Quick answer: to pass the MRCEM SBA, work through the RCEM curriculum system by system, answer practice questions every day, review every explanation (not just the ones you get wrong), and sit full timed mock exams in the final weeks. This 12-week plan shows you how to fit that around full-time emergency department shifts.
Know what you are preparing for
The MRCEM SBA is the second of the three MRCEM exams, after the MRCEM Primary and before the OSCE. According to RCEM:
- It has 180 single best answer questions across two 2-hour papers, with a 1-hour break.
- It tests the full range of conditions and presentations you may meet in the emergency department.
- Candidates should know the Year 1–3 specialty learning outcomes (SLOs) of the RCEM curriculum.
- The pass mark is set for each sitting using the Angoff method, plus one standard error of measurement. There is no fixed percentage to aim for, so aim to be comfortably above average on practice questions.
Four hours for 180 questions works out at about 80 seconds per question. Speed matters almost as much as knowledge, which is why timed practice is built into this plan. For a full breakdown of the papers, curriculum weighting and pass mark, read our MRCEM SBA exam format guide.
Before you start: three things to set up
- Book your exam. A fixed date keeps you honest. See our MRCEM exam dates 2026–27 guide for the next sittings and application windows.
- Take a baseline test. Try the 20 free sample questions in Timed Mode. Your score and the topics you struggle with tell you where to focus.
- Plan realistic hours. Aim for 8–12 hours a week around your shifts. Consistency beats long weekend sessions.
The 12-week MRCEM SBA revision plan
| Weeks | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Resuscitation, cardiology and respiratory | Read the key guidelines (RCUK ALS, ACS, asthma, COPD). Do 30–40 questions a day in Tutor Mode and read every explanation. |
| 3–4 | Trauma, surgical emergencies and musculoskeletal | Focus on ATLS principles, major haemorrhage, head injury (NICE) and fractures. Keep a list of facts you get wrong. |
| 5–6 | Toxicology, pharmacology and environmental emergencies | Learn antidotes, treatment thresholds and doses. Use mind maps for quick recall. |
| 7–8 | Paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology and neonatal emergencies | These topics are easy to neglect in adult-focused rotations. Give them full attention. |
| 9 | Neurology, endocrine, renal, haematology and oncology | Cover DKA, HHS, hyperkalaemia, stroke, seizures and neutropenic sepsis. |
| 10 | Remaining specialties | ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, maxillofacial, mental health, elderly care and sexual health. |
| 11 | First full mock exam and review | Sit a full timed mock under exam conditions. Spend two days reviewing every question, then revisit your weakest areas. |
| 12 | Second mock, final review and rest | Sit a second timed mock early in the week. Go through your list of wrong answers. Rest the day before the exam. |
How to get the most from practice questions
- Read every explanation. Even when you are right, the explanation often teaches the reason the other options are wrong, and that is what the next question will test.
- Keep an error log. Write down one line for each fact you got wrong. Reread the log at the end of each week and again before the exam.
- Switch to timed mode by week 6. Early on, learning matters more than speed. From the halfway point, practise at exam pace.
- Don’t chase your percentage. Your score will dip when you move to a new topic. That is normal and shows you are finding gaps.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving paediatrics and obstetrics until the end.
- Reading textbooks for weeks before doing any questions.
- Relying on local hospital protocols instead of national guidance (NICE, RCEM, RCUK).
- Skipping full-length mock exams, and then running out of time on the day.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I revise for the MRCEM SBA?
Many candidates plan for around 12 weeks at 8–12 hours a week. If you are starting from a lower baseline or working heavy rotas, allow 14–16 weeks.
How many questions are in the MRCEM SBA?
There are 180 single best answer questions across two 2-hour papers.
What is the pass mark for the MRCEM SBA?
RCEM sets the pass mark for each sitting using the Angoff method, plus one standard error of measurement, so it varies between sittings.
Which guidelines should I know?
Focus on national UK guidance: NICE, RCEM best practice guidance and Resuscitation Council UK. See our lists of NICE guidelines and RCEM guidelines for MRCEM.
Pass the MRCEM SBA with MRCEM Pass
MRCEM Pass follows this plan for you: over 2,200 MRCEM SBA questions organised by specialty, detailed explanations, timed mock tests, mind maps and courses mapped to the RCEM curriculum. Start with the 20 free sample questions, then choose a membership plan.