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[ Home ](https://mdster.com) 2. [ Anesthesiology ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology) 3. FHKCA FHKCA Exam Preparation ======================== Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists Hong Kong The Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists (HKCA) is responsible for the training and certification of specialist anaesthesiologists in Hong Kong. Its professional examination pathway includes Intermediate and Final examinations in anaesthesiology as key steps toward Fellowship of the College (FHKCA), alongside training and exit assessment requirements. Intermediate Fellowship Examinations Final Fellowship Examinations 2,801+ Questions 1,986+ Flashcards 64+ Podcasts About the FHKCA Exam ---------------------- The Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists (FHKCA) is the definitive specialist qualification for anaesthesiologists in Hong Kong. The assessment pathway comprises an Intermediate Fellowship Examination focusing on basic sciences, and a Final Fellowship Examination covering advanced clinical practice. Successful completion of both exams, along with structured training, is required to attain Fellowship and practice as a specialist in Hong Kong. ### Eligibility Candidates must hold a recognized medical degree and be registered as a vocational trainee with the HKCA or an approved non-local postgraduate medical training institute. Trainees must also be in good standing and have paid all applicable registration and training fees prior to applying. ### Exam Format The Intermediate exam features two subjects (Physiology and Pharmacology), each assessed via a 12-question Short Answer Question (SAQ) written paper and an Oral Examination (viva). The Final exam includes three sections: a Written Exam (SAQs, Critical Appraisal, Clinical Investigations, and MCQs), an Oral Examination (vivas across three tables), and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). ### Duration Intermediate written papers are 2 hours per subject, followed by 40 minutes of vivas per subject. The Final written component spans multiple papers lasting between 2 to 3 hours each, followed by 90 minutes of oral examinations and a multi-station OSCE lasting several hours. ### Passing Criteria For the Intermediate exam, candidates must pass both subjects. A pass in one subject can be carried forward if a minimum score of 40% is achieved in the other. For the Final exam, candidates must obtain an overall pass mark, pass at least two of the three sections, and achieve a minimum standard of 43% in all three sections (Written, Oral, and OSCE). ### Exam Fees Candidates should expect examination fees to range approximately between HK$15,000 to HK$25,000 per examination part, excluding additional preparation courses. Exact fees fluctuate, so candidates must verify current pricing directly with the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists upon registration. ### Exam Frequency Both the Intermediate and Final Fellowship Examinations are typically held twice a year. Intermediate exams often fall in the Spring (February/April) and Autumn (July/September), while Final exams follow a similar biannual pattern. ### Registration Process Registration is conducted via the HKCA's Electronic Portfolio System or by submitting a formal application form to the Board of Examinations via email. Applications require the signature of a Supervisor of Training, payment via FPS or e-cheque, and must be submitted strictly before the published deadline to avoid penalty fees. FHKCA Key Syllabus Topics --------------------------- Core topics and subject areas covered in the FHKCA examination ### Physiology and Clinical Measurement Comprehensive understanding of human physiology, with heavy emphasis on respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurophysiology, alongside principles of clinical measurement equipment. ~50% of Intermediate Exam ### Pharmacology and Statistics Focuses on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity of anaesthetic agents, adjunct drugs, and foundational principles of medical statistics. ~50% of Intermediate Exam ### Clinical Fundamentals in Anaesthesia Core clinical knowledge required for safe practice, including preoperative assessment, airway management, and general anaesthetic techniques. ~High yield (Final Exam) ### Intensive Care Medicine Management of critically ill patients, encompassing mechanical ventilation, sepsis, hemodynamic support, and advanced life support. ~15-20% of Final Exam ### Pain Medicine Assessment and management of acute post-operative pain, chronic pain syndromes, and the application of regional anaesthesia techniques. ~10-15% of Final Exam ### Specialised Anaesthesia Advanced management for specific subspecialties, including obstetric, paediatric, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgical anaesthesia. ~25-30% of Final Exam ### Internal Medicine for Anaesthetists The optimization and perioperative management of patients presenting with complex co-existing systemic medical diseases. ~High yield (Final Exam) ### Critical Appraisal and Clinical Investigations The ability to critically analyze medical literature, interpret radiological imaging, and evaluate laboratory investigations. ~Approx. 