Regulations and rules for MRCPCH and DCH examinations

Examination regulations and rules

1. Interpretation

The Interpretation Sections of the Charter and Bye-laws of the College shall apply to these Regulations. In addition the following words shall bear the following interpretations:

1. “Medical qualification” shall mean a qualification rendering the holder eligible for registration with the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, or in the case of overseas bodies, being recognised by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.
2. “DCH” shall mean the Diploma in Child Health and “DCH Examination” shall mean the Examination for that said Diploma.
3. “Membership Examination” shall mean the Examination for Membership of the College.
4. “MRCPCH” shall mean Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
5. “Regulations” and “Rules” shall mean the Examination Regulations and Rules prescribed by the Council of the College.

2. Entry qualifications

Candidates will not be permitted to sit any examination unless they hold a recognised medical qualification.

• English language requirement - Candidates do not need to have passed any other language examination in order to take the MRCPCH Examination.  However, it is advised that candidates’ English language ability should be equivalent to IELTS Level 7 in each module in order to be sufficiently prepared to tackle the MRCPCH Examination.

• Exemptions - There are no exempting qualifications that are equivalent to any of the Theory Exams components.

3. MRCPCH Diploma of Membership

In order to pass the examination for Membership of the College in accordance with the Regulations and Rules candidates must:

• successfully complete all parts of the membership examination
• pay the membership fee as may be prescribed from time to time by council.

4. Rules

The Council of the College shall pass rules for the further and more precise regulation of the MRCPCH examination and the DCH examination from time to time.

5. Guidance

The Examination Board of the College may issue Notes of Guidance to prospective candidates.

The examinations

6. MRCPCH

(a) The MRCPCH Examination shall consist of:

• Foundation of Practice (FOP) theory examination (basic child health)
• Theory and Science (TAS) theory examination (basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles upon which clinical practice is based)
• Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) theory examination (knowledge synthesis/evaluation, clinical decision making and management)
• MRCPCH Clinical examination (multi station OSCE)

(b) The theory examinations can be taken in the candidate’s order of preference. On successful completion of the 3 theory examinations, candidates are eligible for entry to the MRCPCH Clinical Examination.

7. DCH

(a) The DCH Examination shall consist of:

• Foundation of Practice theory examination (basic child health, the same examination paper as MRCPCH FOP)
• DCH Clinical examination

(b) The theory and clinical examination elements of the DCH can be taken in the candidate’s order of preference.

Examination rules

8. Conduct of the examinations

(a) Candidates, when making their first entry to the examinations, must submit their original medical registration certificates or diplomas of medical qualifications (primary medical qualification) unless their names appear in the current annual edition of the Medical Register of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. Photocopies, scans and/or official translations will only be accepted if they have been prepared or authenticated by the issuing University or Medical School.

(b) Candidates will only be admitted to the examinations in their full names as given on their original medical registration certificates or diplomas of medical qualification or official translations of their diplomas, or as in the current edition of the Medical Register of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. Entries will not be accepted if there is any discrepancy in the spelling, order or number of names given and candidates must retain the same surname/family name in any further application.

(c) Candidates who change their names on marriage/civil partnership or by deed poll must submit original documentary proof of this if they wish to be admitted to the examinations in their new name

(d) Candidates who attend examinations must produce some means of identification in addition to the admission documents. This would normally be a passport but where candidates do not possess one some other form of identification may be acceptable such as a driving license provided it contains both a photograph and the signature of the candidate concerned. If there is any doubt regarding what constitutes suitable identification college approval prior to the examination should be sought.

For further details please download Appendix D - MRCPCH and DCH candidate identification policy from the Downloads box below

(e) The College reserves the right to bar any candidate from sitting or passing any examination for any reason. Examples of reasons that may be deemed to be sufficient are:

• where there is any doubt concerning the sufficiency or authenticity of the certificates produced by the candidate.
• where there exists any other reason that causes the College to doubt the fitness of the candidate to become a member or to hold the DCH. Such reasons may include criminal behaviour or other professional misconduct
• where the candidate is suspected of malpractice, cheating or attempting to cheat in this or any other examination
• where numbers of applications received by the College exceeds the number of examination places available, the College reserves the right to return applications to candidates
• should an application be found to be incomplete in any manner or received after the closing date, the College reserves the right to reject that application.

