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Primary.

Intensivology is a free study platform for CICM Primary candidates — full syllabus notes, spaced-repetition MCQs, and SAQ practice.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (CICM). Content is peer-contributed and intended as a supplementary study aid only.

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How the syllabus is structured

The CICM Primary syllabus is organised into 17 domains (A–Q), each divided into topics. Every topic has a hub page with reading material broken into individual pages, plus MCQs and SAQs linked to that topic.

Work through each topic in order: read the pages, tick them off as you go, attempt the MCQs and SAQs, and the topic will mark itself complete automatically when all three are done.

Spaced repetition MCQs

Every MCQ you answer is tracked using a spaced repetition algorithm (SM-2). Cards you answer correctly are pushed further into the future; cards you struggle with come back sooner. Over time, this builds durable long-term memory with minimal wasted effort.

Check the MCQ Practice page daily for your review queue. If you're all caught up, use topic practice to add new cards to the deck.

SAQ practice

The exam gives you 10 minutes per SAQ. The timer starts automatically when you open a question. Write your answer first — ideally by hand on paper — before revealing the model answer.

Self-grade honestly using the Easy / Borderline / Hard buttons. This is the most important step: the exam rewards candidates who know what they don't know. Borderline and Hard answers should be revisited.

Aim to attempt every SAQ in the bank at least once before your exam. Volume matters — the more you practise, the more efficient your writing becomes.

Exam Readiness score

Your Exam Readiness % (visible on the Progress page once you've set your exam date) is calculated from four components:

  • Syllabus coverage (25%) — topics marked complete
  • SAQ volume (20%) — fraction of all SAQs attempted at least once
  • SAQ performance (30%) — average self-grade on SAQs attempted in the last 30 days
  • MCQ accuracy (25%) — ease factor across your answered MCQ cards

SAQ performance is weighted highest because the SAQ paper is where most candidates succeed or fail.

A suggested study approach

The most effective pattern is: read → test → repeat.

  • Open a topic, read through each page, tick it off
  • Do the MCQs for that topic immediately after reading
  • Attempt the SAQs — write first, then reveal and grade
  • Check your daily MCQ review queue each session before starting new topics
  • Revisit Hard SAQs in the weeks before your exam

It's a marathon, not a sprint!