33% of Final Written Paper II **8** key topics covered Start Your FHKCA Preparation Today ------------------------------------ Comprehensive study materials designed to help you pass the FHKCA with confidence [ Get Started Free ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) No credit card required • 5-day free trial Everything You Need to Pass the FHKCA --------------------------------------- A complete preparation platform with tools designed for Anesthesiology professionals ### Practice Questions 2,801+ questions across MCQ, SAQ, SOE formats with detailed explanations and references ### Flashcards 1,986+ flashcards for active recall — mark known and unknown cards to focus on weak areas ### Audio Podcasts 64+ audio episodes — learn on the go during commutes, workouts, or ward breaks ### Timed Mock Exams Simulate real exam conditions with timed sessions, customisable question counts, and topic filters ### AI-Powered Q&A Ask follow-up questions on any topic and get instant, contextual answers with references ### Performance Analytics Track your progress, identify weak areas, and monitor your exam readiness with detailed analytics FHKCA Exam Structure ---------------------- Our materials cover all parts of the FHKCA examination ### Intermediate Fellowship Examinations The HKCA Intermediate Fellowship Examination assesses a trainee's foundational knowledge in basic sciences essential for anesthesiology. It specifically evaluates two main subjects: Physiology, which includes clinical measurements, and Pharmacology, which includes statistics. The assessment heavily emphasizes the direct clinical application of these foundational subjects to anesthesia, intensive care, resuscitation, and pain management. The examination comprises a written paper for each subject, each containing 12 short answer questions. Candidates who achieve an acceptable standard in the written section are eligible for the oral examination, which consists of two oral tables per subject. The written papers last 2 hours per subject, totaling 4 hours of written assessment. The oral examinations consist of two 20-minute tables per subject, totaling 80 minutes of viva assessment. Pass: Answers are marked on a scale of 2 to 8, with 5 representing the passing mark. Candidates must achieve acceptable written standards to be invited to the orals, and must pass both the Physiology and Pharmacology components to pass the examination overall. Key Topics Physiology Pharmacology Clinical Measurement and Physics Maternal, Foetal, and Neonatal Physiology Statistics ### Final Fellowship Examinations The HKCA Final Fellowship Examination rigorously evaluates a candidate's readiness for independent specialist practice in anaesthesiology, intensive care, and pain medicine. It assesses the ability to apply foundational basic sciences to complex clinical scenarios and demonstrates advanced clinical judgment. Written papers (Multiple Choice Questions and Short Answer Questions), followed by an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Oral/Viva Voce assessments. Written component: Approximately 4.5 to 5 hours split over two papers. Clinical/Viva component: Half-day session of sequential stations. Pass: Calculated using standard-setting methods (e.g., modified Angoff) for each section. Candidates must achieve a predefined standard in both the written exam and the subsequent oral/OSCE components to pass. Key Topics Clinical Anaesthesia Intensive Care and Resuscitation Perioperative Medicine Pain Medicine Applied Medical Sciences Equipment, Monitoring, and Safety How to Prepare for the FHKCA ------------------------------ A practical guide to help you plan your FHKCA preparation effectively ### Recommended Timeline 12 to 18 months of dedicated, structured study is recommended prior to sitting either the Intermediate or Final examinations. ### Study Tips - Strictly allocate and practice spending only 10 minutes per Short Answer Question (SAQ) to build crucial time management skills. - Form small study groups specifically for viva (oral) practice to improve fluency and the ability to think under pressure. - Attend the official HKCA Revision Tutorial Courses and Mock Vivas frequently hosted at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. - Familiarize yourself with the 'note' format for written answers; ensure all abbreviations and symbols used are standard and clearly defined. - Review past examination papers and examiner reports provided on the HKCA website to understand common candidate errors. - Engage in timed critical appraisal of journal articles to prepare for the specific Final Paper II requirement. ### High-Yield Topics - Respiratory and cardiovascular physiology - Pharmacokinetics of volatile anaesthetics and intravenous induction agents - Management of difficult airways and critical incidents - Perioperative management of ischemic heart disease and valvular pathology - Obstetric emergencies (e.g., postpartum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia) - Interpretation