MRCP Part 2 is the second of three exams to attain full MRCP UK.  This article is written for overseas doctors taking the MRCP route to GMC registration, written to help you prepare fir & sit the Part 2 examination. We consider the following topics: What is MRCP Part 2? Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 2? What is the exam content & format? Where I can take the exam?  When is the exam sat and when can I apply? How much does it cost? How can I prepare for the exam? Passed? What next? What is MRCP Part 2? Building on the knowledge assessed in Part 1, the exam tests your acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge, skills and behavior as specified in the UK Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training.  It is designed to test your application of clinical understanding and capacity to make clinical judgments, including: prioritisation of diagnostic or problem lists investigation planning selection of a plan for immediate management selection a plan for long-term management assessment prognosis Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 2? You are eligible if you have passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 examination. A reminder that to be eligible for Part 1, you require 12 months experience and a recognised Primary Medical Qualification.  The Part 2 written examination moved to a single day format at the beginning of 2018. The new examination consists of two, three-hour papers each with 100 questions. What is the examination format and content? A good understanding of the examination format is a great foundation for your exam preparation, so below we have summarised the Royal College’s guidance on the Part 2 examination format and content. Format: The exam consists of two-papers, sat over the course of one day in an examination hall. Each paper is 3 hours in duration and contains 100 multiple choice questions in ‘best of five’ format (200 questions in total). Composition of the papers are as follows: Specialty Number of questions * Cardiology  19 Dermatology  9 Endocrinology and metabolic medicine 19 Gastroenterology 19 Geriatric Medicine 9 Hematology 9 Infectious diseases and GUM 19 Neurology 17 Nephrology 19 Oncology and palliative medicine 9 Ophthalmology  3 Psychiatry  3 Respiratory Medicine 19 Rheumatology  9 Therapeutics and toxicology  18 Total 200 *This should be taken as an indication of the likely number of questions – the actual number may vary by up to 2%. A proportion of the questions will be on adolescent medicine. Question Content: Questions are centred on the diagnosis, investigation, management and prognosis of a patient. They usually have a clinical scenario and may include results of investigations and images such as: clinical photographs pathology slides inheritance trees ECGs, X-rays, CT and MR scans and echocardiograms. In addition to testing core knowledge & comprehension, the exam assesses your ability to interpret information and solve clinical problems. Best of Five question format and marking: There will be five options: one correct answer and four alternatives to the correct answer.  The four distracters will be closely related to the preferred option but less correct, therefore acting as plausible alternatives.  Each correct answer is awarded one mark and there is no negative marking. A more detailed explanation of the marking system used can be found here on the exam pass mark page of the Royal College website in MRCP(UK) Regulations. Where can I take the exam?  MRCP(UK) Part 2 can be taken in the UK and overseas, see below: *Please note these differ slightly from MRCP(UK) Part 1 examination centers ** UK test centres dependent on availability Exam UK Test Centres  Overseas Test Centres   MRCP(UK) Part 2 Edinburgh Manchester Newcastle Glasgow Belfast Birmingham Cardiff London Bahrain (Manama) Bangladesh (Dhaka) Egypt (Cairo) Hong Kong Iceland (Reykjavik) India (Chennai, Kerela, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi) Iraq (Baghdad, Erbil) Jordan (Amman) Kenya (Nairobi) Kuwait (Kuwait City) Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) Malta Myanmar (Yangon) Oman (Muscat) Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore) Qatar (Doha) Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh) Singapore Sri Lanka Sudan (Khartoum) United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai) United States of America (New Jersey) West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad) When is the exam sat and when can I apply? Exam dates and their application periods can be found here. It is important to note that you must apply for each MRCP exam during the specified application period. Application made outside the designated period will not be accepted. How much does the exam cost? UK applications cost £419 International applications cost £594* Please note, the application process and fees applicable for Hong Kong and Singapore centres differ. Applications should be made directly to the administration team for this centre. How can I prepare for the exam? With lots of resources available online, we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:  Curriculum: Applicants are tested on a range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the Joint Royal Colleges Specialty Training Curriculum for Core-Medical Training. We recommend getting to know this as early as possible, using it as a road map for your study plan. MRCP(UK) mock exams: We suggest registering for the MRCP mock exams here. These will provide you with the most accurate and relevant mock questions to prepare you for the real thing. Sample questions: Test your knowledge using example questions from the current exam syllabus provided by the Royal College, found herePart 2 sample questions For a useful overview of how to prepare for exams, including advice on study groups, online community support, best use of online resources & Royal College materials and courses - take a look at our blog: IMG Connects Top Tips for exam preparation. Passed? What next? Now you have passed your MRCP Part 2 you can apply to take PACES - the practical and final examination within the MRCP set of examinations.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live specialist medicine NHS doctor jobs in the UK or Acute and General Medicine jobs here. IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss specialist medicine job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

