Examinations
Examinations of knowledge are one of several summative assessment methods used within the programme e.g. the MRCP Part 1 Examination for acute medicine, the FRCA Primary MCQ Examination for anaesthesia and MCEM for emergency medicine. The syllabi for these examinations of basic level knowledge are contained in the individual specialty CCT programmes (see speciality specific home pages in the top menu).
Acute Medicine Exams
See MRCP website for up to date information.
The three Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom share a common membership examination in general medicine: this is the Examination for the Diploma of Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) of the United Kingdom. The MRCP(UK) Examination provides information on candidates’ core medical knowledge, basic clinical problem solving skills and the management of common and important medical emergencies. The core medical knowledge and skills tested in the MRCP(UK) Examination provide the very basis that equips doctors to proceed to focus on individual specialties, secure in their grounding in other systems. The MRCP(UK) Diploma does not, therefore, confer specialist status: in the UK it is recognised as an entry qualification for higher specialist training.
The MRCP(UK) Examination is divided into two parts but has three separately assessed components. These are:
- MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination
- MRCP(UK) Part 2 Written Examination
- MRCP(UK) Part 2 Clinical Examination
For ACCS (Acute Medicine) trainees it is necessary to have achieved part 1 of MRCP before completion of ST2 though as entry to ST3 will be competitive, accomplishing the other parts of MRCP may be advantageous.
Emergency Medicine Exams
>> College of Emergency Medicine (CEM)
The College runs two main examinations - the MCEM and the FCEM. The Membership examination has three parts (A,B,C) and is essential for entry into ST4 training. At a national level trainees would be expected to have obtained the MCEM part A to enter ST3, the MCEM part B and C before (or, for 2007 entrants during) ST4 and the FCEM prior to being awarded a CCT.
Trainees already holding part of a relevant postgraduate diploma who qualified before December 2004 can either use this exam to enter MCEM parts B & C or complete their alternate postgraduate qualifications (both before entry to ST 4). Trainees qualifying after December 2004 who hold part of a relevant postgraduate diploma can not use this exam as a substitute to MCEM part A and so are advised to take the full MCEM (though completion of the alternate postgraduate qualification is possible). Further details can be found at the CEM website. Trainees in ACCS or ST3 posts should read the information on the Training pages to ensure they understand what alternative examinations may currently be acceptable. From 2009 entry (August), all trainees entering training will be expected to have MCEM by the time of entry into ST4, no other postgraduate examinations will be acceptable.
In addition, trainees will be expected to complete the three life support courses – ALS, ATLS, and APLS before ST4.
Anaesthesia Examinations
For ACCS Trainees progressing to a career in Anaesthesia, part 1 multiple choice question paper of the FRCA must be passed by completion of ST2. For further guidance on examinations, see the Royal College of Anaesthetists website.
The RCoA has issued recent advice on examinations:
25% of ACCS (Anaesthesia) trainees will not start their anaesthetic module until the final 6 months of the 2-year ACCS course and therefore are not obtaining the Initial Assessment of Competence in Anaesthesia (IAC) until 22 months into their 2 year ACCS training. This could limit the opportunities such trainees have to sit the Primary FRCA Examinations. To address the problem Council has agreed to allow any registered trainee to apply to sit the Primary FRCA MCQ Examination as soon as they start an approved training post in anaesthesia or ACCS. This replaces the previous regulation that a trainee must have passed the IAC before applying to sit the MCQ Examination. However, College Tutors are strongly recommended to advise their trainees not to attempt the MCQ before they have obtained their IAC.