Exam places for MRCP PACES have been hard to secure in some countries. This increase in demand has continued through to 2023, so what can you do to maximise your chances of securing an examination place?
The Royal College of Physicians has advised that they are working to grow capacity internationally. However, this will not have an immediate impact on the number of spots available across the world.
With so many overseas doctors missing out on a spot, we have put together some of the main discussion points to help you to broaden your chances of sitting the exam as soon as possible.
All applications submitted during the application period will be treated equally, with spaces being allocated using a random lottery model. Some spaces are reserved for local trainees and some priority can be given for applicants near the end of their eligibility periods.
So, to maximise your chance of success, we suggest that not only do you apply to your closest PACES exam centre, but also to 3 more centres that you are able to travel to.
Apply to more centres
Why should I apply for more centres? More applications equals more chance of securing a place. They way that it works is that if you are not successful with your 1st preference (most local centre), then you will be considered for a space in your 2nd choice centre, and so on until you secure a spot.
Of course, this means that you must be willing to travel to sit the exam. This can be costly, especially if you have to travel to a different country, flights and hotels are not cheap! As such, we suggest taking some time to carefully choose the locations that will not only have the possibility of a spare place, but where your costs will be kept to a minimum.
Candidates will be notified on the outcome of their application within 2 weeks from the closing date, giving you time to plan your travel if necessary.
Whilst this advice does not guarantee a place to sit the exam, it will increase your chances.
If you are not sure what to do, or have any other questions regarding the PACES exam, get in touch with an IMG Connect specialist.
Take a look at our IMG library for more information regarding postgraduate exams & PACES
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PACES is the final exam in the MRCP UK examination series.
Attaining full MRCP UK will facilitate registration with the GMC for overseas doctors, allowing you to secure a job in one of the many medical specialties in the NHS, depending on your experience and specialisation. In this article we will consider the following:
What is PACES?
Am I eligible to sit MRCP PACES?
What is the content and format?
How is PACES marked?
As an overseas candidate where can I take the exam?
When should I take PACES?
How can I prepare for the exam?
Passed? What next?
What is PACES?
The Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) is designed to test the clinical knowledge and skills of trainee doctors who hope to enter higher specialist training (ST3). The exam sets rigorous standards to ensures trainees are competent across a wide range of skills and are ready to provide high-quality care to patients.
Am I eligible to sit MRCP PACES?
You must have passed the Part 1 written examination within the last seven years before taking PACES. The Royal College strongly advises trainees to apply after competing two years practical experience and Part 2 of the examination.
What is the content and format?
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 exam is sat over a half-day and assesses seven core skills over five stations. IMGs can expect eight patient encounters assessed independently by a total of ten examiners (two at each station).
The seven core skills:
Physical examination – demonstrate correct, thorough, systematic, appropriate and professional technique of physical examination.
Identify physical signs – identifying physical signs correctly.
Clinical communication – elicit a clinical history relevant to the patient’s complaints, in a systematic, thorough and professional manner.
Differential Diagnosis – create a sensible, clinically assessed differential diagnosis for a patient.
Clinical Judgment – select an appropriate management plan for a patient or clinical situation. Select appropriate investigations or treatments for a patient that the candidate has clinically assessed.
Managing patients concerns – seeks, detect, acknowledge and address patients or relatives concerns, confirming their understanding and demonstrate empathy.
Maintain patient welfare – treat a patient or relative respectfully and sensitively in a manner that ensures their comfort, safety and dignity.
The PACES Carousel:
The Carousel consists of five stations, each assessed by two independent examiners. Candidates start at any of the five stations, moving round the carousel at 20-minute intervals, until completed. A five-minute period between each station is given.
Candidates are marked on clinical skills at each encounter in the examination. An encounter is when a candidate has an interaction with a patient or a surrogate. Stations 2 and 4 involve one encounter, whereas stations 1, 3 and 5 have two encounters.
How is PACES marked?
PACES is marked on seven skills, A-G, these are:
Skill A: Physical examination (stations 1, 3 and 5)
Skill B: Identifying physical signs (stations 1, 3 and 5)
Skill C: Clinical communication (stations 2, 4 and 5)
Skill D: Differential diagnosis (stations 1, 2, 3 and 5)
Skill E: Clinical judgement (all stations)
Skill F: Managing patients’ concerns (all stations)
Skill G: Maintaining patient welfare (all stations)
Skill B, identifying physical signs, is often considered the most challenging skill to pass.
As an overseas candidate, where and when can I take the exam?
It is a little more complicated than Part 1 or 2 exams and exam slots are often in short supply. Whilst the Royal College is working hard to increase the number of spaces, it is not always possible to offer a place to all applicants.
