About this course
The Primary FRCA Viva Course is an intensive exam-preparation course run by the Mersey School of Anaesthesia (MSA). It is designed for anaesthetic trainees preparing for the Primary FRCA Structured Oral Examination (SOE) and is firmly positioned as a preparation and practice course rather than a revision or teaching course. The MSA emphasises that trainees should attend only when they consider themselves fully prepared for the imminent exam; the course assumes candidates arrive with a strong foundational knowledge and are ready to practice and refine their exam technique.
The course runs over three days (21–23 January 2026) from 13:00 on Wednesday through 17:30 on Friday, hosted at Village Hotel, Whiston near Liverpool. It accommodates 60 places plus 4 reserves. Attendees must commit to full attendance throughout — late arrivals and early departures cannot be accommodated, as the course format depends on everyone being present for the full duration.
The core teaching method is the "Magic Roundabout" format, in which trainees rotate through mock vivas, taking turns as both examiner and candidate. This provides authentic exam exposure and peer learning. Sessions include:
- 30-minute vivas in Pharmacology & Physiology (as both examiner and candidate)
- 30-minute vivas in Clinical and Physics/Measurement/Equipment (as both examiner and candidate)
- Introduction and guidance on viva technique and RCA expectations
- Insights into the examiner's perspective
- Review and reflection of materials
Before attending, candidates must complete compulsory preparatory homework. The course involves long hours and hard work, but is designed to be beneficial and enjoyable. It is explicitly NOT a revision course — while practice and preparation will incidentally cover revision ground, attendees should not rely on the course to provide dedicated revision time.
The fee is £345 and includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and car parking. Due to high demand, the application window is limited (24 hours), and places are allocated via a weighted lottery system rather than first-come-first-served. Candidates can attend only once and must be sitting the Primary FRCA SOE exam in January 2026.
