Info Sessions

How to Prepare for Royal College Exams in India

How to Prepare for Royal College Exams in India
Tired of Reading? Please listen to the blog
Voiced by Amazon Polly

Blog Summary

Royal College exams enhance your clinical and academic knowledge and skills with recognition in many other countries across the Middle East and Asia. Its examination centers are located across various Indian cities, and RCP qualification is considered equivalent to MD and MS degree programs. MRCP, MRCS, MRCOG, MRCPCH and FRCR are popular specialties. To take up the exams, you must register on the RCSEd website, submit your credentials for verification and pay the appropriate exam fee as per guidelines. TAU offers three-year fellowship programs with specialized training to clear RCP exams. It provides hospital-based teaching, clinical rotations as per royal college standards, get trained by senior consultants and question banks from leading vendors which enables you to prepare for the exams.  

Content Top Picks
  1. Eligibility for Royal College Exams
  2. What Are the Most Popular Royal College Exams?
  3. Training for Royal College Exams as Texila American University

The Royal College diploma and certificate exams are intended to improve doctors’ knowledge, behaviour, and academic and clinical skills. It is often a three-part knowledge and clinical skill-centric exam that ensures that the candidate is fit to specialize in a medical specialty.

Qualifying for the Royal College exams is also valuable for doctors who practice medicine outside the UK. These qualifications are also recognized in many other countries across the Middle East and Asia. Royal College exams can be a great way to gain specialization in one’s interest.

Due to demand in recent times, you can now also attend Royal College exams in India as most colleges have examination centres in various Indian cities.

In India, these qualifications are recognized as equivalents to MD and MS, which adds to its appeal among doctors wishing to specialize. Many doctors for India pursue the Royal College exam for recognition. It has become a popular way to pursue a postgraduate qualification for many doctors in recent times. This article covers how you can get trained for the various Royal College exams in India.

Eligibility for Royal College Exams

The Royal College exam eligibility is relatively simple and straightforward; one must be an MBBS graduate. To initiate the process, one must register, submit their credentials for verification and pay the appropriate exam fee for the suitable part per the Royal College guidelines on time.

There are various Royal College exams one can pursue multiple specialties. Here are some of the popular ones:

  1. Membership of Royal College of Physician (MRCP)
  2. Membership of Royal College of Surgery (MRCS)
  3. Membership of Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (MRCOG)
  4. Membership of Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (MRCPCH)
  5. Membership of Royal College of Radiology (FRCR)

1. Membership of Royal College of Physician (MRCP)

What Is MRCP?

To clearly understand what is MRCP, we have first to look at every aspect of the program. So, what is MRCP?

The Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physician exam (MRCP) is an intercollegiate examination conducted for doctors to become a member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in the UK and get specialized in internal medicine.

Eligibility for the MRCP Exam

To be eligible for the MRCP exam, a candidate must possess a primary medical qualification and double-check with the International Medical Education Directory, which is also accepted by the United Kingdom General Medical Council.

For foreign candidates, they must possess a primary medical qualification accepted by the Colleges’ Councils. This means that for entry into the MRCP exam, Indians will only need an MBBS degree to be eligible for the examination.

Registering for the Exam

Registering for the MRCP exam is relatively straight forward:

  • Step 1: If you don’t have a site already, register yourself here.
  • Step 2: Upon successful registration, login here.
  • Step 3: Register for the exam by filling up the required details.
  • Step 4: Pay the exam fees listed on the website

As mentioned earlier, the Royal College exams are split into three, and MRCP exams are no exception. The various tests one has to clear are:

  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • PACES
  • Specialty Certificate Examinations (Optional)

MRCP Pathway Cost

  • £594 for Part A outside the UK
  • £594 for Part B outside the UK
  • £1202 for PACES outside the UK
  • £160–200 for IELTS or £332 for OET

Preparing for the Exam

After your registration, it’s now time to begin your preparation. Here are some preparation tips you can take up.

  • It is necessary to know what you will be undertaking when studying for the RCP exams. You can visit MRCP, UK, site for more information on the syllabus.
  • Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and Focus on the core text.
  • Typically, preparation would take around six months of preparation for doctors to clear the exam, so plan your practice preparation schedule accordingly.
  • Even though most of the syllabus material will be online, You will find many elements in textbooks that will be of critical value.

When you look at the syllabus, you will get an assumption that MRCP preparation is straight forward. But the truth of the matter is that MRCP preparation is much more complicated than reading off the syllabus’s recommended materials.

Many who have gone through the MRCP preparation would let you know that MRCP preparation is a complicated process and requires a lot of planning to cover the syllabus and the training routine strategically.

One needs to adopt new MRCP preparation strategies for each part and the PACES.

