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FRCS (ORL-HNS) Dates + planning for UK/Ireland ENT trainees

FRCS (ORL-HNS) exam dates for 2026
+ what to expect for 2027

A single place to plan your run-in: confirmed 2026 dates (from the JCIE calendar) plus a cautious, pattern-based 2027 outlook. Always re-check the official calendar before booking leave, travel, or swaps.

See 2026 dates Build your plan Explore FRCS (ORL-HNS) question bank

Source of truth: JCIE Examination Calendar. OtoPrep is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with JCIE or the Surgical Royal Colleges.

FRCS (ORL-HNS) exam dates 2026 and 2027 timeline hero image showing a structured ENT study roadmap to a trophy in OtoPrep colours

FRCS (ORL-HNS) exam dates 2026 (official)

Dates can change. Always confirm on the official JCIE calendar before making commitments.

TIP
If you’re aiming for July 2026 Section 1, treat April 2026 (application deadline) as your “start line” for proper timed practice.
Section Exam code Exam date Format / location Registration / payment deadline Official link
Section 1Computer-based testing (CBT) 1106 15 Jan 2026 CBT 25 Sep 2025Online applications show as closed (at the time of writing). JCIE diet 1106
Section 1Computer-based testing (CBT) 1130 08 Jul 2026 CBT 09 Apr 2026 JCIE diet 1130
Section 2Clinical / viva (venue-based) 1117 22 Apr 2026 Birmingham 08 Jan 2026 JCIE diet 1117
Section 2Clinical / viva (venue-based) 1147 25 Nov 2026 Glasgow 25 Jun 2026 JCIE diet 1147

Helpful context: JCIE indicates fees from 1 Jan 2026 are £2,000 total (Section 1 £580, Section 2 £1,420), payable at online application.

Anticipated FRCS (ORL-HNS) 2027 timeline (plan, don’t over-commit)

If 2027 dates aren’t published yet, use this as a planning scaffold only — then swap in confirmed dates when JCIE posts them.

NOTE
Based on the 2026 pattern, many candidates plan around two main “diets” each year: Section 1 (winter + summer) and Section 2 (spring + late autumn).

Likely timing windows (2027)

Use broad months unless official days are published.

  • Section 1 (CBT): typically mid-January and early July.
  • Section 2 (viva/clinical): typically April and late November.
  • Application deadlines: often fall several months before the exam date — treat them as “hard stops”.

How to avoid date-stress

Simple rules that work even when dates move.

  • Book annual leave only after you’ve checked the JCIE calendar that week.
  • Build your revision plan around application deadlines, not just exam day.
  • Leave a buffer for on-calls, swaps, and rota changes (especially the last 4–6 weeks).

How to plan your revision around the dates

A practical workflow for busy rotas: learn → time it → review → repeat.

TIP
Score gains come from review: turn misses into short “rules”, then re-test them 48–72 hours later.
Timed practice and exam pacing for FRCS (ORL-HNS) showing a pace keeper timer dial and checklist cards in OtoPrep colours
Timed practice builds calm speed + stamina — the easiest points to drop without rehearsal.
FRCS (ORL-HNS) question bank analytics dashboard hero with progress ring, trend line and checklist cards in OtoPrep palette
Track weak areas early, then convert them into repeatable “rules” you can review quickly on-call.

If you’re sitting Section 1 in January

Think: consolidate + timing + ruthless review.

  1. Weeks 4–3 out: daily SBAs + targeted weak topics.
  2. Weeks 3–2 out: 1 full timed sitting per week + deep review.
  3. Final 10 days: mixed blocks + error-log “rules” + paced practice.

If you’re sitting Section 1 in July

Use the deadline as a “start line” for timed practice.

  1. 12–8 weeks out: coverage plan + daily SBAs (consistency over intensity).
  2. 8–4 weeks out: timed blocks + weekly full paper + error-log rules.
  3. Final month: full mocks + pacing rehearsal + repeat misses.

Want a simple plan from today to exam day?

Use board-style questions mapped to the FRCS (ORL-HNS) blueprint, then test yourself under timed conditions.

Explore FRCS (ORL-HNS) prep Start with the FRCS (ORL-HNS) free trial Check the official JCIE calendar

Disclaimer: OtoPrep is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with JCIE or the Surgical Royal Colleges. Dates can change—always confirm on the official JCIE calendar.

FAQs (fast answers)

Designed for featured snippets: short, practical, and on-call friendly.

Where should I verify FRCS (ORL-HNS) exam dates?

Use the official JCIE Examination Calendar. It’s the single source of truth for exam dates, deadlines, venues/CBT, and fees.

How many times per year does FRCS (ORL-HNS) run?

Many candidates plan around two main “diets” per year for Section 1 and Section 2, but always confirm the actual schedule on the JCIE calendar.

How early should I start preparing for Section 1?

If you have a solid base, 8–12 weeks of structured practice can be enough. If you’re rebuilding fundamentals, plan 3–6 months.

What’s the highest-yield way to use a question bank?

Do questions daily, review misses the same day, write short “rules”, then re-test missed topics 48–72 hours later.

How do I revise around on-calls?

Use short timed blocks (10–20 questions), keep a running error-log, and schedule one longer timed sitting weekly when you’re off-call.