(f) Any invigilator or examiner present shall be empowered to refuse to allow a candidate to continue with an examination only in certain extreme circumstances. Examples of reasons that may be deemed to be sufficient include:

• where the candidate causes disruption during their examination to the extent that they cause distress or alarm to other candidates, test centre staff or patients/role-players/parents
• should they cause any harm to other candidates, test centre staff or patients/role-players/parents.

For further details of standards of conduct expected of all RCPCH examination candidates, please refer to Appendix K - MRCPCH DCH Examination Candidate Code of Conduct in the Downloads box below

9. Currency of MRCPCH examination

In line with GMC rules with effect from 1 July 2014, candidates are required to complete all components of the MRCPCH examinations within a seven-year period.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all eligible candidates receive an automatic 12-month extension to their seven-year registration period, as long as that period has begun, ie that a candidate has passed all of their theory exams (from 2013 to 2019).

For more details, see Appendix E - Currency and number of attempts in MRCPCH examinations in the Downloads box below

10. Number of attempts

In line with GMC rules with effect from 1 July 2014 each examination candidate in the UK training programme will be allowed up to 6 attempts at each part of MRCPCH.

Examinations sat before 1 July 2014 are not counted.

If a candidate has failed an examination on six occasions, that candidate must provide the RCPCH with evidence of additional educational experience before further attempts at that examination will be allowed.

With effect from 1 September 2024, these rules have been extended to cover all candidates, both candidates outside of the paediatric training programme in the UK as well as candidates based internationally, making an attempt at an MRCPCH examination. For these candidates, any previous attempts at examinations before 1 September 2024 will not be counted.

Candidates who do not attend an examination will not have that examination counted as an attempt. An attempt is defined as when a candidate commences, but does not necessarily complete, any MRCPCH Theory examination (FOP, TAS or AKP) or MRCPCH Clinical examination

For more details, see Appendix E - Currency and number of attempts in MRCPCH examinations in the Downloads box below

Please also refer to the GMC guidance on national professional examinations.

11. MRCPCH Clinical examination – eligibility for entry

(a) Candidates must pass all 3 theory examinations before applying for MRCPCH Clinical. It is also strongly recommended for candidates to complete a minimum period of training of two-and-a-half years from the date of graduation given on their diploma of medical qualification. Within a five-year period before the date of the examination not less than 12 months should be spent in posts involving acute paediatric care.

(b) At least one of the three completed theory examinations must have been passed within the last seven years to be eligible to sit the clinical examination. If seven years has elapsed since passing the last theory examination and a candidate has not sat or passed the MRCPCH clinical, the candidate will be required to successfully re-sit/complete the Applied Knowledge in Practice theory examination before they would be eligible to apply for any further attempts at the MRCPCH Clinical Examination. Individual circumstances will however be taken into consideration and exceptions may be made. This will require application to the RCPCH by the candidate, supported by their Deanery/LETB.

12. Currency of DCH examination and eligibility for entry

DCH examination candidates are expected to complete both components of the DCH examination within a seven-year period of successfully completing the first element sat.

• (a) Candidates are permitted to apply to and sit the DCH/MRCPCH Foundation of Practice examination and the DCH Clinical examination in any order.
• (b) It is recommended that all candidates complete a short period of training in paediatrics before attempting the DCH Clinical examination. The aim of the examination is to assess whether candidates have reached the standard in clinical skills expected of a newly appointed General Practitioner who has completed a short period of training in paediatrics.

For more details, see Appendix E - Currency and number of attempts in MRCPCH examinations in the Downloads box below

13. Reasonable adjustment

The RCPCH is committed to providing supportive and fair opportunity to all examination candidates. All candidates are entitled to request a reasonable adjustment to their examination, and RCPCH will consider all requests providing the appropriate supporting evidence is submitted.

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the College is informed of any requirement for adjustment/s to be made for any part of the MRCPCH/DCH Examination at the earliest opportunity.

For more details, see Appendix C – Reasonable adjustments policy for RCPCH Examinations in the Downloads box below

Resetting attempts counter following late diagnosis - if after any unsuccessful exam result you obtain a diagnosis in line with our Reasonable Adjustments Policy that would have required a reasonable adjustment to your exam(s), we will assess your case individually in regards to your previous number of attempts. We may be able to discount any exam attempts towards your maximum number of 6.

Candidates cannot have had a prior Reasonable Adjustment and there can be no refunds offered in these circumstances. When cases are reviewed, we will determine how you are affected by this policy.

