK trainees at all attempts, and all candidates. The value shown for each sitting is the all-candidates pass rate; UK trainee first-attempt rates run higher (for example, the February 2026 Primary MCQ was 87.93% for UK trainees at first attempt versus 72.07% for all candidates, across 401 attendees). Figures are taken from the RCoA examination pass-rates page and are updated by the College after each sitting.

How the standard is set

For the Primary FRCA Examination, RCoA assesses candidates against a defined competency standard rather than ranking them against each other, so the proportion who pass reflects how a cohort performs against that bar and varies between sittings. Where a verified figure is published it appears above with its source; where the examining body publishes none, PRIMEX states that plainly rather than estimating one.

What separates pass-tier from fail-tier candidates

Three separately marked components taken in order: a written MCQ, then an OSCE and a Structured Oral Examination (SOE) taken together in person. All three must be passed.

Examiner reports and feedback consistently flag the following preparation pitfalls among candidates who fall short:

Shallow basic-science depth - the Primary demands mechanistic physiology, pharmacology and physics, not surface recall.
Too little single best answer practice: passing candidates work through thousands of questions across all three basic-science domains before sitting.
Underestimating the physics, clinical measurement and equipment component, which consistently trips candidates who focus only on physiology and pharmacology.
Treating the OSCE and SOE as an afterthought - the clinical phase examines applied anatomy, equipment, data interpretation, resuscitation and communication under time pressure.

How PRIMEX helps you cross the pass line

Five-option single best answer bank mapped to the RCoA Primary syllabus (pharmacology, physiology, physics and clinical measurement) with grounded per-option explanations.
A 200-station OSCE bank at the real one-minute-read, five-minute-station format, plus a Structured Oral simulator with a skippable reading window.
UK study notes across the full curriculum with spaced-repetition flashcards, so revision lands where your analytics show it counts.

Start your 7-day free PRIMEX trial for the Primary FRCA Examination and find out exactly where your preparation stands.

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Frequently asked questions

How long should I study for the Primary FRCA Examination?

Most candidates dedicate 26-52 weeks of structured preparation for the Primary FRCA Examination. 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 Primary FRCA Examination?

Three separately marked components taken in order: a written MCQ, then an OSCE and a Structured Oral Examination (SOE) taken together in person. All three must be passed.

What is the pass rate for the Primary FRCA Examination?

The RCoA publishes per-component pass rates for the Primary FRCA Examination. These are the most recent verified figures:

Primary MCQ, all candidates (February 2026 sitting): 72.07% (Feb 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary MCQ, all candidates (November 2025 sitting): 75.06% (Nov 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary MCQ, all candidates (September 2025 sitting): 69.96% (Sep 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (May 2026 sitting): 61.25% (May 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (January 2026 sitting): 69.42% (Jan 2026) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.
Primary OSCE and SOE, all candidates (November 2025 sitting): 62.78% (Nov 2025) - official source, verified 2026-07-24.

What are the most common failure modes in the Primary FRCA Examination?

Shallow basic-science depth - the Primary demands mechanistic physiology, pharmacology and physics, not surface recall.
Too little single best answer practice: passing candidates work through thousands of questions across all three basic-science domains before sitting.
Underestimating the physics, clinical measurement and equipment component, which consistently trips candidates who focus only on physiology and pharmacology.
Treating the OSCE and SOE as an afterthought - the clinical phase examines applied anatomy, equipment, data interpretation, resuscitation and communication under time pressure.

What resources does PRIMEX provide for the Primary FRCA Examination?

PRIMEX provides a curriculum-mapped question bank, AI-graded practice, and structured study resources for the Primary FRCA Examination. Start with a 7-day free trial to access the full platform.