100+ Free CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Practice Questions

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Sample CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A focal seizure discharge reflects:

A.Uniform inhibition of the entire cerebral cortex

B.Purely spinal reflex hyperactivity without cortical involvement

C.Abnormal hypersynchronous firing of a localised population of cortical neurons

D.Isolated cerebellar nuclear silence

Explanation: Seizures arise from excessive, hypersynchronous neuronal activity. Focal seizures begin in a localised cortical network; generalisation occurs if activity spreads bilaterally.

2In normal paediatric development, myelination of the central nervous system proceeds generally:

A.Only after puberty

B.From caudal to rostral and from central to peripheral pathways in a predictable sequence

C.Randomly without regional order

D.From cortex to brainstem exclusively in the first month

Explanation: CNS myelination follows an orderly sequence (roughly caudal-to-rostral, central-to-peripheral, and dorsal-to-ventral), which underpins evolving motor control and the changing MRI appearance of the developing brain.

3A P value of 0.03 in a superiority trial conventionally indicates:

A.If the null hypothesis were true, the probability of results at least as extreme as observed is 3%

B.The study has 97% power

C.Clinical importance is automatically proven

D.There is a 3% chance the alternative hypothesis is false

Explanation: The P value assumes the null is true and quantifies how surprising the observed (or more extreme) data would be. It is not the probability that the null or alternative is true, nor a direct measure of power or clinical importance.

4The pathogenesis of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants is best summarised as:

A.Immature gut barrier and circulation interacting with microbial colonisation and inflammation

B.Exclusive formula allergy mediated by IgE

C.Isolated congenital atresia of the terminal ileum

D.Primary IgA deficiency without other risk factors

Explanation: NEC arises from the interaction of intestinal immaturity (barrier, motility, circulation, immune responses) with microbial colonisation and an exaggerated inflammatory response, often in the setting of enteral feeds. It is multifactorial rather than a single congenital or allergic lesion.

5In a typical term neonate, total body water as a fraction of body weight is approximately:

A.Less than 30%

B.About 45%

C.About 75% (higher than in older children and adults)

D.Identical to adult values from day one

Explanation: Neonates have a higher TBW fraction (~70–75%) with a relatively larger extracellular compartment. TBW percentage falls toward adult values (~60%) through infancy as body composition changes.

6Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is most likely to cause sensorineural hearing loss when:

A.Primary maternal infection occurs during pregnancy with fetal transmission

B.Infection is acquired only after 10 years of age

C.Maternal CMV IgG was already high for many years with no reactivation ever

D.The child receives live MMR vaccine

Explanation: Primary maternal CMV infection in pregnancy carries the highest risk of fetal transmission and sequelae, including microcephaly, intracranial calcifications and progressive sensorineural hearing loss — the leading non-genetic cause of SNHL.

7In fetal life, which structure preferentially shunts oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein toward the left atrium, bypassing the hepatic sinusoids?

A.Ductus venosus

B.Foramen ovale

C.Umbilical artery

D.Ductus arteriosus

Explanation: The ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing a substantial fraction of well-oxygenated placental blood to bypass the liver and reach the heart rapidly for preferential streaming across the foramen ovale.

8In acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia is dangerous primarily because it can cause:

A.Isolated respiratory alkalosis only

B.Cardiac conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias

C.Immediate pathological fractures

D.Mandatory thrombocytopenia

Explanation: Raised extracellular K⁺ alters resting membrane potential in cardiac myocytes, producing ECG changes (peaked T waves, widened QRS) and risk of fatal arrhythmias — hence urgent treatment thresholds in AKI.

9The primary sensors driving the acute ventilatory response to rising arterial PCO₂ are:

A.Pulmonary stretch receptors detecting tidal volume alone

B.Central chemoreceptors responding to brain extracellular fluid [H⁺] changes linked to CO₂

C.Aortic baroreceptors detecting pulse pressure

D.Carotid-body sensors responding only to arterial [HCO₃⁻]

Explanation: CO₂ freely crosses the blood–brain barrier; the resulting fall in brain ECF pH stimulates central chemoreceptors, which provide most of the ventilatory drive to hypercapnia. Peripheral chemoreceptors contribute more to hypoxaemic drive.

10Catch-up growth after a period of illness or undernutrition requires:

A.Mandatory growth-hormone injections in all cases

B.Suppression of IGF-1 as a therapeutic goal

C.Restoration of adequate energy and protein intake with resolution of the underlying insult

D.Continued caloric restriction to reduce metabolic demand

Explanation: When the limiting illness or nutrient deficit is corrected, the GH–IGF and nutritional milieu allows accelerated (catch-up) growth toward the genetic trajectory. Without adequate intake, catch-up cannot occur.

