100+ Free FCA(SA) Part I Practice Questions
Pass your CMSA FCA(SA) Part I Primary Examination in Anaesthesia exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Loading practice questions...
Explore More CMSA Fellowship Part I Examinations (South Africa)
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: FCA(SA) Part I Exam
3 Core Domains
Tested across Pharmacology, Physiology/Biochemistry, and Physics/Equipment Safety
CMSA College of Anaesthetists Syllabus
4 Written Papers
Integrated structure of 2 Short Answer Question (SAQ) and 2 Single Best Answer (SBA) papers
CMSA FCA(SA) Part I Regulations
Cohen Method
Criterion-referenced standard setting used to calculate aggregated pass mark
CMSA Examination Standards
R 12,150
Written examination fee (inclusive of 15% VAT)
CMSA Fee Structure
HPCSA Registered
Mandatory medical practitioner registration requirement for candidates
CMSA Eligibility Rules
100 MCQs
Original SBA practice questions provided in this study adaptation bank
OpenExamPrep
The FCA(SA) Part I is the official primary examination for anaesthesiology specialist trainees in South Africa, governed by the CMSA College of Anaesthetists. It features four integrated written papers (2 SAQ and 2 SBA) testing Pharmacology (~35%), Physiology & Biochemistry (~35%), and Physics, Clinical Measurement & Equipment Safety (~30%). Candidates must meet HPCSA registration requirements and achieve an aggregated score set via the Cohen standard-setting method. The current written exam fee is R 12,150. These 100 practice MCQs serve as an English-language study adaptation designed to reinforce core basic science concepts for South African candidates.
Sample FCA(SA) Part I Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your FCA(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.
1Propofol clearance exceeds hepatic blood flow in adult surgical patients. Which mechanism accounts for this extrahepatic elimination?
2Which intravenous anesthetic agent exhibits a context-sensitive half-time that remains essentially flat (< 10 minutes) even after an infusion lasting several hours?
3What primary physical chemical property explains the ultra-rapid onset of hypnosis following an intravenous bolus of thiopental?
4Induction of anesthesia with etomidate is associated with transient adrenocortical suppression. Which enzyme is inhibited by etomidate?
5Ketamine produces dissociative anesthesia primarily through which central nervous system receptor interaction?
6Remimazolam is an ultra-short-acting intravenous benzodiazepine. What structural feature renders its metabolism independent of organ clearance?
7According to the Meyer-Overton hypothesis, what physical chemical property correlates most strongly with the anesthetic potency (1/MAC) of volatile anesthetics?
8Which volatile anesthetic has the lowest blood:gas partition coefficient at 37°C, resulting in the most rapid rise of alveolar partial pressure (FA/FI)?
9Desflurane requires a specialized vaporizing system (TEC 6) because of which physical property at sea level room temperature?
10Degradation of sevoflurane by dry carbon dioxide absorbents containing sodium and potassium hydroxide produces which potentially nephrotoxic degradation product?
About the FCA(SA) Part I Exam
The Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa Part I — FCA(SA) Part I — is the primary specialist barrier examination administered by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). It evaluates a registrar's foundational knowledge of the basic medical sciences and physical principles underpinning safe anaesthetic practice. The assessment consists of four integrated written papers: two SAQ papers and two SBA papers covering Applied Pharmacology, Applied Physiology & Biochemistry, and Physics, Clinical Measurement & Equipment Safety. This 100-question practice set provides an English-language study adaptation featuring single-best-answer questions with detailed rationales for every option, structured according to the official CMSA content weightings.
Assessment
Modernized four-paper integrated written assessment comprising two Short Answer Question (SAQ) papers and two Single Best Answer (SBA) papers across Pharmacology, Physiology/Biochemistry, and Physics/Equipment Safety.
Time Limit
Multiple timed written paper sessions scheduled over the CMSA examination week.
Passing Score
Aggregated passing threshold determined using the Cohen criterion-referenced standard-setting method across all four written papers.
Exam Fee
R 12,150 (inclusive of 15% VAT) (College of Anaesthetists of South Africa (CMSA))
FCA(SA) Part I Exam Content Outline
Applied Pharmacology in Anaesthesia
Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, context-sensitive half-time), pharmacodynamics, intravenous hypnotics, volatile and gaseous anesthetics, local anesthetics, neuromuscular blockers and reversal agents, opioids, autonomic drugs, cardiovascular resuscitation drugs, antiemetics, and drug toxicity.
Applied Physiology & Biochemistry
Cardiovascular dynamics, respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, neurophysiology and intracranial pressure, renal function and fluid-electrolyte balance, hepatic function, hematology and coagulation cascades, acid-base regulation, and cellular bioenergetics.
Physics, Clinical Measurement & Equipment Safety
Fundamental gas laws, fluid dynamics and laminar/turbulent flow, vaporizer design and compensation, gas supplies and manifolds, breathing circuits, mechanical ventilation principles, physiological measurement (capnography, pulse oximetry, invasive blood pressure), electrical safety, macroshock/microshock prevention, and equipment hazard reduction.
How to Pass the FCA(SA) Part I Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Aggregated passing threshold determined using the Cohen criterion-referenced standard-setting method across all four written papers.
- Assessment: Modernized four-paper integrated written assessment comprising two Short Answer Question (SAQ) papers and two Single Best Answer (SBA) papers across Pharmacology, Physiology/Biochemistry, and Physics/Equipment Safety.
- Time limit: Multiple timed written paper sessions scheduled over the CMSA examination week.
- Exam fee: R 12,150 (inclusive of 15% VAT)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
FCA(SA) Part I Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FCA(SA) Part I examination?
The FCA(SA) Part I is the primary specialist qualification exam administered by the College of Anaesthetists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), testing applied basic sciences essential for anaesthetic practice.
What is the structure of the FCA(SA) Part I written examination?
The modernized examination format consists of four integrated written papers: two Short Answer Question (SAQ) papers and two Single Best Answer (SBA) papers covering Pharmacology, Physiology & Biochemistry, and Physics & Equipment Safety.
How is the passing score determined for the CMSA FCA(SA) Part I?
Scores across all four written papers are aggregated, and the overall pass mark is determined using the Cohen criterion-referenced standard-setting method.
What is the current examination fee for the FCA(SA) Part I?
The written examination fee for recent CMSA sittings is R 12,150 (inclusive of 15% VAT). Candidates should verify current fees on the official CMSA portal prior to registration.
Are supplementary examinations offered for FCA(SA) Part I?
No. Under current CMSA regulations for the integrated four-paper format, supplementary examinations are not offered. Candidates who do not meet the pass mark must retake all four papers at a subsequent official sitting.
Are these official CMSA examination questions?
No. This question bank is an independent English-language study adaptation created for self-assessment and exam preparation. Official past papers and syllabus blueprints are published directly by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).