Key facts
| Awarding body | Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) |
|---|---|
| Exam structure | Three sections completed in two parts: MCQ, SAQ, and viva voce |
| Format | 150 MCQs in 150 minutes; 15 SAQs in 150 minutes; three 20-minute viva stations with two minutes of reading time each |
| Next written exam dates | Written sittings on 2 March and 10 August 2027 |
| Pass standard | Pass the MCQ and score at least 64/150 in the SAQ to reach the viva; achieve at least 50% across the combined SAQ and viva marks to pass overall |
| Eligibility | Registered trainee; introductory training complete and basic training commenced; at least 10 weeks of clinical time in the previous 52 weeks at no less than 0.5 FTE; required fees paid |
| Attempt limit | Five unsuccessful attempts; remediation interview advised after a third and/or fourth unsuccessful attempt |
| Published 2026 exam fee | A$6,590 in Australia or NZ$8,270 in New Zealand for the 2026 examination |
ANZCA Primary exam overview
The ANZCA Primary Examination (PEx) tests whether you can understand and apply basic-science knowledge in clinical anaesthesia. It assesses applied physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, measurement, equipment, quality, and safety. Passing the examination is required to progress to advanced training.
ANZCA Primary exam format
The examination has three sections completed in two parts. Candidates sit the written MCQ and SAQ sections first; those who meet the required standards are invited to the viva.
| Section | Format | Duration | Role in the result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice questions (MCQ) | 150 questions | 150 minutes | Pass/fail |
| Short-answer questions (SAQ) | 15 questions | 150 minutes | 50 marks of the total score |
| Viva voce | Three stations | 20 minutes per station, plus two minutes of reading time (66 minutes total) | 50 marks of the total score |
From the 2026.2 sitting, each SAQ is marked out of 10 raw marks, giving 150 raw marks across the paper. ANZCA scales the SAQ component to 50 marks in the total examination score.
ANZCA Primary exam dates and deadlines
The 2026.2 written exam took place on 18 August 2026. Its viva is scheduled for 19–21 October in Brisbane, with results on 28 October. The next written sittings are in 2027:
| Sitting | Application closes | Written exam | Viva | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027.1 | 6 January 2027 | 2 March 2027 | 17–19 May 2027, Melbourne | 26 May 2027 |
| 2027.2 | 16 June 2027 | 10 August 2027 | 11–13 October 2027, Brisbane | 20 October 2027 |
Special consideration applications close on 9 December 2026 for 2027.1 and 12 May 2027 for 2027.2. The withdrawal deadlines are 15 February and 26 July 2027, respectively.
ANZCA Primary eligibility and attempt limit
To sit the examination, you must be registered as an ANZCA trainee, have completed introductory training, and have commenced basic training by the written exam. You must also have completed at least 10 weeks of clinical anaesthesia or other clinical time in the preceding 52 weeks at no less than 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE). Pay the exam fee when applying and clear outstanding training fees.
Regulation 37 advises a remediation interview after a third and/or fourth unsuccessful attempt. Five unsuccessful attempts result in removal from the ANZCA vocational training program and ineligibility to re-register. A no-show after enrolling for the written exam counts as an unsuccessful attempt.
ANZCA Primary syllabus and learning outcomes
The learning outcomes cover applied procedural anatomy; fundamental pharmacology; cellular physiology; general anaesthetic agents; and the respiratory, autonomic, cardiovascular, renal, nervous, pain, muscular, liver, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. They also include fluids and electrolytes, acid–base, haematology and transfusion, infection, thermoregulation, obstetrics, neonatal and paediatric topics, physics, clinical measurement, equipment, safety, and overarching principles.
Use the ANZCA Appendix Two study guide as your detailed syllabus map. Learn the mechanisms, then practise explaining how they apply to clinical anaesthesia: ANZCA expects integration, not isolated recall.
ANZCA Primary pass mark, results and fees
To reach the viva, you must pass the MCQ and score at least 42.7% in the SAQ: 64/150 on the revised scale, also expressed by ANZCA as 32/75. To pass overall, you must be invited to the viva, pass the MCQ, and achieve at least 50% across the combined SAQ and viva components. Candidates with an MCQ exemption do not sit the MCQ but still need to meet the SAQ threshold.
