SIMGs that are required to sit the examination as a part of their individual
SIMG pathway, will be required undertake the SIMG examination which consists of medical and anaesthetic vivas.
A medical viva is an oral exam where candidates are assessed on their clinical knowledge, decision-making, and communication skills. It involves presenting and managing clinical anaesthesia cases, justifying choices, and demonstrating knowledge in areas like pharmacology, physiology, and patient safety. Examiners ask follow-up questions to test the depth of understanding. The viva typically lasts 15 minutes and you will undertake two medical vivas.
An anaesthetic viva is an oral exam where candidates are assessed on their ability to manage anaesthesia cases. During the viva, they present clinical scenarios, demonstrate their knowledge of anaesthesia principles, make decisions on patient management, and justify their choices. The exam tests clinical reasoning, communication, and depth of understanding. The viva typically lasts 15 minutes and you will undertake eight anaesthetic vivas.
SIMGs are permitted five attempts at the SIMG examination. After the fifth attempt an SIMG becomes ineligible to re-sit the examination and will be removed from the SIMG pathway.
Please check out our library guides for SIMG resources: SIMG examination. The college’s new online exam preparation resource, titled Planning for success: A resource for anaesthesia exam preparation and consists of nine modules which can be completed at any time and in any order. The approximate time required to complete each module is indicated on the module’s title page and it will require approximately 6 hours to complete all modules and activities.
Those starting in their SIMG pathway (only those in anaesthesia) from Monday 03 February and will be required to undertake the examination are also required to complete one PCIA as a part of their SIMG pathway. More details regarding the PCIA and what it involves can be found here.
To be eligible to sit examinations SIMGs must have:
- Paid all annual fees.
- Completed at least three calendar months CPA.
- The most recent CPA report be satisfactory.
- A satisfactory CPA report within 12 calendar months of the date of sitting the examination.
For anaesthesia, these requirements must be met prior to the date of the written component of the final examination. Dates and venues for the examinations are available on the college website.
For pain medicine, these requirements must be met prior to the closing date for applications. Dates and venues for the examinations are available on the college website.
Depending on how many months of CPA time you need to complete based on your interview outcome, you must continue to submit three-monthly CPA reports until ALL requirements of your individual program are complete.
We will progress you to fellowship once you submit your final CPA report and it’s satisfactory along with all other requirements as outlined in your Report 1.