MRCP UK exam regulation(2 )

After the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination
Review of the Examination

Results are released when the Chairman and Medical Secretary of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examining Board are satisfied that the Examination has been conducted appropriately and in accordance with the procedures of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.
The MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examining Board considers each question prior to its appearance in the Examination and reviews the question’s performance after every Examination, as well as reviewing the Examination as a whole. In addition to the overall scaled scores obtained by the candidates, the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examining Board will also note the mean score for the Examination and the mean scores for, and the discriminatory power of, the questions that comprise each paper. A detailed analysis of the responses to each item (including a separate index of discrimination for every item), and a coefficient indicating the internal reliability of the Examination as a whole, are also considered by the Board. In the light of these analyses, the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examining Board makes modifications to the questions and answers that it deems desirable to ensure that the quality of the Examination is maintained.

Results
Results will be posted by first class mail or airmail approximately four weeks after the date of the Examination. Results cannot be collected from the Royal Colleges of Physicians or given over the telephone or by fax or e-mail. Within two weeks of the date of the Examination, an answerphone announcement will be available to indicate the week in which results will be dispatched. This information will also be detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
The RCP Code Numbers and Examination Numbers of all candidates, both passes and fails, will be published in the public area of the MRCP(UK) Examination website, if the candidate so wishes. Candidates will not be identified by name, and are therefore advised to take careful note of both their RCP Code Number and Examination Number when they receive their admission documents. Candidates may opt out of this facility when making their application and they must also re-confirm this on each occasion they apply for the Examination.
All candidates who have an online account, irrespective of their agreement to have their results published in the public area of the website, will be able to view their result in the ‘Exam History’ section of their personal area (My MRCP(UK)) as soon as the results are released.

Pass result
Candidates passing the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination can proceed to apply for either the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written or Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examinations (in accordance with the recommendations for necessary clinical experience detailed in Section 8.2.3) upon receiving confirmation of their successful Part 1 result. Candidates will be permitted a further 7 years from the date of the Part 1 Examination at which they were successful to pass the remaining parts of the Qualification.
Once a candidate has successfully passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination, they will not be permitted to re-sit the Part 1 Examination again for any reason until that 7-year period has expired.

Fail result
A candidate not achieving the pass mark in the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination will be deemed to have failed the Examination.
Candidates and supervisors should note that poor performance in the examination may result in a recommendation from MRCP(UK) to defer further attempts until further evidence of readiness to sit, perhaps accrued from a further period of training, is available.

Queries on results
Candidates may request that their Examination answer sheets are re-marked. There is a charge of £100.00 for this service. This charge will be refunded if an error is identified.
Requests for the re-marking of Examination answer sheets should be addressed in writing to the Head of Written and Overseas Examinations, MRCP(UK) Central Office and must be received within six weeks of the dispatch of results.
Candidates who are awaiting the outcome of a re-marking request are permitted to apply to sit the next available diet of the same examination. Should an error be

identified and their result be changed from a Fail to a Pass then they will automatically be withdrawn from that examination and given a full refund.
Note: Candidates are reminded that their Examination scripts are held for two diets only.

MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination
Format
Questions are asked about the diagnosis, investigation, management and prognosis of patients using multiple-choice questions that are either one from five, where candidates must choose one from five possible answers, or two from 10, where candidates must choose two answers from a list of 10 options.
The MRCP (UK) Part 2 Written Examination has a three-paper format. All papers in the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination contain up to 100 multiple-choice questions. The questions will usually have a clinical scenario, may include the results of investigations and may be illustrated.
The composition of the papers is as follows:
Specialty Number of questions per 100*
Cardiology 10
Dermatology 5
Endocrinology and metabolic medicine 10
Gastroenterology 10
Haematology/Immunology 5
Infectious diseases and GUM 10
Neurology/Ophthalmology/Psychiatry 10
Oncology and palliative medicine 5
Renal medicine 10
Respiratory medicine 10
Rheumatology 5
Therapeutics and toxicology 10
100
* This should be taken as an indication of the likely number of questions – the actual number may vary by up to 2.
The Examination may include pre-test questions.
A proportion of the questions will be on adolescent medicine and medicine for the elderly.
A proportion of the questions will be on psychiatry.
Drugs are almost invariably referred to by their recommended International Non-proprietary Name (rINN) rather than by their trade names.
Biochemical and other measurements are expressed in SI units and normal or reference ranges are provided.
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination is criterion referenced. Before the Examination, the difficulty of each question is considered by one of the MRCP(UK) Standard Setting Groups, which are made up of practising consultant physicians who have participated in setting the MRCP(UK) Examination and those who have medical education experience that is relevant to this process. The standard setters assess the difficulty of the questions against the level of knowledge expected of candidates using a procedure known as the modified Angoff method. All judgements by all standard

setters on all questions are then analysed and a criterion-referenced pass mark is established. In order for wild fluctuations in the pass rate to be avoided, there are limits outside which it has been decided the pass rate may not fall. As a result of the standard setting and the restrictions on pass rates, the pass mark and pass rate can vary slightly from one Examination to the next.
The marking system adopted for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination is as follows:
One mark (+1) is awarded for each correct answer;
No mark is deducted for an incorrect answer;
No mark is awarded or deducted if a question is left unanswered;
No mark is awarded if more than the required number of responses are recorded or the answer is not sufficiently clear.
No mark is awarded for any answer that the scanner queries as:
• insufficiently erased;
• smudged;
• a double response to a question.
In these circumstances the Royal Colleges of Physicians do not consider it is appropriate to interpret a candidate’s intentions.
The final mark for each candidate is the sum of the marks given in the three papers expressed as a percentage.

How to complete the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination answer sheets
Candidates should identify themselves by writing their family name and initials in the boxes provided. The Examination number should be entered by marking the appropriate rectangles.
The answer sheets for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination contain a row of rectangles for each question. Candidates should indicate the correct answer(s) in accordance with the instructions given on the Examination Paper.
All papers are marked by an Optical Mark Reader (OMR). The OMR output is processed by computer and marks are allocated according to the candidate’s responses. Scores are then calculated and statistical data across candidates are derived relating to individual questions. This information is produced in printed form for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examining Board.
As the completed answer sheets are computer marked, candidates must comply fully with the instructions given on each answer sheet, otherwise answer sheets may be rejected by the machine or the candidate’s intention misinterpreted.
Candidates should use only the pencil (Grade 2B) supplied in the Examination. Answers in ink or a different grade of pencil cannot be read by the OMR and will therefore result in a zero score.
It is important that candidates follow the instructions given with each question:
• for one from five questions, only the correct answer will attract marks;
• for two from 10 questions, only the correct answers will attract marks.

Credit will not be given for answers in excess of the number required. Where additional answers are recorded, no marks will be scored. For example, if two investigations are asked for and three are given, the candidate will score no marks for the question.
Candidates may erase an answer by using the rubber provided. To avoid too many erasures on the answer sheet, they may indicate their choices in the question book in the first instance, before transferring them to the answer sheet. Candidates should remember to allow sufficient time to do this, as additional time will not be allowed.
The answer sheet must not be folded or creased.
It is important that candidates fully understand how to complete the answer sheet before sitting the Examination. A sample version of part of a completed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written answer sheet is shown below for information.

Entry requirements
Candidates for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination must have passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination within the preceding seven years, unless they are claiming exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.
All applications will need to be supported by the candidate’s current or most recent educational supervisor or most recent supervising consultant. Candidates will be required to provide details of their educational supervisor or supervising consultant in their application and confirm that their application has been discussed and is supported by them.

If, at the time of making an application to sit any Part of the MRCP(UK) Examination, a candidate is suspended by the UK General Medical Council (or


equivalent regulatory body if a candidate is not resident or practising in the United Kingdom), they must notify the MRCP(UK) Central Office of this at the time of application, providing details of the length of the suspension.

Exemptions
Graduates who hold a postgraduate diploma that is recognised by the Royal Colleges of Physicians and that requires a comparable period of training may be admitted to the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination and the Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) with exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination without the need for further training.
Holders of the following diplomas may apply for exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination (providing that they have obtained the exempting qualification within the seven-year period before sitting the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written or Clinical (PACES) Examination):
• Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists;
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland;
• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians;
• Fellowship of the College of Medicine of South Africa;
• Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan - Medicine;
• Clinical MD in Internal Medicine (Khartoum);
• Clinical MD (Sudan);
• Master of Medicine (Khartoum);
• Master of Medicine (Singapore) - Internal Medicine;
• Doctor of Medicine (Colombo) - Medicine;
• Doctor of Medicine (West Indies) - Internal Medicine;
• Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bangladesh.
Members and Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and those who have passed the FRACP Examination may apply for exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written examinations. The list of qualifications allowing exemption may be revised during 2009/10.

