About

The FRCS (General Surgery) Section I exam is designed to assess the breadth and depth of knowledge expected of a higher surgical trainee progressing towards consultancy. Success requires more than factual recall. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to interpret clinical information, apply surgical principles, and select the most appropriate answer from a series of closely related options.

This comprehensive two-day course has been developed specifically for candidates preparing for the FRCS (General Surgery) Section I exam. Delivered by an experienced multidisciplinary faculty of consultant surgeons who represent the major surgical subspecialties, the course provides a structured review of the curriculum. This ensures that delegates receive specialist and focused teaching across every area of the syllabus.

Teaching is centred around the application of knowledge to mock SBA questions. Throughout the course, faculty discuss the underlying surgical principles, highlight common misconceptions, explain how questions are constructed, and demonstrate practical approaches to selecting the best answer. Rather than concentrating on isolated facts, the sessions emphasise clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and the integration of knowledge across different areas of surgery.

Comprehensive Coverage of the Curriculum

One of the greatest challenges of preparing for the FRCS Section I exam is the breadth of the syllabus. This course provides focused teaching across all of the major areas examined, ensuring that delegates develop a balanced understanding of the curriculum rather than concentrate on a limited number of topics.

• Colorectal Surgery
• Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
• Breast Surgery
• Endocrine Surgery
• Transplant Surgery
• Trauma and Emergency Surgery
• General Surgical Principles
• Surgical Statistics

Faculty Expertise Across Every Subspecialty

The breadth of the FRCS Section I exam demands expertise across the full spectrum of General Surgery. To reflect this, the course is delivered by an experienced faculty of consultant surgeons, with each major subspecialty taught by consultants who practise within that field.

Rather than providing a generic overview of multiple specialties, each session is led by faculty who bring contemporary clinical experience, specialist knowledge, and a detailed understanding of the topics most frequently tested in the exam. This enables delegates to learn not only the core principles required for the exam but also the practical application of those principles in modern surgical practice.

The faculty have extensive experience in postgraduate surgical education and FRCS exam preparation. Throughout the course, they share practical insights into exam technique, highlight commonly tested themes, and discuss the reasoning behind SBA questions. Delegates are encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion with specialists from across the General Surgery curriculum.

This collaborative approach ensures that every part of the syllabus is taught by those with expertise in that area, which provides comprehensive preparation for the FRCS Section I exam.

Learning Approach

The course has been designed to maximise active participation and learning that is focused on the exam. The teaching is interactive, with discussion of mock SBA questions, clinical scenarios, and image-based material.

Delegates will:

• review high-yield topics from every major surgical subspecialty;
• discuss mock SBA questions in detail;
• discuss clinical images and radiological investigations in the context of the exam;
• discuss current evidence and guidelines relevant to the exam;
• identify common pitfalls and frequently tested concepts; and
• develop practical strategies for approaching SBA questions with confidence.

The emphasis throughout the course is on understanding why an answer is correct, recognising why alternative options are incorrect, and developing a systematic approach to answering questions under exam conditions.

Who Should Attend?

The course is intended for higher surgical trainees preparing for the FRCS (General Surgery) Section I exam. It is particularly suitable for candidates planning to sit the examination within the next 12 months, whether they are preparing for their first attempt or undertaking further revision before a resit attempt.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the breadth of the FRCS Section I curriculum;
• apply surgical knowledge to SBA questions;
• recognise common themes and high-yield topics across all surgical subspecialties;
• interpret clinical and radiological information relevant to the exam;
• approach SBA questions using structured clinical reasoning rather than factual recall alone; and
• prepare for the exam with greater confidence.