Here we take a closer look at the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians examinations (MRCP) for doctors who have chosen their specialism in medicine, including exam dates, fees and eligibility.  International Medical Graduates (IMGs) from any country in the world can sit the MRCP examinations, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. These are summarised below along with a broad look at the following topics: What is MRCP(UK)? Eligibility for overseas doctors MRCP(UK) Part 1 MRCP(UK) Part 2 MRCP(UK) PACES How to prepare and what resources are available How to apply Fees Venues Dates of Exams Passed? What next?  The Royal College of Physicians is the professional body responsible for the specialty of medicine throughout the UK. Amongst many other duties, its role is to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession. What is MRCP(UK)? The MRCP examinations assess: knowledge of basic medical sciences  clinical skills required for the diagnosis and management of disease.  The exams are designed to test both applied basic science and principles of medicine to the level of a UK trainee with two to three years postgraduate experience.  Completion of MRCP will allow you to work in the UK from ST3 level upward (ST3+), with seniority beyond ST3 level dependent on experience. MRCP is one of two routes an overseas doctor can take full GMC registration (postgraduate qualification or PLAB route).  For doctors who wish to take more senior roles reflective of their current practice, IMG Connect advise that MRCP would be the best route to take.  MRCP (UK) is a prerequisite to anyone wishing to go on to a specialist training post as a physician in the UK. The MRCP exam has three parts as outlined below:  MRCP Part 1 – two written papers MRCP Part 2 – two written papers MRCP PACES – practical assessment in a clinical setting Eligibility for overseas doctors: Part 1: To be eligible you must have a GMC recognised Primary Medical Qualification and a minimum 12 months postgraduate experience in medical employment. Part 2 & PACES:  To be eligible you must have passed Part 1 within the last seven years. Whilst it is not essential to successfully complete Part 2 to sit PACES, the Royal College strongly advises you to do so.  To support this, pass-rates are much lower for those who sit PACES before passing Part 2. MRCP(UK) Part 1:  The entry-level examination is accessible to doctors with a minimum 12 months postgraduate experience in medical employment.  It consists of:  one-day examination two three-hour papers 200 multiple-choice (best of five) questions  no imagery sat in an examination hall A more detailed look at Part 1 can be found here. This will include examination centers, dates, fees and advice to give you the best chance to pass at first attempt. MRCP(UK) Part 2 Part 2 can only be taken if you have passed Part 1 (building on the knowledge already assessed).  The format at a glance: two papers taken on one day papers last three hours 200 multiple choice questions questions include images sat in an examination hall A more detailed look at Part 2 can be found here. This will include examination centers, dates, fees and advice to give you the best chance to pass at first attempt. MRCP(UK) PACES: PACES applicants must have passed MRCP Part 1. However, we echo the Royal College guidance and strongly advise our doctors to take both Parts 1 & 2 before taking PACES. PACES is based on a format that is similar to OSCEs, a practical assessment in a clinical setting. There are five clinical stations with either patients with a given condition, or trained stand-ins (surrogates).  The format in brief: half-day examination takes place in a clinical setting (hospital or clinical skills centre) assesses seven core skills five stations  eight patient encounters two independent examiners at each station each candidate is assessed independently by a total of 10 examiners A more detailed look at PACES can be found here. This will include examination centers, dates, fees to give you the best chance to pass at first attempt. How do I prepare and what resources are available?  With lots of resources available online, we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:  Curriculum: Applicants are tested on a range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the Joint Royal Colleges Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training. We recommend getting to know the curriculum as early as possible, and using it as a road map for your study plan.  MRCP(UK) mock exams: We suggest registering for the MRCP mock exams here. These will provide you with the most accurate and relevant mock questions to prepare you for the real thing. Sample questions: Test your knowledge using example questions from the current exam syllabus provided by the Royal College, see below: Part 1 Part 2 PACES content: prepare and practice example questions on the topics and skills covered in the PACES exam Preparation Sample scenarios PACES marksheets For a useful overview of how to prepare for exams, including advice on study groups, online community support, best use of online resources & Royal College materials and courses, take a look at our blog: IMG Connects Top Tips for exam preparation  How do I apply? Applications for all exams are made online via My MRCP(UK) account. You will simply need to create an account and submit evidence of your primary medical qualification, then make a payment online to confirm your application. Application videos from the Royal College can be found below: Part 1 & 2 PACES Please note, the application process is a little different for those looking to sit the exam in Hong Kong. Further