Frequently asked questions

If you wish to apply to sit the MRCS part A with RCSI you must make an online application. You will be required to upload your medical degree in English, a form of ID such as passport or driving license and a photo of yourself. You will also be required to complete payment of exam fees. 

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If you wish to apply to sit the MRCS part B with RCSI you must make an online application. You will be required to upload formal letter for passing MRCS part A, your medical degree in English, a form of ID, such as passport or driving license, and a photo of yourself. You will also be required to complete payment of exam fees.

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Pearson VUE test centres are available globally, there is no central list of test centres available before the schedule window opens.  Available test centres will be specific to each examination sitting and some centres may become unavailable during the test window if their seat capacity is reached. 

Candidates should provide an accurate and up to date address when applying to assist us in securing seats in locations candidates are based. 

All candidates must book their test centre seat within the dedicated schedule window for each diet.  The College will notify candidates of this schedule window and you will receive an email from Pearson VUE on the day when the test schedule window opens.  This email will instruct you on how to book using the Pearson VUE system. 

No refunds or transfers will be available to candidates who have not logged into the Pearson VUE portal to book a test centre during the above schedule window.

Candidates who are having difficulty securing a seat must notify their college of application by email during this booking window timeframe. 

RCSI will not be in position to book a centre on your behalf and you should contact Pearson VUE directly but you must notify the College by email mrcsexams@rcsi.ie that you cannot secure a seat and have contacted Pearson VUE.

If you do not book your centre seat within the dedicated schedule window, you will not be permitted to sit the exam. Candidates who have not notified us of any difficulty during the booking window will be withdraw.

Candidates should note that the majority of seats are available in larger towns & cities and some degree of travel may be required.  The majority of seats in Ireland are available in Dublin and candidates are expected to travel as they would when the examination was delivered paper based in Dublin.

If seats are available within a reasonable distance of your location and you do not proceed with booking this will be considered a withdrawal and the normal withdrawal policies apply.

No, all instructions will be provided to you when you arrive at the Pearson Vue test centre.  There is a tutorial at the beginning of your exam that provides detailed instructions on how to use the software.

Candidates should arrive at least 30 minutes before the examination start time to allow for security and admission checks to be completed.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your exam start time, you will not be permitted entry to the examination.

Please refer to your test centre booking confirmation email.  It is essential that you familiarise yourself with the personal ID requirements to be admitted to the test centre on the day of the examination.

Candidates are advised to read the MRCS Part A Candidate Exam Day Procedures with Pearson VUE available through the link below:

https://www.intercollegiatemrcsexams.org.uk/mrcs/mrcs-part-a-pearson-vue-information/

No personal or electronic items, pens, paper, food or water are permitted in the exam room. 

Candidates must familiarise themselves with the Pearson VUE test centre standard rules

Candidates requiring medicine, medical devices or mobility aids will be able to bring these into the examination without pre-approval. Please see the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List for full details.

Diabetic candidates requiring access to their smartphone for medical reasons during the examination time will need to request a reasonable adjustment directly with their College prior to the examination day.

Reasonable adjustments must be confirmed with your College at the time of application. If you have already correctly registered your reasonable adjustment (for example; for visual impairment, dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties) these will be accounted for and should show on your Pearson VUE test centre booking portal.

You may need to call Pearson VUE directly to book or confirm your test centre seat with some reasonable adjustment requests. Please contact the College mrcsexams@rcsi.ie if you require any clarification.

For candidates with additional time granted, you will be still be allowed a 60-minute break between papers, and will start your PoSG paper later than candidates sitting without additional time.

All candidates will receive their Pastest discount code in acceptance email after the application closing date.

As per MRCS rules and regulations, you can not apply to sit the MRCS part B OSCE when you have results outstanding. You can not apply to sit the MRCS part B OSCE without having a formal letter stating you passed MRCS part A.

Find out more about MRCS rules and regulations here.

MRCS candidates must access the Postgraduate Examinations portal to view results for either MRCS Part A and Part B examinations.

If you wish to withdraw from the exam, you will receive a refund, less 20% administration fees.

Candidates withdrawing from the exam diet after the closing date will forfeit the exam fees paid.

If you wish to submit an application to have exceptional circumstances reviewed, you must submit a valid sick certificate from a registered doctor stating you were unfit to work on the date of exam. This must be submitted within 14 days of the exam date.

Find out more about our exam policies here.

As per MRCS rules and regulations, candidates have six attempts to complete MRCS part A. Please find details regarding MRCS rules and regulations here.

As per MRCS rules and regulations, candidates have four attempts to complete MRCS Part B. Please find details regarding MRCS rules and regulations here.

If you wish to apply for an additional attempt, you must complete this form and email it to pgexams@rcsi.ie.

As per MRCS rules and regulations, candidates must pass MRCS part B no more than seven years after passing MRCS Part A. Please find details regarding MRCS rules and regulations here.

In relation to a reasonable accommodation request, you will be required to submit a report from an educational psychologist within one week of the closing date for the Part A exam. The report must indicate the recommendations from the educational psychologist – this will then be assessed by RCSI and you will be advised the accommodation available in respect of the Part A.

The documentation should be emailed to pgexams@rcsi.ie.