Theory exams for the MRCPCH and DCH - how to apply
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Theory exams for the MRCPCH and DCH -
how to apply
Examinations team
?
Our theory exams for MRCPCH and Diploma of Child Health take place three times a year in
the UK and overseas. This page explains when and how to apply, what times they start and
finish, what to bring on the day and what to expect after the exam.
The theory exams are taken on a computer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the 2020.3 &
2021.1 diets candidates will have the option to take the exam at a test centre with
appropriate social distancing, or at one’s own home or workplace with online invigilation.
Last modified
14 January 2021
Post date
1 April 2018
Table of contents
Updates - impact of COVID-19
Three exams
Get your exam account
Dates of exams and application periods 2021
Test delivery
Start and end times
Exam fees
Additional requirements / reasonable adjustments
How to apply
How to pay and confirm your place
What to do before the exam day
What to expect on the day
After your exam
Complaints and feedback
Downloads
Updates - impact of COVID-1916 October 2020: 2021.1 diet - We will continue to offer candidates the option of online and
test centre delivery for theory examination for the 2021.1 diet.
1 July 2020: delivery for 2020.3 diet - We can confirm full details of theory exam delivery
for this year’s third diet (2020.3). We will offer candidates two options for taking the exam,
and you can read more in our candidate guides:
Option 1 - test centre with social distancing
Option 2 - own home or other private space with online invigilation
You can also find out more about both options in our frequently asked questions.
A series of addendums and additions to the exams rules and regulations are in place to
account for the expanded delivery methods. You should read through them, in conjunction
with the full rules and regulations, before you book your exam.
11 June 2020 - We delayed the application window for all theory exams in this year's third
diet (2020.3). This gives us time to explore all options to safely deliver the exams. See
new application dates below.
23 March 2020 - We postponed all scheduled MRCPCH and DCH exams in the UK and
internationally from now until the end of August 2020. This included the AKP on 13 May and
FOP/TAS on 17 June. We wrote to all affected candidates with further details.
Three exams
There are three theory exams, which you may sit in any order:
Foundation of Practice (FOP)
Theory and Science (TAS)
Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
Get your exam account
Your first step is to register for exams.
Log in to or create your RCPCH account. Once logged in, go to My account and follow the
links to register for exams. You'll then need to complete a short form to demonstrate you are
eligible to take these exams.
Once registered, you can apply for an exam sitting during an application period (see next
section).
Read more about how to get your exam accountDates of exams and application periods 2021
Exam Applications open (09:30 UK local time) - date can vary by country and
Exam
date option
13
AKP
January Exam taken place
2021.1
2021
10
FOP/TAS
February Between 30 November and 3 December 2020
2021.1
2021
From 1 March 2021
AKP 19 May
2021.2 2021 Test centre openings TBD
From 29 March 2021
FOP/TAS 9 June
2021.2 2021 Test centre openings TBD
15
AKP
September June 2021
2021.3
2021
13
FOP/TAS
October July 2021
2021.3
2021
Note All information about theory exams in 2021 is subject to change. Application windows
are updated shortly before the opening date.
You'll find more information on how to apply below. Some quick tips:
You'll need to register for your exam account at least 10 working days before the
application period opens. We're unable to process registrations during an application
period.
When you apply online, make sure you book the correct test centre. If you book the
wrong centre, we cannot transfer you to an alternative.
Dates and locations are subject to change. If we make any changes, we will update this
page. You can also follow @rcpch_trainees on Twitter.
Test delivery
Our theory exams take place in test centres across the UK and in other countries. Each testcentre has a fixed number of places. When you apply online, you select your preferred
centre from those that are hosting the exam and that have available places.
For 2021.1, we have two options for taking the exam:
Option 1: at a test centre with social distancing
Option 2: at home or another private location with online invigilation - this new option is
available in all countries except Egypt, Sudan and United Arab Emirates (we are not
currently able to support this option in these countries due to local restrictions)
We accept applications on a first come, first serve basis, and only before the closing date.
Once an application is confirmed and paid, transfers between test centres/online invigilation
are not possible.
We currently delivery theory exams in these countries (candidates in other countries may
also apply to sit at a test centre of their choice, or via online delivery - but any technological
or travel restrictions are at their own risk):
Europe
UK - test centres across the country
Republic of Ireland
Malta
Middle East and North Africa
Bahrain
Egypt (online invigilation not available)
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Sudan (online invigilation not available)
United Arab Emirates (online invigilation not available)
South Asia and Far East
Hong Kong
India
Malaysia
Nepal
Pakistan
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Caribbean
Trinidad
Please note, we may not run all test centres in all countries at every examination sitting.
