FC PATH(SA) CHEMICAL PATHOLOGY

BLUEPRINTING

FC Path(SA) Chem Part 1
A mixture of multiple choice and short questions.
This section includes physiology and calculations
Purpose of the examination: Summative: has not yet been determined by the Blueprinting Committee

FC Path(SA) Chem Part 2
Purpose of the examination: Summative
Testing objectives of the written examination:
Content knowledge of the College Chemical Pathology curriculum
Application of this knowledge to the diagnosis and management of disease as well as to the
management of laboratory services. A comprehensive knowledge of pathophysiological processes
& pathways is required.
Written communication skills
FC Path(SA) Chem Part 2 examination will comprise two written papers and a three-part practical
examination. The detail and weighting is given below.

FC Path(SA) Chem Part 2 Paper 1:
All questions have to be answered. No choices will be offered:
2 x 25 mark long essays (subminimum 40% for each long essay)
3 x 10 mark questions
4 x 5 mark questions

Content:
Laboratory management (to encompass lab governance and audits; IQC/EQA; Reference
ranges; Method evaluations; Budgets; Accreditation; POCT; Health & Safety; Ethics; Occupational
Health / Insurance / Wellness testing)
Pre-analytical concepts (including Biological variation)
Analytical techniques and instrumentation and Basic laboratory principles
Laboratory Statistics
Concepts in Molecular Biology

Subminimum for whole Paper 1 is 50%

FC Path(SA) Chem Part 2 Paper 2:
All questions have to be answered. No choices will be offered:
2 x 25 mark long essays (subminimum 40% for each long essay)
3 x 10 mark questions
4 x 5 mark questions

Content:
Pathophysiology of Disease

Subminimum for whole Paper 2 is 50%



PRACTOCALS./
-2-

PRACTICALS:
Only candidates that have met all Paper 1 and 2s subminima requirements will be invited to the Practical
examination

Day 1 (whole day) 100 marks Wet practical
Day 2 (morning: 3 hours) 100 marks OSPE & Calculations (at least
50% of the marks for calculations)
Day 2 (afternoon: 3 hours) 100 marks Clinical Cases
3 long cases: 20 marks each
4 short cases: 10 marks each

Subminimum for total of all 3 sections of the practical: 45%

ORALS
All candidates that have performed the practical exams will attend the Oral examination.
Candidates who scored <45% for the practical section will fail regardless of the outcome of the oral
examination.
The Oral examination will determine whether candidates with borderline practical examination
scores between 45 to 50% will pass or fail
If both Written and Practical examination subminima requirements are met the candidate cannot be
failed at the orals

SUMMARY OF SUBMINIMA REQUIREMENTS FOR FC PATH(SA) CHEM PART 2:

Written Papers:
Paper 1
Subminimum of 40% for each of the long essays
Subminimum of 50% for the whole paper

Paper 2
Subminimum of 40% for each of the long essays
Subminimum of 50% for the whole paper

Practical (Sections x 3)

Subminimum for total of all 3 sections of the practical: 45%

Oral
The function of the Oral examination is to determine whether:
candidates with the borderline practical scores (45-50%) pass or fail
better performing candidates can improve their pass symbol

EXAMINATION WEIGHTING FC Path(SA) Part 2:












JOHANNESBURG
July 2013
Written Theory Papers
Wet Practical OSPE & Calculations Clinical Cases

Paper 1 Paper 2 Practical 1 Practical 2 Practical 3 Oral
20% 20% 20% 15% 15% 10%