An Insight into: MRCP
The Royal College of Physicians examination MRCP is designed to test a doctor’s skills, knowledge and behaviour of Medicine.
The examination has three parts to it:
- MRCP Part 1
- MRCP Part 2 Written
- MRCP Part 2 Clinical (PACES)
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with an overview of the full qualification and some top tips to help you successfully pass.
MRCP Part 1
Overview:
One-day examination
2 x 3-hour papers
100 multiple-choice questions per paper
No images
Sat in an examination hall
MRCP Part 1 is considered an entry-level examination that is accessible to doctors with a minimum of 12-months postgraduate experience. The examination covers a broad range of topics to ensure the level of knowledge is appropriate to doctors at the beginning of their postgraduate training.
The content of the exam is based on a blueprint (2020/1), with the number standing for the number of questions, which include:
Cardiology 14, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 15, Clinical Sciences 25, Dermatology 8, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine 14, Gastroenterology and Hepatology 14, Geriatric Medicine 8, Haematology 10, Infectious Diseases 14 and Neurology 14
The Royal College of Physicians believes that knowledge is an essential base for the practice of clinical reasoning and a vital basis for leaning during postgraduate training to develop understanding of diseases and their treatments.
The exam will present you with five options: one correct answer, and four alternatives to the correct answer. You must choose the best answer from the five possible answers and each correct answer is awarded one mark. There is no negative marking during this assessment.
MRCP Part 2
The purpose of MRCP Part 2 is to build on your knowledge assessed in Part 1, testing the acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge, skills and behaviour.
Overview:
2x three-hour papers
Both papers sat in one day
100 multiple-choice questions
Questions include images
MRCP Part 2 will test your ability to apply clinical understanding, make clinical judgements and take responsibility for:
- Prioritising diagnotic or problem lists
- Planning investigation
- Selecting a plan for immediate management
- Selecting a plan for long-term management
- Assessing prognosis
MRCP blueprint 2020/1 is:
Cardiology 19, Dermatology 9, Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine 19, Gastroenterology 19, Geriatric Medicine 9, Haematology 9, Infectious Diseases and GUM 19, Neurology 17, Nephrology 19, Oncology and Palliative Medicine 9, Ophthalmology 3, Psychiatry 3, Respiratory Medicine 19, Rheumatology 9 and Therapeutics and Toxicology 18.
You should note, that the above blueprint is only guidance and the actual number of questions may vary by up to 2%.
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MRCP Part 2 Clinical Examination (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills – PACES)
Overview:
- Half-day examination
- Assesses seven core skills
- Five stations
- Eight patient encounters
- Two independent examiners at each station
This practical examination is designed to test the clinical knowledge and skills of doctors who want to enter higher specialist training – ST3 level.
There are five clinical stations where ‘patients’ will be given a condition. At each station, there will be two independent examiners who are senior physicians and recruited to assess you.
The Seven Core Skills:
Station 1: Respiratory (10 minutes) Abdominal (10 minutes)
Station 2: History Taking (20 minutes)
Station 3: Cardiovascular (10 minutes) Neurological (10 minutes)
Station 4: Communication, Skill and Ethics (20 minutes)
Station 5: Brief Clinical Consultation 1 (10 minutes) Brief Clinical Consultation 2 (10 minutes)
If you’ve recently booked to sit a part of the MRCP Qualification, best of luck from the entire ID Medical team!
Perhaps you would like some guidance on how to apply for GMC Registration?
Our Top 3 Tips on Supporting your Revision:
1. Find a study partner and then group
Making use of your peers is essential when it comes to studying. When studying independently, you’ll always see your material from the same perspective – yours. However, when you study with a group, you’ll receive a fresh perspective on the topic which can help you learn more thoroughly. You can also listen, ask questions and then you can start to notice a variety of viewpoints on the same fact/research/process.
In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to observe new ways of studying to suit your learning needs. This could include recording yourself speaking about a topic, listening to a podcast or creating colourful diagrams.
2. Make use of the online community
Following on from the previous point, there are thousands of doctors online who have all successfully passed MRCP. Facebook for example, offers a range of supporting Groups to aid your learning, ask questions from peers, receive advice from those who have obtained the qualification and most importantly, receive support.
Why not join our Facebook Group, ‘The UK Doctors Network’? We share a range of resources on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS. From what to expect during an NHS interview, how to apply for a Tier 2 visa to how to secure UK accommodation.
3. Mock Exams
On top of learning, studying and preparing for your exams, it’s important that you conduct regular mock examinations. A mock exam will provide you with the topics you have not yet mastered and it will encourage you to focus future learning on weaker areas.
Setting yourself regular mock exams to complete will help you retain the information you’re studying; this is because you’ll know you have to remember it all for a particular date.
Lastly, performing an exercise regularly can help reduce your stress and anxiety levels around the activity and so, when it comes to the real examination, you’ll not feel as overwhelmed allowing you to focus on your knowledge and medical application.
Sign Up With ID Medical Today and Receive our support to secure an NHS post!
If you’re an international doctor who possesses full MRCP and you are looking to secure an NHS job, we can help you! When you register with us, you’ll be allocated a dedicated Recruitment Consultant that will support you every step of the way.
We will ensure:
- We take the time to understan dyour needs to match you with an NHS hospital that will support your career development
- Provide you with interview preparation support
- Provide you with Tier 2 visa guidance
- Support you with the entire relocation process from securing accommodation in the UK to finding schools for your children
If you’re interested, send your CV to us at marketing@id-medical.com. Alternatively, just hit the button below to sign up with us today.