Books and Preparation Tips to Get You Started

  • Books:
    • Essential Revision Notes for MRCP edited by Philip A. Kalra
    • MRCP Part 1: Explanations to the Royal College of Physicians Past Papers by HLC, BSc MRCP Beynon, C.N., MRCP Ross
    • MRCP Part 1 MCQs in Basic Sciences by P. Easterbrook, Kefah Mokbel
    • Basic Medical Sciences for MRCP Part 1 by Philippa Easterbrook
    • The Practical Guide to Medical Ethics and Law for Junior Doctors and Medical Students by authors Chloe Baxter, Yvette Coldicott, Mark G. Brennan
  • Tips:
    • Consider joining or forming study groups virtually. It will vastly grow your chance of covering the topics and give you a different perspective on the materials at hand.
    • Study and partake in discussions with other aspirants
    • Attend mocks tests extensively during the revision period.
    • Taking mocks and time yourself in the process. It is an essential factor that will significantly help you during the exam.

MRCP Paces Exam

MRCP paces exam is conducted after the Parts 1 and 2 MRCP exams; it is a practical assessment of clinical examination skills. MRCP paces exam is intended to certify trainee doctors’ clinical expertise and abilities who aspire to enter sub-specialist training (ST3) later.

MRCP paces exam takes place in a half-day duration. MRCP paces exam consists of five stations with eight patient encounters, which takes place in a clinical setting.

Training for MRCP Exams

You have now understood what is MRCP and how to prepare for the MRCP exams. However, taking training is required to clear the MRCP exams with ease. In India, Medical universities like Texila American University (TAU) offers world-class training for MRCP exams. Upon enrolling in this 3-year training program, you will be trained by the Royal College certified trainers. Their intensive training will help you clear the exams and help you get specialized as a general physician.

2. Membership of Royal College of Surgery (MRCS)

MRCS Exams

The Royal College of Surgeons conducts the intercollegiate MRCS exam. It intends to enable one’s progress from core training to specialty training.

In India, one can take up the two-part examination in any of the various examination centres located in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Pune.

Registering for the Exam

Follow the steps below to register yourself for the MRCS Part 1 exam.

  • Step 1: If you don’t have a site already, register yourself here.
  • Step 2: Upon successful registration, login here.
  • Step 3: Register for the exam by filling up the required details.
  • Step 4: Pay the exam fees listed on the website and wait for notification on the exam.

Examination Costs

  • Part A: £550
  • Part B: £997

Preparing for the Exam

  • Preparing for the MRCS Part A exam, you will have to go through the following texts.
    • Essential Revision Notes for Intercollegiate MRCS Parts 1 and 2
    • SBA MCQs and EMQs for the MRCS Part A Pack: 2 (Oxford Specialty Training: Revision Texts)
    • MRCS Part A: 500 SBAs
    •  EMQs by Pradip K Datta
    • Christopher Edited by JK Bulstrode
    • Review other related resources related to the preparation
  • For Part B, you will have to cover:
    • Dr.Exam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide – by B. H. Miranda, K. Asaad, S. P. Kay
    •  Dr.Exam Part B MRCS OSCE Revision Guide – by B. H. Miranda, K. Asaad, P. E. M. Butler
    • OSCEs for the MRCS Part B A Bailey & Love Revision Guide – Jonathan Fishman, Vivian A Elwell, Rajat Chowdhury
    • Also, cover the other resources and attend mocks.
  • For Anatomy
    • MRCS Part B OSCE: Anatomy by Jeremy Lynch, Susan Shelmerdine, Vishy Mahadevan
    • Get Through MRCS: Anatomy 2E (GTH) by Simon Overstall, Amit Zaveri, Clinical Anatomy.
    • Applied Anatomy for Students and Junior Doctors by Harold Ellis, Vishy Mahadevan
  • For Physiology and Critical Care
    • Applied Surgical Physiology Vivas by Mazyar Kanani, Martin Elliott
    • Surgical Critical Care Vivas by Mazyar Kanani

Training for MRCS Exams

You have now understood what is MRCS and how to prepare for the MRCS exams. However, taking training is required to clear the MRCS exams with ease. In India, TAU offers world-class training for MRCS exams. Upon enrolling in this 3-year training program, you will be trained by the Royal College certified trainers. Their intensive training will help you clear the exams and get specialized as a general surgeon.

3. Membership of Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

MRCOG

For the MRCOG exam preparation, one must first keep in mind that the MRCOG exam is a three-part exam. These three exams test candidates’ understanding of basic and clinical sciences, assess the application of said knowledge and their capacity to apply core clinical skills effectively.

Eligibility for an MRCOG Exam

To be eligible to sit the MRCS exam, you must hold a medical degree acceptable to the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for full or provisional registration.

