If you are sitting the FRCEM SBA in 2026, there is one practical change worth knowing about early: RCEM theory exams are now delivered through Surpass Assessment rather than Pearson VUE.
That sounds big, but the important bit is that the exam itself has not changed. So your revision plan does not need to change because of Surpass. What changes is the admin around booking and exam day — and, as anyone who has sat postgraduate exams knows, exam admin can be unnecessarily stressful, especially if you leave it until the last minute.
Written by the Bolus editorial team. Last reviewed 20 June 2026.
How booking works now
From 2026, RCEM has moved the delivery of all of its theory examinations to Surpass. This applies to MRCEM Primary, MRCEM SBA and FRCEM SBA.
You still apply for the exam through your RCEM account during the published application window. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will receive details about booking your place through the Surpass platform. The process therefore runs like this:
Apply through RCEM → wait for approval → book your test centre → sit the exam.
The only difference is that the booking platform and test centre network have changed. The dates and fees themselves are still published on the RCEM exam calendar.
Test centres and online invigilation
For most candidates, the safest assumption is that you will sit the exam in a Surpass test centre. RCEM's guidance is clear that test centres are the preferred option: they provide the equipment, the exam environment and on-site support if something goes wrong.
Online invigilation is only available in specific circumstances, and I would not treat it as the default route unless RCEM confirms that it applies to your situation. Remote exams can be convenient, but they also introduce extra risks: internet connection, room setup, identity checks, camera requirements and technical problems at exactly the wrong moment.
Read the instructions properly and test everything in advance. Do not make the first full system check the morning of the exam.
What you should actually do about it
The main advice is simple: do not rely on old Pearson VUE advice. A colleague's guide from last year, an old WhatsApp message, or a screenshot from a previous sitting may no longer match what you see. Use the current RCEM and Surpass guidance for your actual exam diet.
A few practical steps will save a lot of stress:
- Apply early in the RCEM window. Do not leave the application until the final afternoon.
- Check your RCEM account details. Make sure your name, email address and documents are correct before you apply.
- Watch for the Surpass booking email. Once your application is approved, booking is the next important step.
- Book your test centre promptly. Convenient centres and times will likely not stay available forever.
- Check your ID. The name on your identification should match your RCEM details. This is boring admin, but it is exactly the sort of thing that can ruin a morning.
- Arrive early. Build in time for travel, parking, check-in and unexpected delays.
If you want the wider context — fees, dates, eligibility, attempts and how the move to Surpass fits in — our guide to the FRCEM SBA exam format and logistics covers it in full, and sits within our complete FRCEM SBA study guide.
The bottom line
The move to Surpass is a minor logistical change of delivery platform and location, and it should not affect your preparation. Make sure you book early, read over the exam regulations and bring the correct ID.
So sort the admin early. Then forget about Surpass and get back to the work that actually improves your score: practising SBAs, reviewing weak areas and getting comfortable with consultant-level decision making.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FRCEM SBA still delivered through Pearson VUE?
No. From January 2026 RCEM delivers all theory exams (MRCEM Primary, MRCEM SBA, FRCEM SBA) through Surpass Assessment, replacing Pearson VUE.
Has the FRCEM SBA content or format changed with Surpass?
No. It remains 180 single best answer questions across two two-hour papers with no negative marking, mapped to the RCEM 2021 curriculum. Only the delivery platform has changed.
Can I sit the FRCEM SBA online or do I have to attend a test centre?
Surpass offers both a global test-centre network and remote online invigilation. Most candidates are advised to use a test centre to avoid connectivity and ID-verification problems.