100+ Free RACS GSSE Practice Questions

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Sample RACS GSSE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RACS GSSE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What are the three structures contained within the hepatoduodenal ligament (portal triad)?

A.Hepatic artery proper, portal vein, common bile duct

B.Cystic artery, cystic duct, common hepatic duct

C.Splenic artery, splenic vein, pancreatic duct

D.Left gastric artery, right gastric artery, gastroduodenal artery

Explanation: The free edge of the lesser omentum (hepatoduodenal ligament) carries the portal triad: the hepatic artery proper anteriorly on the left, the common bile duct anteriorly on the right, and the portal vein posteriorly. This triad can be occluded during the Pringle manoeuvre to control inflow bleeding in liver surgery.

2The coeliac trunk supplies the foregut, which extends distally to which anatomical point?

A.The duodenojejunal flexure

B.The second part of the duodenum at the entry of the bile duct

C.The ileocaecal junction

D.The splenic flexure of the colon

Explanation: The embryological foregut, supplied by the coeliac trunk, extends to the point where the common bile duct enters the second part of the duodenum. Distal to this, the midgut (supplied by the superior mesenteric artery) takes over, which is why duodenal ulcers proximal versus distal to the ampulla can behave differently surgically.

3Which structure forms the lateral boundary of Hesselbach's triangle, the site of direct inguinal hernias?

A.The inguinal ligament

B.The lateral border of rectus abdominis

C.The inferior epigastric vessels

D.The pubic tubercle

Explanation: Hesselbach's triangle is bounded medially by the lateral border of rectus abdominis, inferiorly by the inguinal ligament, and laterally by the inferior epigastric vessels. Direct inguinal hernias protrude through this triangle medial to the vessels, whereas indirect hernias pass lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels through the deep inguinal ring.

4The appendicular artery, which supplies the vermiform appendix, is a branch of which vessel?

A.The right colic artery

B.The ileocolic artery

C.The middle colic artery

D.The superior mesenteric artery directly

Explanation: The appendicular artery arises from the ileocolic artery, which is itself a branch of the superior mesenteric artery, and runs within the mesoappendix to supply the appendix. It is an end artery with limited collateral supply, which contributes to the rapid progression to gangrene and perforation seen in acute appendicitis.

5During dissection at the neck of the pancreas, which major vein lies immediately posterior to it and is at particular risk of injury?

A.The splenic artery

B.The superior mesenteric vein

C.The left renal vein

D.The coeliac trunk

Explanation: The superior mesenteric vein lies immediately posterior to the pancreatic neck and joins the splenic vein behind the neck to form the portal vein. This relationship makes the vein a key landmark and a potential source of major bleeding during pancreatic surgery.

6Which artery connects the two anterior cerebral arteries as part of the circle of Willis?

A.The anterior communicating artery

B.The posterior communicating artery

C.The basilar artery

D.The ophthalmic artery

Explanation: The anterior communicating artery links the left and right anterior cerebral arteries, completing the anterior part of the circle of Willis and allowing collateral flow between the two cerebral hemispheres if one internal carotid artery is compromised.

7Occlusion of the anterior spinal artery predominantly affects which portion of the spinal cord?

A.The posterior one-third only

B.The anterior two-thirds, including the corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts

C.The entire cross-sectional area equally

D.Only the dorsal columns

Explanation: The single anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, including the corticospinal tracts (motor) and spinothalamic tracts (pain and temperature), while the paired posterior spinal arteries supply the posterior one-third containing the dorsal columns (proprioception and vibration). This pattern underlies anterior spinal artery syndrome, a recognised complication of aortic aneurysm repair.

8Meckel's cartilage, a derivative of the first pharyngeal arch, gives rise to which structures?

A.The stapes and styloid process

B.The malleus and incus, and contributes to the mandible

C.The thyroid and cricoid cartilages

D.The hyoid bone body and greater horn

Explanation: The first pharyngeal (mandibular) arch cartilage, Meckel's cartilage, gives rise to the malleus and incus of the middle ear and contributes to formation of the mandible; its muscles of mastication are innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

9Which three structures are contained within the carotid sheath in the neck?

A.Common/internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, vagus nerve

B.External carotid artery, external jugular vein, hypoglossal nerve

C.Common carotid artery, subclavian vein, phrenic nerve

D.Internal carotid artery, internal jugular vein, accessory nerve

Explanation: The carotid sheath encloses the common carotid artery (which becomes the internal carotid artery superiorly), the internal jugular vein, and the vagus nerve, which lies posteriorly between the artery and vein. This grouping is a key surgical landmark during neck dissection and carotid endarterectomy.

10During thyroidectomy, the recurrent laryngeal nerve is at greatest risk of injury because of its close relationship to which vessel?

A.The superior thyroid artery

B.The inferior thyroid artery

C.The middle thyroid vein

D.The common carotid artery

Explanation: The recurrent laryngeal nerve ascends in the tracheo-oesophageal groove and typically has a close, variable relationship with the inferior thyroid artery near the point where the artery enters the gland, making careful dissection in this area essential to avoid nerve injury and resultant vocal cord paralysis.

