The new MRCEM Single Best Answer (SBA) paper will replace the FRCEM Primary SBA. The first sitting is on 1st December 2021. The exam is:

• A single best answer paper assessing basic science underpinning EM care
• Blueprinted to basic sciences curriculum
• Same format as FRCEM Primary
• There is no restriction in the currency of a pass in FRCEM Primary
• An existing pass in MRCEM Part A between August 2012 – August 2016 remains valid
• Prior unsuccessful attempts at the FRCEM Primary will be counted

The MRCEM Primary is a daunting and notoriously difficult prospect and also represents the first step towards achieving a training post in Emergency Medicine and ultimately entering the Specialist Register. The MRCEM Primary examination is sat twice yearly. The paper is three hours long and comprises 180 single best answer (SBA) questions. Each SBA will consist of a question followed by five choices, of which only one will be correct.

The main emphasis of the MRCEM Primary examination is the RCEM basic sciences curriculum. The following areas are tested in the following proportions:

• Anatomy (60 questions)
• Physiology (60 questions)
• Pharmacology (24 questions)
• Microbiology (17 questions)
• Pathology (9 questions)
• Evidence-Based Medicine (10 questions)

The 2021 FRCEM/MRCEM Primary examination dates are shown below (taken from the RCEM website):