The MRCPCH is comprised of three theory exams, which may be sat in any order, after which you can sit the MRCPCH Clinicals exam. For the most up-to-date information on the theory exams, please see the RCPCH website.
The deanery does not endorse any specific courses or resources for exams. Included in this section are a variety of resources which trainees have previously found useful. If you have any suggestions or material to share, please email wessexpaediatrictrainees@gmail.com
Remember, you can claim tax relief on all of these examinations- it adds up to a nice cheque in the post.
The deanery does not endorse any specific courses or resources for exams. Included in this section are a variety of resources which trainees have previously found useful. If you have any suggestions or material to share, please email wessexpaediatrictrainees@gmail.com
Remember, you can claim tax relief on all of these examinations- it adds up to a nice cheque in the post.
Question Banks
PasTest- You can purchase individual bundles for FOP& TAS, AKP and Clinicals. A wide selection of questions as well as video tutorials. Questions are more challenging than Onexamination and many therefore use this resource.
Onexamination- Many questions and FOP and TAS can be purchased individually rather than jointly as in PasTest. The questions are generally easier than the PasTest bank and exam.
PasTest- You can purchase individual bundles for FOP& TAS, AKP and Clinicals. A wide selection of questions as well as video tutorials. Questions are more challenging than Onexamination and many therefore use this resource.
Onexamination- Many questions and FOP and TAS can be purchased individually rather than jointly as in PasTest. The questions are generally easier than the PasTest bank and exam.
- The Foundation of Practice exam, formerly known as Part 1A, assesses a candidate's knowledge, understanding and clinical decision making abilities. It aims to ensure you have reached the standard of someone entering core specialist training.
The exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes, The questions are typically a combination of:- SBAs - 79 questions
- EMQs - 6 questions
Questions cover one aspect of the topic. For example:- choose the most likely diagnosis from the following
- choose the best treatment for each of these children
- choose the organism which matches most closely each of the following case scenarios.
Candidates can apply to take FOP and TAS on the same day; FOP is always in the morning, and TAS in the afternoon.
Practice Paper
The RCPCH provide one specimen paper (not a full paper) here. The answers are available here.
Syllabus
The Theory exams syllabi is available here. Remember to check the RCPCH website for the most up to date version.
Book RecommendationsVertical Divider
MRCPCH Mastercourse
The MRCPCH Mastercourse comprises volumes 1 and 2, a DVD containing video clips of clinical scenarios, and PIN access to a website with self-assessment and further learning materials. It is described as providing 'all the learning materials required for successful completion of the MRCPCH parts 1 and 2 and MRCPCH Clinical' however for TAS and Clinicals in particular additional resources may be more helpful.
Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Foundation of Practice
This book is as described in the title! Available to purchase new through the RCPCH website.
- The Theory & Science exam, formerly known as Part 1B, tests basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles of clinical practice, and of evidence-based practice. It is part of the MRCPCH exams.
The exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. The questions are typically a combination of:- SBAs - 70 questions
- EMQs - 10 questions
Questions cover one aspect of the topic. For example:- choose the most likely diagnosis from the following
- choose the best treatment for each of these children
- choose the organism which matches most closely each of the following case scenarios.
Candidates can apply to take FOP and TAS on the same day; FOP is always in the morning, and TAS in the afternoon.
Practice Paper
The RCPCH provide one specimen paper (not a full paper) here. The answers are available here.
Courses
The RCPCH offer a course for the TAS exam. You can opt to have access to online materials only at a reduced rate, or to have access to these materials and attend a day at the college to discuss the topics and knowledge provided in the online material in small groups, in further depth. Details available here.
Syllabus
The Theory exams syllabi is available here. Remember to check the RCPCH website for the most up to date version.
Book RecommendationsVertical DividerThe Science of Paediatrics MRCPCH Mastercourse.
This book provides detailed explanations of the theory underlying clinical practice and is recommended for the TAS exam.
It can be purchased new for £179.99 here, or alternatively the deanery have purchased several copies which can be loaned by contacting Dr Faye Hawkins.
Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Theory and Science
This book provides clinical scenarios with accompanying questions and answers. The underlying theory for each answer is explained, and the book is useful to test knowledge alongside other resources for developing your theory base.
It can be purchased new for £10 plus postage here, or you'll like find someone you work with has a copy available to lend.
