FFICM / FCICM exam dates 2026 and 2027: every sitting, application window and results date
Fact-checked on 27 October 2026 against official sources.
These are the FCICM (formerly FFICM) exam dates published by the College of Intensive Care Medicine for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years. Every date below is copied from the College's own calendar pages; the College notes that the information may be subject to change, so always confirm on ficm.ac.uk before you book leave or travel.
Applications for the January 2027 MCQ opened at 9am on 21 September 2026 and close at 5pm on 19 November 2026.
Next sittings at a glance
- 19 Nov 2026 January MCQ applications close (5pm)
- 13 Jan 2027 FCICM MCQ
- 15 to 18 Mar 2027 FCICM OSCE/SOE, final full legacy sitting
- 14 Jun 2027 FCICM MCQ, last before the AKT
FCICM exam dates 2026/27
| MCQ January 2027 | OSCE/SOE March 2027 | MCQ June 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonable adjustment applications close | 21 September 2026 | 7 December 2026 | 8 March 2027 |
| Applications open | 21 September 2026 (9am) | 7 December 2026 (9am) | 8 March 2027 (9am) |
| Applications close | 19 November 2026 (5pm) | 2 February 2027 (5pm) | 22 April 2027 (5pm) |
| Exam date | 13 January 2027 | 15 to 18 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| Fee | £610 | £755 | £610 |
| Results released | 29 January 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 13 July 2027 |
Earlier in the same academic year, the OSCE/SOE was held on 5 to 8 October 2026, with results released on 27 October 2026. The June 2026 MCQ (still called the FFICM MCQ) was held on 25 June 2026; the College moved its results date from 14 July to 28 July 2026 to complete additional verification.
FCICM exam dates 2027/28: the new AKT and ACRE
From the 2027/28 academic year the MCQ is replaced by the AKT (Applied Knowledge Test) and the OSCE and SOE by the ACRE (Applied Clinical Reasoning Examination). The College's 2027/28 calendar lists these sittings:
| ACRE autumn 2027 | AKT December 2027 | ACRE spring 2028 | AKT May 2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications open (9am) | 21 June 2027 | 25 August 2027 | 6 December 2027 | 23 February 2028 |
| Reasonable adjustment window closes (5pm) | 5 July 2027 | 8 September 2027 | 20 December 2027 | 8 March 2028 |
| Applications close (5pm) | 2 August 2027 | 6 October 2027 | 17 January 2028 | 5 April 2028 |
| Exam date | Week commencing 27 September 2027 | 1 December 2027 | Week commencing 13 March 2028 | 31 May 2028 |
| Results released | 27 October 2027 | 21 December 2027 | 12 April 2028 | 28 June 2028 |
Rules that affect when you can sit
- MCQ first: you must pass the MCQ before applying for the OSCE/SOE. An MCQ pass is valid for three years.
- OSCE and SOE together at the first sitting: if you fail one and pass the other, you only retake the failed component; if you fail both, you retake both together.
- March 2027 is the last full legacy sitting: the College expects the final full sitting of the current OSCE/SOE in March 2027.
- Transition year 2027/28: the legacy OSCE or SOE stays open only to candidates holding a valid partial pass, with "only" sittings expected in October 2027 and March 2028. Everyone else sits the ACRE from July 2027.
- 30 June 2028 cut-off: legacy exams are no longer available after this date, and partial passes do not carry forward.
- Waiting for the new format: if your written pass is due to expire while you wait for the ACRE, the College will extend its validity by one year on request.
Plan your revision around the dates
Short daily sets of timed SBAs are easier to fit around shifts than long weekend blocks: you can start with a free set on our FCICM hub, and read our guides to the OSCE and SOE and the 2027 changes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next FFICM / FCICM MCQ?
The next FCICM MCQ is on 13 January 2027. Applications opened at 9am on 21 September 2026 and close at 5pm on 19 November 2026. Results are due on 29 January 2027. The following MCQ is on 14 June 2027.
When is the next FCICM OSCE and SOE?
The next OSCE/SOE is on 15 to 18 March 2027, with applications open from 9am on 7 December 2026 to 5pm on 2 February 2027 and results on 30 April 2027. The College expects this to be the final full sitting of the legacy OSCE/SOE.
When do the AKT and ACRE start?
The first ACRE is in the week commencing 27 September 2027 (applications 21 June to 2 August 2027) and the first AKT is on 1 December 2027 (applications 25 August to 6 October 2027), according to the College's 2027/28 calendar.
How much does the FCICM exam cost?
For 2026/27 the College lists £610 for the MCQ and £755 for the OSCE/SOE. Fees for the AKT and ACRE in 2027/28 have not been published yet.
Can I still sit the legacy OSCE or SOE after March 2027?
Only if you hold a valid partial pass in the OSCE or SOE. Those candidates can sit the outstanding component in the 2027/28 transition year, with sittings expected in October 2027 and March 2028. Legacy exams end on 30 June 2028.
Sources
- College of Intensive Care Medicine, Calendar & Fees (FCICM Examination Calendar 2026-2027)
- College of Intensive Care Medicine, FCICM Examination Calendar 2027/28 (PDF)
- College of Intensive Care Medicine, 2027 launch of the new FCICM exams: candidate FAQs