14. Withdrawing from an examination

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the College is informed of an intended withdrawal from any part of the MRCPCH/DCH examination at the earliest opportunity.

Notice of withdrawal from any part of the examination must, in all cases, be received in writing by the College. The College will not formally withdraw any examination candidate until such time as written confirmation is received.

15. Refunds

Candidates whose withdrawal requests are received on or before the closing date for applications will be refunded 100% of the examination fee paid. Any request for a refund submitted after the closing date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Fees cannot be transferred to the next examination.

Withdrawals after the closing date may entitle the candidate to a refund depending upon the circumstances (eg medical, bereavement, etc.). Evidence must be supplied if the candidate is requesting a refund (eg medical certificate).

If the withdrawal has been prompted by accident/illness or bereavement, written submissions should be made to the theory or clinical exams teams no later than 14 days after the date of the examination. Requests can be supported in writing by the candidate’s College Tutor/Educational Supervisor/senior colleague or direct current manager. Additionally, those withdrawing due to illness must send a letter from the physician responsible for their treatment. In most cases the maximum refund issued after the closing date will be 85% of the examination fee (15% of the fee is retained as an administrative charge). Requests for discounted attempts or refunds due to withdrawals must be approved by the Theory or Clinical Head and/or Examinations Board. Requests are not automatically granted. The decision of the Examinations Board is final.

We strongly advise all candidates applying to sit an exam in a different country to determine whether they need a Visa as soon as possible.  Visa applications can take a long time so the RCPCH cannot routinely offer refunds on the basis of delays to Visas.  If there is a possibility of needing a Visa to sit the Clinical Exam, the responsibility for this lies with the candidate.  Additionally, where Visas are refused, the College cannot routinely offer refunds.

16. Cancellation of examinations

In the event that an MRCPCH / DCH examinations is cancelled, see Appendix F – Cancellation or suspension of MRCPCH/DCH examinations in the Downloads box below.

This document sets out to explain who makes the decision to cancel a centre or examination (and what information this should be based on) as well as how such a decision is communicated to internal and external stakeholders.

General information – MRCPCH / DCH theory examinations

17. Entry to the examination test centre

Under no circumstances will candidates be permitted to enter the examination room more than 30 minutes after the start of the examination. It is the candidate’s responsibility to allow for any potential transport delays when planning their time of arrival at the examination centre. All candidates must have appropriate ID with them in order to verify their identity. A current passport or driving license are acceptable forms of ID. Candidates will not be allowed entry to the exam room unless they have valid ID with them.

18. Theory examination pass mark

The pass marks for the Foundation of Practice, Theory and Science and Applied Knowledge in Practice examinations are criterion referenced using Modified Angoff methodology. Each candidate is judged against an absolute standard rather than relative to other candidates. This ensures that all candidates who meet the required pass mark are able to pass the examination (i.e. the percentage passing or failing the examination is not fixed). In determining the pass mark Angoff judges are required to consider what proportion of borderline candidates will answer each question correctly. In order to do this it is important to consider who a typical candidate is for each part of the examination (see below).

The theory examinations can be taken in any order, at any stage of training but progress is required within certain timeframes for those who are already in paediatric training programmes.

Doctors are only able to progress to ST3 (the third year of a paediatric training programme) if they have successfully passed two parts of the theory examinations and to ST4 when they have completed all parts of the MRCPCH examinations (all three theory papers and the clinical examination).

This method was introduced for the Foundation of Practice and Theory and Science examinations in January 2012 and introduced for the Applied Knowledge in Practice examination in August 2006. This method follows a set procedure approved by the Examinations Executive Committee and external educationalists.

Current Angoff methodology

After the examinations are held a panel of professional judges independently grade each item of the examination and estimate the percentage of borderline candidates (a group of candidates who have a 50% chance of passing the examination) that will answer the question correctly. They initially attend a meeting where the standard is set using a proportion of the questions and their respective candidate performance data. This is conducted by first requesting the panel to judge each question without conferring; they then discuss their judgements with the rest of the panel before making a second judgement.

The final judgement is made after viewing the candidate performance for the question. The final judgements are averaged for each question to obtain the criterion referenced score. The mean of the final judgements becomes the pass mark for the examination.

A Standard Monitoring Meeting (SMM) is additionally held after the examinations, consisting of a group of senior examiners. The provisional pass marks (derived using the procedure above) and the resulting pass rates are presented at this meeting for approval. An item analysis is conducted prior to the meeting for all the questions. The decisions made at this meeting are fed back into the final marking pass mark of the examination.

Typical candidates for the MRCPCH Foundation of Practice (FOP) examination

The aim of the MRCPCH Foundation of Practice examination is to ensure that doctors who will come into contact with children have acquired a knowledge-base which will provide a secure footing for clinical practice. Some of these doctors will go on to pursue careers as paediatricians but others may work in primary care settings or work in other hospital settings. In setting the expected pass mark for the Foundation of Practice examination the Angoff panel are asked to consider the typical candidate as having the clinical knowledge base which would be expected of a competent medical graduate with 4 to 6 months experience of paediatrics and child health.

Most candidates would be expected to put at least 150-200 hours of preparation time into this examination.

Typical candidates for the MRCPCH Theory and Science (TAS) examination

The aim of the MRCPCH Theory and Science examination is to ensure that doctors who intend to become paediatricians can demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and scientific principles which should underpin their practice upon completion of training. Whilst this is a broad subject area, the typical candidate for the MRCPCH Theory and Science examination will be a medical graduate who has completed Foundation programme training and in addition has 6 to 12 months of experience in paediatrics and child health. Most candidates would be expected to put at least 200 hours of preparation time into this examination, but the precise amount of time required will depend upon their existing knowledge-base.

Typical candidates for the MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) examination

The aim of MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice is to assess the candidate’s knowledge, understanding and clinical decision making abilities, and to ensure that they have reached the standard of someone entering their core specialist training. There are two examination papers of 2.5 hours each, which take place on the same day.

The questions are typically a combination of best of five, extended matching and ‘n from many (a multiple response question). Candidates' marks will be combined from the two AKP papers for an overall mark. Each paper will carry approximately the same amount of marks.

A typical MRCPCH AKP candidate would be expected to know how to successfully manage children with a range of diseases which would be encountered within 12 to 18 months of paediatric practice. They would usually have devoted at least 200 hours of additional personal study to this examination.

19. Theory examination feedback information

Candidates taking the MRCPCH Foundation of Practice, Theory and Science and Applied Knowledge in Practice receive feedback on their examination performance. This is of value to those passing the examination, and to those who do not achieve the pass mark in planning their future examination preparation. Along with their overall grade, candidates are provided with feedback on their percentage score in each category. The feedback includes mean percentage scores in each category of candidates that passed the examination overall, for comparison.

Candidates are made aware that the percentages in their feedback will not add up to their overall mark, neither can candidates take a mean of these percentages to get an overall examination percentage score. Each of the categories contains a different number of questions, and therefore the feedback scores will not match the overall score.

The theory examinations assess paediatric knowledge in the areas given in the respective syllabi; feedback provided is based on these.

For further details please refer to theory exam structure and syllabi.

20. Quality control of theory examinations

Following each examination, prior to the calculation of pass / fail grades, a full statistical review of scores and the related questions forming an examination is performed. This statistical analysis allows the College to ensure that RCPCH examinations are reaching optimal levels of reliability and fairness. This ensures questions are appropriate to current practice and training. Any questions that may undermine the reliability or fairness of the assessment are presented to a subgroup of the Foundation of Practice, Theory and Science and Applied Knowledge in Practice Examinations Board. Questions that negatively correlate with total scores or are unusually difficult (both of which threaten the reliability and discrimination of the examination) are considered for review or deletion from the examination.

In the light of these analyses, members of the Examinations Board may make modifications to the questions and answers to ensure that the quality of the examination is maintained.

All examination result submissions (theory examination answer responses and clinical examination station scores) are checked by College staff before results are published.

21. Online invigilation eligibility requirements

From 2024.1, we are making significant changes to our online invigilation booking process. If you would like to apply for online invigilation, you will need to provide evidence that you meet one of the following criteria:

• No test centre in country of residence during the time of the exam
• Residence more than 200 miles from a test centre
• Reasonable adjustment that means sitting the exam online is beneficial to your health

Please note that we require evidence for these at the time of booking. If the reason for taking the exam online is your location at the time of the exam, we require proof of residence. This includes a utility bill dated within the last three months, or a dated mortgage or tenancy agreement. Mobile phone bills will not be accepted. We will not accept test centres being fully booked as a reason for taking the exam online. We do not accept a passport or any kind of national identity card as proof of residence.

All reasonable adjustment requests will be assessed on an individual basis according to the evidence provided. Please include details and evidence of the adjustment required on your application form. (Please note that these may not be considered sufficient to meet the eligibility criteria.)

All evidence must be provided when submitting the application form. We will not accept documents that are illegible for any reason or not in English (unless accompanied by a notarised translation). We will not accept documents sent or uploaded at a later date.

Candidates will not be able to make payment until all evidence has been reviewed and the application has been approved. All approved candidates will receive a notification of the payment deadline after this stage. If the payment is received by this deadline, the online seat reservation will be confirmed.

22. Breaks during online theory exams

In all but prior agreed, exceptional circumstances, we are removing the toilet break during online invigilated theory examinations to align ourselves with common exam practice and to protect all examinees by ensuring malpractice does not impact the final score. All candidates sitting via online invigilation are expected to remain at their workstation throughout the examination. 

Unless you have a prearranged adjustment, you are not permitted to leave your workstation at any point during the exam. If you do not have a prearranged break and leave your workstation, your exam may be discounted with no refund. If you previously arranged a break due to extra time or a reasonable adjustment, this should be stated on your admissions document. If you are concerned that you may need a toilet break during the examination, please select to sit your examination at one of our test centres. 

If you have an accessibility reason requiring a toilet break during an online examination, you must submit evidence for this at the point of application via the reasonable adjustment request. This evidence will be considered, and a decision will be communicated following the end of the application window – if the request is refused or adequate evidence is unable to be provided, a candidate will have the choice to sit the examination online without a toilet break or to withdraw and receive an 85% refund.

Candidates with prearranged breaks or approved extra time are permitted one 5-minute break per paper.  

General information – MRCPCH Clinical / DCH Clinical examinations

23. Entry to the examination test centre

Under no circumstances will candidates be permitted to join the examination circuit for either the MRCPCH or DCH OSCE after the start of the examination circuit. It is the candidate’s responsibility to allow for any potential transport or other delays (technical) when planning their time of arrival at the examination centre (MRCPCH) or joining the online exam sessions (DCH). All candidates must have appropriate ID with them in order to verify their identity. A current passport or driving license are acceptable forms of ID. Candidates will not be allowed entry to the exam room unless they have valid ID with them.

24. MRCPCH Clinical examination pass mark information

Candidates must achieve an examination score of 62 or higher in order to successfully complete the examination and be eligible for College membership.

Standards expected of candidates are detailed in the anchor statements available for each station. Every examiner is provided with these anchor statements and bases each domain mark awarded against the standards outlined for each level of performance. The domain marks awarded reflect the examiner's judgement of a candidate's performance across the relevant domains in each station.

Candidates should be aware that their final mark cannot be raised.

Significant issues, procedural irregularities and other unexpected incidents impacting on candidate performance are reviewed in detail by the MRCPCH Senior Examiner Board (SEB) after each exam. Where there is sufficient evidence of a fault, error or significant disruption to a candidate's examination experience, the SEB may recommend further action be taken.

For further details on the MRCPCH Clinical examination please refer to guidance on the MRCPCH Clinical examinations.

MRCPCH Clinical examination pass mark - breakdown of scores

A candidate's performance is scored at the end of each station of the clinical examination as per the mark structure below.

The following marks are awarded for the overall judgement score:

• Meets Standard 2
• Borderline 1
• Below Standard 0

The MRCPCH Clinical Examination includes consideration towards any unprofessional conduct. Where there is sufficient evidence of unprofessional conduct during the examination, CEB have the authority to factor this evidence into a candidates final overall mark.

25. Expected standards of candidate performance - MRCPCH Clinical

The MRCPCH Clinical Examination is criterion referenced. The standard is set to meet the competences outlined within the Progress - Level 1 Generic Syllabus

The MRCPCH Clinical Examination is a heavy time, cost and resource commitment with respect to hospital staff, host examiners, examiners, patients and candidates. We ask all candidates to ensure that they are ready and well prepared for their examination in advance of application and to act professionally and respect all individuals they encounter during their examination. Our valued volunteers do not deserve to be exposed to rude or unprofessional behaviour and we ask all candidates to consider this.

