For more information about the three theory exams, including eligibility, fees, syllabus, how to apply and how to prepare, go to our Theory examinations page.
When and how to get your results
Your theory exam results will be available in your RCPCH online account about 6 or 7 weeks after the exam. We will not send you a notification of this.
- To check if your results are available, log in, go to My account, and in the Exams block, click on Your exam results. (If your exam results are not yet available and if this is your first RCPCH exam, you may see an error message. You can go back to your account or close your window, and try again later.)
We will email your results letter to you about 7 or 8 weeks after the exam. (This is about 1 week after your results are in your online account.)
We do not provide results in person, by fax, by telephone or by post.
Pass marks and feedback
The pass marks for the three theory exams (Foundation of Practice, Theory and Science, Applied Knowledge in Practice) are criterion referenced using Modified Angoff methodology.
Each candidate is judged against an absolute standard, rather than relative to other candidates.
You will get an overall mark for the exam. You will also get feedback for each category. This includes your percentage score in each category, and the average percentage score in each category of UK trainees who passed the exam.
Your percentage scores for each category do not add up to your overall mark. That is because some questions cover more than one category.
Nor can you take a mean of your percentage scores to get your overall percentage score. Some categories have a different number of questions, and so the feedback score will not match the overall score.
See overall pass marks for each exam since 2010.
What happens if you have not not passed?
Many candidates do not pass their theory exam on their first attempt. If you have not passed, speak with your supervisor or others for support. They may be able to advise you.
In line with GMC (General Medical Council) rules, since July 2014 each UK candidate is allowed up to six attempts at each part of MRCPCH. With effect from 1 September 2024, this has 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. See Currency and number of attempts policy on our Exam regulations and rules page.
If you have not passed your exam on six attempts, you will need to apply for an additional attempt. You will need to complete our form including evidence of an additional educational plan supported by an educational supervisor, training programme director or equivalent. See Further attempt application form on our Exam regulations and rules page.
What happens if you have passed?
Great news! But you may now need to prepare for the next exam...
If you are on the Diploma of Child Health (DCH) pathway and have now passed FOP, you can apply for DCH Clinical.
If you are on the MRCPCH pathway, you will need to pass all three theory exams (FOP, TAS and AKP). To continue with your theory exams, see upcoming theory exam dates.
If you have passed all three exams, you can apply for MRCPCH Clinical.
Candidate survey
After your exam day, we will email you an online survey about your exam experience, which is anonymous. Your responses will help us improve the way we deliver our exams - so please do consider completing this.
Complaints
If you wish to file a formal complaint, you will need to complete this on the exams booking system within seven days of the exam.
We will carry out the necessary investigations to review your complaint. We aim to respond to complaints with a formal outcome within a week of the results being published; however, more complex issues may take longer to investigate. You can check your exams booking system to view the status of any formal complaints.
See Theory exams complaints policy on our Exams regulations and rules page.