MRCS ENT Content Guide FINAL Jan 22
MRCS ENT Content Guide FINAL Jan 22
MRCS ENT Content Guide FINAL Jan 22
January 2022
Guide to the intercollegiate MRCS
(ENT) examination
Examinations (ICBSE) has produced this guide to the intercollegiate MRCS (ENT)
Section 2 – Topics and Skills that may be examined in the MRCS (ENT) Page 5
Note that this guide is a living document that will change over time.
http://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk
2
Section 1 – Introduction
The purpose of the MRCS (ENT) is to test the breadth of knowledge, the clinical and
The complete syllabus for the MRCS (ENT) is contained within the General Medical
This is a useful resource for candidates to understand the level of knowledge, clinical
and technical skills required to be successful in the examination and candidates are
advised to consult the Standards for Knowledge and Skills within the syllabus. The
curriculum is competence based, requiring the trainee to demonstrate both applied and
theoretical knowledge and practical skills, together with the professional behaviours
described in the Good Medical Practice document of the General Medical Council of
the United Kingdom (http://www.gmc-uk.org/). The provision of excellent care for the
Note:
papers) and the MRCS (ENT) OSCE. Candidates are advised to consult the
https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/dohns/dohns-regulations-and-
examination for further information about the MRCS Part A, which may be
guidance/.
3
The Otolaryngology Specialist Advisory Committee has deemed that the possession
of either the MRCS (ENT) or the MRCS plus the DOHNS is required to allow access
to the National Selection Process for transition from CT/ST2 to ST3. Candidates are
(https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/).
This guide has been produced in order to indicate to candidates and their supervisors
the extent and level of knowledge that is required to pass the MRCS (ENT)
representative sample of the syllabus, but not every topic will be tested on each
occasion.
4
Section 2 – Topics and skills that may be examined in
the MRCS (ENT)
Candidates are advised to consult the complete syllabus for the MRCS (ENT)
examination, which is contained within the curriculum for the "Early Years" of
Otolaryngology Training in the United Kingdom, and which can be found at:
https://www.iscp.ac.uk/iscp/curriculum/.
1. Elective otology
Detailed knowledge is expected of the anatomy and physiology of the ear and auditory
pathways, the cranial nerves, the relationship of disease to the temporal bone, and
symptoms, signs and management of common acute and chronic conditions, including
inner, middle and external ear; to understand the potential intra- and extra-cranial
basics of auditory rehabilitation, including hearing aids and implantable devices; and
competent clinical examination of the ear, using appropriate instruments and to be able
5
2. Paediatric otolaryngology
Candidates are expected to have general knowledge of applied embryology and the
anatomy of the head and neck in children, and of the anatomical differences between
the adult and paediatric airway. They are expected to understand the aetiology,
masses both congenital and acquired, airway disorders at birth and later in childhood
including obstructive sleep apnoea, congenital deformities affecting the head and neck
including the ear and cleft lip and palate, the commoner congenital syndromes seen in
an ENT clinic, deafness including otitis media and its complications, facial palsy, otitis
media and its complications, balance disorders, nose and sinus infections and their
bodies in the ear and airway, epistaxis with particular reference to children, trauma to
the head and neck, disease of the tonsils and adenoids and their complications,
oncology, speech and language development and the management of the drooling
injury in an ENT clinic, and to be aware of age-appropriate hearing tests and hearing
aids. They are expected to be able to take a thorough history from a child or parent.
Candidates are required to have detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of
the head and neck. They should understand the aetiology, pathology (including
including congenital abnormalities of the head and neck (e.g. branchial arch
abnormalities, cleft lip and palate), oral pathology, airway obstruction, voice disorders,
pathology, benign and neoplastic salivary gland disease, thyroid and parathyroid
disease, malignancies in the upper aerodigestive tract (including the oral cavity to the
6
extent that an ENT surgeon will be involved in diagnosis and multi-disciplinary
other neck lumps. They should also understand the classification of head and neck
malignancies, in particular that for squamous cell carcinoma, and understand the
pattern of spread of malignancy in the head and neck. They should understand
be able to take an appropriate history, carry out an appropriate examination of the neck
treatment to a patient.
4. Rhinology
Candidates are expected to have detailed knowledge of the anatomy, embryology and
physiology of the nose and sinuses, including olfaction and the lacrimal system. They
common conditions, including congenital abnormalities, nose and sinus infections and
inflammation (including allergy), nasal polyps, facial pain, epistaxis, nasal trauma and
surgery for infection. They are expected to have knowledge of disorders of olfaction;
the aetiology and management of epiphora; knowledge of the basic types of skin
grafts, local flaps, regional flaps and free flaps; and knowledge of the pharmacology of
drugs commonly used to treat nasal conditions. Candidates are expected to be able to
take an appropriate history, carry out an appropriate examination of the nose using
7
5. Emergency otolaryngology
(and its complications), auricular trauma, foreign bodies in the ear and airways, acute
oropharyngeal infections, acute sinusitis (and its complications), and simple fractures
of the facial skeleton. They should understand the principles of acute airway
critically ill patient. They should be familiar with the Glasgow Coma Score.
6. General
Candidates are expected to be familiar with taking a history from a patient with a
clinical examination (including the use of instruments in common use in an ENT clinic)
This includes the effective communication of prognosis, risk, benefit and alternative
required. Candidates will also be required to have knowledge of topics common to all
surgical specialties, including the use of blood and blood products, the use of
antibiotics in the surgical patient, the role and complications of diathermy, pain relief,
thrombo-embolic prevention and management, wound care and suture techniques and
(including coagulation) and overnight pulse oximetry. They will also be required to
8
imaging techniques, and to be able to make basic interpretations and to draw
Note: All parts of the examination will be conducted in English and will use
terminology and procedures relevant to the NHS in the UK. Candidates should be
familiar with UK guidance issued by NICE or SIGN, and with standards issued by the
9
Section 3 – The intercollegiate MRCS (ENT)
examination
The MRCS (ENT) examination consists of two parts; the MRCS Part A (MCQ) and the
MRCS (ENT) OSCE. Though it is divided into two parts, the MRCS (ENT) is a single
examination, and passing the MRCS Part A alone does not carry any diploma status.