How to claim exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination
Unless full details of their qualifications appear in the current (annual) edition of the Medical Register of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, holders of the diplomas listed above must submit, along with the appropriate application form and other documentation (see Application Checklist):
• their original or an attested copy of Medical Registration Certificate or Diplomas of Primary Medical Qualification;
• their postgraduate diplomas.
Irish Medical Registration Certificates do not give sufficient details of qualifications held and are therefore not acceptable.
Candidates, particularly those based outside the UK, are recommended to provide attested copies of any original documentation. Original documents will be returned as soon as possible after receipt but the MRCP(UK) Examinations Office cannot take responsibility for any items lost in transit.
Photocopies of certificates and/or official translations will only be accepted if they have been prepared and/or authenticated by one of the following:

• the issuing University or Medical School;
• a British Consulate or British Council outside the UK;
• the British Embassy;
• the British High Commission;
• the candidate’s own Embassy or High Commission in the United Kingdom;
• a Fellow or Member of the College or a Chair of the Examining Board of the award body (verification of the Fellow or Member will be sought to ensure that they are affiliated with the issuing University/Medical School and the attested copy should be submitted with an accompanying official stamp/letter from the Fellow, Member or Chair). Please note that in no circumstances may candidates authenticate their own qualifications or certificates, even if they are a Fellow or Member of the College in question.
For more details refer to Section 5.6.
Candidates wishing to claim exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination must submit a paper application form.

MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination Eligibility Period
Candidates will be permitted unlimited attempts at the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination within a period of seven years of the date of their successful MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.
Any candidate who is unsuccessful in passing the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examinations within this seven-year period will be required to take and pass the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination again. Candidates who re-enter the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination and pass will have a further seven years in which to pass the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination.
Any candidate with exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination who is unsuccessful in passing the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examinations within a period of seven years of passing the exempting qualification will be required to take and pass the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.

Registering for an online account / My MRCP(UK)
For information on registering for an online account / My MRCP(UK) see section 5.5.
How to enter the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination
Method of application
Candidates sitting in UK centres can apply for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination via the online or paper (manual) method. Candidates sitting in overseas centres may also apply via the online method where that facility is currently available (for up-to-date details see the MRCP(UK) website). Instructions for applications made via each of these methods are provided (see Sections 6.8.1 and 6.8.2).
The submission of an application is in effect an application to register for the examination, for which the full examination fee will be incurred, irrespective of whether or not the application is complete. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that their application is completed by the required deadline.

In the case of paper applications, the application form(s), complete in every detail and accompanied by the appropriate fee and any other documents required, must reach the appropriate Administration Office (or Centre in the case of overseas applications) by 5 p.m. on the published closing date. In the case of online applications, applications will need to be submitted via the MRCP(UK) Examination website by 11.55 p.m. on the published closing date.
Details of fees (which are subject to annual revision), method of payment, Examination dates and opening and closing dates for applications, are published annually and can be checked on the MRCP(UK) Examination website. They can also be obtained directly from Centres. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Royal College of Physicians’.
Candidates transferring fees from outside the UK should remember that banks deduct their charges from the sum being transferred. The Royal Colleges of Physicians must receive the full Examination fee in pounds Sterling, so candidates must themselves pay the bank charges. Enquiries relating to examination fee payments for applications to overseas centres should be submitted directly to the Centre concerned.
Visas: if a candidate requires a visa to sit an examination, it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the visa application is made in sufficient time before the examination date for which it has been sought. A refund will not be given if a candidate is unable to attend the Examination as a result of visa-related problems. For more information on this, please visit the following section of the MRCP(UK) Examination website:
www.mrcpuk.org/Candidate/Pages/VisaStatement.aspx

Applying via paper (manual) method
Candidates applying via the paper (manual) method must complete the appropriate form(s) which, together with the Examination Calendar, are available to download from the Examination website. Outdated copies of the application form, i.e. with no ‘Proposer’ section, will not be accepted. If for any reason you are unable to download a form, please contact the Administration Office to which you intend to submit your application, and a form will be downloaded from the website and sent to you.
Faxed applications will not be accepted.
Applications will not be accepted earlier than the published opening date.
Applicants are advised to submit their applications at least two weeks before the closing date: allowances cannot be made for postal or other delays, and late applications cannot be accepted.

Applying via online method
Candidates claiming an exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination are unable to apply online and have to submit a paper application.
Other candidates may apply for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examinations online after setting up an online account.
Candidates who opt to make payment online using the credit/debit card method can complete the application process entirely online. Candidates who choose to pay by cheque or bank draft, however, should submit their e-Form along with their payment

by post (for an application checklist also see Section 6.9.2); if necessary, the e-Form and payment can be submitted after the application closing date but should be received as soon as possible afterwards.
Applications will not be accepted earlier than the published opening date.
Payments
Cash or cheque payment methods may increase the application processing time.
Candidates applying online who select to pay by either cash or cheque, and those who do not successfully complete the credit or debit card payment, will have their application marked as incomplete. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the payment is made and their application is completed promptly. In the case of cash payments, candidates are advised not to send cash by post.

Submission of documentary evidence of primary medical qualification
Photocopies of certificates and/or official translations (in English)* will be accepted only if they have been prepared and/or authenticated by one of the following:
• the issuing University or Medical School;
• a British Consulate or British Council outside the UK;
• the British Embassy;
• the British High Commission;
• the candidate’s own Embassy or High Commission in the United Kingdom;
• a member of the Gardai in the Irish Republic;
• Government Ministries of Health;
• a Fellow or Member of the College or a Chair of the Examining Board of the award body (verification of the Fellow or Member will be sought to ensure that they are affiliated with the issuing University/Medical School and the attested copy should be submitted with an accompanying official stamp/letter from the Fellow, Member or Chair).
* Candidates must submit an authenticated translation if their primary medical degree certificate is not in English.
The College reserves the right to request to see the original documents if there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the attested copies of documents.

Names
For information regarding how the candidates’ names are used for application purposes, please refer to Section 5.6.5.
The records of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and the MRCP(UK) Diploma will show forenames followed by the family name, for example, Alan John Smith. Correspondence will be addressed using the candidate’s medical title followed by initials in place of each forename, then the family name as it appears on the candidate’s diploma of medical qualification, for example, Dr A J Smith.

Centres
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examination is held in various centres, both within and outside the UK.

Centres in the UK
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Manchester
Newcastle
Glasgow
Belfast
Glasgow
London
Birmingham
Cardiff
London
Please note that some centres may not offer the Examination at each diet.
Paper (manual) applications
Candidates may apply to sit the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination at any one of the centres listed. However, the number of examination places available at any one centre may be limited. Candidates must specify on their application form at which centre they wish to sit the Examination and are requested to give a second and third choice of centre, to which they will be allocated automatically if their first (or second) choice is full. Please note that it may not always be possible to allocate candidates to a centre of their choice.
Candidates should note that there are three Administration Offices dealing with applications. Candidates must send their application to the appropriate Administration Office based on their first-choice centre (see lists above). Applications sent to the wrong Administration Office will be returned, and their processing is likely to be delayed. Details of the three Administration Offices are provided on page 1. Full details are also given on the application form and on the Examination website.
Online applications
Candidates applying via the online method are able to select only one city in which they wish to take the Examination. All city choices initially available for a specific examination are displayed; once the maximum quota for that city is reached its status will be displayed as ‘No more spaces available’ and candidates will have to select a different city in which to sit the Examination.

Centres outside the UK
Bahrain
Barbados
Egypt
Hong Kong
India: Chennai; Kerala; Kolkata; Mumbai
Jamaica
Jordan
Kuwait
Libya
Malaysia
Malta
Myanmar
Oman

Pakistan: Karachi; Lahore
Qatar
Saudi Arabia: Jeddah; Riyadh
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Trinidad
United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi; Dubai
Any updates to this list, such as new centres, will be advertised on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
Please note that some centres may not offer the Examination at each diet.
Usually only doctors who are resident or working in these countries are eligible to sit in these centres. Only a limited number of places are available at each centre and the selection of candidates is the responsibility of the centres concerned.
Contact details for each centre are published on the website. Candidates should refer to this information before submitting their application. Please refer to the MRCP(UK) Examination website for centre contact details and the most up-to-date information on where to send completed application forms.
Doctors working in countries not listed above should decide where in the UK they would like to sit the Examination and send their application form to the appropriate Administration Office (see 5.7.1 for details).
Online applications
Candidates applying to sit the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination in centres outside the UK can currently do so to a limited number of centres. For a list of the overseas centres currently open to online applicants please refer to the MRCP(UK) website.
Candidates applying online to centres outside the UK are still subject to the same eligibility rules that hold for paper applications.
Candidates applying via the online method are able to select only one city in which they wish to take the Examination. All city choices initially available for a specific examination are displayed; once the maximum quota for that city is reached its status will be displayed as ‘No more spaces available’ and candidates will have to select a different city in which to sit the Examination (observing the eligibility rules referenced above).