- The Applied Knowledge in Practice exam, formerly known as Part 2, tests a candidate's knowledge, understanding and clinical decision making abilities based on a standard of someone entering their core specialist training and is part of the MRCPCH exam.
It comprises two exams, each of which is 2 hours 30 minutes and taken on the same day.
Each question of the AKP carries its own weighting. You will see how many marks each question is worth in the test. The maximum score per question will be based on the number of correct responses required. Incorrect responses will gain a score of zero.
Most questions are 'N of many'; this is similar to a SBA, except here two or three answers are required from a longer list. It is only used in the AKP exam. Sometimes you would like to ask for more than one answer to a scenario since there may be two equally important investigations that should be done, or three abnormalities on an x-ray. N from many questions allow for this by asking for 2 or (maximum) 3 answers from a longer list of possible options.
Practice Paper
The RCPCH provide two specimen papers (not a full paper).
Paper 1 is available here, and answers are here.
Paper 2 is available here, and answers are here.
Syllabus
The Theory exams syllabi is available here. Remember to check the RCPCH website for the most up to date version.
Book RecommendationsVertical DividerPaediatric Exams: A Survival Guide
The Paul Gaon book has a systems based approach and is recommended for both theory and clinical exam. It has good explanations on approaches to data interpretation questions, and brief outlines for approach to clinical examinations. This book is now out of print but paperback copies may be available from other trainees or the library; please email wessexpaediatrictrainees@gmail.com if you would like a copy.
Paediatric Radiology for MRCPCH & FRCR
This book explains basics concepts of imaging as well as exam-type questions using clinical cases with a variety of radiological images across all systems.
Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice
This book is designed to demonstrate how theoretical knowledge can be used to tackle clinical cases in paediatrics, and equip candidates with the tools and knowledge needed to pass this exam. Available through the RCPCH website.
Great Ormond Street Handbook of Paediatrics
This book has lots of photographs and images of conditions and syndromes.
- The exam format for Clinicals was changed in October 2019; the format will be further modified and hosted virtually for the safety of patients, staff and trainees at the next sitting, details of which are awaited.
Please visit the MRCPCH COVID Adapted Clinical exam information hub for the most up-to-date information. The following notice was published on the RCPCH website on 24th August:
"Delivery methodAs a reminder, as of the November 2020 UK MRCPCH Clinical, all clinical exams will be delivered remotely for the time being. We will use an online platform called Practique.
Exam circuit and stationsAs a result of moving to a remote delivery method, we have made some adaptations to the stations and circuit.- There will be nine stations.
- The format, content and number of History, Communications and Video stations remain the same, and they will continue to be based on centrally set scenarios.
- The stations in which we formerly had patients will now be based on centrally set scenarios.
- The Development station will remain the same in format. It will now be based on a centrally set scenario. The candidate will be given an introductory statement and asked to take a focussed history and to describe an assessment/exam. However, a role-player will stand in for the parent/carer. Instead of the candidate conducting the developmental assessment of a patient, they will be required to describe to the examiner how they would go about conducting that assessment. The rest of the station remains the same: summary, differential diagnosis/developmental age, and management planning.
- The four former clinical stations have been adapted. There will now be two of these, which we are calling Short clinical. In place of the other two, we will have one Extended clinical. One motivation for replacing two shorter clinical stations with an extended one is to provide the candidate with a more authentic assessment of their skills in the rapidly emerging tele-medicine area.
- The Short clinical stations will be based on centrally set scenarios. There will be no role player. The general format of these stations has not altered much. The candidate will be provided with information from the scenario about the patient and asked to describe the examination they would carry out. They will then summarise and provide a differential diagnosis. We have also added management planning, which will be discussed at the end of the station.
- The Extended clinical will be double length and run exactly as the Development station is run. It will be based on a centrally set scenario. The candidate will be given an introductory statement and asked to take a focussed history and to describe an examination. A role player will stand in for the parent/carer. Instead of the candidate conducting the examination of a patient, they will be required to describe to the examiner how they would go about conducting that examination. The rest of the station remains the same: summary, differential diagnosis, and management planning.
- For the Development, Extended clinical and two Short clinical stations, while the candidate is describing the examination they would carry out, the examiner will provide them with “cues” that will contain signs and other information the candidate would have discovered during the course of carrying out a physical/developmental exam. If a candidate does not mention carrying out a particular aspect of an exam, the examiner will not provide the cues relating to that area.