Start and end times
FOP and TAS are held on the same day; FOP in the morning; TAS in the afternoon. You can
choose to apply to sit both examinations on the same day or apply to sit either FOP or TASseparately.
AKP consists of two papers taken on the same day.
Times in UK and Republic of Ireland (times in GMT)
These are the same for both options: test centre delivery and online invigilation.
End time (standard 25%
Exam Start time End time
additional time)
Foundation of Practice (FOP) 09:30 12:00 12:38
Theory and Science (TAS) 14:00 16:30 17:08
Applied Knowledge in Practice
09:30 12:00 12:38
(AKP) Paper 1
Applied Knowledge in Practice
14:00 16:30 17:09
(AKP) Paper 2
Times in other countries
These vary from country to country. You can find more detail on your admission document,
which we will send you four weeks after the application period ends.
Those taking the option for online invigilation will start at 07:00, UK time. (So, your start time
will depend on your time zone.) It is your responsibility as the candidate to ensure you are
ready to start at the correct time.
To be clear, the overseas local start time for your examination will depend on what time zone
you are in. You must check what your local start time is, prior to the examination.
Exam fees
The fees differ by country, and details are below. The fees are the same for both delivery
options: test centre and online invigilation.
For all countries except Hong Kong, you will need to pay online by credit card, or by debit
card that is linked to a UK bank account.
We do not accept bank drafts or cheques. Due to changes within the UK Banks Clearing
System, bank drafts and cheques are scanned and processed electronically and the paper
originals destroyed. This means that if there were a payment issue, we would not be able to
return bank drafts and cheques, and funds would not be processed.
UK and Republic of Ireland
Exam Exam fee 2021
Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper £325Exam Exam fee 2021 Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper £325 FOP and TAS - both papers £550 Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) £550 India, Malaysia, KSA, UAE, Oman, Myanmar, Sudan, Singapore, Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, Pakistan Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Trinidad currently only provide RCPCH theory exams. India, Malaysia, Nepal, KSA, UAE, Oman, Mynamar, Sudan and Singapore provide both theory and clinical exam test centres. Exam Exam fee 202 Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper £408 Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper £408 FOP and TAS - both papers £675 Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) £780 Egypt Exam Exam fee 202 Foundation of Practice (FOP) - single paper £380 Theory and Science (TAS) - single paper £380 FOP and TAS - both papers £615 Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) £710 Hong Kong (HK) Candidates in Hong Kong must submit payment to the Hong Kong College exam organiser in HKD via a bank draft - find out more. Exam Exam fee 2020 FOP - single paper 4,700HKD TAS - single paper 4,700HKD
Exam Exam fee 2020
FOP and TAS - both papers 7,600HKD
AKP 8,800HKD
Additional requirements / reasonable adjustments
If you need support for your exam, include details in your application. We'll contact you
during or shortly after the application period to discuss requirements.
Any evidence supporting your reasonable adjustment request must be uploaded with your
exam application at the time of booking.
We may be able to arrange:
additional time to complete the exam
option to sit the exam at a centre of your choice, a centre recommended by the Exams
Team or a centre that suits your accessibility needs
other more complex arrangements. Please note: complex arrangements require time. If
required you must contact the Exams Team as early as possible and ideally before you
apply for your exam.
Candidates who chose to take the examination via online invigilation should still submit
reasonable adjustment requests via their online application – accounting for any potential
additional requirements they may need to facilitate sitting the exam online (such as screen
reading software or similar). As with all requests, we will be as flexible as possible to
accommodate evidenced, reasonable requests.
Find the policy in our exam regulations and rules.
For more information, contact us on exams@rcpch.ac.uk or +44 20 7092 6000 (ask for
Exams team).
How to apply
You can only apply on our online system. We do not accept paper, email or faxed
applications.
Before you startYou must be registered for an exam account. Do this at least 10 days before the
application window. See how to register
You can only apply during the application period, which is usually one week or longer.
The application period always opens at 09:30 GMT (local time in the UK) on the first
day and closes at 16:30 GMT on the last day. See dates above
We recommend you use Google Chrome. Internet Explorer is not supposed. We also
suggest using a desktop or laptop computer, and not a mobile device.
Go to your exam dashboard and application form
Log in to your account.
On your Account, go to the Exams panel, and follow links to apply.
First you'll see your exam dashboard, which shows your qualification progress - which
exams you need to sit, and whether you have sat and passed each - and exams you
may apply for - when the application period is open for your next exam(s).
You should select the method of delivery (test centre or online delivery) and then the
location in which you wish to sit your examination.
