All You Need to Know About MRCGP UK

MRCGP (Member of Royal College of Physicians), UK is a core, medical, post-graduate degree that is awarded upon completion of three parts. Students can pursue an MRCA degree abroad without having to write the PLAB exam. MRCGP, UK exam is a requirement for medical specialization and degree opens several pathways for graduates.

This blog covers all the major points which you need to know about exam. 

BLOG CONTAINS

• Exam Requirements
• Exam Parts
• Exam Covers
• Exam Dates
• Passing Marks
• Exam Format & Time
• Examination Results
• Location and Fee
• MRCGP Preparation
• Apply for MRCGP Examination Online
• Number of Attempts
• MRCGP Exam Passing Rates Trends
• FAQs

MRCGP Exam Requirements

Trainees all around the world can sit the exam providing that they meet the eligibility criteria, that is the candidate has a GMC recognized Primary Medical Qualification and a minimum 12 months postgraduate experience in field of medical employmen

Exam Parts

The MRCGP(UK) Diploma and Specialty Certificate Examinations are designed to test the skills, knowledge and behavior of doctors in training. It has t

Part 1

The MRCGP(UK) covers a broad range of topics to ensure the level of knowledge is appropriate to physicians at the beginning of postgraduate training. 

Part 2

The MRCGP(UK) Part 2 is a written exam which can be taken by physicians in training who have passed the MRCGP(UK) Part 1 exam.

PACES

Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills – PACES is the (UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination which is designed for trainee doctors who hope to enter higher specialist training (ST3). Before taking PACES, Part 1 written exam must be passed within the last 7 years.

MRCGP Exam Covers

MRCGP examination tests you on the following areas: 

Part 1

– medical knowledge
– skills and behavior specified in  Training Curriculum, UK. 
– understanding of the Core Medical Training.

Part 2

– clinical understanding and make clinical judgements 
– prioritizing diagnostic or problem lists
– planning investigation
– selecting a plan for immediate management
– selecting a plan for long-term management
– assessing prognosis.

PACES

This exam sets rigorous standards to ensure your competence across a range of skills and you are ready to provide a high standard of care to patients. 

MRCGP Exam Dates

2022 MRCGP Part 1 

– 26 Sept – 3 Oct 2022
 – 7  Nov – 14 Nov 2022

2022 MRCGP Part 2

 – 10 Oct – 17 Oct 2022
 – 21  Nov – 28 Nov 2022

2022 MRCGP PACES

 – 14  Nov – 21 Nov 2022

MRCGP Passing Marks

MRCGP part 1 general passing marks are 540.

MRCGP part 2 general passing marks are 454.

MRCGP PACES general passing marks are 130. As

 – Physical Examination = 16 marks (66.6%)
 – Identifying Physical Signs = 14 marks (58.3%)
 – Clinical Communication = 11 marks (68.7%)
 – Differential Diagnosis = 17 marks (60.7%)
 – Clinical Judgement = 19 marks (59.3%)
 – Managing Patient Concerns – 10 marks (62.5%)
 – Managing Patient Welfare = 28 marks (87.5%)

MRCGP Exam Format and Time

The format and time schedule for MRCGP Examination is as;

MRCGP Part 1 has a two-paper format. Each paper is 3 hours in duration and contains 100 MCQs (multiple choice questions) in best of five format.

SPECIALTY	NO. 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	10
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

MRCGP Part 2 has 200 questions in a two-paper format held over one day. Each paper is 3 hours and contains 100 MCQs (multiple choice questions)

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	6
Palliative medicine and end of life care	3
Psychiatry	3
Renal medicine	19
Respiratory medicine	19
Rheumatology	9
Total	200

PACES has five clinical stations, assessed by two independent examiners. Can be start at any one of the stations and move to the next every 20 minutes until you have completed the cycle. There is a 5-minute period between each station.

Clinical Skills

A – Physical Examination
B – Identifying Physical Signs
C – Clinical Communication
D – Differential Diagnosis
E – Clinical Judgement
F – Managing Patients’ Concerns
G – Maintaining Patient Welfare

STATION	ENCOUNTER	SKILLS ASSESSED
1	Respiratory	A:B:D:E:G
1	Abdomen	A:B:D:E:G
2	History	C:D:E:F:G
3	Cardiovascular	A:B:D:E:G
3	Nervous System	A:B:D:E:G
4	Communication	C:E:F:G
5	Station 5 (1)	All seven
5	Station 5 (2)	All seven

MRCGP Examination Results

Examination results are published on the website through candidates’ (UK) accounts after the examination. 

2023 Part 1 Result:

– 11 January 2022
– 8 March 2023

2023 Part 2 Result:

– 25 January 2022
– 5 April 2023

2023 PACES Result:

– 14 November 2022
– 27 March 2023

Location and Fee

Exam are conducted internationally. The listed countries are;

 – 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
– UAE
 – West Indies

The Fee for MRCGP is as

MRCGP Part 1:

 – £  460(UK)  / £ 616(Int.)

MRCGP Part 2:

 – £  460(UK)  / £ 616(Int.)

MRCGP PACES:

 – £ 657

Apply for MRCGP Examination Online

To find out how to set up an online My (UK) account in order to apply for an examination please watch this video.

Please avoid duplicate accounts as this will delay your application. RCP number will only be sent when an account is created and applied for an examination. This number is unique to you and should be used when contacting the colleges.

Number of Attempts

Candidates who are applying to sit Part 1 for the first time from the 1 January 2022, will be allowed a maximum of six attempts at each part of (UK). Candidates who reach six attempts for any individual examination will be allowed to apply for one exceptional additional attempt. 

A maximum of one exceptional attempt at any examination will be permitted. Candidates who reach the maximum number of attempts at any part of the examination will not be allowed to proceed.

MRCGP Exam Passing Rate Trend

In general, the data suggest that pass rates are highest when candidates:

Make their first attempt at the Part 1 Examination within 12 to 24 months of graduation

make their first attempt at the Part 2 Written Examination within 36 months of graduation

Delay their first attempt at the Part 2 Clinical Examination, PACES, until 36 months after graduating

Pass the Part 2 Written Examination before attempting PACES

FAQs

Q: Withdraw from an exam? 

Candidates must submit a withdrawal request form online (or a letter or email will be accepted) to their administrative office as soon as possible, providing their name, RCP code number and date of birth.

Candidates who withdraw before the advertised closing date will be given a 90% refund of the exam fee, with 10% of the fee deducted as an administration charge.

Candidates who withdraw after the closing date will only be entitled to a 90% refund in exceptional circumstances providing documentary evidence can be supplied to support their request; any outstanding fees must be resolved in order to sit future (UK) examinations.

Q: Transfer to a different Exam center?

(UK) candidates who wish to transfer to a different examination center must send their request in writing to their administrative office, outlining the reasons for the request. Please note that all such requests are subject to center and space availability, and that we cannot guarantee that a transfer request will be granted. For the Part 1 and Part 2 written examinations the final deadline to submit a transfer request is the same as the application closing date for the relevant examination.

Candidates who wish to transfer their PACES centers may submit their request at any time before the date of the examination. Candidates should note however, that due to high demand available spaces in all PACES centers will be extremely limited.

Q: First come first server rule apply for PACES centers? 

No.  Candidates can apply at any time during an application period and be considered for a space (subject to normal eligibility requirements).  There is no advantage to applying early in an application period.