Archives: Exams

MRCEM INTERMEDIATE EXAM OVERVIEW

The Membership examination consists of the following components:

MRCEM Primary Single Best Answer (SBA)
MRCEM Intermediate Single Best Answer (SBA)
MRCEM Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

All MRCEM components are blueprinted to the RCEM 2021 Emergency Medicine Curriculum

MRCEM Intermediate Examination

• 2 x 2-hour (180 minutes) papers
• 90 single best answer questions (SBAQ) per paper (180 total)

Requirements:

A candidate will be eligible to enter the MRCEM Intermediate SBA examination provided they:
a) Hold a medical qualification approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of registration and
b) Has completed the UK Foundation Programme or equivalent (electronic evidence will be required at point of application) and
c) Has passed the MRCEM Part A examination after 1 August 2012 and prior to 31 July 2016 or
d) Has passed the FRCEM Primary examination after 1 August 2016 or
e) Has passed the MRCEM Primary examination after 1 August 2021 or
f) Is a DREEM trainee and has been granted exemption from the FRCEM Primary, MRCEM Part A or MRCEM Primary as a result of obtaining MRCS or MRCSI after 1 January 2012

RCEM delivers its written examinations electronically via computer-based testing
company, Pearson VUE.

Learn more

Medical Student Years 1-3

Our question repository comprises more than 5,000 Single Best Answer Questions that cater to students in their preclinical years. Geared towards students in the initial stages of medical school, this resource places emphasis on fundamental clinical sciences encompassing anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and more.

Designed to support you in preparing for exams and consolidating knowledge quickly and efficiently through MCQs with detailed explanations.

MRCP EXAM OVERVIEW

The MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians) Diploma and Specialty Certificate Examinations are designed to test the skills, knowledge and behaviour of doctors in training. It has three parts:

– MRCP(UK) Part 1

– MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written

– MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES)

Successful completion of the entire three-part examination is required before beginning specialist internal medicine training in the UK.

Note: After passing Part 1, you have the option to sit the MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written or Part 2 Clinical (PACES) examinations in either order, or simultaneously in the same assessment period.

MRCP Part 2 Examination

Requirements:

The MRCP(UK) Part 2 written exam can be taken by physicians in training who have passed the MRCP(UK) Part 1 exam. It builds on the knowledge assessed in Part 1 and tests the acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge, skills and behaviour as specified in the UK Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training / Curriculum for Internal Medicine.

Medical Student Finals

Our question repository comprises more than 6,000 Single Best Answer Questions that cater to students preparing for their finals. These questions are specifically designed for medical students in their advanced years and cover essential clinical topics in a comprehensive manner that is suitable for finals.

The UKMLA (Medical Licensing Assessment) is the proposed assessment for all doctors who wish to practise medicine in the UK, graduating in the academic year 2024- 2025 in the UK, and international medical graduates.

The UKMLA will be composed of two parts: the AKT (applied knowledge test) and the CPSA (clinical and professional skills assessment). Both components will assess a range of knowledge and competencies, outlined in the MLA learning outcomes.

The AKT will be made up of 150 to 200 single, best-answer questions chosen, from a question bank, by the local medical school.

MSRA Exam Overview

The Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a single computer-based exam comprising a Professional Dilemmas (PD) paper and a Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) paper. It is intended to assess candidates with a foundation level of competence.

Many specialties – namely community sexual and reproductive health, general practice, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and radiology – use the MSRA in selection processes for specialty training.

1. Professional Dilemmas (PD) Paper

• 95 minutes paper
• 50 questions – half multiple choice questions (MCQ) and half rank options in order.
• Assesses you against three core competencies:
  – Professional integrity
  – Coping with pressure
  – Empathy and sensitivity

2. Clinical Problem Solving (CPS) Paper

• 75 minutes paper
• 97 questions – half Single Best Answers (SBA) and half Extended Matching Questions (EMQ).
• CPS paper poses scenarios that test candidates’ ability to apply their knowledge and use problem-solving skills to make clinical decisions. CPS items are based in 12 clinical topic areas relevant to general medicine.