Priority is given to those candidates who are near the end of their stage 2 eligibility period. A full list of examination dates can be found here, please note these are subject to change.
Examination centres are subject to change, so for up-to-date information, please see the Royal College website here.
The examination is run at clinical centres across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland); these vary from diet to diet.
When should I take PACES?
Royal College performance data provides some food for thought when considering when to apply for PACES. The data suggests:
Wait at least 36 months after graduation before applying.
Those taking the exam before this period were less likely to pass.
24-36 months post-graduation – 50% pass rate
36-48 months after graduation – 77%
Candidates that had already passed part 1 & 2 written examinations were significantly more likely to pass PACES at first attempt.
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 the curriculum as early as possible, using it as a road map for your study plan.
It is recommended that to give yourself the best chance, you gain clinical experience involving care of emergency patients, adults and children.We advise you to regularly invite senior colleagues to observe and provide feedback on your clinical assessments, so you will be comfortable with the PACES format and give you confidence in approaching and examining patients with examiners present.
PACES station 4 examiner guidance examples: This useful guide contains examples of the types of statements found in the examiner guidance section of station 4 scenarios.
This will help you to understand what the examiner is looking for.
PACES sample scenarios: These will provide you with the most accurate and relevant scenarios to prepare you for the real thing. Sample scenarios cover Station 2, 4 & 5 (‘history taking’, ‘communication skills and ethics’ and ‘clinical consultations’ respectively.
Most of these have been previously used in a recent exam, but please note that during the exam you will only receive the section marked ‘information for the candidate’.
Videos on what to expect on the day: These helpful videos will give you a true reflection of what to expect on the day of the exam, easing some of the pressure and ensuring you can focus on the task at hand.
PACES candidate video: Whilst there are lots of useful videos online that are easy to find, the PACES candidate video contains important information about the exam, and practical examples of how the exam will run.
Candidate guide notes: these guidenotes created by the Royal College help IMGs to understand what to expect on the day, from your arrival to the completion of the test.
It can also be useful to understand how IMGs have failed the exam in the past, as this will give you the best chance to pass first time. The ‘how I failed PACES’ guide provides tips to help you to identify where you might be going wrong, along with practical advice to help you to improve.
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 blogs on exam tips and preparation.
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.
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Overseas medical oncologists looking to register with the GMC through the postgraduate qualification route will need to attain Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK).
Here we take a closer look at the MRCP (UK) examinations for doctors who have chosen their specialism in medical oncology, including a breakdown of each exam, 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)?
Where does MRCP fit into my oncology training?
How are the MRCP exams structured?
Eligibility for overseas doctors
How do I apply for the exams and what do they cost?
Where can I sit the exams as an overseas medical oncologist?
How should I prepare for the exams as an IMG?
I’ve passed, what’s next?
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
What is MRCP(UK)?
The Royal College of Physicians is the professional body responsible for the specialty of medicine throughout the UK. Among many other duties, its role is to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession.
As medical oncology comes under the umbrella of medicine, the postgraduate exams for medical oncologists are set and delivered by the Royal College of Physicians. For clinical oncologists, the Royal College of Radiologists are the overseeing body for training and exams. You can learn more about the clinical oncology postgraduate route here.
The MRCP examinations assess a candidate’s knowledge of basic medical sciences, as well as 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.
Therefore, completion of MRCP will allow you to work in the UK from ST3 level upward, with seniority beyond ST3 level dependent on experience.
MRCP (as a postgraduate qualification) is one of the two main routes an overseas doctor can take to gain full GMC registration, the other being the PLAB route. For in-depth information on each of the MRCP exams, see our IMG Resources library here.
MRCP as Part of Training in Oncology
Full MRCP (UK) is a requirement for all oncologists wishing to go on to a specialty training post in the UK.
For doctors who wish to find more senior roles in the NHS which are reflective of their current practice and experience, IMG Connect advise that MRCP (UK) would be the best route to take to GMC registration.
MRCP (UK) Exams Structure
The MRCP exam has three parts as outlined below:
MRCP (UK) Part 1
The first exam in the MRCP exam suite tests a sample of medical knowledge skills and behavior are specified in the UK specialty training curriculum for core medical training / internal medicine training.
The first examine that MRCP suite is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and understanding of the clinical silences relevant to medical practice and of common or important disorders to a level appropriate for entry to specialist training.
The examination has a two-paper format - each paper is 3 hours long and contains 100 multiple choice questions in a ‘best of five’ format. The paper both tests core knowledge and comprehension as well as a candidate's ability to interpret information and solve clinical problems.