Application checklist for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination

Paper applications
Part 2 Written Examination candidates (except those with MRCP(UK) Part 1 exemption):
Before making their application, candidates must ensure that their application is supported by their educational supervisor or supervising consultant (see Section 6.3.2). These candidates should send:
• completed Form C;

• fee in pounds Sterling (please check current amount as detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
First-time entry candidates with MRCP(UK) Part 1 exemption:
Before making their application, candidates must ensure that their application is supported by their educational supervisor or supervising consultant (see Section 6.3.2). These candidates should send:
• completed Form A;
• completed Form C;
• Diploma of Primary Medical Qualification (original or attested copy only) or UK
General Medical Council (GMC) Registration Number (meaning that your details
appear on the GMC website);
• postgraduate Diploma (exempting qualification) (original or attested copy only –
see Section 6.7.4 for how to authenticate a copy of your diploma correctly) unless
full details of your exempting qualification appear on the GMC website;
• fee in pounds Sterling (please check current amount as detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
Candidates with registration (be it full, limited or provisional) with the UK General Medical Council do NOT need to submit documentary evidence of their primary medical qualification, only their GMC number, so long as their primary medical qualifications appear on the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org). Candidates must ensure that the relevant section of Form A is completed to include their GMC number, the year and month they obtained their degree and the category of registration they have obtained.
Candidates who are not registered with the UK General Medical Council must submit documentary evidence of their primary medical qualification (original or authenticated copy).
Candidates, particularly those based outside the UK, are recommended to provide attested copies of any original documentation. Original documents will be returned as soon as possible after receipt but the MRCP(UK) Examinations Office cannot take responsibility for any items lost in transit.
6.9.2 Online applications
Before making their application, candidates must ensure that their application is supported by their educational supervisor or supervising consultant (see Section 6.3.2). When making an online application, candidates are required to submit the following:
• a signed e-Form with attached cheque/bank draft payment (if choosing the cheque method of payment). The fee must be in pounds Sterling.

All candidates
No candidate will be permitted to take any part of the Examination unless all outstanding fees are paid in full.

It is each candidate’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed as soon as possible. The MRCP(UK) Central Office will contact candidates to advise them of any outstanding information and will provide a deadline for receipt. Candidates will be allocated a provisional examination place in the meantime, but complete applications will take precedence and incomplete applications will be rejected if the outstanding information is not received by the deadline. Candidates whose applications are incomplete because the full examination fee has not been received must pay this in order to sit any future MRCP(UK) examinations, even if they subsequently withdraw or are absent from the examination, as a provisional place will have been allocated to them for that examination.
Candidates should check carefully that they have enclosed all relevant documentation before sending their applications. Applications that are not complete in every detail and/or arrive after the closing date may be returned. Allowances cannot be made for postal or other delays.
Special arrangements
Any candidate who has a physical disability, learning disability or any other special need that they believe may affect their performance in an examination may be entitled to special arrangements. All such candidates should inform, at the time of application, the Administration Office to which they apply of their circumstances, by completing the Special Arrangements area on the application form. In all cases, a medical report or other appropriate documentary evidence will be required to support an application for special arrangements and this should be submitted either with the application or as soon as possible thereafter. Failure to include this information at the time of application may affect the arrangements that can be put in place in time for the examination.
Further information is available by contacting the Head of Written and Overseas Examinations, MRCP(UK) Central Office (for contact details see page 1).

Withdrawal from the Examination and refund of Examination fees
Notice of withdrawal from any part of the Examination must be given in writing (letter, fax or email) to the appropriate Administration Office (or MRCP(UK) Central Office if the Examination is to be taken outside the UK). Candidates are asked to quote their RCP Code Number (if known), full name and date of birth in their withdrawal notice to allow College staff to easily identify candidates.
Only written requests to withdraw will be accepted as official withdrawal requests. For example, candidates who are informed that they have submitted incomplete applications and are asked to complete them will not be considered as withdrawn from the Examination if they do not respond in writing to such requests for information and will incur the full Examination fee.
Under no circumstances can Examination applications and/or fees be transferred from one Examination to another.
Candidates whose withdrawal request is received on or before the UK closing date (for applicants to UK centres) or the overseas closing date (for applicants to overseas centres) of that respective Examination will be refunded 90% of the Examination fee paid. Where possible this refund will be paid in the same way as the original payment was made. Refunds will not be made where candidates submit their withdrawal

request after the closing date unless there are circumstances deemed exceptional which can be substantiated. This will normally be in the following circumstances:
• illness;
• involvement in an accident;
• death of a close relative (parent, sibling, spouse, child).
Other cases may be considered on their own merit and at the discretion of the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office; documentary evidence is required in all cases.
Any request (accompanied by supporting evidence) must be submitted within 4 weeks of the Examination date if it is to be considered. No consideration to refunding fees will be given, irrespective of the circumstances, thereafter. Decisions on these cases will be made by the Head of Operations, whose decision is final.

After the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination

Review of the Examination
Results are released when the Chairman and Medical Secretary of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examining Board are satisfied that the Examination has been conducted appropriately and in accordance with the procedures of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examining Board considers each question prior to its appearance in the Examination and reviews the question’s performance after every Examination, as well as reviewing the Examination as a whole. In addition to the final scores obtained by the candidates, the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examining Board will also note the mean score for the Examination and the mean scores for, and the discriminatory power of, the questions that comprise each paper. A detailed analysis of the responses to each item (including a separate index of discrimination for every item), and a coefficient indicating the internal reliability of the Examination as a whole, are also considered by the Board. In the light of these analyses, the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Examining Board makes modifications to the questions and answers that it deems desirable to ensure that the quality of the Examination is maintained.

Results
Results will be posted by first class mail or airmail approximately four weeks after the date of the Examination. Results cannot be collected from the Royal Colleges of Physicians or given over the telephone or by fax or e-mail. Within two weeks of the date of the Examination, an answerphone announcement will be available to indicate the week in which results will be dispatched. This information will also be detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
The RCP Code Numbers and Examination Numbers of all candidates, both passes and fails, will be published in the public area of the MRCP(UK) Examination website (www.mrcpuk.org), if the candidate so wishes. Candidates will not be identified by name, and are therefore advised to take careful note of both their RCP Code Number and Examination Number when they receive their admission documents. Candidates may opt out of this facility when making their application and they must also re-confirm this on each occasion they apply for the Examination.
All candidates who have an online account, irrespective of their agreement to have their results published in the public area of the website, will be able to view their

result in the ‘Exam History’ section of their personal area (My MRCP(UK)) as soon as the results are released.

Pass result
Candidates who have not passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)
Candidates passing the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination must pass the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) before they can be elected to Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. Candidates can apply for PACES during the application periods for that Examination and do not need to wait until their result for MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written is confirmed.
Candidates who have already passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)
Candidates passing the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination, who have already passed PACES within the same 7-year period of eligibility, can proceed to be elected to Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (see section 9 for further details).

Fail result
A candidate not achieving the pass mark in the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination will be deemed to have failed the Examination. Candidates may apply for the next MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination in the next application period once they have received confirmation of their result. Candidates who have not passed MRCP(UK) PACES can apply for that Examination during the published application period and do not need to wait until their result for MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written is confirmed.
Candidates and supervisors should note that poor performance in the examination may result in a recommendation from MRCP(UK) to defer further attempts until further evidence of readiness to sit, perhaps accrued from a further period of training, is available.

Queries on results
Candidates may request that their Examination answer sheets are re-marked. There is a charge of £100.00 for this service. This charge will be refunded if an error is identified.
Requests for the re-marking of Examination answer sheets should be addressed in writing to the Head of Written and Overseas Examinations, MRCP(UK) Central Office and must be received within six weeks of the dispatch of results.
Candidates who are awaiting the outcome of a re-marking request are permitted to apply to sit the next available diet of the same examination. Should an error be identified and their result be changed from a Fail to a Pass then they will automatically be withdrawn from that examination and given a full refund.
Note: Candidates are reminded that their Examination scripts are held for two diets only.

