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The knowledge-based component of MRCEM — 180 SBAs in 3 hours, mapped to the published RCEM 2021 emergency medicine curriculum. Free 1,000+ adaptive question bank by UK emergency physicians aligned to the SBA assessment framework.
180 single-best-answer items · 3 hours · approximately 1 minute per question · computer-based at Pearson VUE test centres
Mapped to the RCEM 2021 curriculum across the entire breadth of acute presentations seen in UK emergency departments — adult, paediatric and major-incident
Open to UK and international candidates. Most UK candidates sit during ACCS-EM CT2 / ST3 of emergency medicine specialty training. Many international IMG and EM candidates also sit for portfolio and credentialing purposes.
MRCEM SBA is the knowledge-based component. MRCEM OSCE is the clinical skills component (separate exam). FRCEM is the higher fellowship exam taken later in training. The order: MRCEM Primary → MRCEM SBA → MRCEM OSCE → FRCEM SBA → FRCEM SAQ.
Three sittings per year — typically February, June and October. Application windows open ~10-12 weeks before each sitting via the RCEM exams portal. Confirm 2026 dates and application windows on the RCEM website.
Approximate question distribution across the RCEM 2021 curriculum. Used to drive iatroX adaptive sequencing.
Source: official Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) blueprint
Drawn from the RCEM 2021 curriculum, RCEM clinical guidelines, Resus Council UK 2021 and item density across the iatroX bank.
Sepsis recognition and bundles — Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021, septic screen within 1 hour for septic shock, paediatric sepsis screen (PEWS), source control timing
ACS management — ESC 2023 NSTEMI invasive timing (<24h GRACE-guided, <2h high-risk, immediate for ongoing ischaemia), DAPT in PCI vs medical management
Major trauma — Major Haemorrhage Protocol activation, 1:1:1 ratio, tranexamic acid <3h from injury (CRASH-2), pelvic binders, FAST scan use
Paediatric ALS — APLS 7th edition, recognising the deteriorating child (PEWS), paediatric sepsis recognition, weight-based drug calculations
Toxicology — paracetamol nomogram and staggered ingestion management, salicylate dialysis criteria, sodium-channel blocker overdose (TCA, flecainide), local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) — intralipid
Acute stroke — thrombolysis windows (4.5h standard, extended to 9h in selected patients per WAKE-UP/EXTEND), thrombectomy criteria (large vessel occlusion), posterior circulation pitfalls
Toxicology antidotes — N-acetylcysteine for paracetamol, naloxone for opioids, flumazenil cautions, atropine + pralidoxime for organophosphate, hydroxocobalamin for cyanide, digoxin-Fab fragments
Mental health in ED — suicide risk assessment, sectioning under MHA Sections 5(2) and 5(4) and 136, capacity assessment for refusal of care, alcohol withdrawal and Wernicke prevention
Observations from UK emergency medicine trainees and recent MRCEM SBA candidates. Verify against current RCEM, NICE and Resus Council UK guidance.
Candidate-reported observations — not official guidance.
A pragmatic phased approach used by recent UK EM trainees passing the MRCEM SBA.
A live item from the iatroX bank. Try it before launching a full session.
A 30-year-old professional footballer asks whether a normal MRI brain two days after concussion means he can return to heading practice. What is the most appropriate return-to-play decision?
Why iatroX is built differently for MRCEM SBA.
Every iatroX item is tagged to a blueprint topic, so your performance dashboard mirrors the structure of the exam itself.
The engine surfaces your weakest topics first, in real time, instead of marching you through a static syllabus.
Incorrect items return at increasing intervals to interrupt the forgetting curve and lock knowledge into long-term memory.
Timed full-length simulations that mirror the official exam structure under realistic conditions.
The full MRCEM SBA bank, adaptive engine, spaced repetition and AI performance dashboard — all free. Socratic tutoring is available with an iatroX subscription for supported quiz sessions.
Yes — the entire 1,000+ MRCEM SBA bank is free at iatroX. No subscription is required for MRCEM SBA, and it sits in the free tier alongside MRCP Part 1, PSA and PARA. Paid exams such as UKMLA, PLAB 1, MSRA and MRCGP AKT include free sample questions, with full adaptive access with an iatroX subscription.
Three sittings per year — typically February, June and October. Application windows open ~10-12 weeks before each sitting via the RCEM exams portal. Confirm 2026 dates and application windows on the RCEM website.
180 single-best-answer items in 3 hours (~1 minute per question). Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide. Mapped to the RCEM 2021 curriculum across the entire breadth of adult, paediatric and major-incident emergency medicine.
Most UK candidates sit during ACCS-EM CT2 or ST3 of EM specialty training. International candidates can sit at any time meeting RCEM eligibility. There is no formal minimum experience requirement.
MRCEM Primary is the basic-sciences component (separate exam). MRCEM SBA is the knowledge component (this exam). MRCEM OSCE is the clinical skills component. All three must be passed for full MRCEM. FRCEM is the higher fellowship exam taken later in training (separate SBA and SAQ components).
Approximately £350 for UK candidates and £500 for international candidates. RCEM reviews fees annually. Confirm current fees on the RCEM website.
iatroX MRCEM SBA questions are written by UK emergency physicians, mapped to the RCEM 2021 curriculum and clinical guidelines. They emphasise the FY2/ST3 EM standard. The bank is updated when RCEM publishes new clinical guidance or curriculum updates.
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Reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MSt MRCGP · Last reviewed 12 May 2026
See our methodology and editorial policy.