News

Part 1 examinations

• Results of the Part 1 exam that ran on 15 September have now been released. The results for the exam taken by remote online proctoring were not different to those for the paper-based exam.
• The contingency exam on 10 November is going ahead as planned for candidates who were registered for the September exam at paper centres who were cancelled but unable to secure an online place. Additionally, candidates who were registered for the online exam but were unable to enter paper 1 and/or paper 2 because of technical issues have also been offered a place at the November contingency sitting.
• The next diet of Part 1 will be on 12 January 2021; to be offered once again as a hybrid model, with candidates sitting it in both standard paper and in online format in the UK.
• For international candidates, the January diet will largely remain paper-based. However, we recognise that many international candidates need to pass Part 1 for career progression in their respective countries. With this in mind, we are looking at alternative solutions for those candidates, including a possible online option, in those specific countries. Further details on this will be released soon.
• The application window for the January diet has now opened. UK candidates can apply to either the online exam or spaces in a physical centre. The online provider requires several weeks to register candidates for the online exam, and so late changes from paper to online, or visa versa will not be possible.

Part 2 examinations

• The Part 2 exam will run on 27 October 2020.
• For UK candidates, this will be offered in hybrid form: both in traditional paper and in remotely proctored online formats (international candidates will only be able to take the traditional paper format).
• At the time of writing, all physical centres in the UK are running as planned. Some international centres (Iraq and Myanmar) are closed, and the respective candidates have been contacted, but all others are presently running.
• The contingency exam for Part 2 will take place in December. It will be offered to any candidates registered for the 27 October exam whose place at a UK physical centre is cancelled; and also to candidates who experience significant technical issues with the online exam in October.
• The subsequent diet of Part 2 will take place on 23 March 2021. This is again planned to be run in hybrid form (both paper and online formats) in the UK. Internationally it will remain largely paper-based; but as for Part 1, we will be looking to provide alternative solutions for international candidates who require Part 2 for career progression in their countries, which may include an online option. Further details will be provided when available.

Specialty Certificate Exams / European Specialty Exams

• The delayed Medical Oncology, Respiratory, Dermatology and Rheumatology SCEs and the delayed ESE in Gastroenterology and Hepatology have all run in the last week.
• Candidates whose exams have been cancelled due to local COVID-19 restrictions will be offered a backup exam. Plans for this are being developed, and details will be released when available.
• Still to come over the next few months are the SCEs in:
  • Acute Medicine (11 November)
  • Palliative Medicine (11 November)
  • Neurology (18 November)
  • Endocrinology & Diabetes (9 December)

Technical issues with remotely proctored online exams

• If you experience technical issues during a forthcoming online exam, please report these immediately afterwards. As stated in the Paragraph 2.3 of the regulations, any issues that arise during one of our exams should be reported immediately, click here to read more.
• During the online exam, you will be able to interact with the proctor; and you should bring any technical issues to their attention. Be aware, however, that their response may take time, as they may be dealing with other candidates, and so you should continue with the rest of the exam whilst awaiting their response.

Live MRCP(UK) Twitter chats

• Live Q&A sessions about the written exams occur on our Twitter account every second Tuesday afternoon at 3pm GMT. We have included items which have previously come up into our FAQs, so please check the website first.

Feedback

• We welcome feedback. If you have specific queries relating to your exam day please contact the exams office at your College of entry. Visit College addresses and numbers for contact details.
• For other general queries or suggestions please email: Policy.Officer@mrcpuk.org