Navigating the path to becoming a physician in the UK is both rewarding and arduous, especially for overseas doctors taking on the MRCP Part 1 exam.
We've created this guide to help you through Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP UK).
This includes knowing details about test format, content requirements, eligibility criteria, significant dates and essential resources that can help contribute towards success in sitting the MRCP Part 1.
MRCP Short Summary
- The MRCP exam is a necessary step for medical professionals to progress in their careers as physicians in the UK.
- The exam is made up of three parts, :
- MRCP(UK) Part 1
- MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written
- MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES)
What is the MRCP Part 1?
For medical professionals who have had at least one year of experience in medical employment, the MRCP Part 1 exam is an entry level examination accessible through the Royal College of Physicians.
The written exam tests your clinical knowledge base and ensures you possess sufficient understanding before entering specialist training.
Eligibility Criteria for MRCP Part 1
To gain entry to the MRCP Part 1 examination, those who apply must have acquired a Primary Medical Qualification which has exam date, been recognized by the General Medical Council.
You also need to possess a minimum of 12 months' postgraduate training or medical employment experience.
Candidates from overseas with an approved GMC qualification along with at least twelve months' practical work in medicine can likewise take part.
International Medical Graduates
As an international medical graduate, you must meet the same eligibility requirements as UK applicants, including possessing a GMC-acknowledged Primary Medical Qualification and having completed at least 12 months of work in medicine.
To apply for the MRCP Part 1 exam, it is necessary to register with My MRCP(UK) account, which requires providing evidence confirming one's primary qualification along with making online payment after successful submission.
Thus being approved implies that candidates are on their way to taking part in this test, something important when considering advancing their careers within the healthcare sector here in the UK.
How Much Does The MRCP Part 1 Cost?
The current fees are £460 for uk candidates and fees are higher at £616 for international candidates.
MRCP Part 1 Exam Format and Content
The MRCP Part 1 exam consists of two papers with 100 multiple choice questions in each. Candidates have 3 hours to answer these 'best of five' format type questions, which require the candidate selecting one correct answer option from the available 5 without negative marking and based on JRCPTB's Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training focused around General Medicine knowledge.
Part 1 at a glance:
- One-day exam
- Two three-hour papers
- 100 multiple-choice (best of five) questions per paper
- No images
- Sat in an examination hall or online centres
When Are The MRCP Part 1 Exam Dates?
The Royal College lists the latest exam dates, application windows and fee on the Royal College MRCP UK website.
There are 4 exam sittings each year in January, April, August and October.
The application periods for these are November, February, June and August.
Choose an exam date that gives you enough time to prepare for the mrcp part 1 and revise topics like clinical sciences. Once you've decided apply by the application period deadline via the MRCP uk website.
MRCP Part 1 Results & Pass Mark
MRCP exam results are published on the MRCP UK Part 1 website, with each candidate able to view their specific results by logging into their account.
To pass the MRCP Part 1 exam, you will have to get a mark higher than 540 across the two papers.
Most scores will range anywhere from 200 to 800. With the use of equating, the difficulty of each question and the overall exam will have been considered as well.
The pass rate or mark of this exam fluctuates based on its difficulty level but the pass rate is consistently determined through equating across different sittings.
Scores range from 200, 800 with 540 as the passing point.
MRCP UK provides access to their results online so that you can track your performance throughout each examination session and increase chances of success via dedication and hard work. Reaching or exceeding a score of 540 will grant passage into college.
You can review the latest performance reports here.
Preparing for the MRCP Part 1 Exam: Mock Exams
For MRCP Part 1 exam preparation, an online question bank is the most important tool to help you pass with minimum time spent on MRCP preparation.
Books and online MRCP courses plus clinical experience can be very helpful for preparation but mock exams and online question banks and past papers will help you to prepare for Part 1 effectively.
Utilizing MRCP sample questions and taking mock exams are an essential minimum for getting familiar with the format of the exam as well as assessing one mark own knowledge level regarding topics covered in it.
They can highlight candidate weaknesses which must then be studied more carefully before sitting down for real tests.
To prepare successfully and pass first time, doctors should study the UK internal medical training curriculum along with internal medicine education modules from national guidelines along with up-to-date textbooks and prepare with past papers. Courses are helpful for PACES but not recommended for Part 1 where past papers and mock exams will more effectively help you cover topics like clinical sciences for the MRCP Part 1 exam.
On exam day, by combining these resources & strategies, you will feel better equipped than ever to prepare to tackle MRCP part 1 examination confidently.
Royal Colleges Resources
The Royal Colleges of Physicians London and Glasgow have created comprehensive learning resources to assist doctors preparing for the MRCP(UK) examinations. This suite offers a broad range of materials designed to help pinpoint any areas in need of improvement and create an individualised study plan. With these invaluable tools provided by both the royal college of physicians and colleges, physicians can better equip themselves with the knowledge required for success on this important UK exam, especially when tackling Part 1.
Specialty Certificate Examinations
Specialty Certificate Examinations (SCEs) are respected postgraduate qualifications that determine the expertise, knowledge, and conduct of physicians in training. These globally recognized assessments offer appropriate practice questions to enable one to take on an actual exam. The goal of three exams is to provide medical regulatory bodies with evidence of a doctor’s capacity for competency and understanding before they take MRCP Part 1 preparation tests.
The use of SCEs during your study period prior to your MRCP exam can give you more insight into test content sample questions, while ensuring readiness when undertaking part 1 exams.
Progressing After MRCP Part 1
After passing MRCP Part 1, candidates can continue with the MRCP Part 2 exam.
MRCP Part 2
After passing the MRCP Part 1 exam, physicians in training are eligible to take part in an examination known as MRCP Part 2. This two-part written test contains 100 multiple choice questions on each paper and is used to gauge a doctor's understanding, skillset, and behavior. In order for candidates to be accepted onto this course of study, they must submit their application form with the requisite fee attached.
Through progressing from Part 1 to MRCP Part 2, practitioners will continually build upon their baseline knowledge obtained at the start of this journey in medicine so as to bolster their expertise as medical professionals.
Higher Specialist Training
Higher Specialist Training (HST) is the final part of advancing from student to specialist in medicine. Completing HST requires between 4 and 6 years dedicated solely to developing expertise in a specific field, allowing for refinement of both skills and knowledge related to offering top-notch patient care. This type of training gives an individual the chance to become a qualified expert within their chosen area.
MRCP Part 1 Summary
On your journey to becoming a physician, it is essential that you understand the basics five format of the MRCP Part 1 exam.
We have provided an in-depth guide regarding eligibility criteria example questions, format and content, as well as valuable resources for test prep.
By adhering to these guidelines and dedicating yourself fully to preparation, taking on this important examination will become much simpler with confidence radiating from each response given during the assessment process.
Aside from passing this particular exam though. Success can be measured through gaining vital knowledge about medical practice while refining applicable skills along the way too, overcoming challenges that may arise while in medical employment and aiming towards eventually thriving within your chosen field of expertise is one mark always worth striving for!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MRCP Part 1?
MRCP Part 1 is a professional qualification which assesses an individual's knowledge and understanding of clinical sciences and important disorders, determining their suitability to enter specialist training. It is a highly sought after certificate that demands a lot of dedication and hard work.
What is the pass score for the MRCP Part 1?
The MRCP Part 1 Exam requires a score of 540 or above in mock exams in order to be passed. The result of mock exams is determined by adding up the correct answers from both tests, with scores typically between 200 and 800. With adequate effort and commitment, this exam can definitely be cleared successfully.
MRCP stands for Membership of Royal Colleges Physicians - it's part one out of three exams and two papers necessary to pass the test – make sure you put sufficient time into preparing your papers adequately!
What is MRCP Part 1 vs Part 2?
In order to become a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, both MRCP Part 1 and 2 exams must be taken, with part one assessing core medical knowledge through MCQs while part two requires responding to different clinical cases example questions and images.
Both exams demonstrate an advanced level of understanding as well as expertise in medicine.
Is MRCP Part 2 easier than Part 1?
The MRCP Part 2 exam is more demanding than the first part. This can be attributed to its complexity as it tests one’s knowledge on investigations, diagnosis and management of conditions, a concept that makes this particular test harder than others.
When looking at both parts from an overall perspective, we can conclude that MRCP Part 2 carries a greater difficulty level for students seeking their qualification as well as higher fees.
What is MRCP exam UK?
The MRCP UK Diploma and Specialty Certificate Examinations are designed to measure the knowledge, skills and behaviours of doctors with regard to medical practice.
These assessments involve three parts: Part 1 consists of two papers each lasting three hours which test comprehension on clinical sciences.
Both UK diploma qualifications as well as specialty certificates can be acquired by passing one correct answer on these examinations.
Join Shiken For FREE
