Key facts
| Awarding body | College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI) |
|---|---|
| MCAI full form | Membership of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland |
| Exam components | Online MCQ followed by OSCE and SOE after a successful MCQ |
| Current MCQ format | Two SBA papers, 50 questions and 90 minutes per paper |
| MCQ blueprint | 31 pharmacology, 31 physiology, 31 physics/measurement/equipment, 4 anatomy and 3 statistics questions across both papers |
| Next listed MCQ sitting | 21 January 2027; applications 9 November–14 December 2026; fee €700 |
| Next domestic OSCE/SOE after November 2026 | Domestic OSCE/SOE: 6–8 April 2027 in Malahide; applications 25 January–8 March; fee €800 |
| MCQ eligibility | Acceptable primary medical qualification, recognised full registration, good standing and six months’ employment as an anaesthesiologist for the MCQ |
| Clinical-stage eligibility | Twelve months’ employment and an MCQ pass within the previous three years for the OSCE/SOE |
| Pass mark | Modified Angoff referencing is used to set the written MCQ cut score; no universal percentage threshold is provided |
What the MCAI exam is
The Membership of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (MCAI) is the College’s membership examination for anaesthesiologists. The MCQ is the first stage; after passing it, candidates may apply for the OSCE and structured oral examination (SOE). A CAI training post is not required, but candidates must meet the employment and registration requirements.
Passing MCAI does not grant registration to practise in Ireland. Registration with the Irish Medical Council is required to work there.
MCAI exam format: MCQ, OSCE and SOE
MCQ format
| Paper | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 single best answer (SBA) | 90 minutes |
| Paper 2 | 50 SBA | 90 minutes |
The papers are online. The published timetable lists sessions from 09:00–10:30 and 11:30–13:00, Dublin local time. The CAI states that the MTF paper is being replaced by a second SBA paper.
OSCE and SOE
The clinical stage comprises an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and two 30-minute SOE sections. The SOE explores understanding of the basic-science concepts underpinning anaesthesiology; the OSCE tests applied knowledge and clinical skills. The CAI has announced a revised OSCE for the Autumn 2027 iteration.
MCAI exam dates, application windows and fees
The CAI has published the following upcoming sittings and application windows.
MCQ sittings
All MCQ sittings are online. The fee is €700.
| Exam date | Application window | Trial exam |
|---|---|---|
| 21 January 2027 | 9 November–14 December 2026 | 14 January 2027 |
| 10 June 2027 | 25 March–7 May 2027 | 3 June 2027 |
| 16 September 2027 | 28 June–9 August 2027 | 9 September 2027 |
Domestic OSCE/SOE sittings
| Exam dates | Application window | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 November 2026 | Closed on 1 October 2026 after applications exceeded available places | Grand Hotel, Malahide | €800 |
| 6–8 April 2027 | 25 January–8 March 2027 | Grand Hotel, Malahide | €800 |
| 9–11 November 2027 | 23 August–11 October 2027 | Grand Hotel, Malahide | €800 |
Malaysia OSCE/SOE
The international OSCE/SOE sitting is scheduled for 17 February 2027 at the Medical Academies of Malaysia in Putrajaya. Applications are scheduled for 11 November–16 December 2026; the fee is €1,400.
MCAI eligibility and attempt limits
MCQ eligibility
You must be a medical practitioner with a primary medical qualification acceptable to the Irish Medical Council, full registration with the Irish Medical Council or another recognised national medical registration body, and good standing with your regulator. You must also have at least six months’ employment as an anaesthesiologist before the exam date. You do not need to hold a CAI training post. Candidates who have already failed the MCQ six times cannot sit it again.
OSCE/SOE eligibility
The clinical stage requires the same medical qualification, registration and good-standing criteria, at least 12 months’ employment as an anaesthesiologist before the exam, and a successful MCQ within the preceding three years. Candidates who have already failed the OSCE/SOE six times cannot re-sit it. An MCQ pass remains valid for three years; after that, the MCQ must be retaken if the OSCE/SOE has not been passed.
MCAI syllabus and question weighting
The current MCQ blueprint assigns 100 questions across five areas:
| Syllabus area | Questions across both papers |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | 31 |
| Physiology | 31 |
| Physics, clinical measurement and equipment | 31 |
| Anatomy | 4 |
| Statistics | 3 |
Pharmacology, physiology and physics/equipment account for most of the written paper, but anatomy and statistics remain part of the blueprint. The broader syllabus sets out the learning outcomes and scientific knowledge applied to anaesthesiology, intensive care, resuscitation and pain management.
MCAI pass mark and results
The CAI candidate guide describes Modified Angoff referencing for setting the written MCQ cut score. The guide does not provide a universal percentage threshold. The College publishes successful-candidate lists on its Recent Results page.
How to prepare for the MCAI
A focused plan follows the question blueprint and then shifts from recall to timed application.
Weeks 1–2: Map the scientific core
Use the MCAI syllabus to identify gaps in pharmacology, physiology, physics, clinical measurement and equipment. Connect each principle to an anaesthetic or intensive-care application. Build in anatomy and statistics from the start rather than leaving these smaller sections until the end.
Weeks 3–4: Practise and correct
Work through timed SBA sets. Review uncertain answers as well as incorrect ones, and record the concept behind each error. For a difficult item, explain why the best answer fits and why the alternatives do not.
Weeks 5–6: Rehearse the paper and clinical stages
Simulate each written paper as a separate 50-question, 90-minute block. Use the results to target remaining gaps, especially in the three high-weight science areas. For the OSCE/SOE, practise explaining basic science aloud in clear steps and handling applied clinical prompts, communication tasks, equipment and data interpretation.
Practise MCAI topics 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 includes SBA practice, which is the closest match to the MCAI’s current written format; the bank also contains MCQ, MTF and MBA questions. It is a broad practice resource, not a claim of complete MCAI syllabus coverage. New accounts receive a three-day free trial after verifying their email.
- Primary/Basic anesthesia MCQ/MTF 1,463 questions
Frequently asked questions
What does MCAI stand for?
MCAI stands for Membership of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland.
How many questions are in the MCAI MCQ?
The current listed format has two single best answer (SBA) papers, each with 50 questions and 90 minutes. The papers are online.
When is the next MCAI MCQ?
The next listed MCQ sitting is 21 January 2027. Applications are scheduled to open on 9 November 2026 and close on 14 December 2026.
Who is eligible to sit the MCAI?
For the MCQ, you need an acceptable primary medical qualification, full registration with the Irish Medical Council or another recognised national medical regulator, good standing and at least six months’ employment as an anaesthesiologist before the exam. The OSCE/SOE stage also requires 12 months’ employment and an MCQ pass within the previous three years.
Has the MCAI MTF paper been replaced?
Yes. The CAI lists a second SBA paper in place of the MTF paper, making the current MCQ format two 50-question SBA papers.
Is there a fixed MCAI percentage pass mark?
The CAI candidate guide describes Modified Angoff standard setting for the written MCQ cut score; it does not give a universal percentage threshold.
References
Show 8 references
- Membership CAI MCQ – The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland
- Exam Dates – The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland
- Membership CAI OSCE/SOE – The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland
- CAI Regulations for Examination Candidates – 2022
- Membership (mcai) Examination (effective 2022-11-01)
- MCAI Syllabus 2020
- International Centres – The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (effective 2027-02-17)
- Recent Results – The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland
Exam rules, dates and fees change. Always confirm the details with the awarding body before you apply.