Topics may be examined in either MRCS Part A or the MRCS (ENT) OSCE or both
parts of the examination. The examinations are held three times a year.
General), taken on the same day. The Applied Basic Science paper will consist of 180
questions and the Principles of Surgery in General will consist of 120 questions. There
is a break between the two papers. Candidates may sit this examination in various
occasion, and this location rotates between the four Colleges, i.e. the examination is
Entry requirements
To meet the entry requirements for the MRCS (ENT) examination, candidates must
hold a recognised medical qualification, and are strongly recommended to have been
10
Candidates may attempt the MRCS Part A six times only, and the MRCS (ENT) OSCE
Further details of entry requirements for the examination are given in the Regulations
(see https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/dohns/dohns-regulations-and-
formal-documents/) and candidates are advised to consult the website for up-to-date
information.
11
Section 4 – MRCS Part A information
Information about the MRCS Part A examination, including test structure and sample
https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/mrcs/candidate-guidance/. Candidates
are advised to familiarise themselves with this information before entering for the
exam.
12
Section 5 – MRCS (ENT) OSCE information
sometimes some “Preparation Stations” and “Rest Stations”. The 28 Active Stations
There are approximately five “clinical stations”. These are designed to assess
skills. These stations are manned by both a patient (or an actor playing the
Candidates are each provided with a cardboard folder to hold their completed
Some stations require the presence of a “Preparation Station” just before the active
station. This Preparation Station provides instructions for the next station, so that the
candidate is fully aware of the task which he/she will be asked to complete at the next
station.
13
The examination is also likely to include a variable number of “Rest Stations”. During
the rest stations, candidates may review their answer sheets from previous stations if
2. Standard Setting
The pass mark for the MRCS (ENT) OSCE examination is determined by the
3. Duration
The candidates have 7 minutes at each station to complete the task or the questions
posed. After 7 minutes each candidate moves on to the next station. The examination
4. Conduct of Examination
Candidates must bring proof of identity to the examination. Proof of identity must be
an official document, such as a current passport or driving licence that includes the
candidate’s name, signature and photograph. For the purposes of visual identification,
any candidate sitting the examination will be required to remove any clothing and/or
other item which covers all, or part of, the candidate's face. The Colleges will observe
candidates.
In line with modern infection control practices, and in view of the variety of stations and
the limited time available between them, it has been decided to adopt a standard dress
code for all stations in order to ease the pressure upon candidates who would
14
otherwise be required to modify their dress between stations. The dress requirements
• No tie
at the neck or for a long-sleeved shirt/blouse with the sleeves rolled up throughout the
Candidates with religious or cultural reasons for not observing this code for all stations
will be expected to comply with the dress code for those stations involving the physical
examination of patients/actors.
the examiner and patient (or actor in the role of the patient as the case may be), the
Colleges will require candidates for the duration of the station in question to remove
any clothing and/or other item which covers all, or part of the candidate's face.
4.3 Briefing
information that they are given at the briefing and also follow any instructions that they
are given by the administrative staff during the circuit. The briefing will cover the
checking and issuing of candidate numbers, layout of the stations, rest stations, the
evacuation of the centre. Candidates must make sure that they fully understand how
15
the examination circuit is to be run. At the end of the circuit there will be a debriefing
4.4 Equipment
All equipment required for the tasks set in each station will be supplied. Candidates
are not required to bring any equipment for their own use.
There are a number of stations that use tablet computers to show a particular image.
invigilator aware of the issue and another copy of the image will be supplied. Under
encouraged to use the zoom function if required but all other functions of the tablet are
disabled. Any tampering with the internet function of the tablet will be deemed as
misconduct.
candidate during the examination circuit. These can be switched off and left with other
disciplinary action.
5. Candidate Instructions
Each station has specific candidate instructions. It is important to read each instruction
carefully as this will describe precisely the task(s) that each candidate is required to
undertake at each station. Should the candidate complete the task at one of the clinical
stations within the 7-minute period, he or she may move outside the station and sit on
a seat provided until the bell signals the beginning of the next station.
16
In stations involving the examination of patients or actors the examiner will usually
watch candidates performing the required tasks. Candidates will not be prompted and
will not be required to give a running commentary. If the examiner judges that a
candidate is not performing the task requested, the candidate may be prompted to re-
read the instructions for the station. Hand gel is provided for the use of candidates
where contact with patients or other clinical material requires hand cleaning.
6. Examination Papers
It is essential that candidates mark their candidate number in the top right hand corner
number will not be added into the examination results. Candidates should ensure that
their writing is legible. Abbreviations for medical terms are best avoided. In common
with current clinical practice, the words "Right" and "Left" should be written in full. If a
question requires a candidate to state laterality, then marks will not be awarded for the
use of "R" and "L". Where a question requires a candidate to list, for example, three
items of information, but the candidate lists six items of information, then only the first
three will be marked. At the end of the examination, the cardboard folders containing
examination staff.
7. Results
Details about the release date for the results will be given to candidates at or around
8. Feedback
Candidates will receive a breakdown of their marks for the content areas: otology,
17
9. Discipline
enquiries at the time and will notify the candidate of what the concerns are and how
18