Each question has five options: one correct answer and four alternatives to the correct answer.
The exam is also designed to help prepare candidates for the more challenging Part 2 written and PACES exam.
Specialty
Number of questions
Cardiology
14
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
15
Clinical sciences
25
Dermatology
8
Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolic medicine
14
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
14
Geriatric medicine
8
Haematology
14
Infectious diseases
14
Neurology
14
Oncology
5
Medical ophthalmology
4
Palliative medicine and end of life care
4
Psychiatry
9
Renal medicine
14
Respiratory medicine
14
Rheumatology
14
Total
200
For more detailed information on the content of the exam, see the Royal College website here.
MRCP (UK) Part 2
The second exam in the exam suite builds on the knowledge assessed in Part 1 and again tests the acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge skills and behavior.
The questions will usually have a clinical scenario, may include the results of investigations and may be illustrated with images such as clinical photographs, pathology slides, inheritance trees ECGs, X-rays, CT and MR scans and echocardiograms.
Questions are asked about the diagnosis investigation management and prognosis of patients using multiple choice questions in a ‘best of five’ format.
Specialty
Number of questions
Cardiology
19
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
18
Dermatology
9
Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolic medicine
19
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
19
Geriatric medicine
9
Haematology
9
Infectious diseases
19
Medical ophthalmology
3
Neurology
17
Oncology, Palliative medicine & end-of-life care
9
Psychiatry
3
Renal medicine
19
Respiratory medicine
19
Rheumatology
9
Total
200
For more detailed information on the content of the exam, see the Royal College website here.
MRCP (UK) PACES
The MRCP (UK) Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) assesses a candidate’s ability to carry out essential clinical skills.
There are five clinical stations where there are either patients with a given condition, or trained stand-ins (surrogates). At each station, there are two independent examiners who will observe and evaluate the candidates' performance.
PACES Carousel
For more detailed information on the content of the exam, see the Royal College website here.
Eligibility for Overseas Medical Oncologists
Part 1
To be eligible for MRCP (UK) Part 1, you must have a GMC recognised Primary Medical Qualification and a minimum of 12 months postgraduate experience in medical employment.
Part 2 & PACES
To be eligible for MRCP (UK) Part 2 & PACES, you must have passed Part 1 within the last seven years.
Please note, whilst it is not essential to successfully complete Part 2 to sit PACES, the Royal College strongly advises you to do so, as pass-rates are much lower for those who sit PACES before passing Part 2.
Applications
Applications for all MRCP exams are made online through My MRCP(UK) account, via the Royal College website. You will need to create an account and submit evidence of your primary medical qualification, then make a payment online to confirm your application.
The cost of the MRCP exams are as follows:
Candidate
Part 1
Part 2
PACES
UK
£460
£460
£657
International
£616
£616
£1,202
Exam Centres
The MRCP exams are held 4 times a year and can be sat in several locations around the world, including the UK, Manama, Dhaka, Cairo, Accra, Hong Kong, Reykjavik, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Erbil, Amman, Nairobi, Kuwait City, Kuala Lumpur, Malta, Kathmandu, Muscat, Karachi, Lahore, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Khartoum, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New Jersey, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Harare.
Please note that the number of sittings for each exam varies between countries – you can find the full list of cities and dates here.
The Part 1 and Part 2 exams are held online in the UK for candidates within the UK and Republic of Ireland.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is limited availability of spaces for the PACES exam, and whilst every effort will be made to provide as many places as possible, if the number of applications for the exam exceeds the places available, candidates in UK training will be prioritised.
Preparation and Resources
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. These include:
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 roadmap for your study.
Sample questions for Part 1 & Part 2: It is a good idea to regularly benchmark your knowledge by testing yourself using example questions from the current exam syllabus provided by the Royal College see below:
Part 1
Part 2
PACES scenarios: To familiarise yourself with the format of the PACES exam, take a look at sample scenarios from the stations. You can find these here.
IMG Oncologists
Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded MRCP aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our MRCP crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
For an overview of how to prepare for exams, including advice on study groups, online community support, the best use of online resources & Royal College materials and courses, take a look at our blog: IMG Connects Top Tips for exam preparation.
For more information on the MRCP exams including structure, preparation, dates and a content drill down, see the blogs we’ve written on each part of the examination suite:
MRCP (UK) Part 1
MRCP (UK) Part 2
MRCP (UK) PACES
I’ve passed, what’s next?
First of all, congratulations! This is a massive achievement and you deserve to put your feet up after all that hard work. With full MRCP, you can now apply for a full GMC registration with a license to practice (once you’ve passed an English language exam). Once the GMC has approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK. Nice one!