Registering for MRCOG Exams

  • Step 1: If you don’t have a site already, register yourself here.
  • Step 2: Upon successful registration, login here.
  • Step 3: Register for the exam by filling up the Eligibility Assessment application and attach your medical education documents for verification.
  • Step 4: Upon four weeks, the MRCOG admission team will process your Part 1 Eligibility application and send the communication on the next step.
  • Step 5: Pay the exam fees listed on the website and wait for notification on the exam.

Examination Costs

  • B and A £571
  • B and B £493
  • B and C £394

Preparing for the Exam

The Part 1 MRCOG exam assesses basic and clinical sciences knowledge related to the subject. The Part 1 exam comprises two papers for examinees to complete under a time duration of 2 hours 30 min.

To get the latest syllabus, follow this official link on the preparation front; here are some books:

  • How to Prepare for MRCOG Part 1 by Jafaru Abu, David Ireland
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology – an Evidence-Based Text for Mrcog David Luesley, Philip Baker
  • Basic Science in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: a Textbook for Mrcog Part 2: A Textbook for Mrcog Part 1 Michael De Swiet, Phillip Bennett, Geoffrey Chamberlain (Editor), De Swiet Michael (Editor), Philip Bennett (Editor)
  • Notes on Obstetrics and Gynaecology: For the Mrcog Gordon M. Stirratt, Timothy Draycott, Martin Mills
  • Member of the Royal College of Gynaecologists: Basic Science for Obstetrics and Gynaecology MCQs for Part 1 MRCOG Part 1 MCQS (Saunders Postgraduate Self-assessment S.) Khaldoun W. Sharif (Editor)

MCQs

  • Get Through MRCOG: 501 MCQs Leroy Edozien, Olumbusika Amu
  • Mrcog Part 1: Mcqs T. Chard, R. Liford
  • MCQs and Short Answer Questions for MRCOG: An Aid to Revision and Self-assessment David Luesley, Philip Baker

Training for MRCOG Exams

You have now understood what is MRCOG and how to prepare for the MRCOG exams. However, taking training is required to clear the MRCOG exams with ease. In India, TAU offers world-class training for MRCOG exams. Upon enrolling in this 3-year training program, you will be trained by the Royal College certified trainers. Their intensive training will help you clear the exams and get specialized in OB-GYN.

4. Membership of Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (MRCPCH)

MRCPCH

Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) is a membership exam that many doctors aspire to clear to become eligible for super specializations such as

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Paediatric Allergy
  • Paediatric Clinical Pharmacology
  • Paediatric Diabetes
  • Emergency Medicine

Eligibility for an MRCPCH Exam

Eligibility for the MRCPCH exams is a little bit more complicated as compared to other Royal College exams. It requires more steps to become eligible.

  • The first qualification one has to possess is a primary medical qualification (PMQ) recognized by the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC).
  • Two sponsors must also propose MRCPCH clinical exam candidates. They should certify your training in paediatrics to make you eligible to take the exam.
  • Candidates should also remember that they have to pass in all IELTS areas with an average score of 7.5 to complete the GMC registration.

Once candidates have met all these requirements, they can proceed with their registration.

  • Step 1: If you don’t have a site already, register yourself here.
  • Step 2: Upon successful registration, login here.
  • Step 3: Register for the exam by filling up the required details and check off all the declarations after going through the rules and regulations.
  • Step 4: Pay the exam fees listed on the website and wait for notification on the exam.

MRCPCH Examination Fees

  • Foundation of Practice(FOP) or Theory and Science (TAS) single paper – £390
  • FOP and TAS both papers – £653
  • Applied knowledge through practice – £750
  • Clinical examinations – £1428 (Indian candidates)

Preparing for the MRCPCH Exam

Preparation for the MRCPCH can check the syllabus on their official website to help you plan.

Here are some recommended books that would help you in the preparation.

  • MRCPCH Mastercourse
  • Basic medical sciences for MRCP Part 1 by Phillipa J Easterbrook
  • Essential revision notes in paediatrics for MRCPCH by Mark Beattie and Mike Champion
  • Paul Gaon: Paediatric Exams A Survival Guide
  • Clinical Cases for MRCPCH Theory and Science
  • Illustrated textbook of paediatrics Tom Lissauer
  • The science of Paediatrics MRCPCH Mastercourse

Training for MRCPCH Exams

You have now understood what is MRCPCH and how to prepare for the MRCPCH exams. However, taking training is required to clear the MRCPCH exams with ease. In India, TAU offers world-class training for MRCPCH exams. Upon enrolling in this 3-year training program, you will be trained by the Royal College certified trainers. Their intensive training will help you clear the exams and get specialized in paediatrics and child health.

5. Membership of Royal College of Radiology (FRCR)

FRCR

The Royal College of Radiologists conducts the membership exams for aspirants to specialize as radiologists. It is a three-part exam that intends to test a candidate’s ability candidate’s knowledge and clinical understanding against the specialty training and clinical radiology curriculum.

