Important MRCGP exam info and admin

MRCGP examination fees

Following consultation with the RCGP's AiT Committee, it has been agreed that for all examination applications made after 1 January 2020 one fee rate will be applicable to all trainees for the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), and the Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA).

The fees payable will be as follows:

AKT: £470
SCA: £1,180

All tax paid on examination fees can be reclaimed from HMRC via normal tax returns. 

Explaining the cost of MRCGP exam

Information about the costs relating to the delivery and development of the MRCGP examination.

If you wish to withdraw from a scheduled examination booking, you must do so in writing. Contact us by email at: exams@rcgp.org.uk. You must include your name and GMC number, indicate which examination you wish to withdraw from, and give your reason for doing so.

Fees paid will normally be refunded to the payment source. If you would prefer these fees to be held in credit against a future application to sit an examination, please include this request in your email.

Examination cancellations and refunds

Trainees can withdraw from the AKT and the SCA any time prior to the day of the examination. 

To maintain the MRCGP as cost neutral it is necessary to ensure accrued costs are recovered when examinations are cancelled, as such most cancellations will incur a cancellation fee. The RCGP has committed that the MRCGP will not be a source of income, so any costs associated with cancellation will only cover costs accrued to the point of cancellation.

The cancellation fee will depend upon when the cancellation is requested and mitigating circumstances which may apply.

The current version of the MRCGP cancellation policy is the one posted on the RCGP website.

Fees paid will normally be refunded to the payment source. If you would prefer these fees to be held in credit against a future application to sit an examination, please include this request in your email.

If you wish to withdraw from a scheduled examination booking, you must do so in writing. Contact us by email at: exams@rcgp.org.uk.

You must include your name and GMC number, indicate which examination you wish to withdraw from, and give your reason for doing so.

Exam regulations, misconduct, and code of conduct

The MRCGP regulations apply to examinations and assessments undertaken by doctors training in GP specialty training programmes in the UK.

The current version of the MRCGP regulations is the one posted on the RCGP website.

Misconduct in the AKT and SCA exams

The MRCGP Misconduct Policy for the AKT and SCA details the standards of conduct expected from trainees during examinations, as well as the penalties for misconduct and procedures in cases of alleged misconduct.

Code of conduct for WPBA and Trainee ePortfolio

There is a separate code of conduct covering the regulations for WPBA and use of the Trainee ePortfolio.

Exceptional fifth attempts

This policy allows trainees to make an exceptional fifth attempt at the AKT or SCA on the basis of additional educational attainment.

If you want to make an application for an exceptional fifth attempt to sit the AKT or SCA, please read the document below and complete the form. This policy applies to trainees who are in training before 1 August 2023.

Trainees who enter GP Speciality training for the first time on or after 2 August 2023 are permitted to make a maximum of six attempts at both the AKT and SCA.

Mitigating circumstances

Please refer to the relevant sections of the Examination Regulations in the first instance and to the policy document below.

If you wish to request that mitigating circumstances are taken into account in respect of either the AKT or SCA please complete and email the form below to exams@rcgp.org.uk.

Regulations for the conduct of complaints and appeals

Please refer to Section 16 of the Examination Regulations in the first instance and to the policy documents below.

Feedback and complaints

If you want to provide feedback or make a complaint about the AKT or SCA, please complete and return the form below.

Examination result appeals

To lodge an appeal against an examination result, please complete and return the form below.

Contact us

For all enquiries please contact the RCGP examination team.