FCPS IMM Surgery: Exam Overview and Preparation
The Intermediate Module (IMM) in Surgery is the mid-training examination conducted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan for FCPS trainees. It comes after Part 1 and before the final Part 2 exam, and it tests applied clinical reasoning rather than isolated facts.
Good to know
- IMM is clinical: expect scenarios asking for the diagnosis, the next investigation or the best operation.
- It has a written MCQ component and a clinical component. A question bank prepares you for the MCQ side only.
- Eligibility, format, syllabus and passing criteria are set by CPSP and change between cycles. Check the current CPSP prospectus before you plan.
Where to spend your time
Subject blocks that carry the most questions in the IMM Surgery QBank:
| Subject | Focus |
|---|---|
| Orthopaedics and trauma | Fractures and their complications, dislocations, nerve injuries, paediatric orthopaedics, bone tumours |
| General surgery | Acute abdomen, hernias, perioperative care, wounds, breast and thyroid basics |
| Cardiothoracic and vascular | Valve disease, chest trauma, aortic disease, arterial and venous disease |
| Urology | Stones, prostate, urological cancers, trauma |
| Neurosurgery | Head injury, intracranial bleeds, tumours, hydrocephalus, cord compression |
| Plastics and burns | Burn resuscitation, grafts and flaps, hand injuries, cleft lip and palate |
How to prepare for the MCQ component
- Build your base from a core surgical textbook, then use questions to find what you have not retained.
- Practise by subject first, then in mixed timed sets in the final weeks.
- Read every explanation, including for questions you answered correctly.
- Keep a short log of repeated mistakes and revise it weekly.
Frequently asked questions
How is IMM different from FCPS Part 1?+
Part 1 leans on basic sciences and recall. IMM focuses on applied clinical reasoning in your specialty.
Are the QBank questions official CPSP papers?+
No. They are practice questions with our own explanations and are not endorsed by CPSP.
Does it cover the clinical exam?+
No. It covers the MCQ component only.
More FCPS IMM (Intermediate Module) guidance
Know the rules. Now practise.
Understanding the exam is step one. Drill past-paper style MCQs with detailed explanations and track your accuracy by subject.
Practise FCPS IMM Surgery MCQsGuidance is provided for candidates' convenience and is not an official CPSP publication. Always confirm current rules and criteria at www.cpsp.edu.pk.