Host information and guidelines

Hosting involves setting up an exam centre at your local hospital. You will oversee the organisation of the exam and be responsible for securing a venue, recruiting patients, sourcing administrative support and writing Station 5 scenarios.

Dr Jeremy Stern, Consultant Neurologist at Frimley Park Hospital speaks on the benefits of hosting:

"Hosting, like many of our other roles, is a team building exercise. It is professionally very satisfying and justifies the commitment required. Apart from the opportunity to provide places for trainees and future specialists it is an essential way to become more involved in PACES and support MRCP(UK). Hosting adds to the education portfolio in the hospital and attracts interest from local colleagues. Several of our colleagues became new examiners which is a benefit for the local CMTs in their own exam preparations."

If you would like to host the exam, contact your college

To host PACES, you need

  • Agreement from trust officials to provide space and time to host the exam
  • A minimum of one examiner on site to act as the official ‘host’ or lead examiner. Clinicians who are not examiners can be involved in the organisation of the exam.  The official examiner must have completed examiner training.
  • Availability of administrator(s) to assist with exam organisation.
  • Sufficient number of patients to run three cycles of the exam per day for two days; (Stations 2 and 4 are based on scenarios that can be performed by actors)

 The total cost will be covered by your affiliate college. Expenses that are expected to be incurred include the following:

  • Centre venue hire
  • Catering
  • Cost of nursing staff
  • Administration costs
  • Patient gifts

How do I find out about setting up a new centre?

If you are interested in hosting please contact your affiliated college  to express your interest and they will happily discuss dates and provide all the support you need.

During each exam cycle, candidate scores must be recorded on the electronic Candidate Performance Summary (eCPS) and then emailed to the relevant College. Please see the Guide to using the eCPS for instructions.

Documents for use ahead of exam day

Scenario Template  
Scenario Writing Guidance  
Information for patients at Stations 1b, 3 and 4b To be distributed to patient volunteers in advance of the exam
Information for surrogates at Stations 1a and 4a To be distributed to patient volunteers in advance of the exam
Information for patients and surrogates at Stations 2 and 5 To be distributed to patient volunteers in advance of the exam
Signs: exams in progress Exam day signage
Signs: MRCP(UK) direction signs and arrows Exam day signage
Signs: MRCP(UK) station signs Exam day signage

Documents for use on the day

Clock/timer instructions Instructions for the Jessop Triple Timer Clock and the Quantum 3 Timer Clock
Discussion sheet Used to highlight candidates who require written counselling
Centre audit form Completed by Host and Chair examiner at each centre
Centre Incident Form Completed by Host and Chair examiner at each centre
Inappropriate and/or Inconsiderate Communication Definition of Inappropriate and/or Inconsiderate Communication in the PACES exam
Calibration sheets Used by examiners to agree the scoring for each case
Scenario Assessment Form - Station 1 and 4 To be completed by examiners in Station 1 and 4
Scenario Assessment Form - Station 2 and 5 To be completed by examiners in Station 2 and 5

PACES23 examiners

PACES23 chair guide  All chair examiners please familiarise yourself with the chair guide
PACES23 examiners guide Detailed instructions on running the exam information on exam regulations
PACES23 host guidelines A quick guide focused on exam day setup and administration

International centres

Chair of Examiners Report Completed by the Chair of Examiners at each centre
Confidentiality agreement station content To be signed by all examiners and individuals involved with organising the examination at the centre
Confidentiality agreement results To be signed by all examiners and individuals involved with organising the examination at the centre