Book excerpt: Single best answer (SBA) questions are increasingly popular in medical examinations, and can be challenging: more than one answer may at first appear correct, creating pitfalls for the unwary. This book has been written for medical students throughout their clinical years, including a mixture of clinical and basic science questions that cover the essential topics of surgery. The questions test and reaffirm knowledge through clinical scenarios, making the subject matter engaging, enjoyable and memorable. Explanatory answers both aid learning and help candidates identify areas where further revision is needed.