MRCS Part B communication stations, practised out loud
History taking, breaking bad news, consent: the communication skills stations can’t be revised from a book. Practise them with a voice AI patient and see what you missed. No partner to schedule.
Used by 6,000+ doctors & medical students across every exam on MLAbuddy.
MRCS Part B in short
- Stations
- 17 examined
- Each station
- 1 min reading + 9 min
- Communication skills
- 4 stations
- Marking
- Out of 20 + overall judgement
- To pass
- Both components
- Fee
- £1,212
Source: Royal College of Surgeons of England, September 2026
Communication stations now, the rest of the circuit next
New MRCS stations are added to the library as they’re written.
Available now
History taking
Surgical presentations: abdominal pain, a lump, rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habit.
Giving information
Breaking bad news, consent for an operation, ethics, and difficult conversations.
Being added
- Anatomy and pathology
- Critical care
- Physical examination and surgical skills
What a communication station looks like
Read the brief, talk it through out loud, then see what you covered and what you missed.
- 1
Read the brief
- Station
- Consent for laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Task
- Explain the procedure and obtain informed consent.
- Patient
- 46-year-old with recurrent biliary colic
- 2
Talk it through
You
What do you already know about the operation?
AI patient
Only that they take my gallbladder out. Will I be able to eat normally afterwards?
You
Most people can. I’ll explain what happens, then we’ll go through the risks.
Out loud, with a voice AI patient. No typing.
- 3
Get the feedback
CoveredProcedure, benefits and the option of not operating.
MissedBile duct injury and conversion to open surgery as specific risks.
CommunicationGood check of prior knowledge. Pause after the serious risks and check understanding.
MRCS Part B, answered
What is MRCS Part B?
MRCS Part B is the clinical OSCE stage of the Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons exam, taken after Part A. It has 17 examined stations across two components, Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills, and you need it before applying for higher surgical training (ST3) in the UK and Ireland.
Which MRCS Part B stations does MLAbuddy help with?
Right now, the communication skills stations: history taking, and giving information (breaking bad news, consent, ethics and difficult conversations). Stations for anatomy and pathology, critical care, and physical examination and surgical skills are being added to the MRCS library.
Why are the communication stations hard to prepare for?
They test a structured, empathic, patient-centred consultation delivered under exam conditions, and that can’t be revised from a textbook. For doctors trained outside the UK, the expected style can feel unfamiliar until it has been practised out loud many times with someone who responds.
How should I prepare for the communication stations?
Learn a structure for each station type (for example SPIKES for breaking bad news, and a consistent consent structure), practise delivering it until it sounds natural rather than recited, and get feedback on what you missed. MLAbuddy covers the practice and feedback: an AI patient responds to what you say, and you can repeat a station as often as you need without scheduling a partner.
How is MRCS Part B marked?
Each station is marked out of 20, with an overall judgement of your performance. You must pass both components, Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills, in the same sitting: a strong result in one can’t make up for the other.
Is MLAbuddy free for MRCS Part B practice?
Yes. The free plan includes open library stations and voice AI practice. Premium unlocks the full curated station library, unlimited AI station creation and analytics, from £11.99 for 2 weeks.
How is MRCS Part B different from other OSCE exams?
Most OSCEs, like medical finals or licensing exams, assess general clinical competence. MRCS Part B is a postgraduate surgical exam for doctors progressing into surgical training, and it includes anatomy, pathology and critical care stations alongside the clinical and communication ones.
What is the MRCS Part B pass rate?
It varies from sitting to sitting. The Royal Colleges of Surgeons publish results for each sitting, so check the latest figures on the intercollegiate MRCS website rather than relying on a single number.
How long should I prepare for MRCS Part B?
Many candidates allow two to four months of focused preparation, and longer if they have been out of clinical practice. What matters most is practising stations out loud and to time, not the hours spent reading.
What is the difference between MRCS Part A and Part B?
Part A is a written multiple-choice exam that tests knowledge. Part B is a practical OSCE that tests how you apply that knowledge with patients and examiners across a circuit of stations.
What happens if I fail MRCS Part B?
You can resit. Candidates have up to four attempts, with one more possible under the Colleges’ additional attempt policy, and Part A must have been passed within the last seven years.
When is MRCS Part B held?
Several times a year at UK and international centres. Dates and venues change each cycle, so check the Royal Colleges’ websites.
Am I eligible for MRCS Part B?
You must have passed MRCS Part A and hold a medical qualification acceptable to the UK General Medical Council or the Medical Council in Ireland.