MRCPUKMEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGESOF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

WORLD-CLASS CREDENTIALS

A Guide to MRCP(UK) and Specialty Certificate Examinationsfor Consultant Physicians in Training

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

Credentials tolaunch your career

This is an overview of the MRCP(UK) examination – andthe new Specialty Certificate Examinations (SCEs) thatwere introduced in 2008. These examinations aredeveloped and quality assured by the Federation ofRoyal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom.Around the world, they are seen as the ‘gold standard’among postgraduate qualifications for physicians.

Relevance to clinical practice is assured because theexams are professionally led by consultant physicians.They reflect current best practice, thanks to a process ofcontinual review.

The examinations demonstrate the achievement of aninternationally recognised standard and can complementnationally recognised qualifications.

Why the MRCP(UK)?

The MRCP(UK) is the membership examination for theFederation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK.While acceptance to one of the participating RoyalColleges is certainly a privilege, the MRCP(UK) also offersyou benefits that reach that much further.

The MRCP(UK) is recognised around the world as ahallmark of professional achievement. It is used incountries outside the UK as a benchmark standard forlocal postgraduate assessments.

Each year, some 14,000 doctors take one or morecomponents of the MRCP(UK) examination in 26countries worldwide.

Wherever you have studied, the MRCP(UK) confirms youhave achieved the highest standards, conferring a clearadvantage in an increasingly competitive market.

It is a qualification that is established and recognisedacross the world. Every year over 1,500 doctors frommany different parts of the world successfully completethe MRCP(UK).

MRCPUK

Your part in a proud history

The MRCP(UK) is awarded on behalf of theFederation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of theUK. This alliance represents three institutions,which guard many of Europe’s oldest and mostprestigious academic legacies:

• The Royal College of Physicians of London,founded 1518

• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeonsof Glasgow, founded 1599

• The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,founded 1681

All three Colleges were established with the aim ofensuring high standards of medical training andpractice. Today’s modern qualifications aredescended from examinations that wereintroduced some 150 years ago.

In the 21st century, successful completion of theMRCP(UK) examinations is a key requirement forfull membership of these Colleges, a distinctionthat is respected around the world.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

About theSpecialtyCertificateExaminationPassing the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE)provides objective evidence that you have theknowledge necessary to take on the role ofconsultant in your chosen specialty. It also brings theUK into alignment with other countries such as theUSA and Canada that have already introducedsimilar examinations for the same purpose.

The SCE was designed in response to importanttrends in medicine both in the UK and worldwide.The examination provides an internationalbenchmark for postgraduate medical education.

The examinations currently cover 11 separatespecialties. They have been developed by theFederation in association with the UK specialistsocieties, drawing on the expertise of more than 300specialist consultant physicians.

Physicians working outside the UK who have passedall parts of the MRCP(UK) are welcome to apply tosit the SCE, which allows you to compare yourperformance with peers on a global basis.

The SCE is a computerised test that you take at anindependently operated assessment centre. Thesecentres run in most countries – contact us onSCE.queries@mrcpuk.org to find out if there is acentre near you.

Passing the SCE is an important milestone for allphysicians moving to a senior level in the profession,typically four years after starting specialist training. Itis intended to be part of a broad-based trainingprogramme. This achievement confirms that:

• you have the knowledge to practise medicine toconsultant physician level

• your medical qualifications are understood andrespected by the public and the medicalcommunity

• the standard you achieve compares favourablywith standards anywhere in the world

If you are successful in the SCE, you will receive acertificate to validate your achievement.

MRCPUK

Participating specialties

The first Specialty Certificate Examinations (SCEs) wereintroduced in 2008 and the entire programme is beingintroduced over the next two years. Medical specialties thatnow offer, or are developing, the SCE include:

• Acute medicine• Dermatology• Endocrinology anddiabetes

• Gastroenterology• Geriatric medicine• Infectious diseases

• Medical oncology• Nephrology• Neurology• Palliative medicine• Respiratory medicine• Rheumatology

FAQs: The Specialty CertificateExaminationAm I eligible to take the Specialty CertificateExamination?All physicians who have obtained the MRCP(UK)may apply to take any of the SCEs.

What is the format for the Specialty CertificateExamination?The SCE is a summative assessment of your scientific and clinicalknowledge, and your problem-solving ability. The SCE takesaccount of the skills and attitudes necessary in the consultantphysician’s role as a clinical leader. For example, you mustdemonstrate an awareness of social, psychological and culturalfactors, and of evidence-based practice.

The examination questions, which are multiple-choice andusually include a clinical scenario, test the diagnosis,investigation, management and prognosis of patients. Results ofinvestigations and illustrations, such as images of scans, may alsoform part of a question. You are asked to choose the bestanswer from five possible alternatives. There are two sections,each of 100 items. Each section lasts three hours. You take theexam at an independent test centre, in a computer-basedformat.

