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.
1551 candidates sat this examination around the world, some online and some in on-paper format. We need to have the results of the entire cohort available to us to run important quality assurance processes, relating for example to the performance of every question we included in the examination. Issues with computer networking and connectivity which affected the uploading of results of the on-paper results delayed this process such that we could not construct the entire cohort dataset we require. Consequently, we could not release the results at the correct time.
Results which were due to be issued today, 25 January, will now be issued by 6pm (GMT), Friday 27 January at the latest.
Again, I am very sorry for this delay and the late notice given to you. We have informed our regulator, the GMC, of the issue and will ensure in the future that we give as much notice as possible of potential delays in release of results, whatever their cause. The hardware problem that led to this specific delay is being addressed.
If candidates have any question or concerns about the issuing of their Part 2 results, please contact part2written@mrcpuk.org.
Professor Andrew Elder
Chair, Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK