RxPG - MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination - CHANGES FROM MAY 2003

Introduction

In 2002 it was announced that a change in format of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination would take place in 2003.

MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination (from May 2003)

From May 2003 (the 2003/02 diet) the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination will consist of two "Best of 5" papers, each lasting three hours. The UK schedule will be as follows:

09.30 Report (Paper 1)
10.00 Paper 1
13.00 Lunch break
14.15 Report (Paper 2)
14.30 Paper 2
17.30 Examination ends

Each paper of the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination will contain 100 multiple choice questions in one from five (best of five) format, where a candidate must choose the best answer from five possible answers. These questions will test a candidate's knowledge of a wide range of common and important disorders in General Medicine, as set out in the published Syllabus.

Prior to May 2003 the structure of the questions that made up the two separate MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination papers were entirely different and it was necessary to have a pass mark for each paper. Now that the questions are all of the 'Best of Five' type only one pass mark need be applied.

For candidate information: from May 2002 the MRCP(UK) Part 1 Examination has been criterion referenced - its difficulty is judged against an external standard, not against the number of candidates who pass. Negative marking has also been removed - one mark is awarded for each correct answer and no marks for each incorrect answer.