Fellowship CAI – Written
The Fellowship of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (FCAI) Written examination is an internationally recognised high stakes assessment of anaesthetists in training knowledge. The Fellowship examination is a national test of knowledge as laid out in the FCAI examination syllabus agreed with the Irish Medical Council. The examination is embedded within the curriculum outcomes and specialty anaesthetic trainees will not progress to SAT6 without possession of this qualification.
Key Dates for FCAI Written Examination
CAI statement regarding in person examinations
The CAI published new examination regulations in December 2022, we have allowed 1 years notice before these are implemented in full.
Therefore from December 2023 candidates applying for the;
MCAI MCQ – If a candidate passes the MCQ paper, it will be held valid for three years, after which time if the MCAI OSCE/SOE has not been passed, the MCQ must be re-taken.
FCAI Written – Has passed within 7 years preceding the current examination date, or is exempt from, the Membership CAI;
If a candidate passes the FCAI (Written), it will be valid for three years, after which time, if the whole examination has not been passed, the FCAI (Written) must be re-taken.
Apply Online
To apply the applicant must have completed 36 months in the practice of anaesthesia / anaesthesiology. Additionally, where the applicant is on the Irish National Anaesthesiology Training Programme, they must have completed 36 months within the training programme.
Step 1:
Check if you are eligible to sit exam. Please read the full Examinations Regulations.(pdf)
Step 2:
Step 3:
Prepare for Examination
Reading Materials Here we have compiled a number of resources trainees have found useful for the MCAI. We hope this helps a little with your initial preparation for exams: Books
- BMJ Education (formerly CEACCP) – http://bjaed.oxfordjournals.org/ **ESSENTIAL**
- Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA – Leslie, Johnson
- Physics, Pharmacology and Physiology for Anaesthetists: Key Concepts for the FRCA – Cross, Plunkett
- Yao & Artusio’s Anesthesiology, by Fun-Sun F Yao
- Handbook of Clinical Anaesthesia, Fourth Edition, by Brian Pollard
- Smith and Aitkenhead’s textbook of Anaesthesia, 7e, by Jonathan Thompson, Iain Moppett et al
MCQ/SAQ Books
- Q Base Anaesthesia Series
- SAQs for the Final FRCA – Shorthouse **Highly Recommended**
- Short Answer Questions in Anaesthesia – Bricker
- SBA and MCQ’s for the Final FRCA Rakesh Tandon – Oxford Specialty Training
- The Final FRCA Short Answer Questions: A Practical Study Guide, by Elizabeth Combeer
- SBAS For the Final FRCA, by Caroline Whymark
- SAQs for the Final FRCA, by James R. Shorthouse, Graham Barker, Carl Waldmann
- Final FRCA: 300 SBAs, By Kariem El-Boghdadly, Imran Ahmad
Websites http://www.wfsahq.org/resources/anaesthesia-tutorial-of-the-week http://www.dr-podcast.co.uk/podcasts.php?id=2 http://www.frcamindmaps.org/ http://www.derangedphysiology.com/main/ – useful ICU resource http://www.ccmtutorials.com/ – useful ICU resource http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ – useful ICU resource Question Banks http://www.onexamination.com/ http://www.frcaq.com/home.do
Examinations Contact: Rachael Kilcoyne, exams@coa.ie
FAQ’s / Application Process
- Your bank card details
- Your digital passport sized photo (jpg)
- Signed Head of Dept reference (pdf)
- Exempting qualification cert (pdf) (Candidate with MCAI do not need this)
There are 6 attempts at this component of the exams.
No. There is no electronic equipment allowed on your person.
No. You must bring your own food or refreshments to the exam.
You will need to bring photo ID, your invitation letter and pens for the SAQ component. Pencils are provided for the MCQ & SBA papers.