FRCEM SBA Exam Format & Logistics

Exam structure at a glance

The FRCEM SBA is a computer-based theory exam of 180 single-best-answer questions. It is delivered as two papers of 90 questions, with two hours per paper and a one-hour break in between — four hours of exam time in total on a single day.

Every question has a stem and a list of options; any of the options may be partially correct or plausible, but only one is the single best answer. The exam is blueprinted against the full RCEM 2021 Emergency Medicine curriculum.

How the FRCEM SBA is marked and standard set

The paper is machine-marked. A correct answer scores one mark, an incorrect answer scores nil, and there is no negative marking — so you should answer every question, even if you have to guess.

The pass mark is set using a modified Angoff method, with one standard error of measurement added to the resulting cut score. Because it depends on the difficulty of each particular paper, the pass mark is not fixed and is not known in advance. For example, the pass mark for the October 2024 FRCEM SBA was 108 out of 180.

Eligibility for the FRCEM SBA

RCEM updated its eligibility criteria for 2025 onwards. To apply for the FRCEM SBA you must:

• hold a primary medical qualification accepted by the GMC;
• hold full GMC registration with a licence to practise; and
• have completed MRCEM (or an accepted equivalent).

You also need a minimum of emergency medicine experience, which differs by route:

• UK trainees: 12 months full-time-equivalent EM experience at higher specialty training level or equivalent.
• Non-trainees: four years full-time-equivalent EM training, of which at least one year must be at higher specialty level.

You can sit the SBA and OSCE in either order. You must meet all criteria at the point of application, not at the date of the exam.

Attempts

You are allowed a maximum of four attempts at the FRCEM SBA (and separately, four at the FRCEM OSCE). Attempts taken after August 2016 count towards this limit. In exceptional circumstances, additional attempts may be granted at the discretion of the College.

There is also a currency rule: after completing MRCEM you have seven years to take and pass your first FRCEM component, and then a further seven years to complete the remaining component.

Fees

The FRCEM SBA fee depends on your College membership status and whether you sit in the UK or internationally, with reduced fees for College members. RCEM reviews its fees annually, so always confirm the current figures on the official RCEM Exam Calendar & Fees page.

To qualify for the reduced member rate, membership fees must be paid at least 24 hours before the application window opens. Depending on your country of residence, additional local taxes may be added on top of the fee.

Exam dates and application windows

The FRCEM SBA runs twice a year, with diets traditionally held around May and October. Each diet has a short application window of roughly one week, opening several months before the exam. Applications open at 10:00am UK time on the opening date and close automatically at 4:00pm UK time on the closing date — late applications are not accepted.

Results follow approximately six to eight weeks after the exam. Exact sitting dates, application windows and results-release dates change each year, so always confirm the current schedule against the official RCEM Exam Calendar & Fees page before planning your application.

How to apply and book your test centre

The process runs to a roughly 12-week timeline:

1. Apply through your RCEM account and pay during the seven-day application window, supplying any required evidence and noting any reasonable adjustments.
2. RCEM reviews applications against the eligibility criteria.
3. Once approved, you receive an email from the exam delivery provider and book your place at a test centre — typically around eight weeks before the exam, with a booking window of about three weeks.

Arrive at your test centre 30 minutes before your start time; candidates who arrive late are not admitted and forfeit the fee.

A big change for 2026: Surpass replaces Pearson VUE

This is the single most important logistical update. Candidates still apply through their RCEM account but will book their test centre through Surpass and see differences in the booking process.

Surpass operates a global test-centre network, including many UK cities and centres in countries such as Ireland, India, Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

RCEM prefers candidates to sit in a test centre. Online remote invigilation is available only in exceptional circumstances for those who cannot travel, and requires a second device as a secondary camera and a system check in advance.

Results

Results are released to your RCEM account, with an email to let you know when you can log in. RCEM's official guidance is that results are released "six to eight weeks after the exam date"; for example, in 2026 the published results dates are 24 June (for the May diet) and 11 November (for the October diet).

There is no result by phone or email. You also receive a feedback letter designed to highlight your strengths and areas for development.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave during the exam? In a test centre you can be escorted to the toilet; under online invigilation you cannot leave the webcam view during a paper, but you can leave your desk during the one-hour break between papers.

Is there negative marking? No.

What is the standard of English expected? RCEM expects a high standard of English; for the OSCE specifically, candidates must evidence at least IELTS Level 7 (or equivalent), and a comparable command of English is expected throughout the Fellowship.

Once you understand the logistics, move on to the SBA blueprint to see exactly where the marks are, and then plan your revision timeline.