Independent exam preparation. Not affiliated with any Royal College or the GMC.

Prepare for UK Royal College exams and PLAB

Structured courses for the membership and fellowship exams that shape a medical career in the UK, delivered by doctors who have passed them.

PLAB

General Medical Council

Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test

PLAB is the main route to GMC registration for many international medical graduates. It checks that you have the knowledge and skills to work safely as a doctor in the UK.

Exam structure

PLAB 1
Written exam of single best answer questions.
PLAB 2
Practical OSCE exam with clinical scenarios, held in the UK.
Course details: PLAB
MRCP (UK)

Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK

Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians

The MRCP (UK) diploma is required to enter higher specialty training in medical specialties in the UK. It assesses applied basic science, clinical knowledge and hands-on clinical skills.

Exam structure

Part 1
Written exam (single best answer) on basic and clinical science.
Part 2 Written
Clinical problem-solving and data interpretation questions.
PACES
Clinical exam covering history taking, communication and physical examination.
Course details: MRCP (UK)
MRCS

Intercollegiate (surgical Royal Colleges)

Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons

MRCS is the core surgical exam taken during or after core surgical training. It assesses applied basic sciences and the principles of surgery in general.

Exam structure

Part A
Written MCQ exam on applied basic sciences and principles of surgery.
Part B (OSCE)
Clinical stations: anatomy, surgical pathology, applied skills and communication.
Course details: MRCS
MRCEM

Royal College of Emergency Medicine

Membership of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine

MRCEM assesses the knowledge and skills needed by emergency medicine trainees in the UK.

Exam structure

Primary
Written exam on basic sciences relevant to emergency medicine.
SBA
Clinical single best answer paper.
OSCE
Clinical stations covering resuscitation, procedures and communication.
Course details: MRCEM
MRCOG

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

MRCOG is the postgraduate qualification for obstetrics and gynaecology, recognised in the UK and internationally.

Exam structure

Part 1
Written exam on basic and clinical sciences.
Part 2
Written exam on clinical management (SBA and EMQ).
Part 3
Clinical assessment of patient care and professional competencies.
Course details: MRCOG
MRCGP

Royal College of General Practitioners

Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners

MRCGP is the licensing assessment completed during UK GP specialty training. It combines a knowledge test, a consultation-skills assessment and workplace-based assessment.

Exam structure

AKT
Computer-based Applied Knowledge Test.
SCA
Simulated Consultation Assessment (replaced the CSA).
WPBA
Workplace-Based Assessment throughout GP training.
Course details: MRCGP
MRCPsych

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

MRCPsych is required to complete core psychiatry training in the UK.

Exam structure

Paper A
Scientific and theoretical basis of psychiatry.
Paper B
Critical review and clinical topics in psychiatry.
CASC
Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (OSCE-style).
Course details: MRCPsych
FRCA

Royal College of Anaesthetists

Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists

The FRCA is the professional qualification for anaesthetists in the UK, taken in two stages during training.

Exam structure

Primary FRCA
MCQ exam, then OSCE and structured oral exam (SOE).
Final FRCA
Written exam, then structured oral exam.
Course details: FRCA
FRCS

Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations

Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons

The specialty FRCS is taken towards the end of higher surgical training and covers the full specialty curriculum in areas such as general surgery, trauma & orthopaedics, urology and more.

Exam structure

Section 1
Written exam (SBA / EMI) on the specialty curriculum.
Section 2
Clinical and oral exam (vivas) with senior examiners.
Course details: FRCS
FRCR

Royal College of Radiologists

Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists

The FRCR (Clinical Radiology) is the specialist qualification for radiologists in the UK.

Exam structure

First FRCR
Physics and anatomy modules.
Final FRCR Part A
Single best answer written exam.
Final FRCR Part B
Reporting and oral components.
Course details: FRCR
FRCOphth

Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists

FRCOphth is the qualification awarded at the end of UK ophthalmic specialist training.

Exam structure

Part 1
Written exam on basic sciences and optics.
Refraction Certificate
Practical assessment of refraction skills.
Part 2
Written exam, then oral exam.
Course details: FRCOphth
DRCOG

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

The DRCOG is designed for doctors, especially GPs, who want to show knowledge of women's health.

Exam structure

Written exam
Single written assessment on obstetrics, gynaecology and sexual health.
Course details: DRCOG
MRCPCH

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

MRCPCH is required to progress in UK paediatric training and is widely recognised abroad.

Exam structure

FOP & TAS
Foundation of Practice and Theory and Science written papers.
AKP
Applied Knowledge in Practice written paper.
Clinical
MRCPCH Clinical exam with real and simulated patients.
Course details: MRCPCH
FFPH

Faculty of Public Health

Faculty of Public Health exams (DFPH / MFPH)

The Faculty of Public Health exams assess the knowledge and skills needed for public health specialty practice.

Exam structure

Part A / DFPH
Written exam on public health knowledge.
Part B / MFPH
Objective Structured Public Health Examination (OSPHE).
Course details: FFPH

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