FFICM Exam
The Final Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FFICM) exam is an essential component of assessment for a CCT in ICM. It is taken in Stage 2 of training and is a prerequisite for transition to the third and final stage of training.
1. Written paper
Three hour exam using the single best answer format. Each question has a stem and five alternative answers - one of which is the ‘most correct’. There are two types of questions:
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80 ‘short’ questions where the stem is short and these are awarded 1 mark.
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50 ‘long’ questions with a longer stem, often in the form of a clinical scenario. These questions are awarded 2 marks.
Example questions can be seen here.
2. Structured Oral Exam and OSCE
· Taken on a single day
· Both parts must be passed
· A pass in one component can be carried forward to the next sitting
· Must be passed within three years of the written being passed
· Two sittings per year
More information, including eligibility, dates and fees, can be found on the FICM website.
https://www.ficm.ac.uk/assessment-forms/examinations
FICM have provided these resources for candidates. This includes the FFICM examinations syllabus which can be used as a framework for revision. There are also past topics and example questions.
Support
Doctors taking the exam will have already undertaken at least one set of post-graduate exams and will have experience and understanding of the processes involved in completing a challenging exam. However, there is an ever-increasing bank of experience of trainees and consultants willing to give help and advice…
‘There’s three things you need to remember for the SOE - Practice, practice, practice!’
‘You need to know you’re medicine’
‘I passed, so you’ll be fine’
…which you can use as you see fit!
The region also benefits from a consultant body willing to support trainees in exam preparation which is of particular relevance to the SOE. The monthly regional teaching programme for Stage 1 and 2 is mapped to the curriculum over a two year period with the objective of covering the spectrum of a wide syllabus prior to sitting the exam. Most training days will include OSCE/SOE practice.
When planning to sit the exam, please contact all college tutors across the 5 trusts for exam practice- they are all very willing. Lots of trainee and consultants will now offer practice over zoom or MS teams.
if you are struggling to find an exam buddy please email your trainee reps who will be able to help.
Courses
Our advice as a trainee body would be to book onto as many courses as you can get study leave for, the more time dedicated to practice the better. Getting an idea of the running of the stations, style of questioning and stamina required, helps to build confidence and competence.
Below are all of the courses we care currently aware of:
Oxford FFICM exam course
An excellent course run biannually prior to each SOE/OSCE sitting. It is FREE for Thames Valley trainees, a day of practise, practise, practise!
http://oxfordfficmcourse.co.uk/
Leeds/London College Course
The college run a two day course for the SOE/OSCE in Leeds or at RCoA in London. This course is invaluable, with a days of small group tutorials on some tricky topics and a day of OSCE and SOE practise. Tends to get fully booked (only 32 places) before the MCQ results day so take a punt and book early (they do refund if you are unsuccessful in the MCQ as there is a waiting list)!
Wessex ICM Society (PINCER course):
There is an excellent course, also for the SOE/OSCE run in Portsmouth, well rated amongst Oxford trainees.
Stoke on Trent
Stoke offer a one day FFICM SOE/VIVA practice day, don’t have any reviews I’m afraid but sounds like good practise.
Manchester FFICM Prep Course
One day course, few lectures and a full run through of OSCE and SOE. Based at North Manchester Hospital. Easy parking, cheap overnight accommodation and well run course. Less formal than the college course. Can highly recommend. Contact Dr Shafee Shaikh (shafeeshaikh@gmail.com) Dr James Hanison (james.hanison@mft.nhs.uk) approx £80.