Attendance at, and conduct during, the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and Part 2 Written Examinations
Candidates presenting themselves for the MRCP(UK) Examination must have complied fully with all admission requirements, including the payment of fees, and must confirm that their application is supported by their current or most recent educational supervisor or most recent supervising consultant.
Candidates are warned that any breach of MRCP(UK) Examination Rules and Regulations will result in severe penalties, including the risk that the relevant Examining Board will permanently debar the candidate from taking any further Examinations.
Candidates should note that, owing to issues of heightened security, the Examination start times might vary. Consequently, candidates are advised not to make travel plans that could be jeopardised if the Examination starts late or is interrupted.

Monitoring candidate behaviour
Candidates have been advised previously that the MRCP(UK) Management Board has employed various systems to identify those candidates who attempt to copy, collude or perform some other act that may be regarded as academic misconduct in MRCP(UK) Examinations. Set out below is an update on the system that is currently in use and an explanation of what the Colleges intend to do with the information they collect.
The Anomaly Monitoring System (AMS) seeks to detect instances of copying or collusion by looking for anomalous patterns of responses by candidates, the answers of one candidate being more similar to those of another candidate than would be expected by chance alone. There are many different combinations of answers by which candidates can achieve a particular score. If two candidates have an unusually high number of exactly the same answers then this may be regarded as an anomaly. AMS systematically considers all possible pairs of candidates and looks at the similarity of their answers.
In comparing candidate responses, the AMS program takes into account the expected number of answers in common, relative to the examinees' performance on the assessment.
Candidates should note that in doing this:
(1) The program does not know the centre at which candidates are sitting the exam.
(2) The program does not know the seating plan of the candidates at the various centres.
The program is therefore inherently conservative in its detection of anomalous candidates. If a pair (or group) of candidates is identified as having an unusually high proportion of similar answers then a further independent investigation is carried out looking at the centres where the candidates sat, the seating plan and any other information that may be provided by the invigilators and staff administering the examination. Should it be determined that the matter requires full investigation then the MRCP(UK) Academic and Professional Misconduct procedures may be invoked.
MRCP(UK) Management Board is fully aware that candidates could be implicated in an act of academic misconduct through the conduct of others. In order to avoid such allegations being levied, candidates identified at one sitting to be part of an

anomalous pair may be requested to sit in specific locations in the examination halls at the next sitting. There will be no assumption of guilt in making this request; it is simply a pre-emptive measure.
AMS is one tool that the MRCP(UK) Management Board uses to monitor candidate behaviour in the MRCP(UK) Examinations. Further information is available from the MRCP(UK) Central Office.

Examination Rules and Regulations
Any infringement of the following Rules and Regulations may be reported to the Head of Academic Division, MRCP(UK) Central Office for consideration in accordance with the

MRCP(UK) Procedures on Academic or Professional Misconduct.

Candidates are advised to allow for any transport delays when planning their time of arrival at the examination hall as, for security reasons, we cannot guarantee that they will be permitted to enter the examination hall after the start of the Examination.

Candidates should assemble outside the examination hall at least 30 minutes before the start of the Examination and should not enter until instructed by the invigilator(s).

Candidates will not be admitted to any paper if they arrive more than 30 minutes after the Examination has started, unless in exceptional circumstances with the express permission of the invigilator(s).

Candidates will not be admitted unless they produce suitable identification in addition to the admission document. This will normally be a passport. Where candidates do not possess a passport, some other form of identification may be acceptable, providing that it includes both the photograph and signature of the candidate. Alternatively, two forms of identification, one with a photograph and the other with a signature, will be accepted. Admission to the Examination will be at the discretion of the invigilator(s). The Royal Colleges of Physicians observe sensitivity in the visual identification of candidates, but advance notice should be given by candidates of any anticipated difficulties.

Candidates must not bring into the Examination hall any papers, bags, calculators, mobile phones, pagers, PDAs (or any electronic audio or communication device), textbooks or documents, or items of any kind other than those specifically allowed for that particular Examination and previously notified to them. The possession of calculators, mobile phones, pagers, personal stereos or electronic wrist watches or any other such devices that are audible, make calculations, store information or can be used for communication in the Examination venue is strictly forbidden. Any unauthorised material will be confiscated and a report detailing the incident and identifying the candidate will be submitted to Central Office.

Where Examination halls do not have secure areas to store personal items, any coats, bags or other item(s) brought into the Examination hall should be deposited as directed by the invigilator(s). Electronic items must be deactivated and placed away from the candidate’s desk.
With prior approval (via submission of special need requirements at the time of application), candidates may bring into the Examination hall aids that will enable them to remedy a disability e.g. of sight and/or hearing.

If a candidate has unwittingly brought any unauthorised paper or item into the Examination hall, this should be handed to the invigilator(s) before the Examination starts or at the earliest possible opportunity thereafter.

Question papers are individually numbered (with Examination Numbers) in the top right-hand corner. Candidates must sit at the desk where the question paper is marked with their Examination Number.

Candidates must not start reading or answering the Examination questions until the start of the Examination is announced by the invigilator(s).

Candidates must use only the stationery approved by the Royal Colleges of Physicians. Any rough work must be completed on the approved stationery and handed in with the completed papers.

Candidates must comply with all instructions given to them by invigilator(s). Such instructions may include the instruction to leave the Examination hall and not to return during the period of the Examination. It is the duty of a candidate to comply with an invigilator’s instruction even if they judge the instruction to be unreasonable (there is the right of appeal if a candidate considers that the invigilator has not acted in accordance with these Regulations).

Whilst in the Examination hall, a candidate must not attempt to read the work of any other candidate or communicate in any way with any other candidate or any other person without the express permission of the invigilator.


Where an invigilator suspects a candidate or candidates of infringing MRCP(UK) Examination Regulations/Examination hall rules he/she shall:
(1) Wherever possible alert another invigilator to the suspected misconduct so that they may act as witness if subsequently required;
(2) Discreetly speak to the candidate(s) involved, making clear what is causing concern, and reminding them of the relevant regulations and instructions;
(3) Confiscate any unauthorised material in the possession of the candidate(s);
(4) Allow the candidate(s) in question to continue the Examination;
(5) Inform the candidate(s) in question at the end of the Examination that a written report of the incident will be submitted to the Head of Academic Division, MRCP(UK) Central Office;
(6) Arrange for details of the incident to be recorded in the Chief Invigilator’s report, including details of any witnesses and any confiscated materials, and ensure this is sent to the MRCP(UK) Central Office;
(7) On request, complete a comprehensive and detailed report on the incident and send it to the Head of Academic Division, MRCP(UK) Central Office.

Any invigilator or examiner present is empowered to refuse to allow a candidate to continue with the Examination on grounds of misconduct. Ejection from the Examination hall should normally take place only in the event of a candidate’s conduct causing disruption to other candidates.

Candidates who wish to attract the attention of the invigilator(s) during the Examination should do so by raising a hand.

Candidates should bring to the attention of the invigilator any factor (e.g. distracting noise) that is adversely affecting them during the Examination. Where necessary they should communicate the same in writing to the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office immediately following the Examination concerned.

Once admitted to each part of the Examination, candidates must stay for the full duration of each paper. Candidates may not leave the Examination hall as a result of finishing the Examination paper early. Those who attempt to do so will be deemed to have breached the Examination Regulations.

Candidates must not leave the Examination hall temporarily, during the period of the Examination, unless given express permission by the invigilator(s) to do so. If such permission is given, they must not attempt to contact any other person or consult any material relating to the Examination whilst outside the Examination hall. They should report to the invigilator(s) on returning to the Examination hall.

Candidates may not temporarily leave the Examination hall during the first 30 minutes of any paper or in the 10 minutes before the scheduled end of each paper.
Candidates should immediately stop working when instructed to do so and remain in their seats in silence while papers, empty answer books, continuation sheets or other papers are collected.
Candidates should not remove from the Examination hall any papers or examination materials. Question papers or any part of them, or any individual questions, must not be copied or removed from the Examination hall. All MRCP(UK) Examination questions are confidential and are copyrighted by the Royal Colleges of Physicians. A candidate may not communicate any question or part of a question to any other person or organisation. To do so would be a serious breach of copyright and of these Regulations.
When authorised to do so by the invigilator(s), candidates should leave the Examination hall in an orderly manner.
Smoking is not permitted in any part of an MRCP(UK) Examination centre.

Candidates are asked to note that any allegation of academic or professional misconduct that is sustained against a candidate is likely to be reported to employers, sponsors and relevant professional bodies, such as the UK General Medical Council.

Candidates should note that if any information comes to light at a later stage that indicates that Examination Regulations have been breached, the Royal Colleges of Physicians reserve the right to invoke the Misconduct Procedures retrospectively.

MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)
Format
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) is composed of five stations (three ‘clinical’ and two ‘talking’), each assessed by two independent examiners. Candidates will start at any one of the five stations and then move round the carousel of stations at 20-minute intervals until the cycle has been completed. The stations are:
Station 1
Respiratory System Examination (10 minutes)
Abdominal Examination (10 minutes)
Station 2
History-Taking Skills (20 minutes)
Station 3
Cardiovascular System Examination (10 minutes)
Nervous System Examination (10 minutes)
Station 4
Communication Skills and Ethics (20 minutes)
Station 5
Skin/Locomotor/Endocrine/Eye Examination (20 minutes)
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) lasts a total of 120 minutes (including four 5-minute breaks between stations).

Entry requirements
Candidates for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) must have passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination within the preceding seven years, unless they are claiming exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.

All applications will need to be supported by the candidate’s current or most recent educational supervisor or most recent supervising consultant. Candidates will be required to provide details of their educational supervisor or supervising consultant in their application and confirm that their application has been discussed and is supported by them.

It is advised that trainees are unlikely to be able to apply their clinical knowledge or demonstrate their clinical skills across the broad range of clinical cases, and thus be successful in the MRCP(UK) PACES examination, before a total of two years’ experience, including at least four months in medical specialties or medical sub-specialties, following the award of their primary medical degree. We therefore recommend that candidates will normally have completed a two-year Foundation programme and commenced Core Medical Training (or an equivalent period of training) before attempting the MRCP(UK) PACES examination. Within these two years, not less than four months should be spent in posts involving the continuing care of emergency medical patients. This experience in the UK should as a minimum be at Foundation Year One and Two level (or equivalent) and in Core Medical Training (or equivalent), but may be gained in any hospital throughout the world.

Candidates or supervisors in doubt about likely readiness to sit the examination should review the relevant curricula and the PACES information section on the MRCP (UK) website.
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) will normally take place during three main assessment periods within any given year. These are known as the Main Assessment Points. However, PACES may be offered at various points throughout the year and candidates are advised to view the MRCP(UK) website for up-to-date information on these developments.
In the overall total number of PACES attempts made, candidates should make no more than three attempts through any one College and no more than two attempts through any of the other Colleges, plus one attempt through a third College. Candidates who are not successful in passing PACES after these six attempts must then recommence this cycle (three attempts through one College, two through another and one more through the third) as necessary until they either successfully pass PACES or reach the end of their seven-year period of eligibility after passing the Part 1 Examination.

If, at the time of making an application to sit any Part of the MRCP(UK) Examination, a candidate is suspended by the UK General Medical Council (or equivalent regulatory body if a candidate is not resident or practising in the United Kingdom), they must notify the MRCP(UK) Central Office of this at the time of application, providing details of the length of the suspension.
In addition, candidates for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examination must also notify the MRCP(UK) Central Office of any conditions imposed on their practice by the GMC (or equivalent regulatory body) at the time of submitting their application.

MRCP(UK) PACES Examination Eligibility Period
Candidates will be permitted unlimited attempts at the MRCP(UK) PACES Examination within a period of seven years of the date of their successful MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.
Any candidate who is unsuccessful in passing the MRCP(UK) PACES and Part 2 Written Examinations within this seven years will be required to take and pass the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination again. Candidates who re-enter the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination and pass will have a further seven years in which to pass the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and Clinical (PACES) Examinations.
Any candidate with exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination who is unsuccessful in passing the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written (unless they have claimed exemption) and Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examinations within a period of seven years of passing the exempting qualification will be required to take and pass the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination.

Transitional arrangements for existing candidates
Candidates who have passed MRCP(UK) Part 1 and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written prior to 1 January 2009 should refer to the transitional arrangements detailed in Section 3 for information on their MRCP(UK) Examinations eligibility.

Exemptions
Graduates who hold a postgraduate diploma that is recognised by the Royal Colleges of Physicians and that requires a comparable period of training may be admitted to the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination and Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) with exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination without the need for further training.
Holders of the following diplomas may apply for exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination (providing that they have obtained the exempting qualification within the seven-year period before sitting the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written or the Part 2 Clinical Examination):
• Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists;
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland;
• Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians;
• Fellowship of the College of Medicine of South Africa;
• Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan - Medicine;
• Clinical MD in Internal Medicine (Khartoum);
• Clinical MD (Sudan);
• Master of Medicine (Khartoum);
• Master of Medicine (Singapore) - Internal Medicine;
• Doctor of Medicine (Colombo) - Medicine;
• Doctor of Medicine (West Indies) - Internal Medicine;
• Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bangladesh.
Members and Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and those who have passed the FRACP Examination may apply for exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written examinations. The list of qualifications allowing exemption may be revised during 2009/10.

How to claim exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination
Unless full details of their qualifications appear in the current (annual) edition of the Medical Register of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, holders of the diplomas listed above must submit, along with the appropriate application form and other documentation (see Application Checklist):
• their original or an attested copy of Medical Registration Certificate or Diplomas of Primary Medical Qualification;
• their postgraduate diplomas.
Irish Medical Registration Certificates do not give sufficient details of qualifications held and are therefore not acceptable.
Candidates, particularly those based outside the UK, are recommended to provide attested copies of any original documentation. Original documents will be returned as soon as possible after receipt but the MRCP(UK) Examinations Office cannot take responsibility for any items lost in transit.
Photocopies of certificates and/or official translations will only be accepted if they have been prepared and/or authenticated by one of the following:
• the issuing University or Medical School;
• a British Consulate or British Council outside the UK;
• the British Embassy;

• the British High Commission;
• the candidate’s own Embassy or High Commission in the United Kingdom;
• a member of the Gardai in the Irish Republic;
• Government Ministries of Health;
• a Fellow or Member of the College or a Chair of the Examining Board of the award
body (verification of the Fellow or Member will be sought to ensure that they are affiliated with the issuing University/Medical School and the attested copy should be submitted with an accompanying official stamp/letter from the Fellow, Member or Chair).
For more details refer to Section 6.4.
Candidates wishing to claim exemption from the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination must submit a paper application form.

How to enter the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)

Names
For information regarding how the candidates’ names are used for application purposes, please refer to Section 5.6.5.

Centres
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) is conducted by the Royal Colleges of Physicians in various centres, both within and outside the UK.

Centres in the UK
Royal Colleges
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London
Candidates may enter the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) through any of the three Royal Colleges. The Examination is run at clinical centres across the UK; these vary from diet to diet. Candidates should note that the number of examination places available at each clinical centre is limited.

Application forms (Centres in the UK)
Applications for entry must be made on the appropriate forms which, together with the Examination Calendar, are available from all three Royal Colleges of Physicians, all Examination Centres outside the UK and the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
Faxed applications will not be accepted.
Applications will not be accepted earlier than four weeks before the closing date of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES).
The application form, complete in every detail and accompanied by the appropriate fee and any other documents required, must reach the Royal College of Physicians of entry by 5 p.m. on the published closing date. Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

Only a limited number of candidates can be accommodated by each Royal College of Physicians. Applications are accepted in order of receipt. When one Royal College list is full, candidates who cannot be accommodated may have their applications transferred to another Royal College, provided that places are available.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, dependent upon the number of places available. Consequently, applicants submitting forms near to but not after the closing date may have their applications returned if places are not available.
The fees payable on entry to the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) are subject to revision and published annually and can be checked on the MRCP(UK) Examination website. Cheques should made payable to ‘The Royal College of Physicians’.
Candidates transferring fees from outside the UK should remember that banks deduct their charges from the sum being transferred. The Royal Colleges of Physicians must receive the full Examination fee in pounds Sterling, so candidates must themselves pay the bank charges.

Centres outside the UK
Please note that some centres may not offer the Examination at each diet. (Please refer to the PACES Examination dates detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website for details of when each centre is scheduled to hold the Examination.)
Only a limited number of places is available at each centre and the selection of candidates is the responsibility of the centre concerned. Doctors working in countries not listed may attempt to apply to one of the centres listed below in accordance with the stipulations detailed or, alternatively, may apply to one of the three Royal Colleges of Physicians to sit the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) in the UK.
Al Ain
Applications can also be accepted from candidates from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dubai
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE, who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled there for not less than the previous six months. Exceptionally, applications from citizens resident outside these countries may also be accepted at the discretion of the local organiser, depending on the number of available spaces.
Egypt
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, UAE and Yemen, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in one of these countries for not less than the previous six months. Exceptionally, applications from citizens resident outside these countries may also be accepted at the discretion of the MRCP(UK) Examination Office, depending on the number of available spaces.
Hong Kong

Applications can only be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Hong Kong or full citizens and permanent residents of Hong Kong currently resident outside the area.
India: Chennai
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in one of these countries for not less than the previous six months. Applications will also be accepted from citizens resident outside these countries at the discretion of the MRCP(UK) Examination Office provided candidates are able to satisfy the regulations and, if necessary, the visa requirements for entry into India.
Kuwait
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or UAE, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in these countries for not less than the previous six months. Applications will also be accepted from citizens resident outside these countries, at the discretion of the MRCP(UK) Examination Office, provided candidates are able to satisfy the regulations and, if necessary, the visa requirements for entry into Kuwait.
Malaysia
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Australia, Brunei, Nepal, New Zealand and Singapore, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in these countries for not less than the previous six months. Exceptionally, applications from citizens resident outside these countries may also be accepted at the discretion of the local organiser, depending on the number of available spaces.
Oman
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in these countries for not less than the previous six months. Exceptionally, applications from citizens resident outside these countries may also be accepted at the discretion of the local organiser, depending on the number of available spaces.
Singapore
Applications can also be accepted from candidates who are entitled to practise and currently hold posts in Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal and New Zealand, and who have graduated in medicine in one of these countries, or have been domiciled in these countries for not less than the previous six months. Exceptionally, applications from citizens resident outside these countries may also be accepted at the discretion of the local organiser, depending on the number of available spaces.

