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Understand The Requirements for Sitting MRCP(UK) Exams

The Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians is a collaboration between the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and Royal College of Physicians. The federation is based in the UK with an international reach. The colleges represent over 50,000 physicians worldwide. The colleges provide a priceless professional network, opportunity to share best practice and ongoing educational opportunities.

The federation develops and delivers services to support doctors at every stage of their careers, including:

Examinations (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of The UK – MRCP(UK))

Training (Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board – JRCPTB)

Continuing professional development (CPD)

MRCP(UK)

MRCP (UK) develops and delivers examinations and qualifications around the world. Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (UK) Diploma consists of the MRCP(UK) Part 1, MRCP (UK) Part 2 and MRCP PACES exams. It tests the skills, knowledge and behavior of doctors in training.

The MRCP(UK) Diploma has been approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) as the knowledge-based assessment for core medical training. Successful completion of the entire three-part examination is a requirement for physicians wishing to undergo training in a medically related specialty in the UK.
Internationally, the MRCP (UK) Diploma is also a valued professional distinction in many other countries.

Specialty Certificate Examinations (SCEs)

Physicians in UK training must pass the appropriate SCE along with an approved specialty training program to gain admission to the GMC Specialist Register. SCE is enough to prove that the physician has sufficient knowledge of their specialty to practice safely and competently as consultants.

MRCP(UK) Eligibility

Medical Degree

The MRCP(UK) exam is for postgraduates. One needs to have a bachelor degree before attempting it. You will have to wait for a minimum of 1 year after completion of your medical graduation to apply for the MRCP(UK) exam

Medical Training

You need to have completed a minimum of one year of medical employment to apply for the MRCP exam. This includes internships and other fellowships during which you have successfully gained practical medical knowledge that you will later require for the PACES exam of the MRCP.

Number Of Attempts

The MRCP exam has a limit on the number of attempts allowed. One can attempt the MRCP exam a maximum of six times each. A candidate is allowed to appear for Part 1 and Part 2 six times. However, candidates must clear Part 2 and the PACES course within 7 years after completing Part 1.

Once a candidate is ready to attempt the exam, they need to book an exam date. The MRCP Part 1 exam dates are set 3 times a year. They are usually carried out in January, May and September. The applications open 3 months before each exam date. Candidates can apply for the exam by registering through the official Royal Colleges of the UK website.

To be eligible for the MRCP exam, a fee of nearly 594 pounds is required for international applicants. A fee to the tune of around 419 pounds is necessary for UK applicants.

Hope you found this information helpful. All the best for MRCP (UK) exams!!