Draft Curriculum for review – 2026
Part I
Part I: a qualification to practice medicine that is registered or registrable as a Medical Practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Part I of the Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa - R 12 950
The FCA 1 examination will no longer consist of the traditional three subjects with a total of six papers.
The new FCA 1 examination will consist of four papers: two short answer question [SAQ] papers and two single best answer [SBA] papers, each consisting of integrated questions combining the three subjects:
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry and Clinical pathology.
- Physics, Clinical measurement, Anaesthetic environment and equipment.
As of the first semester of 2024, the part one examination will be integrated and presented as four papers consisting of the basic sciences, Physics, Clinical Measurement, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Physiology and Chemical Pathology. The exam will no longer be presented as separate subject papers.
 Certificates of Merit will be awarded to all candidates scoring on or above 25% of the COHEN 65 mark aggregated for the four papers.
Medals for excellent results
Highest aggregate mark in the first semester examination:
THEÂ Â JANSSENÂ Â RESEARCHÂ Â FOUNDATIONÂ Â MEDALÂ Â INÂ ANAESTHETICS was endowed in 1988 and is awarded to the candidate who achieves the highest overall aggregated mark in the four papers of the Part I examination of the Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa in the first semester.
Highest aggregate mark for the second-semester examination
In 1998, THE ABBOTT MEDAL replaced the Hoechst Medal, endowed in 1974. It was awarded to candidates who achieved excellent results in the Pharmacology section of Part I of the Fellowship examination of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa. As of 2024, this medal will be awarded to the candidate with the highest mark in the second-semester examination.
Second-highest aggregate mark in the first-semester examination
THE HYMIE SAMSON MEDAL was endowed in 1984 by the Samson family. It was awarded to candidates who obtained excellent results in the Physics and Clinical Measurement Section of Part I of the Fellowship examination of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa. As of 2024, this medal will be awarded to candidates with the second-highest mark in the first-semester examination.
Second-highest aggregate mark in the second-semester examination
THE GLAXOSMITHKLINE MEDAL was endowed in 2006. It was awarded to candidates who achieve excellence in the Physiology section of Part I of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa Fellowship examination. As of 2024, this medal will be awarded to candidates with the second-highest mark in the second-semester examination.
Since 2021, CMSA examinations have been conducted on an online platform. As a result, the questions remain within the secure question bank and can no longer be published on the website.
Part II: - 36 months in a numbered registrar training post - including 3 months in ICU. Portfolio to be approved by HOD and noted in letter to CMSA for candidates who start their registrar posts on or after 1 January 2010.
Fellowship of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa R 24 6500
Part II: The examination comprises 2 components:
1.   Written
 i)   ONE online written paper of THREE hours comprising a minimum of 120 multiple choice/single best answer questions with a minimum of three choices per question.
ii)Â Â Â ONE online written paper of THREE hours comprising a minimum of TWENTY short answer questions.
iii)Â Â Â ONE online written paper of THREE hours comprising a minimum of TWENTY questions requiring short answers with an emphasis on data interpretation.
2.   an OSCE consisting of a minimum of 12 stations
Certificates of Merit:
All candidates scoring on or above 25% of the aggregated pass mark for the written and oral examinations will be awarded a certificate of merit.
Medals for excellent results
In 1992Â THE CREST HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY MEDAL replaced the Medishield Medal which was originally endowed by Afrox in 1957. The medal is awarded to candidates who achieve the highest overall results in the Fellowship examination of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa.
THE JACK ABELSOHN MEDAL AND BOOK PRIZEÂ are awarded to candidates who achieve excellent results in the Clinical Section of the Fellowship examination of the College of Anaesthetists of South Africa. The late Dr Jack Abelsohn, an Associate Founder of the CMSA who died in 1980, bequeathed a sum of money for the establishment of this prize in Anaesthesia and a subsequent donation by the South African Society of Anaesthetists made it possible to offer a book prize with the medal.
The Medals will only be awarded to the best candidate for the particular year (semester 1 and semester 2 exams) in each medal category. The best-performing candidates for the year will thus be determined considering the standard-setting pass marks of candidates from both semesters
Since 2021, CMSA examinations have been conducted on an online platform. As a result, the questions remain within the secure question bank and can no longer be published on the website.
Scheduled Dates & Locations
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Examination regulations
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APPEALS
PLEASE NOTE that candidates that wish to lodge an appeal against the outcome of his/her written examination results must do so in accordance with the provisions of the CMSA’s Appeals Mechanism Policy. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) are not made available to candidates for review in accordance with the CMSA’s Appeals Mechanism Policy.Â