Wessex Words of Wisdom
The key to clinicals is practice. Find out who else is doing the exam and work together- talk through systems examinations, practice them on each other, practice them on patients, practice on your teddy bear! Many patients and their families are really willing to help with this, and often don't mind the distraction. On G level there is a list in the doctors office which you can ask people to add to at handover, and at all the DGHs consultants are willing to help with teaching. The most common mantra from consultants helping with revision and on preparation courses, is 'would this be a safe registrar and would I trust what this person is telling me over the phone in the middle of the night?'
Below is a selection of resources helpful for preparation- if you find or create any more, please email wessexpaediatrictrainees@gmail.com so that they can be added to the site. On the PREP1.2 Resources page, contact details for consultants willing to help with preparation for clinicals is available.Online Resources
RCPCH webinar on the new exam format, which was rolled out for the October 2019 sitting. Whilst the format will be changed for coronavirus alterations, it still provides useful information on the different stations and the new marking scheme.
Heart Sounds
- The Easy Auscultation website runs through the basics of heart sounds with audio examples
- The Auscultation Assistant also provides audio examples of heart sounds.
Congenital Cardiac Lesions
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital website has great illustrations of all congenital cardiac lesions including diagrams and video illustrations of corrective surgery, where appropriate.
Geggel's Congenital Heart Disease Library also provides diagrams and video illustrations of various lesions, as well as echos and ECGs. You will need to register with the OpenPaediatrics website (free) to access the library.
PECSIG RCPCH Exam Tutorials
Five tutorials from the UK Society of Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology, aimed at giving you a grounding and understanding in Paediatric Cardiology that would be expected of a junior registrar.
Vertical DividerNeurology & MSK
Abnormal gait
This video playlist shows examples of common abnormal gaits.
PGALS Guide
The Paediatric Musculoskeletal Matters International website has useful information on when a PGALs examination is indicated, examination guide, proforma and video demonstrations.
Neuro examination
The PediNeuroLogic Exam website has information and video examples of neurological exams in paediatrics.
Book Recommendations
Vertical DividerMRCPCH Clinical: Short Cases, History Taking & Communication Skills
Very useful book used by most. Outlines key practical points for examinations and relates them to cases. Scenarios are good to use as part of a group for practising history & communication stations. A discount may be available if you already have a Pastet subscription, otherwise available through Pastiest or Amazon.
Examination Paediatrics, 5th Edition
This book is written for the Australian paediatric clinical exam but is an extremely useful book. It has detailed examination approaches for each system and provides multiple scenarios which these are related to.
Good for private study and brushing up at the beginning of revision. £37.99 on Amazon.
Short Cases for the MRCPCH
Clinical scenarios and useful aide memoirs for each system. This book is no longer in print so very costly to purchase yourself but you may find someone has one hidden on a bookcase available to lend.
Courses
There are several practical courses aimed at supporting the clinical exam. You can claim for one of these courses through your study budget- some of the courses cost slightly more than the maximum amount we can claim for a course. If this is the case, email your TPD and local contact for study leave to ask if they will support the additional cost being granted through study budget, as sometimes this will be agreed. If not you can still claim the value up to the maximum allowance and fund the rest yourself.
Royal London MRCPCH Clinical Courses
This is a weekend course. On the first day there is small group teaching (groups of 4) going through the examination for various systems with several patients on each station to practice on, all with clinical signs. The second day is a mock exam, with all station types and marked using example mark sheets from RCPCH. https://www.royallondonmrcpchclinicalcourse.co.uk
Imperial College Part 2 Clinical Course
A 2 day course. Small group teaching with patients to examine. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/study/short-courses/mrcpch-part-2/
Guy's & St Thomas' MRCPCH Clinical Course
This course aims to prepare candidates for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health membership (MRCPCH) clinical examination. It includes clinical short cases and practice in communication skills and ethics and history taking and management planning. Patients from the Evelina Children’s Hospital and a number of other local hospitals will attend each day for real life practice. The course concludes with a mock exam and individual feedback on performance. https://www.guysandstthomasevents.co.uk/mrcpch-clinical-revision-course-information/
RCPCH Clinical Exam Preparation Course
All face to face courses cancelled at RCPCH until January 2021. Check website where updates on provision for any virtual courses will be provided. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/update-our-courses-2020
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