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.
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.
2025 Primary exam dates
| 2025.1 | 2025.3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Closing date | 8 January 2025 | 10 June 2025 |
| Withdrawal fee date | 17 February 2025 | 4 August 2025 |
| Written | 4 March 2025 | 19 August 2025 |
| Written Venues | Auckland, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Townsville and Wellington. | |
| Viva | 14-16 May 2025 | 13-15 October 2025 |
Updated : 11 September 2024
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.
We've made all past final exam (FEx) reports available to help you prepare for your final exam.
Information for SIMG candidates
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.
To be eligible to sit the SIMG exam, candidates must have:
- 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).
Candidates will need the following scores to pass the 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.
