ACEM Primary Written vs viva: two different exams
Both parts examine the same four sciences, but they ask for different skills. Preparing for one does not prepare you for the other.
The Written exam
The Primary Written is an online, integrated multiple-choice (SCQ) examination on anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology. It runs as 360 questions across two 3-hour papers, sat in one day, and you must pass it before you can sit the viva.
It tests whether you can recognise the best answer and read a question stem accurately. It rewards breadth, and it rewards stamina across a long day.
The viva
The Primary viva, which ACEM also calls the oral exam, runs as four 10-minute stations across the four sciences. It is spoken. An examiner asks, you answer, and they respond to what you said.
It tests whether you can organise what you know into a clear spoken answer, under time pressure, and stay on the thread when the examiner pushes. Knowing the content is the starting point, not the skill.
Why the preparation differs
Reading and multiple-choice practice build recognition. The viva needs recall and structure, spoken aloud. Candidates who prepare the viva only by reading often find that knowing something and explaining it in ten minutes are different things.
How to prepare for each
For the Written, practise full-length papers, review every wrong answer for the concept behind it, and track the four sciences separately.
For the viva, practise answering out loud with a timer. Take one topic, speak for a few minutes with no notes, and then check what you left out. Practising with another person who can interrupt is closer to the real thing than practising alone.
When to start the viva work
You cannot sit the viva until you have passed the Written, but the speaking skill takes time to build. Start answering aloud while you are still preparing for the Written, so the viva does not begin from zero once the Written is behind you.
Where to check the official details
Format, timing and sitting dates are on ACEM’s examinations page. ClintixPro is independent of ACEM and is not endorsed by it.
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