ENT questions show up consistently on MRCS Part A. Most candidates see around 15 to 20 questions from this subject, which makes it one of the higher-yield areas you can prepare for. The good news is that ENT in MRCS Part A stays fairly predictable. A focused list of topics, revised properly, will cover most of what comes up. Dr Vinayak Rengan who is the founder of Mortimer Green strongly believes that the percentage of ENT questions in MRCS Part A are increasing every year.
Here's a breakdown of the topics worth prioritising, along with some notes on where candidates typically lose marks.
Thyroid cancer questions are almost guaranteed on every MRCS Part A paper. Know the four main types:
For each one, be clear on the pathological features, typical age group, spread pattern (lymphatic vs haematogenous), and prognosis. Examiners also like to test surgical indications for thyroidectomy and the complications that follow it, so don't stop at diagnosis alone.
This topic comes up in both its emergency and elective forms, and candidates often mix up the indications for each. Go through:
Questions here tend to test practical understanding rather than pure recall, so working through the procedure step by step helps more than memorising a list.
Neck lump questions are a classic MRCS Part A staple, and the examiners love testing the differences between similar-looking conditions. Cover:
Pay close attention to location, age of presentation, and any movement with swallowing or tongue protrusion, since these details are usually what separates the right answer from the wrong one.
Oral premalignant conditions are an easy source of marks if you know the basics. Focus on:
Know the malignant transformation risk for each and the typical risk factors associated with them, particularly tobacco and areca nut use.
This section covers two distinct but frequently tested areas:
Epistaxis questions often test first-line management steps, so make sure you know the order of interventions rather than just the anatomy.
Trigeminal nerve anatomy is a recurring theme across MRCS Part A, not just in the ENT section. Revise:
This topic rewards a solid grasp of anatomy diagrams rather than rote memorisation.
Post-operative complications are a favourite examiner topic because they combine anatomy with clinical reasoning. Know:
Understanding why each complication happens, tied to the anatomy involved, makes these much easier to answer under exam conditions.
Once you've gone through the topics above, the next step is practice. Reading through notes only gets you so far. Working through single best answer (SBA) questions on each topic helps you spot the specific way MRCS examiners like to frame ENT questions, and shows you where the gaps in your understanding actually are.
This is where a good question bank makes a real difference. The Mortimer Green app is built around exactly this kind of focused, exam-pattern practice for MRCS Part A.
A high-yield question bank. Curated specifically for MRCS Part A, with recall-based questions drawn from previous exams and covering ENT alongside the other core surgical topics. Mortimer Green MRCS question bank is the best and most comprehensive resource for MRCS Part A preparation.
Live tests and expert discussions. Join live MCQ/ Test and Discussion sessions, get instant explanations from specialists, and talk through tricky topics with other candidates in real time.
Performance analytics. Track your progress over time, see which areas need more work, and follow a revision plan built around your actual performance rather than a generic study schedule.
A clean, mobile-friendly interface. No clutter, no distractions. Revise from your phone whenever you have a spare ten minutes.
Thousands of MRCS candidates already use Mortimer Green to bridge the gap between studying and exam-day performance. Download the app to get access to ENT question sets, live mock tests, expert Q&A sessions, and topic-wise revision challenges.
Get started with Mortimer Green and take the next step toward MRCS success.