Consideration of Disabilities and Special Arrangements in MRCP(UK) Examinations
1.1 If a candidate is unable, through disability or need, to be assessed by the normal methods, an MRCP(UK) Examining Board may vary these as appropriate. It is recognised that the academic implications of the additional needs of candidates will vary in terms of:
- the nature and extent of the difficulty or disability;
- the individual examination requirements.
1.2 The purpose of any specific arrangements should be to compensate for any restrictions imposed by a disability without impairing the validity of the assessment.
1.3 In considering any such arrangement the MRCP(UK) Examining Board will bear in mind its obligations both to the professional and academic standing of the MRCP(UK) Examination as well as its responsibilities to the Disabilities Discrimination Act.
1.4 Candidates found to be making false claims in respect of disability or special need will be subject to the MRCP(UK) Professional and Academic Misconduct Procedures.
2.1 Candidates will be expected to provide details of any disability or need with every MRCP(UK) Examination application they wish to make. Whenever such a need is identified the MRCP(UK) Central Office should be the first to be alerted to the existence of an additional need (with details being passed on to the Head of the MRCP(UK) Central Office). Candidates have the opportunity of indicating on their application form whether they have any special arrangements but it is expected that they will provide additional information as requested in this procedure.
2.2 The candidate will be expected to submit written details of any special need they wish to be taken into account to the MRCP(UK) Central Office. These details should include:
- Name of Candidate;
- Date(s) of Examination;
- Summary of Disabilities or additional needs;
- Documentary Evidence (a signed and dated document from an organisation or authority who can support the request, i.e. a letter from a doctor or relevant expert).
2.3 An initial assessment of the request will be made by the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office (or his/her nominated representative). This will seek to ensure that the appropriate details have been submitted and that the request is ready for formal consideration.
3.1 It is anticipated that the Chairman and Medical Secretary of the relevant MRCP(UK) Examining Board will be nominated to agree arrangements on behalf of the Board to ensure that decisions can be reached in a timely fashion.
3.2 It is only at the MRCP(UK) Examining Board’s discretion (or that of the nominated representatives) that alternative arrangements in assessments for candidates with disabilities or special arrangments can be permitted. The MRCP(UK) Examining Boards (or nominated representatives) are unlikely to accept the use of alternative assessment arrangements for candidates without the appropriate professional or medical advice to substantiate the need for such provision being made.
3.3 Once an additional need has been identified, with the candidate providing MRCP(UK) Central Office with the appropriate documentation, arrangements will be made for the documentation to be presented to the Chairman and Secretary of the relevant MRCP(UK) Examining Board. An assessment must be made as to the appropriate measures to be taken to assist the candidate and at the same time to assess what academic implications that additional need has for the meeting of the requirements of the MRCP(UK) Examination.
3.4 Should granting a request affect the arrangements for delivering any other component of the MRCP(UK) Examination then the matter must be brought to the attention of the appropriate MRCP(UK) Examining Board. This will enable the Chairman and Medical Secretary of each MRCP(UK) Examining Board to consider the request and make an appropriate recommendation. The MRCP(UK) Examining Board will have to consider the matter before making a final decision.
3.5 The Disabilities Discrimination Act requires the MRCP(UK) Examining Boards to consider making a reasonable adjustment to MRCP(UK) assessments. It is accepted that the Boards may agree one of the following arrangements if the candidate’s circumstances justify such action:
- An extension of the normal registration period between the completion of MRCP(UK) Part 1 and the completion of MRCP(UK) Part 2;
- An extension of the normal registration period between the completion of MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination and the completion of MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES);
- Enlargement of exam scripts or materials;
- The use of a scribe or an amanuensis;
- The use of an appropriate aid during the clinical examination;
- Extra time allowed for assessments.
This is not an exclusive range of remedies but an example of the normal arrangements available to the MRCP(UK) Examining Boards.
3.6 Once an assessment has been made and a case put forward, the MRCP(UK) Examining Board will seek to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement with the candidate. No arrangements are valid unless the written approval from the MRCP(UK) Examining Board has been obtained. A period of time will need to be agreed for which the arrangements are valid. The MRCP(UK) Examining Board may need to take independent advice to ensure that any proposed arrangements are appropriate.
3.7 Any adjustment that might require a change to any part of the MRCP(UK) Examination format will need the approval of the MRCP(UK) Management Board. The MRCP(UK) Examining Board may seek the advice of the MRCP(UK) Management Board if the case raises issues of policy. The MRCP(UK) Management Board may need to take independent advice to ensure that the proposed course of action is not in conflict with the Disabilities Discrimination Act or any other relevant legislation.
3.8 The MRCP(UK) Examining Board or the MRCP(UK) Management Board will need to provide reasons should they not be willing to agree specific arrangements for a candidate.
4.1 If at any stage in the process the action taken or arrangements proposed are disputed by the candidate, the Head of Operations, MRCP(UK) Central Office, should be informed. The Head of Operations, along with the MRCP(UK) Medical Director, having assessed the facts of the situation and consulted the interested parties, should, in the absence of a consensus, make a recommendation to the MRCP(UK) Examining Board or the MRCP(UK) Management Board on what arrangements they consider appropriate. No arrangements should be made that do not meet with the approval of the MRCP(UK) Examining Boards or the MRCP(UK) Management Board.
4.2 Should a candidate consider that circumstances have subsequently affected their performance in the MRCP(UK) Examination they may invoke the MRCP(UK) Appeal Procedures.