About the CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Exam

FC Paed(SA) Part I is the applied basic clinical sciences examination of the College of Paediatricians of South Africa. It comprises two digital 75-item single best response MCQ papers (150 items combined, 3 hours each) covering neonatology and systems-based anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics/EBM, pathophysiology and pharmacology, plus diagnosis and principles of management of common paediatric conditions. Part I remains valid for 72 months from pass or from the start of specialist training (whichever is longer). CMSA recommends The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse as a primary Part I reading resource.

Assessment

Two digital written papers of single best response (A-type) MCQs covering applied basic clinical sciences (anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnosis/principles of management of common paediatric conditions). English only. No negative marking. Papers are set using a systems × science-domain blueprint reviewed by an Examination Review Committee.

Time Limit

3 hours per paper (two papers).

Passing Score

Cohen multiplier + 1 SEM applied to the 90th-centile candidate's mark; no fixed percentage published. Negative marking does not apply — answer all items.

Exam Fee

R 12 950 for Part I (published on the CMSA FC Paed(SA) page; confirm current semester fees before applying). (Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) — College of Paediatricians)

CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Exam Content Outline

12%

Neonatology

Transition physiology, surfactant, thermoregulation, bilirubin, neonatal circulation, immune/renal function and lactation.

Respiratory

Surfactant, V/Q, O2 transport, lung mechanics, control of breathing and respiratory pathophysiology.

Cardiovascular

Cardiac cycle, shock, ECG, congenital heart embryology/physiology and circulatory control.

Gastrointestinal and Liver

Digestion/absorption, hepatic–pancreatic function, bilirubin handling and GI/liver pathophysiology.

Neurology

CSF, BBB, neurotransmitters, neuromuscular transmission and paediatric neurological pathophysiology.

10%

Infections and HIV

Major paediatric pathogens including HIV, host response and antimicrobial principles.

Haematology and Oncology

Haemopoiesis, haemoglobin, coagulation, haematinics and common haem/onc pathophysiology.

Endocrine and Metabolic

Hormone axes, puberty, pancreas, calcium/vitamin D and endocrine–metabolic pathophysiology.

Fluid, Electrolytes and Renal

Compartments, acid–base/electrolytes, RAS, glomerular/tubular function and renal failure physiology.

Growth, Development and Nutrition

Growth/development, infant feeding, micronutrients and undernutrition pathophysiology.

Genetics, Immunology and Pharmacology

Inheritance, immunity/allergy/complement, and paediatric drug disposition and mechanisms.

Statistics and Evidence-Based Medicine

Distribution, hypothesis testing, diagnostic test metrics and common statistical tests.

Emergencies, Adolescent and Other Blueprint Areas

Emergency pathophysiology, adolescent physiology, selected ENT/skin/surgical science and ethics.

How to Pass the CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Cohen multiplier + 1 SEM applied to the 90th-centile candidate's mark; no fixed percentage published. Negative marking does not apply — answer all items.
Assessment: Two digital written papers of single best response (A-type) MCQs covering applied basic clinical sciences (anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnosis/principles of management of common paediatric conditions). English only. No negative marking. Papers are set using a systems × science-domain blueprint reviewed by an Examination Review Committee.
Time limit: 3 hours per paper (two papers).
Exam fee: R 12 950 for Part I (published on the CMSA FC Paed(SA) page; confirm current semester fees 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

CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the CMSA-recommended primary text The Science of Paediatrics: MRCPCH Mastercourse for foundational coverage, then cross-check South African context with local child-health and STG/EML resources where management principles are tested.

2Study by blueprint system (neonatology, respiratory, cardiovascular, infections/HIV, and so on) and deliberately mix science lenses — physiology, embryology, pharmacology and microbiology — because items are applied basic sciences, not pure clinical vignettes.

3Drill biostatistics and diagnostic-test metrics early; they are a named Part I syllabus block and commonly decide close scores when clinical science knowledge is already strong.

4Practise answering every item under timed conditions (about 2.4 minutes per question) because there is no negative marking and the official exam combines two 75-item papers into one mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I examination?

Part I is a written digital examination of two papers. Each paper has 75 single best response (A-type) MCQs and lasts 3 hours. A single combined mark is awarded for all 150 items. Papers are in English only, and negative marking does not apply.

What content does FC Paed(SA) Part I cover?

Applied basic clinical sciences: anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, genetics, epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the diagnosis and principles of management of common paediatric conditions. Questions are blueprinted across paediatric systems (for example neonatology, respiratory, cardiovascular, infections/HIV).

How is the Part I pass mark set, and is there negative marking?

The pass mark is determined using a Cohen multiplier plus 1 standard error of measurement applied to the mark of the candidate at the 90th centile. CMSA does not publish a fixed percentage cut score. Negative marking and correction-for-guessing formulae are not used, so candidates should answer every item.

How much does FC Paed(SA) Part I cost and who may sit it?

The CMSA College of Paediatricians page lists Part I at R 12 950 (confirm the current semester fee schedule). Admission requires a medical qualification registered or registrable with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner; registrar training time is not required for Part I.

100+ Free CMSA FC Paed(SA) Part I Practice Questions

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