Exams directory. Specialty Compass AU

Exam strategy

Basic-science exams (the GSSE and the ANZCA, CICM, ACEM and RANZCR phase 1 primaries) have the lowest pass rates and the highest strategic value. Several specialties reward passing them before you even apply; fellowship exams generally have kinder pass rates.
Sitting the right exam a year early (GSSE in PGY2–3, the ANZCA primary before entry, the RACP written at first eligibility) compounds through your whole application timeline.
Expect to spend $15,000–40,000 on exams, courses and preparation across a training lifetime; RACS-track doctors spend the most.
Study groups outperform solo preparation for every written exam, and viva/OSCE formats demand rehearsed verbal practice. Find your group a year out.
First-attempt pass rates of 50–75% mean repeat attempts are normal across the board. Build one resit into your financial and emotional plans.

ACEM

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
ACEM Primary Examination Viva components have changed over time; verify the current format with ACEM.	Early training (PGY3–4 typical)	Written, basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, epidemiology); check current component structure	≈ $2,000–3,500 per component	≈ 55–75% (indicative)	Emergency Medicine
ACEM Fellowship Examination OSCE preparation courses are near-universal.	Final advanced training	Written (MCQ/SAQ) + clinical OSCE	≈ $6,000–8,000 all components	≈ 60–80% by component (indicative)	Emergency Medicine

ACRRM (FACRRM)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
ACRRM assessments (MCQ, StAMPS, WBA, procedural logbook) StAMPS is scenario-based and rural-context specific, prepare with ACRRM materials.	Across training	MCQ + Structured Assessment using Multiple Patient Scenarios (StAMPS viva) + workplace assessment	≈ $2,000–4,000 per component	Majority pass with rural-context preparation (indicative)	Rural Generalist Medicine
AST assessments (e.g. JCCA anaesthetics, DRANZCOG Advanced)	AST year	Skill-specific exams/logbooks	Varies	.	Rural Generalist Medicine

ACSEP

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
ACSEP Part 1 & Part 2 examinations	During training	Written + clinical/practical	≈ $3,000–6,000 each	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Sport & Exercise Medicine

ANZCA

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
ANZCA Primary Examination 6–12 months of dedicated study is standard; part 1 of the great filter.	Basic training (or before entry, strategically)	Written (MCQ + SAQ) + viva; physiology, pharmacology, measurement	≈ $5,000–6,000 all components	≈ 50–70% per sitting (indicative), one of the hardest basic-science exams in medicine	Anaesthesia
ANZCA Final Examination Clinical judgement-focused; strong pass rates for those who clear the primary.	Advanced training	Written (MCQ + SAQ) + medical/anaesthesia vivas	≈ $6,000–7,000	≈ 70–80% (indicative)	Anaesthesia
EMAC / effective management of anaesthetic crises	During training	Simulation course (required)	≈ $2,500–3,500	Completion	Anaesthesia

Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
ACD Pharmacology & Sciences examinations	Training years 1–2	Written basic/clinical sciences	≈ $2,000–3,500 each	Majority pass with preparation (indicative)	Dermatology
ACD Fellowship Examinations	Final year	Written + clinical/viva components	≈ $5,000–8,000	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Dermatology

CICM

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
CICM First Part Examination Budget 9–12 months of serious study.	Early training (PGY3–5)	Written (MCQ/SAQ) + vivas, physiology, pharmacology, measurement	≈ $4,500–5,500	≈ 40–60% per sitting (indicative), genuinely one of the hardest exams in medicine	Intensive Care Medicine
CICM Second Part Examination The 'hot case' bedside format is famous; practice on real patients daily.	Senior training	Written + clinical/viva (hot cases)	≈ $5,500–7,000	≈ 50–70% (indicative)	Intensive Care Medicine

Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZCA (FPM)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
FPM Examination	During the 2-year program	Written + viva/clinical	≈ $5,000–6,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Pain Medicine

