What exactly is the station format?

Seventeen marked stations of nine minutes each; the full circuit runs as twenty stations of ten minutes once preparation and rest stations are included. Both official descriptions are true, they simply count different things.

How many attempts do I get?

Up to four, and Part B must be passed within seven years of passing Part A or Part A must be retaken. Failing Part B never sends you back to Part A inside that window.

£1,212 per attempt with RCS England for the current sittings.

Why prepare for an OSCE by speaking?

Because the exam is spoken. Reading model answers helps you recognise a good answer; saying one against the clock is what the examiners mark. It is the same reason our interview practice is spoken.

Coming soon

MRCS Part B OSCE

MRCS Part B is the OSCE that completes the MRCS: 17 marked stations of 9 minutes each, in Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills. You need to pass both areas, and you need the full MRCS before an ST3 offer.

MRCS Part B OSCE

Coming soon

Every kind of OSCE station, with a model answer and the marks highlighted.

The examination

What you are sitting

An examiner marks each station as you work through it. Reading your notes won't tell you whether you can give a clear anatomy answer or explanation to a patient inside nine minutes, so practise out loud, against the clock.

examined stations: 17
minutes at each station: 9
per attempt: £1,212

Format: An OSCE of 17 examined stations of 9 minutes each; the full circuit runs as 20 stations of 10 minutes including preparation and rest
What is tested: Two areas, both of which must be passed: Applied Knowledge (anatomy, pathology, applied science, critical care) and Applied Skills (communication, history taking, clinical and procedural skills)
Fee: £1,212 per attempt (RCS England, 2026 to 2027 sittings)
Attempts: Up to 4 attempts, and Part B must be passed within 7 years of passing Part A
2026 UK sittings: London and Glasgow, 3 to 18 October; Liverpool, 4 to 6 October (application deadline 23 July); other colleges and international centres run their own dates

Run by The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) and the four surgical royal colleges. The clinical examination that completes the MRCS, required before an ST3 offer. Checked against RCS England: MRCS Part B OSCE and RCSEd: MRCS Part B OSCE, accessed 2026-07-26. Formats and fees are the bodies’ to change; always confirm against the official page before you book.

How you’ll prepare

Interactive verbal practice, on any screen

Answer the tutor out loud on your computer or tablet, then practise stations on your phone between shifts. One account works on your computer, tablet and phone.

Interactive learning
The OSCE is a spoken exam, so your preparation should be too.
Real-time marking
See your scores and where to improve.

Personalised feedback
Your words, edited into a higher-scoring answer, with every change explained.
Timed mock exams
Full OSCE circuits, spoken and timed like the real exam, with a report at the end.

Interactive learning
The OSCE is a spoken exam, so your preparation should be too.
Real-time marking
See your scores and where to improve.
Personalised feedback
Your words, edited into a higher-scoring answer, with every change explained.
Timed mock exams
Full OSCE circuits, spoken and timed like the real exam, with a report at the end.

Questions

Common questions

Something else? Contact Us

Guides & articles

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