Application forms (Centres outside the UK)
Applications for entry must be made on the appropriate forms which, together with the Examination Calendar, are available to download from the Examination website. If for any reason you are unable to download a form, please contact the Administration Office to which you intend to submit your application, and a form will be downloaded from the website and dispatched to you.
Faxed applications will not be accepted.

Applications will not be accepted earlier than four weeks before the closing date of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES). The application form, complete in every detail and accompanied by the appropriate fee and any other documents required, must reach the appropriate centre by 5 p.m. on the published closing date. Applicants are advised to submit their applications at least two weeks before the closing date: allowances cannot be made for postal or other delays, and late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
Details of fees (which are subject to annual revision), method of payment, Examination dates and closing dates for applications are published annually and can be checked on the MRCP(UK) Examination website. They can also be obtained directly from centres. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Royal College of Physicians’.
Candidates transferring fees from outside the UK should remember that banks deduct their charges for the sum being transferred. The Royal College of Physicians must receive the full Examination fee in pounds Sterling so candidates must themselves pay the bank charges.
Enquiries should be submitted to the centre concerned.

Application checklist for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)

MRCP(UK) PACES Examination candidates (except those claiming exemption from MRCP(UK) Part 1)
Before making their application, candidates should ensure that their application is supported by their educational supervisor or supervising consultant (see Section 8.2.2). These candidates should send:
• completed Form P;
• fee in pounds Sterling (please check current amount as detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website: (www.mrcpuk.org)

First-time entry candidates claiming MRCP(UK) Part 1 exemption
Before making their application, candidates should ensure that their application is supported by their educational supervisor or supervising consultant (see Section 8.2.2). These candidates should send:
• completed Form A;
• completed Form P;
• Diploma of Primary Medical Qualification (original or attested copy only) or UK
General Medical Council (GMC) Registration Number (meaning that your details
appear on the GMC website);
• postgraduate Diploma (exempting qualification) (original or attested copy only –
see Section 6.7.4 for how to authenticate a copy of your diploma correctly) unless
full details of your exempting qualification appear on the GMC website;
• fee in pounds Sterling (please check current amount as detailed on the MRCP(UK) Examination website.
Candidates with registration (be it full, limited or provisional) with the UK General Medical Council do NOT need to submit documentary evidence of their primary medical qualification, only their GMC number, so long as their primary medical

qualifications appear on the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org). Candidates must ensure that the relevant section of Form A is completed to include their GMC number, the year and month they obtained their degree and the category of registration they have obtained.
Candidates who are not registered with the UK General Medical Council must submit documentary evidence of their primary medical qualification (original or authenticated copy).
Candidates, particularly those based outside the UK, are recommended to provide attested copies of any original documentation. Original documents will be returned as soon as possible after receipt but the MRCP(UK) Examinations Office cannot take responsibility for any items lost in transit

candidates
No candidate will be permitted to take any part of the Examination unless all the fees are paid in full.
It is each candidate’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed as soon as possible. The MRCP(UK) Central Office will contact candidates to advise them of any outstanding information and will provide a deadline for receipt. Candidates will be allocated a provisional examination place in the meantime, but complete applications will take precedence and incomplete applications will be rejected if the outstanding information is not received by the deadline. Candidates whose applications are incomplete because the full examination fee has not been received must pay this in order to sit any future MRCP(UK) examinations, even if they subsequently withdraw or are absent from the examination, as a provisional place will have been allocated to them for that examination.
Candidates should check carefully that they have enclosed all relevant documentation before sending their applications. Applications that are not complete in every detail and/or arrive after the closing date may be returned. Allowances cannot be made for postal or other delays.
8.8.4 Special arrangements
Any candidate who has a physical disability, learning disability or any other special need that they believe may affect their performance in an examination may be entitled to special arrangements. All such candidates should inform, at the time of application, the Administration Office to which they apply of their circumstances, by completing the Special Arrangements area on the application form. In all cases, a medical report or other appropriate documentary evidence will be required to support an application for special arrangements and this should be submitted either with the application or as soon as possible thereafter. Failure to include this information at the time of application may affect the arrangements that can be put in place in time for the examination.
Further information is available by contacting the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office (for contact details see page 1).
8.9 Withdrawal from the Examination and refund of Examination fees
Notice of withdrawal from any part of the Examination must be given in writing to the appropriate Administration Office (or MRCP(UK) Central Office if the Examination is to be taken outside the UK). Candidates are asked to quote their RCP Code Number (if

known), full name and date of birth in their withdrawal notice to allow College staff to easily identify candidates. In addition, the withdrawal request must be accompanied by the acknowledgement letter and/or admission document, if received.
Only written requests to withdraw will be accepted as official withdrawal requests. For example, candidates who are informed that they have submitted incomplete applications and are asked to complete them will not be considered as withdrawn from the Examination if they do not respond in writing to such requests for information.
Under no circumstances can Examination applications and/or fees be transferred from one Examination to another.
Candidates who submit their withdrawal request on or before the UK closing date of that respective Examination, or the closing date for their chosen overseas examination centre (if different from that in the UK) will be refunded 90% of the Examination fee paid. Where possible this refund will be paid in the same way as the original payment was made.
Candidates who withdraw after the closing date will forfeit their examination fee, as a place will have been reserved and arrangements already made for them to attempt the examination.
Withdrawal or absence on the day of the Examination will be counted as an attempt.

Discounting of attempts
Candidates who are prevented from attending the Examination owing to the following circumstances may apply to have that attempt discounted:
• illness;
• involvement in an accident;
• death of a close relative (parent, sibling, spouse, child).
Documentary evidence is required in all cases.
Any request for discounting of an attempt must be submitted to the appropriate Administration Office within one month of the date of the Examination. Requests received at a later stage will not be considered.
Decisions about discounting attempts are made by the Officers of the relevant MRCP(UK) Examining Board.
If agreement is given to discount the attempt, the candidate’s record will be amended accordingly and an extension made to their 7 year period of eligibility. No refund will be given as a place will have been reserved and arrangements will have been made for them to attempt the examination.

Attending the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)
Candidates should allow for any transport delays when planning travel to the Examination centre as admission will not be permitted once the Examination has started.
Candidates will not be admitted unless they produce suitable identification in addition to the Admission Document. This would normally be a passport. Where candidates do

not possess a passport, some other form of identification may be acceptable, providing that it includes both the photograph and signature of the candidate concerned. Admission to the Examination will be at the discretion of the Nominated Visiting Examiner.
The Royal Colleges of Physicians observe sensitivity in the visual identification of candidates, but advance notice should be given by candidates of any anticipated difficulties.
Arrival after the Examination has started constitutes absence from the Examination and therefore counts as an attempt. Because of the restricted number of clinical places, no guarantee can be made of a later place at the same Examination centre, or alternative centre, for a candidate arriving late.
Candidates presenting themselves for the MRCP(UK) Examination must have complied fully with all admission requirements, including the payment of fees, and must confirm that their application is supported by their current or most recent educational supervisor or most recent supervising consultant.
Candidates may not carry electronic devices, including telephones, pagers, PDAs or other forms of communication devices, while at the Examination.
All candidates should note that the Examination will be conducted in strict accordance with the host centre’s hygiene and infection control procedures. In the UK, this may require the use of alcohol gel when washing hands, and candidates should expect to have to adhere to the Department of Health’s ‘bare below the elbows’ policy (which requires the forearms to be exposed in clinical environments and restricts the wearing of rings, watches and jewellery etc). If any candidate anticipates difficulties complying with a centre’s infection control procedures they must provide details to the MRCP(UK) Central Office when submitting their application.

