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Are you a medical professional looking to build a successful career in paediatrics with the internationally recognised MRCPCH qualification? Holding the MRCPCH postnominal demonstrates to healthcare employers that you possess advanced knowledge and clinical skills in the field. Thus, it opens up numerous opportunities globally, along with attractive salaries.

Furthermore, pursuing MRCPCH is a key pathway for international medical graduates who are seeking GMC registration to work in the UK. However, to achieve the MRCPCH qualification, you must successfully complete three theory exams and one clinical exam. Here we will give you a comprehensive overview of the upcoming MRCPCH AKP exam dates in 2025, so you can plan your preparation effectively.

Upcoming MRCPCH AKP Exam Dates

The MRCPCH AKP (Applied Knowledge in Practice) exam is one of the three theory exams required to earn the MRCPCH qualification. The theory exams are held three times a year. The first exam for 2025 has already taken place in January. Below, we’ve outlined the important dates for the upcoming MRCPCH AKP exam in 2025:

AKP 2025 – Diet 2

• Exam date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
• Applications open: Monday, 10 March 2025 (09:30 UK time)
• Applications close (online invigilation): Friday, 14 March 2025 (16:00 UK time)
• Applications close (test centres): Monday, 17 March 2025 (16:00 UK time)

AKP 2025 – Diet 3

• Exam date: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
• Applications open: Monday, 7 July 2025 (09:30 UK time)
• Applications close (online invigilation): Friday, 11 July 2025 (16:00 UK time)
• Applications close (test centres): Monday, 14 July 2025 (16:00 UK time)

About MRCPCH AKP

The MRCPCH AKP exam assesses your knowledge, clinical decision-making, and understanding of paediatrics at the level expected of individuals entering core specialist training. The questions focus on identifying clinical problems, formulating potential diagnoses, selecting common tests, and interpreting their results. Since paediatric care often involves families, the exam also tests your understanding of professional and legal responsibilities.

Mode of Exam: Computer-based
Number of Papers: 2 papers
Number of Questions: 120 Single Best Answer (60 questions per paper)
Duration: 2.5 hours per paper

MRCPCH AKP Eligibility

To be eligible for the MRCPCH theory exams, you must:

• Hold a primary medical qualification from a recognised institution.
• The qualification must be eligible for GMC registration or recognised by the GMC for overseas institutions.

We hope this information helps you plan for the MRCPCH AKP exam in 2025. If you’re aiming to take the exam, consider joining StudyMRCPCH for expert-led preparation. Our short and long-term courses, combined with high-quality study resources, have consistently delivered a 90%+ pass rate over the years. Connect with us to know more.

Authored By: Sarath