Anaesthesia UK (frca.co.uk) has been a longstanding resource for FRCA Primary preparation, alongside other legacy platforms like e-LA (the RCoA's own e-learning resource). iatroX offers a modern alternative. This comparison covers the practical differences.
Anaesthesia UK
Anaesthesia UK provides a question bank and educational resources for FRCA Primary candidates. The platform has been available for many years and has built a loyal user base among anaesthetic trainees. The questions cover pharmacology, physiology, physics, and anatomy at the appropriate level.
The platform's limitations are functional rather than content-based. The interface is dated, reflecting a web design era that predates mobile-first design. There is no adaptive learning algorithm — questions are delivered in fixed or random sequence. There is no spaced repetition, no performance analytics beyond basic percentage scores, and no native mobile app. The experience is functional but not optimised for how modern trainees study — in short sessions on mobile devices between theatre cases and on-call shifts.
iatroX
iatroX's FRCA Primary bank contains over 1,500 SBA questions weighted to the exam blueprint — 40 per cent pharmacology, 30 per cent physiology, 15 per cent physics, 15 per cent anatomy. Every question includes a detailed explanation referencing standard anaesthetic textbooks and BNF dosing.
The adaptive algorithm tracks your performance across all four domains and adjusts question selection to target your weakest areas. If your pharmacology is strong but your physics is lagging, the system shifts emphasis automatically. The spaced repetition layer schedules review of previously answered questions at intervals calibrated for long-term retention.
The mobile app supports offline question caching — you can download question sets before a shift and revise between cases without needing a Wi-Fi connection. Progress syncs across devices when you reconnect.
Full mock exams replicate the 90-question, three-hour format. Performance dashboards show topic-level heatmaps, accuracy trends, and coverage gaps.
Pricing
Anaesthesia UK subscription pricing varies — check their current website for the latest. iatroX costs £29 per month or £99 per year, and the subscription includes every exam on the platform — FRCA Final as well as Primary, plus every other medical and dental exam.
Which should you choose
If you have been using Anaesthesia UK successfully for years and are comfortable with the platform, it remains a credible choice. Content quality is the foundation of any question bank, and Anaesthesia UK's content is well-established.
If you want adaptive learning, a modern mobile experience, performance analytics that direct your revision, and a price that includes access to the Final Written bank as well, iatroX is the stronger platform. The adaptive algorithm is particularly valuable for the FRCA Primary because the topic spread (pharmacology, physiology, physics, anatomy) is so wide that manually balancing your revision across four domains is difficult — and most candidates fail because they neglect physics.