The CICM exams explained: format, timing and how they are passed

The FCICM is awarded by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand. On the way, intensive care trainees sit 2 examinations: First Part Examination; Second Part Examination (General). Here is how each is put together and how it is passed.

First Part Examination

When: Early in training (basic sciences).

FP MCQ

2 papers × 50 single-best-answer MCQs (100 in all) · about 50 min per 50

How it is passed: The real exam needs the Angoff standard in the MCQ and the SAQ sections to be invited to the vivas.

FP SAQ

2 papers × 10 short-answer questions (20 in all) · about 10 min each

How it is passed: Angoff cut score; a written pass can be carried forward to later viva sittings.

FP vivas

8 cross-table vivas · 2 min reading · 10 min with the examiners

How it is passed: Reach the oral standard set by borderline regression (56.96% in 2026.1). Five attempts in all.

Second Part Examination (General)

When: After at least 12 months of core ICU training.

SP SAQ

2 papers × 15 SAQs (30 in all, 10 marks each) · 150 min + 10 min reading per paper

How it is passed: Each SAQ double-marked; reach the Angoff cut (52.01% in 2026.1) to be invited to the orals.

Hot cases and vivas

2 hot cases (20 min: 2 reading, 10 examining, 10 discussing) + 8 cross-table vivas (2 min reading + 10 min)

How it is passed: Oral pass needs more than 50% overall with no severe fail: failing both hot cases with under 40% in the clinical section fails the whole exam.

What the exams draw on

Respiratory physiology and ventilation (8–12% of the paper)
Cardiovascular and shock (10–15% of the paper)
Renal, acid-base and fluids (8–12% of the paper)
Neurology and neurocritical care (6–10% of the paper)
GI, liver and nutrition (5–8% of the paper)
Endocrine and metabolism (4–7% of the paper)
Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics (8–12% of the paper)
Sepsis, microbiology and antimicrobials (8–12% of the paper)
Haematology and transfusion (4–7% of the paper)
Anatomy, measurement and equipment (5–10% of the paper)
Trauma, burns and toxicology (5–10% of the paper)
Paediatrics and obstetric critical care (3–6% of the paper)
Imaging and procedures (4–8% of the paper)
Communication, ethics and end-of-life (4–8% of the paper)

Answers are expected to reflect Australian and New Zealand practice. The references the questions assume include: ANZICS guidelines, including the ANZICS Statement on Death and Organ Donation; DonateLife; ANZICS CORE and the Adult Patient Database; ANZICS Clinical Trials Group landmark trials (NICE-SUGAR, ADRENAL, SAFE, SPLIT, PLUS, BLING III, ARISE); ANZCOR and Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines; Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic; National Blood Authority Patient Blood Management guidelines; Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; State guardianship, advance care directive and medical treatment decision laws; CICM syllabus (Second Part syllabus V2, November 2025) and CICM professional documents.

Formats change. Always confirm the current format, eligibility and dates on the CICM website before you sit.

Where do you stand?

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