Part 1 is the entry-level examination accessible to doctors with a minimum of 12 months’ postgraduate experience in medical employment. It covers a broad range of topics to ensure the level of knowledge is appropriate to physicians at the beginning of postgraduate training.
MRCP(UK) tests the acquisition of a representative sample of medical knowledge, skills and behaviour as specified in the UK Specialty Training Curriculum for Core Medical Training. Part 1 is the first component of a sequence of assessments intended to match the progression of trainees undertaking the Core Medical Training programme in the UK, adding unique information and building on previous assessments.
Knowledge as an essential base for the practice of clinical reasoning
Knowledge is vital as a basis for learning during postgraduate training, to develop understanding of disease processes and their treatment. Building on knowledge of basic medical science gained in undergraduate education, the purpose of Part 1 is to test knowledge and understanding of common and important disorders, as outlined in the UK curriculum, as well as clinical science. Knowledge and understanding of UK national guidelines is also required.
Success in the Part 1 Examination indicates that the trainee has not only retained the knowledge acquired during undergraduate training, but that his/her knowledge of medicine has expanded and kept pace with developments that have occurred since graduation, and continues to provide an appropriate basis for clinical decision making. Part 1 is a valuable milestone during training, and helps to prepare trainees for the more challenging Part 2 Written and Clinical Examinations.
Clinical science forms the basis of all medical practice, and so it is an important component of the Part 1 exam. Wherever appropriate, clinical science questions will include a clinical stem, although this will not invariably be the case if such a stem would not be justified due to the nature of the question.
Part 1 at a glance
one-day examination
two three-hour papers
200 mutiple-choice (best of five) questions
no images
sat in an examination hall.
Applications
To find out how and when to apply see:
Dates and fees
Online applications