For more details, see Appendix H – Examination results: MRCPCH/DCH theory and clinical examinations in the Downloads box below

26. DCH Clinical examination pass mark information

Candidates must achieve a minimum examination score of 160 in order to successfully complete the examination. The minimum examination score of 160 is reflected through an average of 16 pass marks across 8 stations’. The DCH Clinical examination is an 8 station OSCE delivered online with each station being awarded 2 separate marks. Standards expected of candidates are detailed in the anchor statements available for each station. Every examiner is provide with these anchor statements and bases the marks awarded against the standards outlined for each level of performance. The mark awarded is the examiner's judgement of a candidate's overall performance in a specific area of assessment (refer to the DCH anchor statements and mark sheets), it is not a composite of the feedback grades noted on the mark sheet.

Candidates should be aware that their final  mark cannot be raised.

Significant issues, procedural irregularities and other unexpected incidents impacting on candidate performance are reviewed in detail by the DCH Senior Examiner Board (SEB) after each exam.  Where there is sufficient evidence of a fault, error or significant disruption to a candidate's examination experience, the SEB may recommend further action be taken.

Candidates can access guidance on the DCH Clinical examination.

DCH Clinical examination pass mark - breakdown of scores

A candidate's performance is scored at the end of each station of the clinical examination as per the mark structure below. DCH Clinical Examination stations assess candidate ability/performance over two domains (refer to the DCH anchor statements and mark sheets). Candidates will fail the examination if they do not achieve a score of 160 or more.

The following marks are awarded for the overall judgement score:

• Clear Pass 12
• Pass 10
• Bare Fail 8
• Clear Fail 4
• Unacceptable 0

27. Examination complaints, feedback and appeals

MRCPCH and DCH examination candidates are able to request a review of marks in relation to the result outcome of their exam or station marks. They may also seek redress through the complaint process.

Candidates must raise their concerns on the day of the exam with the senior examiner at their exam centre and then submit a complaint form to RCPCH within 7 days of the exam. The complaint will be investigated and the candidate will be informed of the decision. If clinical candidates are not satisfied with the outcome of their complaint, they may then appeal their complaint outcome. The appeals process is not available to Theory Exams candidates.

Clinical exams complaints appeals process

The Clinical Exams complaint outcome appeals process is only open to those clinical examination candidates who have submitted a complaint following the process above, prior to exam results publication, and who wish to appeal the outcome of that complaint. Associated complaint outcome appeals must be submitted within 10 days of the relevant examination results letters being sent out (calculated from the date of the letter). Complaint outcome appeals received after the deadline will not be considered.

Clinical exams review of marks process

We have added a new category of feedback that candidates may formally submit to us.  This category encompasses any type of request for a review of MRCPCH Clinical exam marks (ie candidates asking for remarks, wanting to appeal against marks, wanting to appeal against overall outcomes based on marks).  The Review of Marks Request form is distinct from appeals and you cannot appeal the outcome of a review of marks request as the process of investigation is exactly the same as an appeal process of investigation and will come to the same conclusion.  Fees for a Review of Marks are the same as appeals and the form can be found in the appendices below. The review of marks process is not available to Theory Exams candidates.

For further details please refer to Appendix G - Clinical Examination Complaint Feedback and Appeals Policy and our forms, also available to download at the bottom of this page:

• Clinical examinations complaints and feedback form
• Clinical examinations complaint outcome appeals form
• Clinical examinations Review of Marks form

Theory exams complaints process

Theory exam complaints are now made to be via the booking system. Any candidates wishing to make a complaint need to log into their account and complete the form online. Complaint forms need to be submitted within 7 days of the exam. For further information, please see Appendix J - Theory Examinations Complaints Policy.

28. Results

Results of all MRCPCH/DCH theory and clinical examinations are released when the Chair of the relevant Examining Board (or in their absence the Officer for Examinations/Associate Director of Assessment) is satisfied that the examination has been conducted appropriately and in accordance with the procedures of the RCPCH.

For further details including processing timelines please refer to Appendix H – Examination results: MRCPCH/DCH theory and clinical examinations

29. Malpractice

The RCPCH Council has agreed to the establishment of rules with regards to the investigation of malpractice in College examinations.

For further details please refer to Appendix B - Process for cases of suspected malpractice in college examinations

30. Reporting results to Heads of Schools

With the programme of run through training it is necessary that Regional Leads, Programme Directors and Heads of School are kept informed of candidate progression through the MRCPCH. After each exam, RCPCH will routinely send a report on examination performance to each respective deanery. This will facilitate a process whereby the requirement for any necessary additional support for trainees can be better identified and targeted.

For further details please refer to our privacy notice for examinations.

Our appendices are available to download below. Please note there is no Appendix A.