MRCPsych examinations: Cumlative results 1997-2002

Abstract

Aims and methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of performance of candidates in the MRCPsych examinations in the period 1997-2002 inclusive. During this period 6306 candidates sat the MRCPsych part I and 4536 sat the MRCPsych part II. Results: The overall pass rates for MRCPsych part I was 44.7% and 48.9% for MRCPsych part II. The majority of those who passed either part of the examinations did so on their first attempt; females performed better than males and graduates of UK and Republic of Ireland medical schools performed better than foreign graduates in all component parts of the examinations. Clinical implications: The pattern of results suggests that clinical tutors and course organisers need to pay special care to the training needs of trainees who are foreign medical graduates.