of ABGs, ECGs, and chest radiographs - Evidence-based medicine and statistical analysis ### Common Pitfalls - Poor time management during the written papers, specifically spending more than 10 minutes on a single SAQ. - Failing to define abbreviations or symbols in written 'note' format answers, resulting in lost marks. - Providing generic medical answers rather than focusing on the specific anaesthetic implications of a scenario. - Inadequate practice for the oral vivas, leading to disorganized answers or freezing under pressure. - Neglecting the statistics and critical appraisal sections, which are mandatory and carry significant weight. ### Recommended Resources - HKCA Past Examination Papers and Examiner Reports - Stoelting's Pharmacology & Physiology in Anesthetic Practice - Miller's Anesthesia - BJA Education (formerly Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain) - ANZCA/HKCA Training Curriculum Guidelines - Local HKCA Revision Tutorial Courses in Basic Sciences and Clinical Anaesthesiology Study Pathways ---------------- Choose the pathway that matches your FHKCA preparation stage ### Anesthesiology Core Pathway Core pathway for Anesthesiology covering foundational exams and initial certification steps. #### What's Included 952 MCQ Questions 405 SAQ Questions 1,391 Flashcards 32 Podcasts 2,780 total study resources #### Exam Coverage FHKCA Intermediate Fellowship Examinations [ Start Learning ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) ### Anesthesiology Advanced Pathway Advanced pathway for Anesthesiology covering final exams, oral assessments, and advanced clinical evaluations. #### What's Included 742 MCQ Questions 600 SAQ Questions 102 SOE Questions 595 Flashcards 32 Podcasts 2,071 total study resources #### Exam Coverage FHKCA Final Fellowship Examinations [ Start Learning ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) Last refreshed: April 2026 Flexible Pricing Plans ------------------------ Choose the plan that fits your FHKCA study schedule ### Try Risk-Free for 5 Days Start your free trial today and get full access to all FHKCA features. **No credit card required**. Cancel anytime. No Commitment! Full platform access All study materials Analytics & tracking Cancel anytime ### Anesthesiology Core Pathway Core pathway for Anesthesiology covering foundational exams and initial certification steps. #### Monthly Flexible month-to-month $12.00 /month Cancel anytime Immediate access Save 8% #### 3 Months Popular Great for exam cycles $11.00 /month Billed $33.00 every 3 months Save 8% vs monthly Perfect for exam cycles Save 17% #### 6 Months Maximum savings $10.00 /month Billed $60.00 every 6 months Save 17% vs monthly Best value for serious learners ### Anesthesiology Advanced Pathway Advanced pathway for Anesthesiology covering final exams, oral assessments, and advanced clinical evaluations. #### Monthly Flexible month-to-month $15.00 /month Cancel anytime Immediate access Save 13% #### 3 Months Popular Great for exam cycles $13.00 /month Billed $39.00 every 3 months Save 13% vs monthly Perfect for exam cycles Save 20% #### 6 Months Maximum savings $12.00 /month Billed $72.00 every 6 months Save 20% vs monthly Best value for serious learners ### Anesthesiology Bundle (Core + Advanced) Bundle subscription for Anesthesiology: Core + Advanced pathways with all features included. #### Monthly Flexible month-to-month $20.00 /month Cancel anytime Immediate access Save 15% #### 3 Months Popular Great for exam cycles $17.00 /month Billed $51.00 every 3 months Save 15% vs monthly Perfect for exam cycles Save 25% #### 6 Months Maximum savings $15.00 /month Billed $90.00 every 6 months Save 25% vs monthly Best value for serious learners Latest FHKCA Updates ---------------------- Recent changes and developments for the FHKCA examination 2024 ### Transition to ANZCA-aligned Online MCQ Format The HKCA deferred the full implementation of the ANZCA-aligned online MCQ paper for the Final Fellowship Examination to late 2024 to ensure platform readiness. Candidates should verify the exact delivery format with the HKCA. 2023-2024 ### Introduction of New Training Portals A new portal with shared training resources from ANZCA has been introduced to help Hong Kong trainees prepare for the updated MCQ examination formats. Ongoing ### Expansion of Face-to-Face Mock Examinations The College has strongly re-established in-person revision courses, mock vivas, and OSCE preparations, heavily localized at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Updates are based on publicly available information and may not reflect the very latest changes. Always verify with the official Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists website. Related Anesthesiology Exams ------------------------------ Other examinations in Anesthesiology you may be interested in [ ### ABA American Board of Anesthesiology USA ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/aba) [ ### ABPS American Board of Physician Specialties USA ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/abps) [ ### AOBA American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology USA ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/aoba) [ ### EDAIC European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Europe ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/edaic) [ ### FANZCA Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Australia/New Zealand ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/fanzca) [ ### FCA(SA) Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa South Africa ](https://mdster.com/speciality/anesthesiology/fca-sa) Frequently Asked Questions ---------------------------- Everything you need to know about FHKCA preparation Who is eligible to take the FHKCA examinations? Candidates must be registered with the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists (HKCA) as vocational trainees or registered with an approved non-local postgraduate medical training institute. They must also hold a recognized medical qualification and have paid all required training fees. Can I use bullet points or note format in the written exams? Yes, answers written in a 'note' format or with bullet points are perfectly acceptable and often encouraged for time efficiency. However, candidates must ensure their handwriting is legible and that any symbols or abbreviations used are standard and clearly defined. What is the policy for carrying forward a pass in the Intermediate exam? Candidates can carry forward a pass in one subject (Physiology or Pharmacology) if they pass that subject and score at least 40% in the other. This carry-forward status is valid for a maximum of four subsequent consecutive examination sittings. Am I guaranteed a spot in the Oral (Viva) exam if I take the written paper? No. Candidates must achieve an acceptable standard in the written papers to be invited to the Oral and OSCE sections. For the Final exam, you must score at least 43% in the written section to proceed. Candidates not invited to the oral section do not receive a refund. How difficult are the FHKCA exams and what are the pass rates? The FHKCA examinations are highly rigorous, matching the standard of major international colleges like ANZCA and RCoA. While pass rates fluctuate by cohort, historical data typically places pass rates around 60%, reflecting the challenging nature of the assessment. What does Paper 2 of the Final Fellowship Examination cover? Paper 2 of the Final exam is unique and heavily clinical. It consists of three parts: Critical Appraisal of Literature (where candidates review an article and answer questions), Clinical Investigations, and Radiology. How is the Final Fellowship Examination scored? To pass the Final exam, a candidate must obtain a pass in the overall aggregate mark. Additionally, they must pass at least two out of the three main sections (Written, Oral, OSCE) and achieve a minimum baseline standard of at least 43% in all three sections. How long does it take to get exam results? Written exam results indicating eligibility for the oral exams are usually released about two weeks before the scheduled vivas. Final overall results are typically published shortly after the completion of the OSCE and Oral examination components. Specialty reading hub Related Anesthesiology Articles --------------------------------- Reinforce your FHKCA preparation with specialty-specific guides, exam strategy articles, and clinical revision insights from the MDster blog. [ Browse all Anesthesiology articles ](https://mdster.com/blog?speciality=anesthesiology) [ ![Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists (Intermediate Fellowship Examinations): Study Tips That Work](https://mdster.com/storage/blog/images/fellowship-of-the-hong-kong-college-of-anaesthesiologists-intermediate-fellowship-examinat.jpg) Study Tips / 6 min read ### Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists (Intermediate Fellowship Examinations): Study Tips That Work Preparing for the HKCA Intermediate Fellowship Exam? Use this focused study plan to tackle physiology, pharmacology, statistics, SAQs, and viva practice efficiently. Apr 06, 2026 Read article ](https://mdster.com/blog/fellowship-of-the-hong-kong-college-of-anaesthesiologists-intermediate-fellowship-examinat) [ ![Chronic Pain Syndrome Overview: Anesthesiology Board Review](https://mdster.com/storage/blog/images/chronic-pain-syndrome-overview-anesthesiology-board-review.jpg) Medical Education / 6 min read ### Chronic Pain Syndrome Overview: Anesthesiology Board Review A board-focused overview of chronic pain syndrome for anesthesiology learners, emphasizing biopsychosocial thinking, safer prescribing, and function-first care. 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Mar 30, 2026 Read article ](https://mdster.com/blog/severe-tbi-with-hemorrhagic-shock-an-anesthesia-case-discussion) Ready to Pass the FHKCA? -------------------------- Join medical professionals who are preparing for the Fellowship of the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists with MDster [ Get Started Free ](https://mdster.com/user/dashboard) No credit card required • Cancel anytime [ ](/) Master your medical exams with evidence-based learning. 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