100+ Free CICM First Part Practice Questions
Pass your CICM First Part Examination of the Basic Sciences for Intensive Care Medicine exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
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Sample CICM First Part Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CICM First Part exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1According to the Frank-Starling law of the heart, an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume produces which effect on stroke volume, up to a physiological limit?
2A patient has an oxygen consumption (VO2) of 250 mL/min, arterial oxygen content of 20 mL/dL, and mixed venous oxygen content of 15 mL/dL. Using the Fick principle, what is the estimated cardiac output?
3Afferent signals from the carotid sinus baroreceptors, activated by increased arterial pressure, travel to the medulla predominantly via which cranial nerve?
4In a ventricular myocyte action potential, phase 0 (rapid depolarisation) is primarily generated by which ionic current?
5The spontaneous phase 4 depolarisation ('pacemaker potential') of sinoatrial node cells is largely attributable to which current?
6Which of the following is the best description of cardiac 'preload'?
7Cardiac afterload is most directly determined by which of the following?
8A critically ill patient develops peripheral oedema. Which combination of Starling forces would most favour increased net fluid filtration into the interstitium?
9Noradrenaline (norepinephrine), commonly used as a first-line vasopressor in septic shock, exerts its predominant vasoconstrictor effect via which receptor?
10Vasopressin used as a vasopressor in refractory vasodilatory shock acts principally via which receptor on vascular smooth muscle?
About the CICM First Part Exam
The CICM First Part Examination is a written and oral test of the basic sciences applied to the clinical practice of intensive care medicine. Trainees must pass it to progress from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of CICM training. The written component covers cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and other organ-system physiology, anatomy, measurement, and pharmacology as applied to ICU practice, tested across two 2.5-hour papers of MCQs and SAQs, followed by oral vivas for candidates who pass the written papers.
Assessment
The First Part Examination is held twice a year by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM). The written component comprises two 2.5-hour papers, each with 50 multiple-choice questions and 10 short-answer questions (100 MCQs and 20 SAQs total). Candidates who pass both the MCQ and SAQ written components are invited to an oral component of eight ~10-minute cross-table vivas. This free bank covers the MCQ basic-sciences content only.
Time Limit
2.5 hours per written paper (5 hours total across both papers)
Passing Score
No fixed public percentage. The MCQ and SAQ pass marks are re-set each sitting using the Angoff method; recent sittings have set the MCQ pass mark around 58-65% and the SAQ pass mark around 48%. Both components must be passed to progress to the oral component.
Exam Fee
AU$5,780.00 (excluding GST), per the College's 2026 Fee Schedule. A 30% cancellation fee applies to withdrawals made after the application closing date, unless waived under a Special Consideration application. Confirm the current fee on the CICM website before applying. (College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM))
CICM First Part Exam Content Outline
Core Basic Sciences
Respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, acid-base, fluids and electrolytes, neurological, musculoskeletal, and autonomic-system science.
Integrated Pharmacology
Pharmacology distributed across the relevant syllabus domains.
Cellular Physiology, General Pharmacology, and Antidotes
Cellular physiology, pharmacological principles, and antidotal therapy.
Gastrointestinal, Metabolic, Endocrine, and Thermoregulatory Science
Liver and gastrointestinal physiology, nutrition and metabolism, endocrine physiology, and thermoregulation.
Haematology, Immunology, and Microbiology
Haemostasis, immunology, microbiology, and relevant pharmacology.
Obstetric, Fetal, and Neonatal Physiology
Maternal physiological adaptation, fetal circulation, and neonatal physiology.
How to Pass the CICM First Part Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed public percentage. The MCQ and SAQ pass marks are re-set each sitting using the Angoff method; recent sittings have set the MCQ pass mark around 58-65% and the SAQ pass mark around 48%. Both components must be passed to progress to the oral component.
- Assessment: The First Part Examination is held twice a year by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM). The written component comprises two 2.5-hour papers, each with 50 multiple-choice questions and 10 short-answer questions (100 MCQs and 20 SAQs total). Candidates who pass both the MCQ and SAQ written components are invited to an oral component of eight ~10-minute cross-table vivas. This free bank covers the MCQ basic-sciences content only.
- Time limit: 2.5 hours per written paper (5 hours total across both papers)
- Exam fee: AU$5,780.00 (excluding GST), per the College's 2026 Fee Schedule. A 30% cancellation fee applies to withdrawals made after the application closing date, unless waived under a Special Consideration application. Confirm the current fee on the CICM website before applying.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CICM First Part Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CICM First Part Examination?
It is the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand's written and oral test of basic sciences applied to intensive care medicine. Trainees must pass it to progress from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of CICM training. It covers physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, and measurement across the major organ systems as they apply to ICU practice.
How is the CICM First Part Examination structured?
The written component has two 2.5-hour papers, each with 50 multiple-choice questions and 10 short-answer questions (100 MCQs and 20 SAQs total). Candidates who pass both the MCQ and SAQ pass marks are invited to an oral component of eight roughly 10-minute cross-table vivas, each preceded by a 2-minute reading period.
How much does the CICM First Part Examination cost?
The First Part Examination Fee is AU$5,780.00 (excluding GST) under the College's 2026 fee schedule, covering the written and oral sections of a sitting. Withdrawing after the application closing date incurs a 30% cancellation fee unless waived under Special Consideration. Confirm current fees on the CICM website.
What is the passing score for the CICM First Part MCQ and SAQ papers?
CICM does not publish one fixed passing percentage. The MCQ and SAQ pass marks are re-set for each sitting using the Angoff standard-setting method. Recent sittings have set the MCQ pass mark between roughly 58% and 65%, and the SAQ pass mark around 48%. Candidates must clear both to progress to the oral component.
When is the CICM First Part Examination held?
It is held twice each year. The written section is held in various cities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, while the oral section is generally held in Melbourne (occasionally another major city at the Board's discretion). Exact dates, application windows, and venues are published on the CICM website and can change year to year.
What topics does the CICM First Part MCQ cover?
The MCQ questions are drawn from the College's Syllabus for the First Part Examination of the Basic Sciences (Fifth Edition, 2025), organised by organ system: cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, haematological/immune, and musculoskeletal systems, plus acid-base and fluid balance, pharmacology principles, microbiology, nutrition/metabolism, thermoregulation, and obstetric/neonatal physiology, each including relevant anatomy, physiology, measurement, and pharmacology.