About the RACS GSSE Exam

The Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) is RACS's foundational surgical sciences assessment, sat by prevocational (junior) doctors and Surgical Education and Training (SET) trainees as a mandatory selection instrument for entry into every surgical specialty training program in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It tests applied surgical anatomy, physiology and pathology across two 150-minute online papers held on consecutive days, with candidates required to reach the standard in all three disciplines.

Assessment

Two 150-minute online papers sat on consecutive days. Exam 1 (Anatomy, worth ~50% of the total GSSE mark) combines 60 Type X MCQs (four independently-marked statements per question) with 20 anatomy spot-test questions on images/specimens. Exam 2 (Pathology and Physiology, worth ~50% of the total, split roughly 25%/25%) has 125 MCQs mixing Type A, Type B and Type X formats. Candidates must meet the minimum standard in anatomy, physiology and pathology as well as the overall score requirement.

Time Limit

150 minutes (2.5 hours) per paper, across two consecutive days; no reading time on either paper.

Passing Score

RACS does not publish a single fixed percentage cut score. Candidates must meet the minimum component requirements for anatomy, physiology and pathology and the overall score requirement.

Exam Fee

2026 fee for Junior Doctors: AUD $4,850 (incl. GST) in Australia, NZD $5,425 (incl. GST) in New Zealand. SET trainees are billed separately under college training fees. Confirm the current fee for your candidate category on the RACS GSSE fees page. (Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS))

RACS GSSE Exam Content Outline

~50%

Surgical Anatomy

Abdomen, thorax, pelvis, upper/lower limb, head & neck, CNS, histology and development, including applied and spot-test style anatomy.

~25%

Surgical Physiology

Cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, blood, neurophysiology and metabolic/nutritional physiology relevant to surgical patients.

~25%

Surgical Pathology

General pathology and tissue response to injury, neoplasia, immunology, infection/microbiology, antibiotics, pharmacology, haematology and statistics.

How to Pass the RACS GSSE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: RACS does not publish a single fixed percentage cut score. Candidates must meet the minimum component requirements for anatomy, physiology and pathology and the overall score requirement.
Assessment: Two 150-minute online papers sat on consecutive days. Exam 1 (Anatomy, worth ~50% of the total GSSE mark) combines 60 Type X MCQs (four independently-marked statements per question) with 20 anatomy spot-test questions on images/specimens. Exam 2 (Pathology and Physiology, worth ~50% of the total, split roughly 25%/25%) has 125 MCQs mixing Type A, Type B and Type X formats. Candidates must meet the minimum standard in anatomy, physiology and pathology as well as the overall score requirement.
Time limit: 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per paper, across two consecutive days; no reading time on either paper.
Exam fee: 2026 fee for Junior Doctors: AUD $4,850 (incl. GST) in Australia, NZD $5,425 (incl. GST) in New Zealand. SET trainees are billed separately under college training fees. Confirm the current fee for your candidate category on the RACS GSSE fees page.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RACS GSSE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study by syllabus topic rather than by discipline alone — RACS itself suggests planning revision week by week across specific topics (for example, upper limb anatomy one week, endocrine physiology the next) drawn directly from the published exam topics list.

2Because anatomy carries roughly half the total GSSE mark once spot tests are included, prioritise applied regional anatomy (abdomen, thorax, pelvis, limbs, head and neck) and practise image-based structure identification, not just MCQ recall.

3For pathology and physiology, focus on mechanisms with direct surgical relevance — wound healing and Virchow's triad, the metabolic response to surgery, coagulation and transfusion physiology, and antibiotic/pharmacology principles used perioperatively — since these recur across both exam sittings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RACS GSSE?

The Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) is the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' foundational written assessment of surgical anatomy, physiology and pathology. Passing it is a mandatory selection requirement for entry into every surgical specialty's Surgical Education and Training (SET) program in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

How many questions and papers does the GSSE have?

The GSSE is sat over two consecutive days as two 150-minute online papers. Exam 1 (Anatomy) has 60 MCQs plus 20 anatomy spot-test questions. Exam 2 (Pathology and Physiology) has 125 MCQs, roughly 65 pathology and 60 physiology. There is no reading time and no negative marking.

Who is eligible to sit the GSSE?

Junior/prevocational doctors with current, valid medical registration from the Medical Board of Australia or Medical Council of New Zealand can apply for any sitting. SET trainees in active, deferred or interrupted training may apply for the February and June sittings only, not October.

How much does the GSSE cost?

RACS publishes 2026 Junior Doctor fees of AUD $4,850 (including GST) in Australia and NZD $5,425 (including GST) in New Zealand. SET trainees are charged under separate college fee arrangements. Always confirm the current fee on the official RACS GSSE fees page.

What score do I need to pass the GSSE?

RACS does not publish one fixed percentage pass mark. Candidates must meet the minimum score requirements in anatomy, physiology and pathology and the overall score requirement; the exact component weightings may vary slightly after examination review.