Many doctors from India pursue this exam to sub-specialize that one can opt for in radiology. These sub-specializations include Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Radiation Oncology.

Eligibility for an FRCR Exam

  • Candidates should have completed their primary medical degree, recognized by the GMC
  • Hold an active clinical radiology post receiving functional radiology training
  • Have at least 24 months of clinical experience for the final exam Part A
  • Have at least 34 months of clinical experience for the final exam Part B

Once they have met the requirements of the FRCR exam, they can now begin the registration process.

  • Step 1: If you don’t have a site already, register yourself here.
  • Step 2: Upon successful registration, login here.
  • Step 3: Register for the exam by filling up the required details and attaching photocopies of the required documents
  • Step 4: Pay the exam fees listed on the website and wait for notification on the exam

FRCR Examination Fees

  • FRCR Part A total cost – £1,334
  • FRCR Part B total cost – £1,325

Candidates can avail of a concession of 50% in the subscription fee if they are UK LTFT members of the college earning below £40,000 Annually from their medical practice.

Preparing for the FRCR Exam

Preparing for the FRCR exam, you can check out the official site for the updated syllabus.

Here are some recommended books that would help you in the preparation.

  • A Radiologist’s Notes on Physics for the FRCR Exam – Gary Pettet
  • Farr’s Physics for Medical Imaging, 2nd Ed (Elsevier) Penelope J. Allisy-Roberts, Jerry Williams
  • First FRCR Anatomy: Practice Cases – Constantinos Tingerides
  • Practical Radiological Anatomy – Sarah McWilliams
  • Radiological Anatomy for FRCR Part 1 Philip Borg
  • Weir & Abrahams’ Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy – Jonathan Spratt et al

MCQs and Mock resources

  • First FRCR Anatomy: Mock Papers – Matthew Budak
  • Get Through First FRCR: MCQs for the Physics Module (Grant Mair, Andrew Baird, Andrew Nisbet) – Grant Mair, Andrew Baird, Andrew Nisbet, Jerry Williams
  • Physics MCQs for the Part 1 FRCR (Shahzad Ilyas)
  • Get Through First FRCR: MCQs for the Physics Module (Grant Mair, Andrew Baird, Andrew Nisbet)
  • MCQs for the First FRCR (Oxford Specialty Training: Revision Texts) – Varut Vardhanabhuti

Training for FRCR Exams

You have now understood what is FRCR and how to prepare for the FRCR exams. However, taking training is required to clear the FRCR exams with ease. In India, TAU offers world-class training for FRCR exams. Upon enrolling in this 3-year training program, you will be trained by the Royal College certified trainers. Their intensive training will help you clear the exams and get specialized as a radiologist.

Training for Royal College Exams as Texila American University

TAU offers a fellowship program is a unique, three-year structured training program explicitly designed to get candidates equipped with the appropriate knowledge and training to clear the exams of the Royal College, UK. Some of the specialization training on offer are:

This program assists doctors to receive specialized training and knowledge on the specialty to prepare them better to face the Royal College exams. The doctors build on their existing knowledge, skills, and also gain clinical experience and develop mastery in the chosen specializations’ clinical and service aspects.

The curriculum has been designed to be on par with international standards and nurture students’ skills and understanding of the subject.

Why Choose TAU to Take up Training for Royal College Exams?

  • The fellowship employs a Hospital-based teaching system that provides a hands-on learning experience
  • Rotations in respective departments as per Royal College Standard
  • Fellows are guided by senior in hospital consultants & also RCP certified program consultant
  • Fellows are also provided access to weekly live webinar sessions by Royal College certified faculties to further their understanding of the specialization
  • Acquire the required knowledge and clinical skills through training in hospitals and clinics. Be at your best to clear the Royal College exam
  • Article reviews are conducted in the concerned specialty to educate the fellows on the latest research findings.
  • The fellowship also provides an opportunity to become an associate/affiliate member of the corresponding Royal College and secure the benefits that it offers.
  • The fellows are also trained with question banks from leading vendors to prepare them for the exams more effectively.

RCP exam is a great way to specialize in India, and it is no wonder why RCP exams are hugely popular among doctors. RCP exams provide a practical pathway for doctors to pursue their specialization and will continue to become a gold standard for accrediting medical space specialists.

We hope that this article gives you a clear idea of registering and preparing for Royal College exams in India and hopefully nudge you to take up your dream specialization and work towards it. Good luck!3

Get Training to Clear Royal College Exams

Join at Texila and move towards your career growth

Join Now!
Post Views: 5,712
Tags
Category
PG Medical Programs

Related Posts

Download Brochure



Web Stories

Top Posts

Menu
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, you agree with it.
Ok