If you are an international Medical Oncologist and planning to work at Registrar level within the UK – you will need to obtain MRCP and a pass in IELTS or OET.
To obtain MRCP, you will need to pass MRCP Part 1, MRCP Part 2 and PACES. In this post, we provide you with an overview of each exam, fees, the format, modules, exam tips and some useful revision resources.
If you are a Clinical Oncologist and planning to work at Registrar level within the UK – you will need to obtain FRCR (blog post to come) and a pass in IELTS or OET.
Did you know that an estimate of 1 in 2 people in the UK are likely to be diagnosed with a malignancy in their lifetime? For this reason, the NHS needs both and Clinical Oncologists now more than ever.
1. MRCPUK) Part 1 - £594: Please note that the application process/fee for the Hong Kong and Singapore centres are different.
2. MRCPUK) Part 2 Written - £594: Please note that /fee for the Hong Kong and Singapore centres are different.
3. MRCP (UK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES) - £1202
Please click here for a list of international test centres.
At a glance:
You will be tested on a wide range of common and important disorders in General Medicine, which are set out in the Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training.
Please note that the above table is merely an indication, the questions may alter slightly in each examination sitting.
What does the clinical module comprise of?
1. , molecular and membrane biology
2. Clinical anatomy
3. Clinical biochemistry and metabolism
4. Clinical physiology
5. Genetics
6. Immunology
7. Statistics, epidemiology and evidence-based medicine
Please visit the Royal College’s site to note the available test centres and dates and to access sample questions please click here.
At a glance:
Part 2 of the MRCPUK) diploma can only be taken once you have passed the MRCP Part 1 examination. Part 2 builds on your knowledge that was assessed in Part 1 and will test your acquisition of medical knowledge, skills and behaviour specific in the Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training.
From the beginning of 2018, the Part 2 exam moved to a single day format. The exam now consists of two, three-hour papers each with 100 questions each. Part 2 will test the ability to apply clinical understanding, make clinical judgements and will test your ability to:
Exam Format
The questions in this exam will typically have a clinical scenario, it may include the results of investigations and may be illustrated with images such as clinical photographs, pathology slides, inheritance trees, ECGs, X-rays, CT and MR scans and
The questions will ask you about the diagnosis, investigation, management and prognosis of patients using multiple-choice questions in ‘best of five’ format. This format, in addition to testing core knowledge and comprehension, will also assess your ability to interpret information and to solve clinical problems. You must choose the best answer from the five possible answers. Each correct answer is awarded one mark and there is no negative marking.
Please note that the above table is merely an indication, the questions may alter slightly in each examination sitting.
To access sample here.
At a glance:
The MRCPUK) Part 2 Clinical Examination (Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills – PACES) sets rigorous standards to ensure that candidates are competent across a range of skills and ready to provide a high standard of care to patients.
To take PACES you must have passed MRCP Part 1 within the last 7 years.
What are the seven core skills?
1. Physical Examination – Demonstrate correct, thorough, systematic, appropriate and professional technique of physical examination
2. Identifying Physical Signs – Identify physical signs correctly and not find signs that are not present
3. Clinical Communication – Elicit a clinical history relevant to the patient’s complaints, in a systematic, thorough and professional manner.
4. Differential Diagnosis – Create a sensible differential diagnosis for a patient that the candidate has personal clinically assessed.
5. Clinical Judgement – Select an appropriate management plan for a patient or clinical situation. Select appropriate investigations or treatments for a patient that the candidate has personally clinically assessed.
6. Managing Patients’ Concerns – Seek, detect and acknowledge and address patients’ or relatives’ concerns, confirm their understanding and demonstrate empathy.
7. Maintaining Patient Welfare – Treat a patient or relative respectfully and sensitively and in a manner that ensures their comfort, safety and dignity.
Stations
At each station, you will encounter a patient or surrogate patient. Stations 1, 3 and 5 will have two encounters and stations 2 and 4 involve one. There is a total of eight encounters throughout the exam.
10 minutes are spent with each patient.
PACES Exam Structure:
Please visit The Royal College website to gain access to sample clinical scenarios.
The Royal College of Physicians has analysed previous candidate result statistics to reveal the points in time when pass rates tend to be the highest.
MRCPUK) Part 1
MRCPUK) Part 2
MRCPUK) Part 2 Clinical (PACES)
1. Register early – There is a high demand for sitting the MRCPUK) exams, especially PACES as spaces are limited. If you register early you can plan your revision to fit the exam schedule and reduce the risk of missing out on your perfect time slot.
2. Start revising early – We advise you to start revising at least six months in advance of each exam to prepare adequately. Although some doctors pass with less preparation time, do not risk it. If you start your exam revision as early as possible you will increase your chance of passing.
3. Use a varied range of revision resources – do not just stick to one big textbook for your revision. The additional use of online courses, discussion forums and online tests will increase your knowledge and confidence when it comes to the exam itself.
4. Try to cover all topics evenly – Excellent knowledge of smaller topics such as statistics, ophthalmology and psychiatry will allow you to collect extra marks for only a short period of study.
5. Check the Royal College’s exam regulations - https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/regulations
Online
Books
Essential Revision Notes for MRCP
Basic Medical Sciences for MRCP Part 1
Question Banks
The Specialty Certificate Examination is the assessment method selected to determine whether a doctor has achieved competence in Oncology knowledge aspects of the curriculum.
Please note, that when it comes to applying to be on the Specialist Register via CESR or CCT, you will be expected to hold SCE Oncology.
The cost of SCE Medical Oncology is £665 in the UK and £833 overseas.
For access to the blueprint, please click here.
References
Medacs.com. (2018). Tips for choosing when to take MRCPUK) exams | Medacs Healthcare. ] Available at: https://www.medacs.com/healthcare-news/tips-for-choosing-when-to-take-mrcp-uk-exams#.WxaUb0gvyUk [Accessed 5 Jun. 2018].
Mrcouk.org. 2018) Part 1 | MRCPUK. ] Available at: https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/part-1
Mrcouk.org. 2018) Part 1 | MRCPUK. ] Available at: https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/part-2
Mrcouk.org. 2018) PACES | MRCPUK. ] Available at: https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/paces
Cancer Research UK. (2019). Lifetime risk of cancer. ] Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/risk/lifetime-risk [Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].