How should I prepare?The SCE covers all areas of knowledge that you should haveacquired by the time you reach the last 18 months of yourspecialty training. Before taking the examination you shouldconsult your trainer. Curricula for various medical specialties arepublished on the website of the Joint Royal Colleges ofPhysicians Training Board (JRCPTB). Visit: www.jrcptb.org.uk

How do I apply?You can apply online via our website: www.mrcpuk.org/SCEPlease see the back page of this leaflet for more details.

How do I find my nearest test centre?Contact us by email: SCE.queries@mrcpuk.org

‘The MRCP(UK) and SCEs providethe gold standard for excellencein medical education for patientcare. All trainees should beencouraged to take them’Parveen Kumar is a Professor ofMedicine and Education and is aconsultant physician andgastroenterologist. She was bornin India and has worked for theUK’s NHS for over 40 years –mainly in north and east London.Her contribution to the teachingof medicine and medicaleducation is well known.

She is a past President of the British Medical Association,past Academic Vice President of the Royal College ofPhysicians of London and the President-Elect of the RoyalSociety of Medicine. She is also a senior MRCP(UK)examiner, both in the UK and internationally.

She was awarded the UK’s CBE for Services to Medicinein 2000 and was the first Asian Woman of the Year(Professional) in 1999.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

MRCPUK

We have been working closely with leadingphysicians around the world to ensure theexaminations have the full support of localmedical communities.

MRCP(UK) queries:www.mrcpuk.org/ContactUs/Pages/Contact%20Us.aspx

Egypt Madiha Khattab MD, FRCP(Edin)

Hong Kong Matthew Ng FRCP(Lond), FRCP(Edin)

India (Chennai) Georgi Abraham MD, FRCP(Lond)

Kuwait Nabila Abdella FRCP(Lond), FRCPI

Malaysia Dato Anuar Zaini Md Zain FRCP(Edin)

Oman Abdullah M. Riyami FRCP(Lond)

Singapore Y.C. Chee FRCP(Lond), FCCP(USA), FRACP

United Arab Emirates (Al Ain) Salah Gariballa MD, FRCP(Lond)

United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Joe Muscat-Baron BPharm, FRCP(Lond),

You can now take the MRCP(UK) in over 20 countries(see map below) and you can take the SCE in most ofthese countries.

If you have any queries, please go to our website atwww.mrcpuk.org. Or if you have a specific query aboutthe best option for you, please send us an email:

SCE queries:SCE.queries@mrcpuk.org

Bahrain*Barbados, West IndiesEgyptGhanaHong KongIndia (Chennai)*India (Kolkata)India (Mumbai)India (Thiruvananthapuram)Jamaica, West IndiesJordanKuwaitLibyaMalaysia*Malta*Myanmar*Nepal

OmanPakistan (Karachi)*Pakistan (Lahore)*QatarSaudi Arabia (Jeddah)Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)*SingaporeSri LankaSudanSyriaTrinidad, West IndiesUnited Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)United Arab Emirates (Al Ain)United Arab Emirates (Dubai)Zimbabwe

*New activity in 2008

FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Glasg)

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

MRCPUK

About theMRCP(UK)The MRCP(UK) examination is a mandatorypart of the curriculum for physicians in theUK and a gateway to higher specialisttraining. In addition, it is a membershipexamination that is common to all three RoyalColleges of Physicians.

The examination provides valid, reliableevidence of a physician’s:

• medical knowledge• clinical skills• judgement and appropriate professionalbehaviour

The MRCP(UK) examination consists of threeparts, which you sit at different points in yourcareer:

• MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination: Two paperstest broad medical knowledge in amultiple-choice format

• MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination:Three papers ask about the diagnosis,investigation, management and prognosisof patients in various clinical scenarios,using multiple-choice questions

• MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination(PACES): Practical exercises and discussionswith the examiners assess skills in physicalexamination, history taking, andcommunication and ethics

To take the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination,you must have a medical qualification that isrecognised by the Colleges, and at least oneyear of experience in a medical post. You willalso need support from your educational orclinical supervisor. You must pass Part 1before progressing to Part 2 Written andPACES.

Medical trainees would normally expect totake the first part of the MRCP(UK)examination two years after finishing medicalschool and to complete the whole within fouryears of finishing medical school. Trainees areencouraged to work closely with theireducational supervisors to ensure that theyhave acquired the appropriate knowledgeand expertise before applying.

How should I prepare?All those wishing to take the MRCP(UK) examinations areencouraged to discuss their plans with their supervisor.