Complete the application form
Read all the information carefully
Complete all fields as fully as possible
Once you have completed all forms and declarations and are happy with your
application, you will need to click through the application form to pay via debit or credit
card.
Your place will be reserved for 10 minutes whilst you complete your application and
payment. After 30 minutes your draft application will be removed and you will need to
re-start your application.
How to pay and confirm your place
We can confirm your exam place after we receive payment. After you submit your
application, you can make a payment online by credit card, or by debit card linked to a UK
bank account.
After we receive payment, we will send you an email to confirm your place. If you cannot find
this email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder. (We will email the admissions
document, with full details for your test centre, three - four weeks before your examination
day.)
Please note: There have been a number of fraudulent credit card payments associated with
RCPCH exam fee submissions in recent years. This has mainly been associated with
overseas exam payments. We urge all candidates to use their own credit or debit cards
when processing payments for exam sittings.
Candidates who use another individual’s card even with their full permission are putting
themselves at risk. There have been a number of incidents where candidates have been
given permission by a friend or colleague to use their card to process payment only to
discover later that the card details provided are fraudulent. Should this happen to any
candidate they will be refused entry to the exam they have applied for until such time as theyhave provided alternative payment. The College reserves the right to contact the relevant
authorities, should this be felt necessary.
How to pay and confirm your place
We can confirm your exam place after we receive payment. After you submit your
application, you can make a payment online by credit card, or by debit card linked to a UK
bank account.
After we receive payment, we will send you an email to confirm your place. If you cannot find
this email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder. (We will email the admissions
document, with full details for your test centre, four weeks after the application period.)
You can also track your application online. Sign in, go to Account and to the Exams panel,
and follow the links to see My Exam Applications.
Please note: There have been a number of fraudulent credit card payments associated with
RCPCH exam fee submissions in recent years. This has mainly been associated with
overseas exam payments. We urge all candidates to use their own credit or debit cards
when processing payments for exam sittings.
Candidates who use another individual’s card even with their full permission are putting
themselves at risk. There have been a number of incidents where candidates have been
given permission by a friend or colleague to use their card to process payment only to
discover later that the card details provided are fraudulent. Should this happen to any
candidate they will be refused entry to the exam they have applied for until such time as they
have provided alternative payment. The College reserves the right to contact the relevant
authorities, should this be felt necessary.
What to do before the exam day
Admissions documents
We will email you an admissions document about 3-4 weeks before the exam day.
For the test centre with social distancing: your admissions document will include the full
address of your test centre. We suggest you check the address and what journey you will
take before the exam day. You may like to use an online map such as Google Maps to see
where it is and what it looks like.
For the online invigilation: your admissions document will include signposting to important
documents and instructions, as well as the UK start time of your examination. You are
responsible for working out your local start time prior to the examination.
Your ID
You will need to bring or show one of the following forms of ID:
Passport with photograph and signature - this must be current or no more than six
months expiredValid driving license with photograph and signature
National identity card with photograph and signature
Only original documents will be accepted. If you do not bring / show an original, or if you
bring a photograph, scanned copy, photocopy or digital copy, you will not be permitted to sit
the exam.
If you are refused entry / start due to reasons related to your ID not meeting the
requirements, you will not be eligible for any refund of your exam fees.
Practice with sample papers
To become familiar with the exam format and software, we recommend you practice with
sample papers. These are not an indication of the length of the examination or the difficulty
of the questions and are only to be used to familiarise yourself with the format of delivery.
They are applicable for both online delivery and test centre delivery.
What to expect on the day
Find out more by looking at our pages about delivery options:
Option 1 - test centre with social distancing
Option 2 - own home or other private space with online invigilation
Frequently asked questions
If you experience technical difficulties on the day, please seek the support of your invigilator.
If you believe that any technical difficulties have adversely affected your performance in the
examination, please see our Complaints and Appeals policy.
After your exam
Your results will be available about five to six weeks after your exam.
A significant number of candidates do not pass their examinations on their first attempt. Do
consider the effects of having to resit exams on your training timeframe.
If you work in the UK you may have up to six attempts to pass each of the exams for the
MRCPCH. If you fail to pass an exam after six attempts, you will need to provide us with
evidence of additional educational experience before being permitted to attempt that exam
again. In the UK, this evidence should come from your deanery/LETB, usually provided by
their educational supervisor.
There are no restrictions on the number of attempts for DCH candidates or for candidates
working permanently in other countries.
More about exam results
Complaints and feedback
See our exams regulations and rules for information on how to make a complaint or providefeedback. Downloads MRCPCH Theory Exams Test Centre Delivery Timings22.72 KB
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