Primary exam
The primary exam (PEx) is taken during basic training and assesses a trainee's knowledge and understanding of applied physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, measurement, equipment, quality and safety through a combination written and viva components. Success in the primary exam is necessary to progress to advanced training.
The learning outcomes in the ANZCA Training Program curriculum guide the range of content that may be assessed. Trainees are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the subject matter and show their ability to integrate relevant information so that it is applicable to the practice of clinical anaesthesia.
To be eligible to sit the PEx, trainees must:
- Be registered as a trainee with the college.
- Have completed all requirements for introductory training and commenced basic training at the time of the written exam.
- Been in clinical anaesthesia time or other clinical time within the previous 52 weeks.
- Paid all outstanding training fees and the primary exam application fee.
The PEx consists of the following three sections, completed in two parts.
| Section | Format | Duration | % total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) | 150 questions | 150 minutes | Pass/fail |
| Short-answer questions (SAQs) | 15 questions | 150 minutes | 50% |
| Viva voce | 3 vivas | 20 minutes each with a two-minute reading time (66 minutes in total) | 50% |
Additional information regarding the exam components on the day of the exam is available on Learn@anzca.
Trainees will be invited to attend the viva section of the primary exam if they pass the multiple-choice question section and score 40 per cent or higher in the short-answer question section.
To be successful at the exam, trainees must obtain a mark of at least 50 per cent in the sum of the short-answer (50 per cent) and viva (50 per cent) sections. If a trainee fails to attend the written exam (no show) after enrolling for the primary exam, it will be counted as an unsuccessful attempt at the primary exam.
Candidates who have failed to achieve the standard in the written components of the exam are considered unsuccessful and this will count as an unsuccessful attempt at the primary exam.
We've made all past primary exam (PEx) reports available to help you prepare for your final exam.
Final exam
The final exam is taken during advanced training and is the final formal assessment of competence and knowledge. Trainees must successfully complete the final exam as part of the training program requirements.
The purpose of this exam is to determine whether trainees can integrate knowledge, judgement and skills to address realistic anaesthetic scenarios. The curriculum guides the range of content that may be assessed. As this is the final exam, responses should demonstrate a consistent level of prioritisation, judgement, integration and decision making.
To be eligible to sit the final exam, trainees must have:
- Completed introductory training and basic training.
- 26 weeks full-time equivalent (FTE) of approved vocational training in advanced training.
- At least 88 weeks FTE clinical anaesthesia time as part of approved vocational training.
- Been in clinical anaesthesia time or other clinical time within the previous 52 weeks.
- Paid all outstanding training fees and the final exam application fee (paid in full).
We've made all past final exam (FEx) reports available to help you prepare for your final exam.
Specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) who are required to sit the final exam - regardless of when they were assessed - will no longer need to sit the written components; only the medical and anaesthesia viva sections.
Eligibility criteria
- A satisfactory CPA report covering at least three months.
- The most recent CPA report must be satisfactory and within 12 months of the date of sitting the exam
- Paid all outstanding college fees and the final exam application fee (paid in full).
Requirements for passing the SIMG exam
- A pass in the anaesthesia viva section and
- An overall score of 30 marks or more.
- A candidate must pass (achieve a score of ≥5 of 10) at least four (4) out of the eight (8) anaesthesia vivas.
- A candidate who scores 3 marks or less (≤ 3 out of 10) in three (3) or more anaesthesia vivas will be deemed to have failed the Final Examination
SIMG candidates assessed after 1 December 2018 will be allowed up to five attempts at the exam. SIMGs assessed before 1 December 2018 will continue to be allowed seven attempts.
We offer a range of activities around Australia and New Zealand specially designed to help trainees prepare for the written and oral components of the ANZCA primary exams. Find out what's available in your area.
We strongly encourage all trainees preparing for the ANZCA final exam to take advantage of the refresher courses and mock vivas we run in major centres around Australia and New Zealand.
Information on the eligibility and application process for becoming an ANZCA primary examiner.
Important information for all candidates participating in ANZCA exams, including our conditions of application and entry.
