TAS Question Bank
Practise MRCPCH Theory and Science BO5 SBA questions with concept-based explanations, exam traps and repeated revision.
How to Use This TAS Question Bank
Theory and Science can feel difficult because it tests concepts, not just memory. The aim of this page is to help you understand the reason behind the answer.
TAS Exam Snapshot
Question Type
BO5 SBA questions.
Choose the single best answer from five options.
Number of Questions
100 SBA questions.
Each question is worth one mark.
Time
120 minutes.
Approximately 1.2 minutes per question.
Main Focus
Science behind paediatrics: physiology, pathology, pharmacology, genetics and evidence.
High-Yield TAS Question Areas
Physiology
Respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, neonatal and developmental physiology.
Pharmacology
Drug mechanism, adverse effects, prescribing principles and paediatric medicines.
Pathology and Genetics
Disease mechanisms, inflammation, infection, inheritance, metabolism and congenital conditions.
Statistics and Evidence
Sensitivity, specificity, risk, bias, screening, audit, research and evidence-based practice.
Question of the Day
Daily Practice Question
A child with chronic lung disease has hypoxia and develops pulmonary hypertension. Which physiological mechanism best explains this complication?
A. Pulmonary vasodilation due to hypoxia B. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction C. Reduced systemic vascular resistance only D. Increased renal potassium loss E. Increased insulin secretionChronic hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction. Over time this increases pulmonary vascular resistance and may lead to pulmonary hypertension. TAS questions often test whether you understand the mechanism, not just the clinical condition.
TAS Practice Questions
Question 1
A child receiving gentamicin has reduced urine output and rising creatinine. Which adverse effect is most relevant?
A. Ototoxicity only B. Nephrotoxicity C. Hyperglycaemia D. Hypothyroidism E. Adrenal suppressionGentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. In this question, reduced urine output and rising creatinine point towards nephrotoxicity.
Question 2
A screening test has high sensitivity. What does this usually mean?
A. It is good at ruling out disease when negative B. It confirms disease when positive in all cases C. It has no false positives D. It is always better than a diagnostic test E. It does not require clinical judgementA highly sensitive test has fewer false negatives. A negative result is useful for ruling out disease. Remember: SnNout — Sensitive test, Negative result rules out.
Question 3
A condition affects males and females equally and appears in every generation. An affected parent has approximately 50% chance of passing it to each child. What is the likely inheritance pattern?
A. Autosomal dominant B. Autosomal recessive C. X-linked recessive D. Mitochondrial inheritance E. Multifactorial onlyAutosomal dominant conditions commonly affect males and females equally, occur in successive generations and have a 50% transmission risk from an affected parent.
Question 4
A child has metabolic acidosis with normal anion gap and urinary bicarbonate loss. Which mechanism is most likely?
A. Respiratory alkalosis B. Proximal renal tubular acidosis C. Diabetic ketoacidosis D. Lactic acidosis from shock E. Excess vomitingProximal renal tubular acidosis causes bicarbonate wasting and a normal anion gap metabolic acidosis. TAS often asks for the underlying mechanism.
How to Revise Wrong TAS Questions
1. Identify the Concept
Do not only record the question. Record the concept: physiology, drug mechanism, inheritance, statistics or pathology.
2. Read the Relevant Section
Use targeted reading. Avoid reading long chapters unless needed.
3. Draw or Summarise
For TAS, diagrams, flow charts and short summaries are very useful.
4. Repeat Weak Concepts
Concepts fade quickly. Repeat difficult topics several times before the exam.
BO5 SBA Technique for TAS
Look for the Mechanism
TAS often asks why something happens. Identify the underlying physiology or pathology.
Do Not Memorise Blindly
If you understand the concept, you can answer unfamiliar questions more safely.
Use Elimination
Remove options that are unrelated to the mechanism, age or clinical situation.
Choose the Best Explanation
The best answer usually explains the main process in the question stem.
Useful Official Resources
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Popular TAS Question Tags
Physiology Pharmacology Pathology Genetics Statistics Renal Endocrine Metabolism BO5Common TAS Question Mistakes
- Trying to memorise everything without understanding concepts.
- Ignoring statistics and evidence-based medicine.
- Not revising pharmacology mechanisms and adverse effects.
- Confusing similar inheritance patterns.
- Not practising enough BO5 questions.
- Reading long chapters but not testing yourself.
- Not revising wrong answers repeatedly.
Final TAS Advice
TAS becomes easier when you understand concepts. Do not panic if it feels difficult at first. Break topics into small parts and practise regularly.
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