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The MRCPCH Clinical exam is the final hurdle you need to clear to earn internationally recognised membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Passing this exam allows you to secure GMC registration and qualify for Specialty Training (ST4) in paediatrics in the UK.

About the MRCPCH Clinical exam

This exam is designed to ensure that candidates meet the clinical and professional standards needed to work in child health. It assesses how well you interact with patients, families, and colleagues. You will navigate through 10 different stations, each presenting a unique clinical scenario. You will be evaluated by trained examiners at each station. Some of these scenarios may involve children, young people, or adults playing the roles of patients or family members.

Exam at a glance

• Format: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
• Stations: 10
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes

Preparation tips to help you succeed

Getting ready for the MRCPCH Clinical requires good planning and focused practice. Here are some key tips to guide your preparation.

Focus on communication skills

Good communication is essential in paediatrics. Practice talking about medical topics in a way that’s clear and easy for non-medical people to understand. Role-playing with friends or family can help you learn to explain things simply.

Manage your time wisely

Time management is important in the MRCPCH Clinical exam. Stay focused and mindful of the time to make the most of each station.

Get comfortable with history-taking

The exam will test how well you can gather patient history. This means you will need to ask the right questions to get useful information. Practising with different case types, like acute conditions or developmental issues, can make you more confident.

Practice physical examinations

Knowing how to conduct thorough, careful physical exams is important. Focus on exams commonly tested, like respiratory, cardiovascular, and abdominal assessments.

Strengthen clinical reasoning

The exam will also check how you reason through cases. Practice outlining the problem, considering possible diagnoses, and making a plan. Reviewing cases with colleagues can be helpful, as it trains you to think logically and clearly.

Review treatment and management Planning

For each common condition, know the steps for treatment. It’s also important to recognise when to refer or seek further help.

Keep professionalism in mind

Professionalism is not just about clinical skill but how you conduct yourself. Stay calm, show empathy and demonstrate respect in all situations. The examiners will be looking at how well you handle yourself under pressure.

We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions or need assistance with your exam preparation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Authored By: Sarath