What Is the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations?
The short answer
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations is an examination set by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). A two-stage RACS examination in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE (Specialty-Specific Examination) is the basic-science gateway: 100 MCQs (Type A, B and X) plus 6 spot questions, weighted 50 per cent applied anatomy, 25 per cent pathology and 25 per cent physiology. The Fellowship Examination (FEX) is the clinical exit: two 130-minute written papers plus five clinical/viva segments (Clinical Scenarios, Clinical Cases, Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery). For binding detail, see the official RACS examination pages at https://www.surgeons.org.
Who sets the FRACS ENT
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations is administered by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the body responsible for setting and marking the examination to a defined competency standard.
Who sits the FRACS ENT
RACS SET trainees in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE is a basic-science gateway sat earlier in SET training; the Fellowship Examination is the exit examination sat after the required training time and work-based assessments, under the RACS Fellowship examination eligibility rules.
How the FRACS ENT is structured
The FRACS ENT has 9 assessed components. A two-stage RACS examination in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE (Specialty-Specific Examination) is the basic-science gateway: 100 MCQs (Type A, B and X) plus 6 spot questions, weighted 50 per cent applied anatomy, 25 per cent pathology and 25 per cent physiology. The Fellowship Examination (FEX) is the clinical exit: two 130-minute written papers plus five clinical/viva segments (Clinical Scenarios, Clinical Cases, Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery). A full breakdown of each component is on the FRACS ENT format page linked below.
What the FRACS ENT is for
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations is a two-stage surgical examination where the SSE demands applied anatomy depth (temporal bone, skull base and neck spaces) and the Fellowship clinical and viva segments test subspecialty breadth across otology, rhinology, laryngology and head and neck surgery. It sits within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons training and assessment pathway, and passing it is a milestone toward the qualification or progression that pathway leads to.
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Start free trialFrequently asked questions
What is the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations?
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations is an examination set by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). A two-stage RACS examination in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE (Specialty-Specific Examination) is the basic-science gateway: 100 MCQs (Type A, B and X) plus 6 spot questions, weighted 50 per cent applied anatomy, 25 per cent pathology and 25 per cent physiology. The Fellowship Examination (FEX) is the clinical exit: two 130-minute written papers plus five clinical/viva segments (Clinical Scenarios, Clinical Cases, Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery).
Who sets the FRACS ENT?
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations is administered by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), which sets and marks it to a defined competency standard.
Who is eligible to sit the FRACS ENT?
RACS SET trainees in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE is a basic-science gateway sat earlier in SET training; the Fellowship Examination is the exit examination sat after the required training time and work-based assessments, under the RACS Fellowship examination eligibility rules.
How is the FRACS ENT structured?
The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) Surgical Examinations has 9 assessed components. A two-stage RACS examination in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The SSE (Specialty-Specific Examination) is the basic-science gateway: 100 MCQs (Type A, B and X) plus 6 spot questions, weighted 50 per cent applied anatomy, 25 per cent pathology and 25 per cent physiology. The Fellowship Examination (FEX) is the clinical exit: two 130-minute written papers plus five clinical/viva segments (Clinical Scenarios, Clinical Cases, Surgical Anatomy, Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery).