as the viva) The SOE examinations are usually held over a week. At the end of each day of SOE examinations, Successful candidates are listed on a board in the lobby of the college by RCoA reference number. Approximately half of all candidates pass the examination at each sitting. Negative marking (the deduction of a point for an incorrect answer) has been removed from the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) component of the examination from the October 2008 sitting. From October 2010, some MCQ questions will be set according to the "single best answer" format. Syllabus The tone of the examination is predominantly clinical. The syllabus is extensive and covers all aspects of clinical anaesthetic practice. In addition, the entire syllabus of the Primary FRCA examination (which is predominantly basic science) is included. Fellowship Those who pass the examination are admitted as Fellows of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and are entitled to use the postnominal "FRCA" after their name. Fellowship may also be bestowed by election from the Council of the College. A ceremony is held annually in London at which new fellows are formally admitted. "Diplomates" are invited to attend, but are admitted as fellows whether or not they do so. Before the College bestowed its own fellowships, anaesthetists were awarded the FFARCS: Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons, the forerunner of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Similar qualifications The following are similar qualifications to the FRCA. They are not necessarily equivalent or interchangeable: FCAI: Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland (formerly termed FFARCSI, Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland). FANZCA: Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. EDA: European Diploma in Anaesthesiology (and Intensive Care). FCA (SA): Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. See also Royal College of Anaesthetists Primary FRCA References Anesthesiology Medical education in the United Kingdom