EP 674 Sustainability, Success and Surgical Education: Our experience with a Series of Low-Cost MRCS Part B Mock Examinations at a District General Hospital (DGH) in England
Ammara Salam, Dhiman Kanti Sikder, YeHtet Aung, Shua Haq, Sohail Noor MalikAbstract
Introduction
The membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS) intercollegiate examination is a pivotal assessment for surgical trainees in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Mock examinations are increasingly used to improve candidate preparedness by simulating the examination environment. This study evaluated the impact of MRCS Part B mock examinations offered at a district general hospital (DGH) on candidates’ confidence, satisfaction and performance.
Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) from April 2024 to September 2025. Five mock examinations were delivered to 31 surgical trainees free of charge, each comprising six-seven stations modelled in the Intercollegiate MRCS Part B format. Candidate performance was scored via a standardized marking scheme, and feedback was collected via Likert scales and free-text responses. Follow-up on the MRCS Part B results was conducted via email.
Results
Candidates reported high satisfaction (mean score 4.9/5), with 75% rating the mock as “very” or “extremely useful.” Examiner feedback was rated as “highly actionable” by 88% of the participants. The communication and history-taking stations yielded higher scores, whereas procedural skills and critical care were identified as weaker areas.
Conclusion
A DGH-based MRCS Part B mock examination significantly improved candidate confidence and was highly valued for its educational impact. The free, reproducible model offers equitable access to high-quality preparatory resources and provides insight into local training gaps.
Keywords
MRCS, mock exam, surgical training, district hospital, simulation