MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (PACES) - Deferment Policy

Candidates may be aware that the Colleges have been unable to accommodate all the applications for the recent diets of the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examination (PACES) due to an increased number of applications. The Colleges are working hard to maximise the number of clinical places available. However, in the event that it is not possible to place all applicants in this diet, some may have to be deferred until the next available opportunity. This is likely to be in the next diet. Any candidate who is not allocated a clinical space in this diet would be given priority for a place in the next diet. A waiting list will be created for candidates who have not been accommodated.

Candidates are normally selected for inclusion in the diet on the basis of the time the application was received, using the "first come, first served" principle. However, the MRCP(UK) Clinical Examining Board reserves the right to defer candidates who have achieved a low score in the immediate previous diet of PACES because the probability of such a candidate passing at the next diet is low indicating a need for a further period of clinical training.

Candidates will be kept informed of further developments but if you have any queries please contact one of the Examination Departments within the Colleges.

MRCP(UK) Central Office