ANZCA lists the 2026 examination fee as A$6,590 in Australia or NZ$8,270 in New Zealand.
How to prepare for the ANZCA Primary
Build revision around the learning outcomes rather than studying each subject in isolation. For each system, connect normal physiology, common disturbances, anaesthetic drug effects, and the monitoring or equipment used to assess them.
A practical six-week sequence is:
- Weeks 1–2: Review physiology and pharmacology by system. Make yourself explain the mechanism and its clinical relevance aloud.
- Week 3: Work through applied anatomy, including airway, vascular access, and neuraxial anatomy.
- Week 4: Focus on physics, clinical measurement, equipment, and safety. Practise explaining what a measurement represents and how equipment works.
- Week 5: Complete timed written practice: 150 MCQs in 150 minutes and 15 SAQs in 150 minutes. Ten minutes per SAQ is a useful starting allocation; adjust your pace to the question.
- Week 6: Revisit weak areas and rehearse three 20-minute viva stations, including the two-minute reading period.
Use the ANZCA Primary recommended reading list and past examination reports to focus revision on the learning outcomes. For a longer preparation strategy, see the Primary ANZCA exam preparation guide.
More preparation advice: Mastering the Primary ANZCA Exam: A Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Practise for ANZCA Primary with Anesthesia Zone
The Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF bank contains 1,463 questions: 680 in Physiology and Pharmacology, 335 in Clinical Anesthesia, 290 in Physics, Equipment, and Monitoring, 127 in Anatomy, and 31 in Ethics, Statistical Methods, and Data Interpretation. It supports MCQ, MTF, SBA, and MBA practice. Use it for repeated written-question practice, then prepare separately for ANZCA’s 15 timed SAQs and viva stations; the bank does not include those formats.
- Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF 1,463 questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the ANZCA Primary exam format?
The examination has a written part—150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in 150 minutes and 15 short-answer questions (SAQs) in 150 minutes—followed by three viva stations. Each viva station has 20 minutes of examination time and two minutes of reading time.
When are the next ANZCA Primary exam dates?
The 2027 written sittings are 2 March and 10 August. The corresponding vivas are 17–19 May in Melbourne and 11–13 October in Brisbane; results are scheduled for 26 May and 20 October, respectively.
What is the pass mark for the ANZCA Primary?
You need to pass the MCQ and score at least 64/150 in the SAQ to be invited to the viva. To pass overall, you must be invited to the viva, pass the MCQ, and achieve at least 50% across the combined SAQ and viva marks.
Who is eligible to sit the ANZCA Primary?
You must be registered as an ANZCA trainee, have completed introductory training and commenced basic training by the written exam, and meet the recent clinical-time requirement: at least 10 weeks in the preceding 52 weeks at no less than 0.5 full-time equivalent. Outstanding training fees and the exam application fee must be paid.
What does the ANZCA Primary syllabus cover?
The syllabus maps to ANZCA’s learning outcomes and covers applied anatomy, pharmacology, cellular and systems physiology, anaesthetic agents, pain, physics, clinical measurement, equipment, safety, and related clinical topics. The Appendix Two study guide sets out the learning outcomes in detail.
When are ANZCA Primary exam results released?
ANZCA lists 28 October 2026 for the 2026.2 sitting, 26 May 2027 for 2027.1, and 20 October 2027 for 2027.2.
Does Anesthesia Zone have ANZCA Primary practice questions?
The Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF bank has 1,463 questions in MCQ, MTF, SBA, and MBA formats. It supports written-question practice; it does not include the ANZCA Primary SAQ or viva formats.
References
Show 5 references
- Anaesthesia exams | ANZCA
- Regulation 37: Training in anaesthesia leading to FANZCA, and accreditation of facilities to deliver this curriculum
- Primary Examination: Changes in SAQ marking and invitation criteria for viva examination | ANZCA
- Appendix two – Learning outcomes mapped to the primary exam
- Books & journals - Anaesthesia training resources - Library resource guides at Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Library
Exam rules, dates and fees change. Always confirm the details with the awarding body before you apply.