Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH)
FOP & TAS
Usually taken on the same day, FOP is designed to test knowledge of providing clinical care for children, while TAS assesses the basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles of clinical practice
Our solutionsAKP
The Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) exam is a written assessment that evaluates understanding, knowledge, and clinical decision-making abilities in paediatrics at the level expected of a newly appointed Specialty Trainee 4 (ST4) doctor.
Our solutionsClinical
The MRCPCH Clinical exam is the last of the MRCPCH exams, and will assess your clinical skills and ability to apply your knowledge to real-world paediatric scenarios.
Our solutionsBecome a member
A resource meticulously crafted for pediatric doctors who have conquered their exams but understand the significance of perpetual learning and skill refinement.
About the MRCPCH exams
FOP & TAS exams
To achieve Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) candidates must pass four examinations. Three of the four are theory exams: MRCPCH Foundation of Practice (FOP); MRCPCH Theory and Science (TAS); and MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP). MRCPCH Clinical is the final examination.
The theory exams are can be taken in any order, though candidates usually take MRCPCH FOP and TAS on the same day. The MRCPCH FOP and TAS exams are each 2 hours long, and questions are in the Single Best Answer (SBA) format with a vignette containing case history. The difficulty levels of the FOP/TAS exam papers are set to guarantee that all candidates have reached the required standard of someone entering specialist training. You can find out more about the content of the exams in the RCPCH Exam Syllabus.
The MRCPCH FOP exam is an exam designed to test the knowledge of candidates in regards to providing clinical care for children.
Essentially, the FOP exam is what decides if a candidate has reached the standard required of someone entering their chosen specialist field training. The FOP exam is also taken by GPs doing the DCH so will include questions that are more general practice-based. The MRCPCH FOP exam typically consists of 100 SBAs, which cover a broad range of topics, including Cardiology, Child Development, Metabolism & Metabolic Medicine, and Neonatology.
MRCPCH Theory and Science is an exam which assesses the basic scientific, physiological and pharmacological principles of clinical practice, as well as the principles of evidence-based practice.
The MRCPCH TAS exam typically consists of 100 SBAs. It builds upon the basic scientific principals taught at undergraduate level, and tests specifics that don't often come up in the more clinical-based exams, such as receptors and pathways, as well as statistical tests and interpretation of data.
The RCPCH has three diets each year for all three theory exams, FOP, TAS and AKP. These take place across the UK and in countries around the world. You can find dates and countries of upcoming theory exams, and the application periods for each, on this page, which is regularly updated.
We believe that a MRCPCH FOP/TAS question bank is the best way to revise for the MRCPCH exams. Our MRCPCH questions closely reflect those found in the real exam and our mock exams enable you to get used to the exam format, and crucially, exam timings. T
he Pastest MRCPCH FOP/TAS App allows you to revise at every opportunity such as during short breaks or while commuting. The app also enables you to download videos and podcasts which are a perfect way to increase your knowledge of stats and specialties.
MRCPCH AKT exam
The MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP) exam is a written assessment that evaluates a candidate’s understanding, knowledge, and clinical decision-making abilities in paediatrics at the level expected of a newly appointed Specialty Trainee 4 (ST4) doctor. The AKP is the third part of the Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) qualification and is essential for progression toward clinical training in paediatrics.
The AKP exam involves a series of Single Best Answer (SBA) questions that assess knowledge synthesis, clinical reasoning, and the application of paediatric knowledge in practical clinical settings. It is comprised of two exams, each 2.5 hours long, and contains 60 questions, for a total of 120 questions.
The AKP exam involves a series of SBA questions that assess knowledge synthesis, clinical reasoning, and the application of paediatric knowledge in practical clinical settings. It is comprised of two exams, each 2.5 hours long, and contains 60 questions, for a total of 120 questions. To qualify for the MRCPCH clinical examination, candidates must pass all three MRCPCH theory exams (FOP, TAS, and AKP) and meet the eligibility requirements as per the RCPCH guidelines. This exam builds upon foundational clinical knowledge and incorporates both theoretical and applied understanding.
According to the RCPCH website, to apply to sit the AKP exam, you must first be registered for an exam account, which you will need to do at least 10 days before the exam application window opens. In order to be eligible to apply for and sit the AKP exam, you must hold a primary medical qualification, recognised by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom.
There are no set guidelines on how long you should spend preparing to take the MRCPCH AKP exam - it depends entirely on your learning preferences. Some people who have taken the exam in the past recommend 4-6 weeks for your studying, whilst others suggest 2-3 months - it all depends on your working pattern and how you absorb information.
Meet our experts
Dr. Kiran Bains
Michelle Grimshaw
Dr. Kate Dominiak
MRCPCH Clinical exam
The MRCPCH Clinical exam is the last of the MRCPCH exams, and will assess your clinical skills and ability to apply your knowledge to real-world paediatric scenarios.
The MRCPCH clinical exam assesses your ability to diagnose, manage, and communicate effectively in paediatric care through two components. The first involves clinical scenarios, where you demonstrate skills like history-taking, physical examination, interpreting results, developing management plans, and communicating with patients and families. Overall, the exam evaluates your ability to gather and interpret information, manage conditions appropriately, communicate professionally, and uphold ethical standards.
The goal of the MRCPCH clinical exam is to evaluate your ability to effectively: Gather and interpret information, diagnose and manage paediatric conditions appropriately, communicate with patients, families, and healthcare professionals and demonstrate professionalism and ethical behaviour
To apply for the MRCPCH Clinical exam, ensure you have passed all three MRCPCH theory exams (FOP, TAS, AKP) and have at least two and a half years of post-graduate training, including six months in paediatrics. Create an RCPCH online account, prepare your application details (including a sponsor consultant), and register during the designated application period. Submit the application through your RCPCH account, pay the exam fee, and await confirmation of your booking with exam details. Places are limited, so early application is recommended.
The Pastest MRCPCH Clinical resource is one of the best and most comprehensive out there! The content has been recently updated and now contains over 100 cases, diagnoses with feedback, flashcards, and resources to master clinical skills, all in a user-friendly interface for efficient preparation.
Get the ultimate toolkit
Tailored to suit your study style, our tools ensure an interactive, effective, and on-the-go learning experience.