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The Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) is the clinical component of the MRCP (UK) Part 2 examination. It is designed to test the clinical knowledge and skills of trainee doctors who aim to enter higher specialist training (ST3). The candidates must have passed MRCP Part 1 & Part 2 in order to be eligible for taking MRCP PACES.

If you are an MRCP PACES aspirant targeting the exam in May 2025, this guide will help you understand what to expect in the exam and how the passing criteria work.

PACES Format

There will be a total of five clinical stations in the MRCP PACES exam. Each station lasts 20 minutes and will be assessed by two independent examiners. Candidates rotate through the stations, in which they will encounter different clinical scenarios. There will be both real and simulated patients. Candidates will get a short 5-minute break between each station.

Candidates will rotate through the stations in a carousel format. They can start at any of the stations and move to the next station every 20 minutes until they have completed the cycle.

• Station 1: Communication skills and respiratory examination
• Station 2: Consultation skills
• Station 3: Cardiovascular and neurological examinations
• Station 4: Communication skills and abdominal examination
• Station 5: Integrated clinical assessment (brief clinical consultation)

Understanding the marking scheme

Candidates are assessed on seven core skills: A-G.

A. Physical examination

B. Identifying physical signs

C. Clinical communication

D. Differential diagnosis

E. Clinical judgement

F. Managing patient concerns

G. Maintaining patient welfare

Each skill is scored as satisfactory (2 points), borderline (1 point), and unsatisfactory (0 points). The candidates will be assessed by a total of 10 examiners. For each of the eight encounters in the exam, the examiners will complete a marksheet evaluating a combination of these above-mentioned skills.

Prior to the exam, the examiners will review the patients at all five stations to establish the criteria for a satisfactory grade. This process is known as calibration, and it ensures fairness and consistency in marking.

We hope this information was helpful for you. If you are an MRCP PACES aspirant looking for the upcoming exams this year, we can help you prepare and clear the exam confidently. From various short- and long-term MRC Paces courses to two-day live circuit courses, which replicate the real exam scenarios, we provide everything you need to pass the exam in a single attempt.

Want to know more? Connect with our team today.

Authored By: Sarath