VIVAs · 2025A

2025 First Sitting VIVAs

8 VIVA stations from the CICM examiner report for this sitting. Examiner wording, report provenance and reported performance data are preserved.

View 2025A SAQs →

Exam outcomes

57% (61/107)Written pass · MCQ + SAQ
84% (51/61)Oral pass · VIVAs
47.7% (51/107)*Overall pass · CICMWrecks-derived
How passing worked

Written pass: candidates successful in both written components (MCQ + SAQ) and progressing to the oral examination, divided by candidates presenting for the written examination.

Oral pass: candidates successful after the oral component, divided by candidates sitting the oral examination. The First Part oral component consists of VIVAs.

* Overall pass: a CICMWrecks-derived contextual figure: final successful candidates ÷ (candidates presenting for the written examination + candidates carrying a written pass). It is not a CICM-reported pass percentage.

Day 1

2025A

VIVA 1

Respiratory Physiology
56%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine respiratory physiology. How do changes in the elastic properties of the lung impact lung compliance?
Current · V5 (2025) C3.iv · primary C3.iii
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2025A

VIVA 2

Renal Physiology and Pharmacology
77%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine renal physiology and pharmacology. How does the kidney concentrate urine? (Image removed from report.)
Current · V5 (2025) E1.v · primary F1.iii
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2025A

VIVA 3

Pharmacokinetics and Antimicrobial Pharmacology
56%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine pharmacokinetics and antimicrobial pharmacology. You are treating a patient in the ICU with intravenous vancomycin. The measured level is high. Why might the level be high?
Current · V5 (2025) B3.iii · primary B1.viii O2.i
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 13

2025A

VIVA 4

Maternal-Foetal Physiology and Pharmacology
62%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine maternal-foetal physiology and pharmacology. What is normal placental blood flow at term? How might foetal hypoxaemia occur in utero without a change in maternal oxygenation?
Current · V5 (2025) P1.iii · primary P2.iii P2.v
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 13

Day 2

2025A

VIVA 5

Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology
57%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. Using this cardiac function curve (VR and CO); explain the physiological principles demonstrated by these curves and identify ‘A’& ‘B’ (image removed from report)
Current · V5 (2025) D3.vi · primary D3.ii
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 14

2025A

VIVA 6

Neurophysiology and Pharmacology
64%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine neurophysiology and pharmacology. Explain the intracranial pressure-volume relationship.
Current · V5 (2025) H2.i · primary
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 14

2025A

VIVA 7

Hepatobiliary Physiology and Pharmacology
82%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine hepatobiliary physiology and pharmacology. How is oxygen delivered to the liver?
Current · V5 (2025) J2.ii · primary
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 14

2025A

VIVA 8

Haematology Physiology and Pharmacology
62%Successful candidates
Opening prompt
This VIVA will examine haematology physiology and pharmacology. Explain the role of platelets in haemostasis.
Current · V5 (2025) N1.iv · primary
Official source: 2025A CICM Examiner Report · page 14