information can be found on the Royal College website here. Fees for 2019: Exam UK Test Centres Overseas Test Centres Part 1 £419 £594 * Part 2 £419 £594 * PACES £657 £1202 * *the application process and fees applicable for Hong Kong and Singapore centres are different and applicants are encouraged to submit their application directly to the administration team for this centre. Venues: Exam UK Test Centres Overseas Test Centres Part 1 & Part 2 Edinburgh Glasgow London Bahrain Bangladesh Egypt Ghana Hong Kong Iceland India Iraq Jordan Kenya Kuwait Malaysia Malta Myanmar Nepal Oman Pakistan Qatar Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Sudan United Arab Emirates United States of America West Indies Zimbabwe PACES England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland Brunei Egypt Hong Kong India Kuwait Malaysia Myanmar   Malta Oman Qatar Singapore Sri Lanka Sudan United Arab Emirates * Please note, exact locations change from each diet of PACES. Dates of Exams: Upcoming dates for the exams can be found using the following links: Part 1 Part 2 PACES Passed? What next? First of all, congratulations! After you have passed all parts of MRCP(UK) you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.  For further information on MRCP exams including structure, content, preparing, procedure, dates, locations and fees, see the following articles:  MRCP(UK) Part 1 – a closer look MRCP(UK) Part 2 – a closer look MRCP(UK) PACES – a closer look IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

Which routes can overseas internal medicine doctors take to GMC registration & securing jobs in the NHS?  All Medicine doctors looking to secure a job and work in the UK, whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC). Here we cover all the medical specialties that fall within the broader reach of General & Specialist Medicine to include specialisms such as cardiology, respiratory medicine, dermatology, gastroenterology, haematology, elderly care or geriatric medicine and general & acute medicine. The criteria you must meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live.  Inside the EEA – click here Outside the EEA – click here “Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.”  Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians Inside the EEA Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway.  If you qualified as a doctor inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.  As an EEA doctor, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.  English Language Testing Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following: IELTS – International English Language Testing System OET – Occupational English Test Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors GMC Registration Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of: Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET) AND Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications) Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Library - GMC Registration for overseas doctors Job search We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European doctors in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than are readily available online.  Our network extends to psychiatry services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.  In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of General Medicine, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary.  Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK. Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search  Relocation Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK. Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help. Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life Outside of the EEA If you qualified as a doctor outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.  Here we summarise the requirements for General Medicine doctors, looking at the following: English Language Testing Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, MRCP or equivalents Tier 2 Visas  Full GMC Registration English Language Testing Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language. You can do this by passing either of the following: IELTS – International English Language Testing System OET – Occupational English Test Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Medicine Overseas doctors must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. This can be done through three main routes: PLAB Royal College qualification of MRCP GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications Route 1 - PLAB: The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in Medicine specifically.  For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine.  That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, international doctors can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS.  Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB: PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors PLAB 1 – a closer look PLAB 2 – a closer look Route 2 - Royal College Qualification: Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. medicine. For senior medicine doctors taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice.  The Royal College of Physicians is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of medicine in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining MRCP will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK medicine. Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Physicians to understand more: MRCP – a guide for overseas doctors GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications: Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications. There are qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC.  Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications Tier 2 Visa If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK.  Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make. Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare. Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependant visa: Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK? GMC Registration With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC. Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of: Evidence of English language capabilities AND Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, MRCP or equivalent) Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: GMC Registration for overseas doctors Job search We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA doctors in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms!  At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online.  Our network extends to general medicine services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans.  In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a speciality knowledge of medicine, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary.  Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete. Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search Relocation Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK. Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.  Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Library – Relocation & UK Life IMG Jobs  Specialist Medicine: Click here to find live NHS specialist medicine job opportunities in the UK General & Acute Medicine: Click here to find live NHS general & acute medicine job opportunities in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

Here we will look closely at the application for CESR in acute and general medicine. In particular, we will explore the specialty specific guidance on providing evidence for an application for entry onto the Specialist Register for Acute Internal Medicine or Acute Medicine with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration or CESR. What is CESR in Acute Internal Medicine in the NHS? As an Acute Medicine specialist, attaining CESR will mean you are qualified to practice at consultant level in the NHS in Acute Medicine. Have a read through our CESR articles found in the IMG Resources library to understand a little more. Do I need MRCP to attain CESR in Acute Medicine? No, whilst it is always a benefit to attain MRCP and you may have already attained MRCP as by ways of registering with the GMC, you do not require MRCP to attain CESR in Acute Internal Medicine. Any doctor wishing to attain Specialist Registration via the CCT route must attain MRCP(UK).  What is the indicative period of training for a CCT in Acute Internal Medicine? The indicative period of training for a CCT in Acute Internal Medicine is six years and it is highly unlikely that you would achieve the competencies required for a CCT in a shorter period of time. This training consists of the following: 2 years in Core Medical Training OR  Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) OR AND  Four years training in Acute Internal Medicine Therefore, CESR applicants must demonstrate that they have achieved the competencies in each of these areas.  For a complete list of competencies refer to the Acute Internal Medicine Curriculum documentation. Submitting Evidence Do not submit original documents – this is very important. All your copies, other than qualifications you’re getting authenticated must be accompanied by a proformas signed by the person who is attesting to the validity and accuracy of your evidence (your verifier). It is very important that you read an explanation of how to do this in the GMC’s important notice about evidence. How much evidence should you submit? The GMC recognises that doctors will often not have all the evidence required for a complete CESR application, often many doctors will start their application and delay starting their application until they are able to gather all the evidence. The evidence must cover the knowledge, skills and qualifications to demonstrate the required competencies in all areas of the Acute Internal Medicine Curriculum. If evidence is missing from any one area of the curriculum, then the application will fail. If you have a piece of evidence that is relevant to more than one domain, do not include multiple copies in your bundle. Instead include one copy and list it in your evidence list under each relevant area, stating that the document is located elsewhere.  The GMC asks that only evidence that is strictly relevant is sent as it will help them to process the application quicker. The guidance on compiling your evidence will help you to decide what is relevant and what is not – make sure you are reading the latest version on the GMC website – here. It is important to note that evidence that is more than five years old will be given less weight than more recent evidence, so you may not need to include it.  As a general guide, an application for CESR could expect to see around 800-1000 pages of evidence.  The types of evidence are divided into four different domains, the GMC recommends that you apportion the evidence provided as per the pie chart below: Please note, you cannot compensate for evidence lacking in one area by providing more evidence in another area. Make sure to anonymise your evidence: It is very important to anonymise your evidence before submitting it to the GMC.  You must remove the following: All patient identifying details Details of patients’ relatives Details of colleagues that you have assessed, written a reference for, or who have been involved in a complaint you have submitted. This includes: Names (first and last) addresses  contact details such as phone numbers or email addresses NHS numbers & other individual patient numbers GMC numbers In Summary: If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the IMG Connect team. However, your official point of reference for any queries should the GMC – they can answer and provide the most updated information on CESR applications for overseas Acute Medicine doctors looking to work as NHS Consultants in Acute Medicine. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss acute & general medicine job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below: