If you’re aiming to complete the MRCPCH (Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health), passing the theory examinations is your first major hurdle. These exams assess your knowledge across broad areas of paediatric medicine and are a core requirement before you can proceed to the clinical part of MRCPCH.
Overview of the Theory Exams
The MRCPCH Theory examinations consist of three separate papers, each testing distinct areas of knowledge in paediatrics:
- Foundation of Practice (FOP): Focuses on the core clinical knowledge needed to care for children.
- Theory and Science of Practice (TAS): Tests basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles underlying successful paediatric practice.
- Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP): Assesses clinical decision-making and management skills, similar to real-world paediatric judgement.
These exams are computer-based and can be taken in any order — you don’t have to sit them sequentially. However, you must pass all three before you can register for the MRCPCH Clinical exam.
Who Can Sit the Theory Exams?
You are eligible to apply if you hold a valid primary medical qualification (PMQ) from an institution recognised for medical registration with the UK’s General Medical Council or equivalently recognised overseas.
This usually includes paediatric trainees or doctors who are pursuing paediatric qualifications as part of their postgraduate training.
How and When to Apply
Before booking your exam, you must register for an online RCPCH exam account. This should be done well before the application window opens — a minimum of 10 days before is advised.
The RCPCH typically runs theory exams three times a year (commonly referred to as exam diets), with FOP and TAS often on the same day and AKP held separately. Dates and application windows are published well in advance, and seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
When and Where You Can Sit the Exams
Most candidates take the theory exams at official test centres in the UK and internationally. If no centre is nearby or you meet certain eligibility criteria — such as living more than a 200 miles distance from a centre — you may be eligible for remote invigilation and sit the exam online.
RCPCH normally have three exam diets each year - in which we run all three theory exams:
- Diet 1 - January AKP, February FOPTAS
- Diet 2 - May AKP, June FOPTAS
- Diet 3 - September AKP, October FOPTAS
Remote exams are monitored in real time and must be completed in a suitable private environment. We may not run exams in every listed country in every diet.
Exam Format & Timing
Each theory paper varies in length:
- FOP and TAS: FOP and TAS take place on the same day .FOP in the morning, and TAS in the afternoon.Each exam runs for 2 hours.
- AKP: Comprises two papers, each 2 hours 30 minutes (total 5 hours).
Exact start and finish times depend on the session you book, but detailed admissions documentation is provided by RCPCH in advance of the exam.
You'll need to get to the test centre (or log on if via online invigilation) before the exam starts. About 5-6 weeks before the exam, will email you an admissions document with full details about timings and location, please print this and bring to the test centre,
Fees
The cost of sitting each theory exam varies depending on the exam and where you take it (UK or international). Fees are payable online in UK sterling at the time of application.
Preparation Tips
The RCPCH provides a range of preparation resources to help you succeed:
- Official sample papers and practice questions.
- Exam tip videos from experienced paediatric consultants.
- Textbooks and revision guides tailored for each theory exam.
- Structured preparation courses are also available.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the exam syllabus and question formats before you begin serious revision.
Comments (0)