Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new PACES examination, originally scheduled for 2020, had to be delayed. We are pleased to confirm that the new format (also previously referred to as PACES23) has now been introduced from the third Diet of 2023*.
Kindly note that MRCP(UK) services are currently impacted by an IT outage. We are currently working with our IT team to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and will provide an update in due course. Thank you for your understanding.
Our next live Twitter Q&A is taking place on Thursday 21 September from 3pm-4pm. We warmly invite you to take the opportunity to ask our medical directors any questions you have about exams.
Join the conversation here.
The Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK is seeking to appoint a highly motivated Medical Director for Assessments to provide clinical and academic leadership for the MRCP(UK) examinations: Part 1, Part 2 Written, PACES, and the 11 Specialty Certificate and European Specialty Examinations, two of which are harmonised European examinations.
Please see the advert for more details, including the role specification and closing date.
We rely on many organisations and individuals to give up their time and resources in the delivery of PACES every year. In recognition of this commitment, we have developed the PACES Champion Award. Both UK and international recipients are chosen from nominations which are put forward by anyone who is involved in the exam.
As we launch PACES23 from the third diet of 2023, learn about the changes and what remains the same by joining us for our webinar at 1pm - 3pm (BST) on Friday 4 August 2023.
During the presentations, you will have the opportunity to submit questions via the question box which will then be answered by our Medical Directors during the live Q&A at the end.
Click here for more information.
We have a long-standing policy to allow doctors in the UK who hold recognised refugee status to pay a reduced fee of £50 when applying to sit the Part 1 Examination.
Following a review of this policy, the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK has decided that this reduced fee will also apply to both the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written and PACES examinations from the 2023/03 diets.
The RCP has appointed Dr Rasha Mukhtar to the post of senior examiner for PACES examinations.
Dr Mukhtar takes over the role from Dr Abdul-Majeed Salmasi who demits after four years in the role on 30 September.
Thank you to all those who have recently reached out to MRCP(UK) about the availability of places for PACES exams in international centres.
We fully acknowledge that the current application process can be frustrating for many, and to improve this we are undertaking an extensive Digital Transformation Programme which we expect will significantly improve the experience of the doctors and candidates whom we serve.
There will be four broad prioritisation categories (see below) for allocating candidates living and working in the UK to available PACES places.
I’d like to apologise for the concern caused this week by the delay in release of the results of the 2022/4 diet of the MRCP(UK) Part 2 examination. We did email all candidates around the world to advise of the delay, but I appreciate that this was at short notice.
We understand that waiting for examination results is a stressful time, and delay can amplify that stress. I know too that knowledge of results can aid planning of the next steps in training and careers and the timing of leave requests.
MRCP(UK) no longer requires any individual attending a PACES examination centre to complete a health questionnaire or perform COVID testing prior to their attendance.
Standard infection control measures will however remain in place and as a minimum will include strict adherence with hand hygiene guidance and the wearing of face masks. Some centres may require additional measures, and candidates and examiners will be expected to adhere to any additional measures notified to you on the day of the examination.
During our quality assurance procedures for the 2022/03 PACES diet results we identified a small number of discrepancies between the marks recorded on the marksheets from the examination and those recorded on our electronic systems and subsequently issued to candidates.
The MRCP(UK) Part 1 2022/04 exam results have now been released.
Candidates can view them in their MyMRCP(UK) accounts here.