FRCEM SBA vs OSCE for FRCEM SBA: A Practical Guide for Emergency Medicine Doctors


The FRCEM SBA and FRCEM OSCE are the two components of the Fellowship exams in Emergency Medicine. Together, they assess whether you function at the level of an independent EM consultant.


  • The FRCEM SBA is a written theory exam: 
    • 180 Single Best Answer questions
    • Delivered as two 2-hour papers of 90 questions each
    • One-hour break in between(RCEM)


  • The FRCEM OSCE is a practical stations exam: 
    • 16 × 8-minute stations
    • 1 minute reading time between stations
    • 2 rest stations built in(rcemlearning.org)


Both are mapped to the RCEM 2021 Emergency Medicine Curriculum via Specialty Learning Outcomes (SLOs).(RCEM)


For Emergency Medicine doctors, understanding how these two exams differ is crucial: it helps you target your revision, sequence your attempts sensibly, and avoid treating them as “just two similar tests”. In the FRCEM SBA itself, exam-structure and assessment theory appears in non-clinical questions (leadership, governance, education).


Assessment & Investigations – What Each Exam Actually Tests


SBA emphasises:

  • Bread-and-butter clinical knowledge across adult, paeds, trauma, resus
  • Pattern recognition from written vignettes
  • Guideline-based decision-making (NICE/RCEM/specialty guidance)
  • Risk stratification, investigations and disposition
  • Statistics, QI and research methods


OSCE emphasises:

  • History & examination in real time
  • Procedural competence (e.g. LP, fracture manipulation, NIV setup)(St.Emlyn's)
  • Communication & consent (breaking bad news, complaints, shared decisions)(St.Emlyn's)
  • Resuscitation & crisis resource management (team leadership, prioritisation)(rcemlearning.org)
  • Teaching & supervision of juniors and other professionals(St.Emlyn's)


In short: SBA = “know and decide”, OSCE = “do and show”.


How to Approach Each Exam


  • For FRCEM SBA, you should: 
    • Build a broad, blueprint-driven knowledge base.(RCEM)
    • Drill large volumes of SBAs under timed conditions.
    • Focus on explanation quality and misconception patterns.


  • For FRCEM OSCE, you should: 
    • Practise structured consultation frameworks (e.g. “intro–explore–explain–safety net”).(St.Emlyn's)
    • Rehearse systems examinations, procedures, and resus drills with colleagues.(St.Emlyn's)
    • Get feedback on body language, time management, and prioritisation.


You often revise for the SBA first to lay the knowledge foundation, then pivot to more performance-based prep for the OSCE.


How to Revise FRCEM SBA vs OSCE Efficiently for the FRCEM SBA


Use Question Banks First, Then OSCE Resources & Guidelines


  • For SBA: 
    • Do large mixed blocks of FRCEM-level SBAs mapped to the 2021 curriculum and SBA blueprint.(RCEM)
    • After each block, review all explanations, especially why your second choice was wrong.


  • For OSCE (even while SBA-focused): 
    • Skim OSCE-focused resources like the St Emlyn’s FRCEM Revision Guide (chapters on OSCE, communication, procedures, teaching).(St.Emlyn's)
    • Start low-fi practice early: quick mini-sim scenarios in handover room, 10-minute “teach a junior” drills.


Mix Text-Based and Simulated Stations


  • Pair SBA practice with short OSCE run-throughs: 
    • E.g. after a block of chest pain SBAs, run a 10-minute chest pain OSCE: history, focused exam, explanation, safety net.
  • Use checklists from FOAMed resources (e.g. St Emlyn’s OSCE system/communication/teaching station guides) to self-assess.(St.Emlyn's)


How StudyMedical Covers FRCEM SBA vs OSCE in Its FRCEM SBA Question Bank


StudyMedical focuses on the SBA component, but does so in a way that sets you up for OSCE success as well.


StudyMedical contains hundreds of curriculum-mapped FRCEM SBA questions built around full ED vignettes—adult, paeds, trauma, resus, procedures, leadership, and statistics—mirroring the 2021 RCEM blueprint and exam style. While it’s an SBA bank, the clinical reasoning, communication cues and leadership scenarios within the stems translate directly into OSCE performance.


Features you can highlight for this topic:

  • Curriculum-mapped questions spanning SLOs relevant to both SBA and OSCE (resus, trauma, PEM, leadership, QI).
  • Vignette-rich SBAs that mirror OSCE cases (e.g. chest pain, sepsis, safeguarding, handover, teaching a junior).
  • Detailed explanations that model the sort of reasoning you’ll need to verbalise in OSCE stations.
  • Smart modes for: 
    • New questions when you’re starting a topic.
    • Incorrect questions to focus on weaknesses.
    • Flagged questions to build “OSCE-style” mini-cases you want to revisit before sim sessions.


Ready to Test Yourself on FRCEM SBA vs OSCE?


FRCEM SBA and OSCE are two sides of the same coin:


  • SBA proves you can recognise patterns and make safe decisions.
  • OSCE proves you can do the job, communicate clearly, and lead teams in real time.


If you understand how they differ—and how they fit together—you can plan your revision, choose your courses, and structure your ED shifts around the skills each exam really tests.