The MRCS Exam: Part A, Part B OSCE, Eligibility and Attempts
The MRCS exam from the official rules: Part A's 300 SBA questions in 5 hours, the 17-station Part B OSCE, eligibility, fees, attempt limits and how to prepare.
9 min read
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Exams (page 2)
How to prepare for and pass FRCS, FRACS, ABOS, EBOT and other orthopaedic examinations, including the viva.
48 articles, newest first.
Dealing With Information Overload in Revision
How to cut through the overwhelming volume of orthopaedic material and revise what actually matters.
9 min read
How to Prepare for ABOS Part I (Written)
ABOS Part I is a 328-question, 9-hour exam each July. Format, blueprint weightings, KSB eligibility, pass rates and a phased revision plan for PGY-5 residents.
10 min read
How to Practise Viva Answers When Studying Alone
How to practise orthopaedic viva answers alone: a fixed answer structure, voice recording, timed rounds, image drills and self-questioning without a partner.
5 min read
How to Make Revision Notes You'll Actually Use
How to make revision notes for orthopaedic exams you will reopen: what to write, paper or digital, choosing a tool, templates and condensing before the exam.
7 min read
ABOS Board Certification Guide: Part I, Part II and KSB
ABOS board certification explained: Part I format and dates, KSB requirements, Part II eligibility, the six-month case list, the oral exam and recertification.
15 min read
How to Revise Radiographs and Imaging for Exams
How to build a fast, reliable system for reading and describing radiographs and scans under exam pressure.
12 min read
How to Revise Anatomy for Orthopaedic Exams
A focused strategy for revising the anatomy that orthopaedic exams actually test, without drowning in detail.
9 min read
How to Memorise Orthopaedic Classifications
Practical techniques for committing the many orthopaedic classifications to durable memory for exams.
9 min read
Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for Orthopaedic Exams
Active recall and spaced repetition for orthopaedic exams: what the evidence shows, how to write good flashcards, Anki and FSRS settings, and a daily routine.
9 min read
FRCS (Tr & Orth) Section 2: The Clinicals and Vivas
FRCS (Tr & Orth) Section 2 explained: intermediate and short cases, the four 30-minute orals, JCIE marking descriptors, pass rates and a six-month plan.
10 min read
FRCS (Tr & Orth) Section 1: The Written SBA Exam
FRCS (Tr & Orth) Section 1 explained: two 120-question SBA papers, timing, dates, the two-year window, pass rates and how to revise for the written exam.
9 min read
How to Revise Basic Science for Orthopaedics
Basic science is the most feared part of many orthopaedic exams. Here is a strategy for revising it without getting lost in detail.
4 min read
The FRCS (Tr & Orth) Exam: Format, Eligibility, Pass Rates and How to Prepare
The FRCS (Tr & Orth) exam explained from JCIE sources: eligibility, Section 1 and 2 format, dates, fees, attempt limits, pass rates and a revision plan.
15 min read
Managing Exam Nerves and Performance Anxiety in Surgical Exams
Exam nerves in long surgical exams: what the evidence shows for reappraisal, expressive writing, slow breathing, sleep and stamina, and where it runs out.
11 min read
How to Use a Question Bank Well (Not Just Grind It)
Grinding thousands of questions is not the same as learning from them. Here is how to use a question bank to actually build knowledge.
3 min read
How Many Hours Should You Study for a Fellowship Exam?
There is no magic number of study hours for a fellowship exam — here is how to think about quantity, quality and sustainability instead.
4 min read
Building a Study Schedule That Actually Works
Practical advice on creating and sticking to a study schedule. Time blocking, the 12-month plan, and integrating study with clinical work.
9 min read
How to Pass the Orthopaedic Viva: Marking, Answer Structure and Pitfalls
How to pass the orthopaedic viva: how JCIE, RACS and ABOS examiners mark, how to structure an answer and open a case, and the pitfalls that cost marks.
12 min read
Top 10 Clinical Pearls Every FRACS Candidate Must Know
A definitive collection of high-yield facts, exam traps, and essential clinical pearls for the Orthopaedic Fellowship examination. Master these concepts to pass.
11 min read
Mastering Orthovellum: Your Complete Guide to Exam Success
Discover how to use every feature of Orthovellum to maximise your FRACS exam preparation. From MCQs to Vivas, we've got you covered.
9 min read
The FRACS Orthopaedic Exam: Format, Eligibility and How to Pass
The FRACS orthopaedic exam explained: eligibility, the seven segments, dates, fees and RACS pass rates, how to prepare, and the pitfalls that fail candidates.
13 min read
The Surgeon's Guide to High-Performance Learning
Evidence-based learning strategies tailored for the orthopaedic exam. Active recall, interleaving, and the neuroscience of memory consolidation.
12 min read
Welcome to Orthovellum: Your Roadmap to Exam Success
More than just a question bank. A complete guide to using Orthovellum's features to master the FRACS Orthopaedic Curriculum, from active recall to spaced repetition.
10 min read