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Earning the ‘MRCP’ postnominal from the prestigious Royal College of Physicians is a proud career milestone for many doctors across the world. If you are one of those doctors who has been thinking about starting the MRCP journey, this could be the perfect time to take the first step. The booking window for the MRCP Part 1 May 2026 exam opened on 10th March 2026, and candidates can book their slot until 17th March 2026.

Whether you are starting out your journey or planning to reattempt with a better strategy, you must act fast to complete the application on time, as the booking window is short. Here, we will guide you through all the key details about the exam booking process, important dates, and everything else you need to know before applying.

MRCP Part 1 May 2026: Key dates

Application period: 10 March to 17 March 2026

Exam date: 21 May 2026

Reasonable adjustment deadline: 24 March 2026

Results by: 3rd July 2026

Exam fees: £502 (UK) | £672 (International)

MRCP Part 1 May 2026: Eligibility criteria

• A primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC (UK)
• Minimum 12 months of medical work experience
• The one-year experience must be completed before the exam date

MRCP Part 1 May 2026: How to apply

Follow these steps to book your slot for the MRCP Part 1 May 2026 examination.

• Log in to your ‘My MRCP(UK)’ account
• Make sure that all personal details, including correspondence address, are up to date.
• Indicate whether you are training in the UK or outside the UK.
• Select your preferred exam centre.
• Complete any special arrangements, if applicable.
• Pay the exam fee to finalise your application.
• Once submitted, you will be assigned an RCP code.
• Send evidence of your primary medical qualification along with your RCP code to PMQ@thefederation.uk.

Understanding the MRCP Part 1 exam format

The MRCP Part 1 is the first step you need to complete to obtain the coveted MRCP title. The exam tests a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the clinical sciences relevant to medical practice, as well as common and important medical conditions expected at the level of entry into specialist training.

Mode of the exam: Computer-based

Exam format: Two papers

Number of questions: 100 MCQs (best of five)/paper

Exam duration: 3 hours/paper

You will get one mark for each correct answer, and there is no negative marking.

So, that’s all about the MRCP Part 1 May 2026 exam. If you have any doubts or need help with exam booking, feel free to contact the StudyMRCP team. We are here to help you. Additionally, if you need help with exam preparation, we offer expert-led proven courses that can help you clear the exam in one go. You can even explore our study materials for free through the StudyMEDIC LMS 3.0 before enrolling in the course.

Connect with our team today for more details.

Authored By: Sarath