Get in touch
Don’t hesitate to contact an IMG oncology recruitment specialist to discuss GMC registration, oncology positions in the NHS, including typical NHS salaries, the most suitable UK locations and hospitals for you, and relocation.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
GMC Registration can be a long and complex process, and with a few routes for medical oncologists to provide evidence of their skills and knowledge, it can be difficult for IMGs to decide the best route to take to register with the GMC.
For international doctors considering their route to the UK, there are two main pathways to consider: PLAB or the postgraduate route - in this case, MRCP (UK).
Whilst these are the most common routes to GMC registration, this is not an exhaustive list. There are other options such as Royal College sponsorship and GMC-approved qualifications or licensing exams, and you can read more about these here.
Here we provide a summary of the two main pathways and briefly consider their benefits, summarised in the headings below:
PLAB for GMC Registration
MRCP (UK) for GMC Registration
Which is better for me as an overseas pathologist, PLAB or MRCP (UK)?
#IMG Tips
How do I get started?
Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)
The most common route which tends to be popular among junior doctors is PLAB.
PLAB is a two-part exam with one written and one practical element, that assesses whether candidates are at least as capable as doctors starting the second year of their Foundation Programme Training, and can therefore work safely as an SHO in the NHS.
The GMC has a useful video summary of the PLAB exams which you can watch here, or for a more detailed overview, see our IMG Resources library.
MRCP (UK) - Postgraduate Qualification for Internal Medicine
The internal medicine postgraduate qualification is a more popular route for senior overseas doctors, and those looking to gain posts in the NHS which are reflective of their experience. Within medical oncology, this can be done by attaining Membership of the Royal College of Physicians. The Royal College of Physicians is the professional body that regulates internal medicine within the UK, including the specialty of medical oncology.
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) is the full qualification attained through the postgraduate exams for physicians. The exams assess a candidate’s knowledge of basic medical sciences, as well as clinical skills required for the diagnosis and management of disease. MRCP (UK) has three components, with two written and one practical element.
For complete guides on MRCP (UK), take a look at our IMG Resources library.
It is important to note that the MRCP (UK) exams are for medical oncologist, and you would not need to sit the FRCR (Oncology) exams, as these apply to clinical or radiation oncologists only.
PLAB vs MRCP (UK)
Both PLAB and MRCP (UK) are legitimate routes that demonstrate skills and knowledge and will allow you to register with the GMC and work in the UK. To decide which route is best for you, you’ll need to consider the benefits of each and how they align with your needs and priorities in moving to the UK.
Seniority of Positions in the NHS
It may be difficult for an overseas medical oncologist to obtain a more senior post without MRCP (UK), GMC-approved training, or extensive experience from a similar, English-speaking healthcare system. PLAB alone will not give overseas doctors access to senior posts in the NHS.
Time
PLAB has two stages and can take anywhere between 3-9 months to prepare from start to finish.
MRCP has three stages, and the Royal College strongly advises that candidates only sit the final exam after 24 months of practical experience.
These exams can take anywhere from 24-36 months to prepare from start to finish.
Cost
MRCP costs just under £2,500 for the three exams. The final exam, PACES, is an in-person exam, so travel to the UK must be factored into the overall cost.
PLAB costs £1,189, and PLAB 1 can be taken in the UK or several overseas centres, which you can find here. PLAB 2 must be taken in the UK.
For both MRCP (UK) PACES and PLAB 2, candidates will have to travel to the UK, meaning that the additional cost of visas, accommodation and flights must be factored in.
It’s important to note that the total cost of each exam can rise if re-sits are necessary.
Summary
PLAB, as an exam which examines a doctor’s ability to work safely as a Senior House Officer (SHO), does not assess ability in oncology or internal 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, I.e., medical oncology.
PLAB allows doctors to enter the UK system much faster than other routes and for this reason alone, it is favoured by international doctors when considering their path to the UK.
MRCP (UK) involves three more difficult examinations and takes more time to prepare for. However, for overseas doctors, attaining MRCP (UK) will allow you to jumpstart your career in the UK, as you don't need PLAB or Core Training.
The Royal College of Physicians’ exams will facilitate the application for more senior roles in medical oncology in the UK than PLAB.
#IMG Tips
Determine your priorities – your goals and timeline for relocating to the UK are important in deciding which route is best for, and this is different for everyone.
Plan well ahead – depending on the route you choose, you may be embarking on a long journey through these exams, so plan how you will fit them into your life and how best to prepare to maintain a good work-life balance at the same time.
Find a support network – once you know which exams you will sit, find a support network of others who are also preparing for the exam.