RACGP (AGPT Program)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
AKT (Applied Knowledge Test)	From GPT2	MCQ, applied clinical knowledge	≈ $2,500–2,900	≈ 70–85% first attempt (indicative)	General Practice
KFP (Key Feature Problems) The KFP fails more prepared candidates than any GP exam; do a dedicated course and practise its answer style.	From GPT2	Written case-based decision-making, the notorious one	≈ $2,500–2,900	≈ 55–75% first attempt historically (indicative)	General Practice
CCE (Clinical Competency Exam)	Final training	Case-based clinical/viva assessment	≈ $4,300–4,900	≈ 80%+ (indicative)	General Practice

RACMA

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
RACMA assessments (incl. oral examination)	Across AT	Competency portfolio + oral exam	Training fees apply	High for engaged candidates	Medical Administration

RACP

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Divisional Written Examination (FRACP Part 1 written) Most candidates start structured study 9–12 months out; question banks + group study are standard.	Usually end of BPT2 or during BPT3	Two MCQ papers in one day, enormous breadth across internal medicine	≈ $3,000–3,500	≈ 65–75% per sitting (indicative)	Basic Physician Training (Adult Medicine)
Divisional Clinical Examination Weekly practice cases with consultants for months beforehand is the norm; hospitals run mock exams.	The year after passing the written	Long cases + short cases examined at the bedside	≈ $4,000–4,600	≈ 60–75% (indicative)	Basic Physician Training (Adult Medicine)
AFPHM assessments (incl. oral examination)	Across AT	Workplace-based assessments + oral exam + training portfolio	Training fees apply	Completion-based with exam hurdle	Public Health Medicine
AFRM Written + Clinical (Fellowship) examinations Module assessments throughout training.	Mid-to-late AT	Written papers + clinical assessment	≈ $3,000–5,000 each	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Rehabilitation Medicine
AFOEM Stage examinations (written + practical/oral)	Across AT	Written papers + clinical/oral assessment + research project	≈ $3,000–5,000 each	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Occupational & Environmental Medicine

RACP (Chapter of Palliative Medicine, AChPM)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
RACP Chapter assessments Check current AChPM handbook for assessment details.	During AT	Work-based assessments, case studies, projects (no divisional-style barrier exam for the Chapter)	Training fees apply	Completion-based	Palliative Medicine

RACP (Paediatrics & Child Health Division)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Divisional Written Examination (Paediatrics)	End of basic training year 2–3	MCQ papers, paediatric curriculum	≈ $3,000–3,500	≈ 65–75% (indicative)	Paediatrics & Child Health
Divisional Clinical Examination (Paediatrics)	Following year	Long + short cases with real children and families	≈ $4,000–4,600	≈ 60–75% (indicative)	Paediatrics & Child Health

RACS

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
GSSE (Generic Surgical Sciences Examination) Score matters in some specialties' shortlisting, not just the pass; check your specialty's rules.	Before applying to SET (sit PGY2–4 for most people)	MCQ papers covering anatomy, physiology and pathology, a large basic-sciences exam similar in scale to a college primary	≈ $5,500	Roughly 50–70% per sitting depending on cohort (indicative)	General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Otolaryngology. Head & Neck Surgery (ENT), Urology…
Fellowship Examination (General Surgery) Most trainees take 6–12 months of dedicated study alongside full-time work.	Final years of SET	Written papers + vivas + clinical examinations	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative, varies by sitting)	General Surgery
AOA training exams (principles/basic sciences) Structure varies, see AOA curriculum.	Early SET	Written hurdle exams within the AOA program	Included/moderate	High for prepared trainees	Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Orth) Regarded as one of the tougher fellowship exams; dedicated exam terms are standard.	SET 4–5	Written papers + clinicals + vivas	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Neurosurgery) Preceded by NSA in-training assessments and anatomy/sciences hurdles.	Final training years	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	Variable with tiny cohorts	Neurosurgery
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Plast)	Final training years	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Fellowship Examination FRACS (OHNS)	Final training years	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Otolaryngology. Head & Neck Surgery (ENT)
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Urol)	SET 4–5	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Urology
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Vasc)	Final training years	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Vascular Surgery

RACS (Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Fellowship Examination FRACS (CTh)	SET 5–6	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	Variable (small cohorts)	Cardiothoracic Surgery

RACS (Board of Paediatric Surgery

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Fellowship Examination FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)	SET 5–6	Written + vivas + clinicals	≈ $10,500	Variable (small cohorts)	Paediatric Surgery

RANZCO

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Ophthalmic Basic Sciences examinations (OBCK/OPBS stream) Some candidates sit ophthalmic-science courses/exams pre-selection for CV value; check current rules on what counts.	Early VTP	Written exams in anatomy, physiology, optics, pathology	≈ $2,000–4,000 per exam	Most pass with dedicated study	Ophthalmology
RACE (RANZCO Advanced Clinical Examination)	Final VTP years	Written + clinical/viva fellowship exam	≈ $5,000–7,000	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Ophthalmology

RANZCOG

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
FRANZCOG Written Examination	Core years	MCQ/SAQ across obstetrics + gynaecology	≈ $3,000–3,600	≈ 60–80% (indicative)	Obstetrics & Gynaecology
FRANZCOG Oral/OSCE Examination	Core years (after written)	Structured clinical stations	≈ $3,500–4,200	≈ 65–85% (indicative)	Obstetrics & Gynaecology
DRANZCOG / DRANZCOG Advanced (optional, GP-shared-care) The GP-obstetrics credential, also a common pre-application CV item.	Any time	Workplace + exam components	≈ $2,000–4,000	High	Obstetrics & Gynaecology

RANZCP

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
RANZCP MCQ examination	Stage 1–2	Applied-knowledge multiple choice	≈ $1,800–2,500	≈ 60–80% (indicative)	Psychiatry
Essay-style / critical analysis written exam The traditional choke point, structured writing practice matters.	Stage 2–3	Long-form written reasoning	≈ $1,800–2,500	≈ 50–70% (indicative)	Psychiatry
Clinical OSCE-style examination Assessment reforms are ongoing (the IOCA was removed from Stage 2 requirements in March 2026, verified), confirm current components.	Stage 3	Observed clinical stations	≈ $2,500–3,500	≈ 60–80% (indicative)	Psychiatry
Psychotherapy written case + scholarly project	Across training	Long-form casework + research/audit project	Included	Completion-based with review	Psychiatry

RANZCR

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Phase 1 Examinations (Anatomy + Applied Imaging Technology) Anatomy volume is enormous, pre-entry groundwork pays.	Years 1–2	Written/image-based papers	≈ $3,000–4,500	≈ 60–80% per sitting (indicative)	Clinical Radiology
Phase 2 Examinations (Pathology + Clinical Radiology) The film-reading exam is the signature hurdle; daily deliberate practice is the prep.	Years 3–5	Written + film-reading/viva components	≈ $4,500–6,500	≈ 60–80% (indicative)	Clinical Radiology

RANZCR (Faculty of Radiation Oncology)

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Phase 1 (radiation sciences)	Years 1–2	Physics, radiobiology, anatomy papers	≈ $3,000–4,500	≈ 65–85% (indicative)	Radiation Oncology
Phase 2 (clinical)	Years 4–5	Written + viva/clinical	≈ $4,500–6,500	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Radiation Oncology

RCPA

Exam	When	Format	Cost	Pass rate	Used by
Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS)	Year 1–2	Written foundation exam	≈ $1,500–2,500	High with preparation	Pathology
RCPA Part 1 The heavyweight hurdle; practical components need daily bench practice.	Years 2–3	Discipline-specific written + practical (e.g. slide/wet exams)	≈ $4,000–6,000	≈ 55–75% (indicative)	Pathology
RCPA Part 2	Years 4–5	Written + practical/viva	≈ $4,000–6,000	≈ 70–85% (indicative)	Pathology

Costs and pass rates are indicative (July 2026); colleges publish current fee schedules and examiner reports; read those before booking anything.