The Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) designs the FRCS exam to test a candidate's competency at the level of a day-one consultant. The exam is divided into two distinct parts, both of which require different preparation strategies. Section 1: The Written Component
Management of perforated viscus, acute pancreatitis, appendicitis, and bowel obstructions.
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Early goal-directed therapy, source control, and interpreting thromboelastography (TEG) in the intensive care unit. Upper GI and Hepatobiliary (HPB) This public link is valid for 7 days
Uses a Q&A format that facilitates "mocking" or peer-to-peer practice, where one trainee acts as the examiner.
A significant portion of the viva involves interpreting CT scans, MRI images, or lab results. The scenarios in Companion Cases allow for practicing interpretation skills under time pressure. Structure of the Book and How to Use It The book is structured to be worked through progressively.
Do not read companion cases passively like a textbook. Instead, form a study group with fellow candidates or senior registrars. Have one person act as the examiner, reading the case prompts and holding the marking scheme, while the other answers under timed conditions. This builds the stamina and verbal fluency needed for the real viva. Focus on High-Yield "Killer Scenarios" Can’t copy the link right now
, this 752-page guide by Alexander Phillips and Bhaskar Kumar is specifically designed to simulate the clinical and viva voce (oral) components of the FRCS Section 2 exam. Core Content & Structure
: Questions transition from basic clinical management to advanced discussions on underlying pathology, physiology, and the latest evidence-based guidelines. Full Curriculum Coverage
The FRCS Section 2 preparation timeline is notorious for being incredibly demanding. Candidates actively search for the version for several critical reasons: and communication skills under pressure.
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The best way to use this book is to have a study partner act as the examiner. Let them read the case history and ask the follow-up questions provided in the text. Practice answering out loud under timed conditions. This helps eliminate verbal hesitations and builds confidence. Practice the "Day-One Consultant" Persona
: It focuses on the clinical orientation of the FRCS exam, providing hundreds of hypothetical scenarios for practice. Vivas and Images
Section 2 evaluates real-time clinical judgment, decision-making, and communication skills under pressure. It is divided into two main parts:
For the post-primary FRCS candidate short on time, Companion Cases transforms passive reading into active decision-making – a critical shift from knowing about surgery to thinking like a consultant on call.