MRCGP AKT Exam Overview

The MRCGP examination is the postgraduate medical qualification currently required to attain a certificate of completion of training (CCT) in General Practice.

The MRCGP examination is made up of three individual components, each of which tests different competencies:

1. Workplace Based Assessments (WPBAs)
2. The Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
3. The Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA)

The AKT is a computer-based assessment that forms part of the MRCGP.

It tests the knowledge base behind independent general practice in the UK within the context of the NHS.

AKT Examination

• 3-hours + 10 mins (190 minutes)
• 200 questions
• 80% on clinical knowledge, 10% on evidence-based practice and 10% on primary care organisation and management issues.

Requirements:

You can take the AKT during or after the ST2 stage of GP training.

A maximum of four attempts is allowed if you entered GP Specialty Training on or after 1 August 2010.

MRCPsych Paper B Exam Overview

MRCPsych Paper B is a written paper which assesses critical review and the clinical topics in psychiatry.

Paper B will cover the following sections of the syllabus:

6. Organisation and Delivery of Psychiatric Services
7. General Adult Psychiatry
8. Old Age Psychiatry
9. Psychotherapy
10. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
11. Substance Misuse/Addictions
12. Forensic Psychiatry
13. Psychiatry of Learning Disability
14. Critical Review

Download syllabus

MRCPsych Paper A Examination

• 3-hour (180 minutes) paper
• 150 questions – two-thirds multiple choice questions (MCQ) and one-third extended matching item questions (EMI).
• One-third of the paper covers critical review.
• Two-thirds of the paper covers clinical topics.

Requirements:

You are eligible to take Paper B if:

you’re on an approved training programme. 12 months’ experience in psychiatry recommended before attempting Paper B.

OR
you are in a post recognised by your hospital or trust as having contracted time and funding for educational training. Your job plan must include dedicated time for academic and educational activities such as attending journal clubs, grand rounds, attending an MRCPsych course of equivalent, study leave and weekly educational supervision.

Eligibility instructions.

MRCPsych Paper A Exam Overview

MRCPsych Paper A is a written paper on the scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry.

Paper A covers the following sections of the syllabus:

1. Behavioural Science and Sociocultural Psychiatry
2. Human Development
3. Basic Neurosciences
4. Clinical Psychopharmacology
5. Classification and Assessment in Psychiatry

Download syllabus

MRCPsych Paper A Examination

3-hour (180 minutes) paper
150 questions – two-thirds multiple choice questions (MCQ) and one-third extended matching item questions (EMI).

Requirements:

You are eligible to take Paper A if you are a fully registered medical practitioner.
Further information can be found in the eligibility instructions.

PLAB EXAM

The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exam tests your ability to apply knowledge to care of patients. Questions relate to current best practice in the UK, and equipment routinely available in UK hospitals. The exam covers the common, important or acute conditions (those common in emergency departments) seen by trainees entering the second year of the Foundation Program (F2), and the management of long-term conditions seen in primary care. It excludes the advanced duties of a general practitioner (GP).

Note: You can’t apply for PLAB 2 before receiving a pass result on the PLAB 1. Once you’ve passed both part 1 and 2, you can apply for registration with a licence to practise in the UK. Your application must be approved within two years of passing part 2 of the test. If you fail PLAB 1, you can book to take the exam again provided you still meet all the requirements. You can attempt the exam a maximum of four times.

PLAB Part 1 Examination

• 1 Paper
• 180 Single best answer MCQs
• 3 Hours

Requirements:

– An acceptable overseas primary medical qualification. If you haven’t graduated yet, you will need confirmation you have passed your final examinations and are eligible for the qualification.

– You will need to provide your English language test scores. (learn more)