To prepare for the exams, it is essential that you:

• gain clinical experience in hospital posts involving the care ofemergency medical patients

• study up-to-date postgraduate clinical textbooks• read current medical journals

There are also practice questions available on our website, onceyou have registered for the exam: www.mrcpuk.org

The syllabus for the MRCP(UK) is part of the General InternalMedicine curriculum – see pages 9 to 98 of Specialty TrainingCurriculum for General Internal Medicine, August 2009(www.jrcptb.org.uk/Specialty/Documents/2009 GIM curriculum.PDF)

The written papers map to system-based competencies. They arecomprehensive and reflect the spiral of learning. PACES maps toboth system-based and generic competencies. The basic level forMRCP(UK) Part 1 is to have some knowledge of commonconditions, progressing to more in-depth knowledge about thepresentation, examination findings, investigation and treatment.Trainees at this stage are not expected to be competent to treatthe condition independently. The final level of knowledge andexperience required for Part 2 corresponds to the expectation oftrainees being able to manage the condition, e.g. atrial fibrillationor diabetes mellitus, independently and be aware of the prognosisand other aspects of treatment such as the evidence base fortreatment, guidelines and side-effects of treatment. In PACES,trainees need to demonstrate adequate competence in physicalexamination skills, history taking, and communication and ethics.

Quality assured

In the competitive worldwide environment, we know that wecannot stand still. Our examinations are continually subject tochange and scrutiny to meet the demands of modern medicine.

This process of continual review and challenge is overseen by theFederation’s Academic, Quality Management and ResearchCommittee (AQMRC), which is made up of leading physicians. TheAQMRC Committee is responsible for guaranteeing the academicquality of the examinations. It monitors at all times the level ofachievement that the examinations represent, and is responsiblefor ensuring that any complaints are properly handled.

In addition, we are working with the US National Board of MedicalExaminers (NBME), applying sophisticated statistical andpsychometric techniques to ensure that, each time candidates sitthe MRCP(UK), the questions are appropriate and consistent, andthe marking is fair and objective.

Your next stepsMRCP(UK) Examinations

Did you know that the MRCP(UK) Central Office providesa range of resources to help you at each step inpreparing for the examination?Visit the website at www.mrcpuk.org to:

• find answers to common questions• locate a nearby testing centre• see exam dates• apply online• download and order study guides• practise sample questions and scenarios• obtain contact details if you want to telephone/emailan adviser

• read the latest news about the exams• track your results

Applying for the MRCP(UK) examinations

Candidates may apply to sit the MRCP(UK) examinationsat selected international centres either online or by post.To find out what application options are available in yourcountry please see the ‘Exam Dates’ section of ourwebsite for details of the dates of each part. The onlineapplication service is accessible through the onlineaccount ‘My MRCP(UK)’.

Please visit our Online Examination Services pagewww.mrcpuk.org/Candidate/Pages/OnlineApplications.aspx for more information about creating an onlineaccount and applying online for an examination.

Specialty CertificateExaminations

This is a time of transition, as the SCE is introduced acrossdifferent specialties. You can keep up with the latest newson the MRCP(UK) website at www.mrcpuk.org/SCEOn the website, you will also find:

• dates for upcoming examinations• detailed information about the SCE for your specialty• facts about the exam format, testing centres and fees• sample questions• how to apply online• contact details for further information and advice

Applying for the Specialty Certificate Examination

All applications must be made online via our websitewww.mrcpuk.org/SCE/Pages/Application.aspx

Applying for examinations online has several advantages.You will:

• be able to apply right up to the deadline, withoutworrying about the postal service

• enjoy the safety and ease of online payment for yourfees

• have peace of mind when receipt of your applicationand your place on the exam date are confirmed quickly

• find out your results as soon as possible, as they arepublished online (with strict security to protect yourprivacy)

The online application process is quick, convenient andgood value for money.

About the FederationThe Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK comprises the Royal Collegeof Physicians of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgowand the Royal College of Physicians of London.

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh www.rcpe.ac.ukThe Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow www.rcpsg.ac.ukThe Royal College of Physicians of London www.rcplondon.ac.uk

MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL COLLEGES OF PHYSICIANS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

MRCPUK

Benefits of Collegemembership

Passing the MRCP(UK) opens the door to fullmembership of the participating Colleges. Dependingon which College you join, membership benefits to youinclude:

• savings on conferences and educational programmes• educational grants• comprehensive library services, including onlineaccess to journals

• support if you are working outside the UK

The Colleges represent the profession on both nationaland international initiatives, and offer outstandingopportunities for training and networking. You canhave an influence on the future of medicine by joiningCollege working parties and committees.

MRCP(UK) Central Office, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4LE © 2009 Royal Colleges of Physicians