Procedure
Each candidate receives 14 marksheets before the start of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) and must complete his/her personal details on each sheet in capital letters, using a 2B pencil. The candidate hands one sheet to each examiner at Stations 2, 4 and 5 and two sheets to each examiner at Stations 1 and 3. The examiners are required to record their mark for each candidate on the marksheet independently and without consultation. Examiners do not have any knowledge of the marks given by other examiners at other stations in the Examination during the cycle.
At Stations 1 and 3 (each of which consists of two sub-stations lasting 10 minutes), the timekeeper sounds a bell to announce the start of the assessment at the station. One examiner takes the candidate into the station and shows the candidate written instructions for the first of the two cases. The candidate responds to the written instructions. The response involves the examination of the appropriate system and answering questions from the examiners that may include the diagnosis and management of the clinical problem. After five minutes, the examiners will remind candidates that there is one minute remaining in which to complete their physical examination (ie a total of six minutes is permitted). After six minutes, the physical examination will end, leaving four minutes to question the candidate.
After 10 minutes, the timekeeper signals the end of the sub-station. The examiners and the candidate must then stop. The candidate is then shown written instructions by the second examiner for the second case. Examination at the second sub-station then starts and follows the same procedure as the first sub-station.

After 10 minutes, a bell sounds to signal the end of the Examination at the station. The examiners and the candidate must then stop. The candidate leaves the station and is directed to the next station. A period of approximately five minutes has been allowed for this changeover and for the examiners to complete the marksheets.
Station 5, which lasts 20 minutes, consists of four cases, each lasting five minutes. The timekeeper sounds a bell to announce the start of the station. The candidate remains outside the station until one examiner takes him/her into the station and shows the candidate written instructions for the first case. The candidate responds to the written instructions. The response involves the examination of the appropriate system and may include answering questions that arise from the examination. The examiners may also ask questions about the investigation and management of the clinical problem. This procedure is repeated for the other three cases at this station.
After 20 minutes, a bell sounds to signal the end of the Examination at Station 5. The examiners and the candidate must then stop. The candidate leaves the station and is directed to the next station. A period of five minutes is allowed during this changeover for the examiners to complete the marksheets.
Stations 2 and 4 each last 20 minutes. At Station 2, the candidate is given a general practitioner’s letter to read outside the station in the five-minute period before the start of the station. At Station 4, the candidate is given a clinical scenario to read. Rough paper is provided for note-taking (these notes do not form part of the examination and are destroyed afterwards). The timekeeper sounds a bell to announce the start of the station. One examiner takes the candidate into the station.
The interview involves interaction between the candidate and the patient/subject appropriate to the station. Candidates are alerted when 12 minutes, and again when 14 minutes, have elapsed. The patient/subject then leaves the station. The candidate is given one minute for reflection, or to make further notes, and is then invited to summarise and discuss important features of the history (Station 2) or interaction with the patient/subject (Station 4).
If a candidate completes the Examination in any sub-station or station before the end of the prescribed period, he/she should remain at the station; this could mean a period of silence.
Clinical scenarios must not be copied or removed from the clinical Examination centres. All MRCP(UK) Examination questions and clinical scenarios are confidential and are copyrighted by the Royal Colleges of Physicians. No person may communicate any question or part of a question to any other person or organisation. To do so would constitute a serious breach of copyright and of these Regulations.

Method of assessment
Fourteen marksheets in total are completed by the examiners:
• one by each examiner at Stations 2, 4 and 5 (total 6);
• two by each examiner at Stations 1 and 3 (total 8).
The marks awarded on all 14 marksheets determine the candidate’s overall MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) score.
All marks are recorded on a four-point grading system and are detailed on the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) marksheet. The grades are:

• clear fail
• fail
• pass
• clear pass
These grades are converted to numeric values 1–4 (clear fail=1, fail=2, pass=3, clear pass=4). Grade descriptors, available from the MRCP(UK) website, are provided to examiners and candidates in order to make the process of assessment transparent.
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) is marked out of a total of 56 marks (the maximum available from the 14 marksheets). The nominal pass mark for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) is 42, although this is reviewed for each diet and a pass mark confirmed by the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board.
To facilitate electronic scanning of the marksheets, as well as clear photocopying if required, candidates are required to complete all aspects of the marksheets using a 2B pencil and, except for their signatures, to use CAPITAL LETTERS.

Marksheets
Sample versions of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) marksheets used by examiners are shown below for information.

Academic and professional misconduct
Candidates should note that it is an offence for candidates to seek to gain prior knowledge of the clinical cases or scenarios used in the Examination. A candidate will be prevented from proceeding with the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) if it is the examiners’ view that his/her conduct is likely to endanger the safety of patients, cause distress or disrupt other candidates.
Where an examiner considers that a candidate is acting in an unprofessional, improper or inappropriate manner during the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) they shall:
(1) ask the candidate to stop that particular part of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES);
(2) endorse the candidate’s clinical marksheet with a note of the time when the alleged infringement was discovered. Wherever possible an examiner should invite another examiner to act as witness by countersigning the endorsement;
(3) decide whether the candidate in question may continue with the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES);
(4) inform the candidate in question at the end of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) that a written report of the incident will be submitted to the Head of the MRCP(UK) Central Office;
(5) prepare within three working days a written report on the alleged incident and send it with any confiscated materials (if applicable) to the MRCP(UK) Central Office.
Candidates are asked to note that any allegation of academic or professional misconduct that is sustained against a candidate is likely to be reported to employers, sponsors and the relevant professional bodies, such as the UK General Medical Council.

After the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)

Results
The MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board has overall responsibility for policy and procedures relating to, and the organisation of, the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES).
The MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board will consider reports from Examiners (and others as necessary) on the delivery of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) at centres within and outside the UK. The MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board is responsible for confirming the pass mark and success or failure of candidates in the Examination. Results are released only when the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board is satisfied that the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) has been conducted appropriately and in accordance with the procedures of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.
After every Examination, the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board reviews the whole Examination. To do so, it considers statistical analyses of all candidates’ performance, together with the comments of the examiners. In the light of these analyses and opinions, the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board may:

• agree that the pass mark for the diet should be changed from 42. The MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board would need to be satisfied that the standards of the MRCP(UK) would be maintained by taking such action;
• make modifications to the structure and format of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) that it deems desirable to ensure the validity of the Examination.
The RCP Code Numbers and Examination Numbers of all candidates, both passes and fails, will be published on the MRCP(UK) website. Candidates will not be identified by name, and are therefore advised to take careful note of both their RCP Code Number and their Examination Number when they receive their admission documents. Candidates may opt out of this facility when making their application and they must also re-confirm this on each occasion they apply for the Examination. Results cannot be collected from the Royal Colleges of Physicians or given over the telephone or by fax or e-mail.
All results are posted by first-class mail within five weeks of the end of the PACES Examination period in the UK.

Pass result
Candidates who have not passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written
Candidates passing the MRCP(UK) PACES Examination must pass MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written before they can be elected to Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. Candidates can apply for MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written during the application periods for that Examination and do not need to wait until their result for MRCP(UK) PACES is confirmed.
Candidates who have already passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written
Candidates passing the MRCP(UK) PACES Examination, who have already passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written within the same 7-year period of eligibility can proceed to be elected to Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (see section 9 for further details).

Fail result
The MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) may be failed in the following ways:
• a candidate does not achieve the pass mark;
• a candidate automatically fails the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) if
they are awarded three ‘clear fail’ grades (by three different examiners);
• aggressive or inconsiderate behaviour, either physical or verbal, to a patient will invariably result in failure.
If a candidate fails the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) at their first or second attempt they may be deemed by the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board to require more clinical experience before re-attempting PACES, or be recommended for counselling from a nominated Fellow or Member of one of the Royal Colleges. Candidates may request counselling themselves through their College of Entry. Candidates who fail badly may be recommended to defer re-entry for one or more Examinations. The Royal Colleges of Physicians may require evidence of further training before candidates who fail badly are permitted to re-enter the Examination.

The Clinical Examining Board may reserve the right to restrict the entry of poorly performing candidates to the next examination diet in the exceptional circumstance of anticipated numbers of applications for PACES exceeding the number of available examination places.
Candidates may apply for the next MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination PACES Examination in the next application period once they have received confirmation of their result. Candidates who have not passed MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written can apply for this Examination during the published application period for that Examination and do not need to wait until their result for MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written is confirmed.

Poor performance in the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES)
All doctors practising in the UK, including examiners and the Officers of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, are governed by the principles outlined by the UK General Medical Council in the publication Good Medical Practice. The Royal Colleges of Physicians acknowledge that some good doctors may perform badly and aberrantly under examination conditions. However, where there are genuine concerns that a doctor’s fitness to practise is called into question by facts coming to light during the course of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES), the Royal Colleges of Physicians are duty bound to inform those to whom the candidate is contractually or professionally responsible. In exceptional circumstances, where no such person can be identified, this information may have to be communicated directly to the UK General Medical Council or similar professional body.
The candidate concerned will be informed by letter when their poor performance in the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) warrants referral to a sponsor, employer, or professional body, as outlined above. Reporting will normally take place only for consistently poor performance in repeated Clinical Examinations but, in exceptional circumstances, it may take place as a result of poor performance in a single Examination.
Before the candidate may re-enter any part of the MRCP(UK) Examination (or any Examination run under the auspices of any of the three Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK) written evidence must be received from the sponsor, employer or professional body confirming that remedial action has been taken. It will be for the Chairman of the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board to confirm whether the evidence presented is satisfactory to warrant re-entry to the MRCP(UK) Examination. The Chairman of the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board will also be available to consider any representations that the candidate wishes to submit.

Completion of the MRCP(UK) Examination and Election to Membership
Unless exemption is granted, every candidate must pass all parts of the MRCP(UK) Examination. Once a candidate has successfully completed their final Part of the examination (irrespective of whether this was the Part 2 Written or Part 2 Clinical (PACES) Examination), candidates will receive a letter of completion shortly after the dispatch of results letters. This will be a separate and distinct process and the letter will be accompanied by the Form of Faith and testimonial request (combined in one form). These should be completed and submitted for election to membership.
The testimonial must be completed by a Fellow or Member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. The latter should have worked with the candidate within the previous 3 years and must be a holder of MRCP(UK) for at least 8 years. The proposer signing the Form of Faith must be of ‘good standing’. Verification of this information will be undertaken.
Details of College Admission Ceremonies will be provided with the above correspondence.
Members of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom are elected subject to the Laws, Bye-Laws, Statutes and Regulations of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom. Copies of the Laws, Bye-Laws, Individual Statutes and Regulations relating to Members can be inspected on application to the respective Colleges.

Existing Procedures
Appeals
Information in respect of Appeals procedures may be obtained by contacting the Head of Academic Division, MRCP(UK) Central Office (for contact details see page 1).

Special arrangements
Any candidate who has a physical disability, learning disability or any other special need that they believe may affect their performance in an examination may be entitled to special arrangements. All such candidates should inform, at the time of application, the Administration Office to which they apply of their circumstances, by completing the Special Arrangements area on the application form. In all cases, a medical report or other appropriate documentary evidence will be required to support an application for special arrangements and this should be submitted either with the application or as soon as possible thereafter. Failure to include this information at the time of application may affect the arrangements that can be put in place in time for the examination.
Information in respect of Special Arrangements can also be found by clicking the link on the following page of the MRCP(UK) Examination website:
http://www.mrcpuk.org/Candidate/Pages/SpecialArrangements.aspx

Complaints
Information in respect of Complaints procedures may be obtained by contacting the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office (for contact details see page 1).

Academic misconduct
Information in respect of academic misconduct procedures may be obtained by contacting the Head of Academic Division, MRCP(UK) Central Office (for contact details see page 1).
Candidates should also contact the Head of Academic Division to report any suspected instances of misconduct that they are aware of.

Concessionary fees
The MRCP(UK) Management Board offers a financial concession to Doctors with refugee status who wish to pursue the MRCP(UK) Examination. The concession is offered in respect of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination only and for eligible doctors permits a reduced fee of £50 for entry to the examination. The concession applies to examinations sat in the UK alone.
Doctors with the following status qualify for the concession:
1. Those who have been given refugee status and who are recognised as a refugee under the 1951 UN Convention.
2. Those who have been given indefinite leave to remain in the UK with refugee status.
3. Those who have been given exceptional leave to remain in the UK.
4. Those with exceptional leave to remain (granted prior to 1 April 2003).

5. Those with humanitarian protection (granted on or after 1 April 2003)
(NB: Since April 2003 a category of ‘exceptional leave’ no longer exists. The Home Office has replaced this category with Humanitarian Protection and Discretionary leave to remain).
In order for a concession to be granted, at each application doctors must provide an original letter from the Home Office confirming that they fall into one of the groups listed. Nothing other than the original documentation will be accepted.
Requests should be made to the Administration Office of entry for the examination.

Training of a Physician in the UK
The Place of the MRCP(UK) in Training
The training curricula for Physicians has been approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB). The MRCP(UK) Examination provides valid, reliable evidence of attainment in knowledge, clinical skills and behaviour, and will be a mandatory component of assessment.
For 2009, UK trainees will, as a minimum, be required to pass Part 1 as the knowledge-based assessment for core training (core medical training – CMT; acute care common stem – ACCS) before progressing to ST3. The remaining elements of the MRCP(UK) Examination, Part 2 Written and PACES, will be mandatory elements for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in all specialties. However, the Colleges advise trainees to complete the MRCP qualification as soon as possible after they start core training. Attainment of MRCP(UK), although not essential to progress to ST3, is likely to inform the allocation into continuing specialty training.
If not completed during core training, the MRCP(UK) Examination should be completed before the end of ST3 so that trainees can focus on other specialty assessments. Failure to gain MRCP(UK) by this stage (some time during ST3) may lead to recommendations for additional training (ARCP outcomes 2, 3 or 4). Having gained their MRCP(UK) qualification, trainees are further assessed as part of their career progression in their chosen specialty (e.g. gastroenterology, dermatology, etc.) in two ways:
• workplace-based assessments
• Specialty Certificate Examination
A Specialty Certificate Examination is a compulsory component of assessment for CCT for all UK trainees whose specialty training began in or after August 2007. UK trainees who have completed MRCP(UK) would normally take the Specialty Certificate Examination during the penultimate year of higher specialist training. For further information please see: http://www.mrcpuk.org/KBA/Pages/Home.aspx
Candidates from outside the UK who feel they would benefit from impartial advice on registration, clinical attachment, availability and suitability of courses and careers guidance are recommended to contact the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education. Candidates may telephone for an appointment or write to:
National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education
PO Box 2516
St James’s House
Bristol BS2 2AA
Tel: 0117 915 7069
Fax: 0117 915 6721
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nacpme
Candidates in Scotland may prefer to contact:
NHS Education for Scotland
2nd Floor, Hanover Buildings
66 Rose Street
Edinburgh EH2 2NN
Tel: 0131 225 4365
Fax: 0131 225 5891
www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

Registration with the UK General Medical Council
Registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) is required for all candidates intending to work as doctors in the UK. Registration with the GMC is not necessary in order to take the MRCP(UK) Examination. However, prospective candidates who intend to obtain training in a UK hospital, whether paid or unpaid, must register with the GMC.
A list showing those overseas qualifications eligible for full registration is given at the front of the Medical Register published by the GMC. Doctors who are British nationals and/or who hold a qualification of one of the countries of the European Community are subject to special conditions and should seek advice directly from the GMC.
Application forms and pamphlets giving details of the requirements of each kind of registration may be obtained by contacting:
General Medical Council
Regent’s Place
350 Euston Road
London NW1 3JN
Tel: +44(0)845 357 3456
Email: registrationhelp@gmc-uk.org
For further information please refer to the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org).

Language Requirements
All parts of the MRCP(UK) Examination are conducted in English.
As all assessments are conducted in English, the Royal Colleges of Physicians advise candidates that in order to be sufficiently prepared to sit the MRCP(UK) Examination, their English language ability should be equivalent to IELTS Level 7 in each module. However, candidates do not need to have taken IELTS, the assessment of the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB), or any other language examination, to sit the MRCP(UK) Examination.
The MRCP(UK) cannot be used as demonstrating competency in the English language, for which PLAB is necessary before doctors can obtain Limited Registration with the GMC. Full details are available from:
PLAB Test Section
General Medical Council
Regent’s Place
350 Euston Road
London NW1 3JN
Tel: +44(0)845 357 3456
Email: registrationhelp@gmc-uk.org
For further information please refer to the GMC website (www.gmc-uk.org).

Preparation for the MRCP(UK) Examination
The Royal Colleges of Physicians recommend that candidates prepare for the Examination by gaining clinical experience in hospital posts involving the care of emergency medical patients, whether adults or children, and by studying up-to-date postgraduate clinical textbooks and current medical journals.
There is a published syllabus for the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination and a set of Clinical Guidelines for the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES). Books of past papers are also available (see Section 15).
The Royal Colleges of Physicians do not provide lists of recommended MRCP(UK) courses. Details of courses are contained in the Guide to Postgraduate Degrees, Diplomas and Courses in Medicine. This is published annually and is available from the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (see Section 11).