Join the online community - join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded MRCP aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our MRCP crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
Getting started
Once you’ve decided which exams are best for you, it’s time to delve deeper into the exams and what they entail. For more useful blogs and articles on PLAB, MRCP (UK), GMC registration and finding your dream job in the NHS - take a look at our IMG Resources library.
If you have any further questions on PLAB, MRCP (UK) or your route to the UK as an overseas oncologist, don't hesitate to get in touch with our oncology specialists here. We’d be more than happy to help you.
Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:
In this article we will explore the MRCP Part 1 exam in more detail, including advice on eligibility, dates, centres, preparation and fees.
Designed to help you prepare and sit the exams, we consider the following MRCP topics:
What is MRCP Part 1?
Am I eligible to sit MRCP Part 1?
What is the examination content & format?
Where can I take the exam?
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
How much does the exam cost?
How do I apply?
How can I prepare for the exam?
Passed? What next?
What is MRCP (UK) Part 1 exam?
Part 1 is the entry-level examination accessible to doctors with a minimum of 12 months' postgraduate experience in medical employment. It covers a broad range of topics appropriate to physicians at the beginning of postgraduate training.
Part 1 is the first component of a sequence of assessments intended to match the progression of trainees undertaking the Core Medical Training programme in the UK, adding unique information and building on previous assessments
Am I eligible to sit MRCP (UK) Part 1 exam?
Trainees from any country in the world can sit the MRCP Part 1 Examination providing that they meet the eligibility requirements.
As an overseas candidate you are eligible to sit MRCP Part 1 if you have a GMC recognised Primary Medical Qualification and a minimum 12 months postgraduate experience in medical employment.
What is the examination content & format?
At IMG Connect we advise that understanding the examination format is a great foundation for exam preparation. We have summarised the Royal College’s guidance on the Part 1 Examination format below:
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.
From the five options provided, one answer is correct. The other four are plausible however you will only score a point from the correct answer. There are no negative marks and questions do not include imagery.
MRCP (UK) Part 1 is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the clinical sciences relevant to medical practice and of common or important disorders to a level appropriate for entry to specialist training.
Candidates will be tested on a wide range of common and important disorders in General Medicine as set out in the JRCPTB Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training and the composition of the papers is as below:
Specialty
Number of questions *
Cardiology
15
Clinical haematology and oncology
15
Clinical Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology
16
Clinical sciences **
25
Dermatology
8
Endocrinology
15
Geriatric medicine
4
Gastroenterology
15
Infectious diseases and GUM
15
Neurology
15
Nephrology
15
Ophthalmology
4
Psychiatry
8
Respiratory Medicine
15
Rheumatology
15
Total
200
*This should be taken as an indication of the likely numbers of questions – the actual number may vary
** The clinical sciences components comprises the following:
Specialty
Number of questions *
Cell, molecular and membrane biology
2
Clinical anatomy
3
Clinical biochemistry and metabolism
4
Clinical physiology
4
Genetics
3
Immunology
4
Statistics, epidemiology and evidence-based medicine
5
A detailed explanation of the marking system adopted for the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination can be viewed in the MRCP(UK) Regulations.
Where can I take the MRCP Part 1 exam?
MRCP (UK) Part 1 can be taken in the UK and overseas as below:
Exam
UK Test Centres
Overseas Test Centres
MRCP Part 1
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London
Bahrain (Manama)
Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Egypt (Cairo)
Ghana (Accra)
Hong Kong
Iceland (Reykjavic)
India (Chennai, Kerala, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi)
Iraq (Baghdad)
Jordan (Amman)
Kenya (Nairobi)
Kuwait (Kuwait City)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Malta
Myanmar
Nepal (Kathmandu)
Oman (Muscat)
Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore)
Qatar (Doha)
Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh)
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Sudan (Khartoum)
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
United States of America (New Jersey)
West Indies (Jamaica, Trinidad)
Zimbabwe (Harare)
When is the exam sat and when can I apply?
It is important to note that you must apply for each MRCP exam during the specified application period. Applications made outside of the designated period will not be accepted.
Exam dates and their application periods can be found here.
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 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.
The application video from the Royal College can be found below:
Part 1 application video
The Royal College of Physicians recommends making the first attempt at Part 1 within 1-2 years of your graduation.
How can I prepare for the MRCP Part 1 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 the curriculum 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, see below:
Part 1 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?
If you are completing the papers in order, the next step will be to apply for Paper B. For more information take a look at our blog we will explore MRCP (UK) Paper B and everything that you need to know about how to sit the exam, including syllabus, dates, results, fees and preparation.
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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.
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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: