MRCP PARTS 1 AND 2

DR KAVITA DAVE

MRCP(UK) MBBS BSc

RCP CAREERS CONFERENCE

27TH FEBRUARY 2016

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

What is the MRCP exam.

Why do you need it.

When to do it.

Sample questions.

Tips.

Questions.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

THE exam you need to enter any medical specialty.

Part of the Core Competency to complete Core Medical Training (CMT).

Made up of 3 parts:

Part 1

Part 2 Written

PACES

Have to pass Part 1 first – Part 2 Written and PACES interchangeable.

Tests medical and clinical knowledge.

Internationally recognised exam > MRCP(UK).

Relevant, up-to-date, and evidence-based.

TOPICS COVERED

Cardiology.

Respiratory.

Gastroenterology.

Haematology.

Immunology.

Epidemiology.

Histology.

Radiology.

Clinical Sciences.

Pharmacology.

Neurology.

Maternal Medicine.

Psychiatry.

Rheumatology.

Diabetes and Endocrine.

Renal Medicine.

Infectious Diseases.

GUM.

HIV.

Oncology.

Dermatology.

Ophthalmology.

TIMETABLE

Courtesy of the MRCP(UK) website

Significant investment of time and money

HOW ARE THE PAPERS CREATED?

Bank of >30 000 questions.

Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians accept suggestions for questions.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Royal College of Physicians of London.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Questions and answers are vetted by a panel of practicing physicians.

Trial questions during previous exams.

MARKING

Approved questions go to a panel to be scored.

Scored according to difficulty and necessity of knowledge – i.e. the most

difficult questions thought to be vital knowledge score the most, the easiest

questions with little clinical relevance score the least.

No negative marking.

Since 2008, scores calculated using “Item Response Theory”.

Statistical process allowing scores to be comparable across sessions.

“Scaled Score” between 0 and 999 – not fixed scoring system.

Part 1 pass is around 528.

Part 2 pass is around 425.

MRCP PART 1

WHAT IS IT?

Must have minimum 12 months’ post-graduate experience.

Broad spectrum of knowledge and skills.

Must have passed prior to applying for Specialty Training.

Knowledge:

Basic medical science.

UK guidelines.

Common and important disorders.

Builds on medical school knowledge.

WHEN AND WHERE?

One day examination.

2 x 3-hour papers.

200 multiple choice (best of five) questions.

Invigilated exam at dedicated centres.

Three dates per year.

No late starts.

SESSION APPLICATION TIME EXAM TIME

1 OCT/NOV (PREVIOUS

YEAR)

JAN

2 FEB MAY

3 JUNE/JULY SEPT

FORMAT TOPIC NO OF

Q

CARDIOLOGY 15

CLINICAL HAEMATOLOGY

AND ONCOLOGY

15

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,

THERAPEUTICS, AND

TOXICOLOGY

16

CLINICAL SCIENCES 25

DERMATOLOGY 8

ENDOCRINOLOGY 15

INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND

GUM

15

NEUROLOGY 15

TOPIC NO OF

Q

NEPHROLOGY 15

GASTROENTEROLOGY 15

GERIATRIC MEDICINE 4

OPHTHALMOLOGY 15

PSYCHIATRY 8

RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 15

RHEUMATOLOGY 15

TOTAL 200

FORMAT

Clinical Sciences comprises of:

Cell, Molecular and Membrane Biology – 2.

Clinical Anatomy – 3.

Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism – 4.

Clinical Physiology – 4.

Genetics – 3.

Immunology – 4.

Statistics, Epidemiology, and Evidence – Based Medicine – 5.

The individual question format can vary slightly paper-to-paper and session-

to-session.

SAMPLE QUESTION 1

SAMPLE QUESTION 2

SAMPLE QUESTION 3

SAMPLE QUESTION 4

SAMPLE QUESTION 5

MRCP PART 2

WHAT IS IT?

Much more clinically relevant/applicable.

Tests ability to apply clinical understanding and make clinical judgements.

Prioritise problems or diagnostics.

Plan investigations.

Plan long-term management.

Prognosis.

Longer exam to provide more consistent and reliable results.

Must pass MRCP Part 1 first.

Must pass Part 2 Written and PACES within 7 years of passing Part 1.

Can do before or after PACES.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Two day examination.

3 papers – 3 hours each.

270 (best of five) questions.

Invigilated exam at dedicated centres.

Three dates per year.

No late starts.

SESSION APPLICATION DATES EXAM DATE

1 JAN APRIL

2 APRIL/MAY JUNE

3 SEPT/OCT DEC

FORMAT TOPIC NO OF

Q

CARDIOLOGY 25

HAEMATOLOGY 13

THERAPEUTICS AND

TOXICOLOGY

25

ONCOLOGY AND PALLIATIVE

MEDICINE

13

DERMATOLOGY 13

ENDOCRINOLOGY AND

METABOLIC MEDICINE

25

INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND

GUM

25

NEUROLOGY 25

TOPIC NO OF

Q

NEPHROLOGY 25

GASTROENTEROLOGY 25

GERIATRIC MEDICINE 10

OPHTHALMOLOGY 4

PSYCHIATRY 4

RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 25

RHEUMATOLOGY 13

TOTAL 270

FORMAT

The composition of the paper can vary.

A proportion of questions will be on adolescent medicine.

Question structure:

Clinical scenario.

Investigation results.

Images:- clinical photographs; pathology slides; genetic trees; ECGs; radiological;

echocardiograms.

The other answers will be partially correct or relevant – be careful!

SAMPLE QUESTION 1

SAMPLE QUESTION 2 30 year old lady with Crohn’s requiring ileostomy. Presented with a sore area

around the stoma which was causing problems with adhesions.

SAMPLE QUESTION 3

SAMPLE QUESTION 4

SAMPLE QUESTION 5

TIPS

Study groups.

Seniors who have recently undergone the exam.

Websites.

Books.

Essential Revision Notes for MRCP – Kalra.

Courses

Questions, questions, questions…

Apply knowledge in daily clinical practice.

Study leave – plan the right time for you.

Study in your way – not everyone else’s way.

USEFUL COURSES AND WEBSITES

MRCP(UK) website.

Medical Masterclass.

Website.

Printouts.

Part 2 Course.

PasTest – website and course

Passmedicine - website

OnExamination - website

Hammersmith MRCP Courses

FINAL ADVICE

You will feel tired and miserable, juggling busy jobs with studying for tough

exams.

It’s okay to fail – learn, and move on.

35% pass rate in Part 1.

65% pass rate in Part 2.

6 attempts at every exam maximum – there are exceptions.

THANK YOU

ANY QUESTIONS?