Mitigating circumstances
9.1. Mitigating circumstances are serious, unforeseen, unpreventable events that significantly affect trainee performance.
- For details of mitigating circumstances in the AKT and SCA read the Mitigating Circumstances Policy on the RCGP website.
- For details of mitigating circumstances in the RCA read Section 4 - Mitigating Circumstances of the RCA Policy
9.2. All trainees who present themselves for an MRCGP examination are deemed fit to take the examination and are required to submit a declaration to that effect as part of the registration process on the day.
9.3. All reports of mitigating circumstances must be submitted to the RCGP’s examinations team as soon as the circumstances arise or as soon as possible thereafter and no later than 48 hours after the examination takes place. The only exception is where the trainee can demonstrate that they were unaware of the mitigating circumstances at the time of the examination.
9.4. A RCGP Mitigating Circumstances Form must be completed, supported by compelling and independent, written evidence of the mitigating circumstances, and emailed to exams@rcgp.org.uk. Hard copies sent by post will not be accepted. Mitigating circumstances for reasons of illness must be supported by a medical certificate and any other relevant information.
9.5. No report of mitigating circumstances, submitted after the publication of results, will be considered unless the trainee can provide compelling and independent evidence that they were unable, for whatever reason, to make the RCGP aware of them at an earlier stage.
9.6. If an application for mitigating circumstances is refused the trainee may make a complaint to the RCGP using the complaints procedure contained in Section 16 of these Regulations.
Read Feedback and Complaints, and Appeals for more information.
Pregnancy
10.1. There are a number of sittings of the AKT, SCA and RCA examinations. Pregnant trainees should plan to take an examination in sufficient time before or after their due date.
10.2. If a trainee has booked a sitting of the AKT, SCA or RCA and subsequently develops pregnancy-related problems or illness close to the date of the examination, or is in sufficient discomfort on the day of the examination to believe that their condition will have a detrimental effect on performance, the trainee should withdraw from the sitting and, as soon as possible thereafter, submit a medical certificate to the RCGP Examinations Team. In these circumstances the RCGP may refund some of the fee minus a standard cancellation fee.
10.3. Pregnant trainees may request reasonable adjustments for the AKT and SCA. The application process is identical to all other reasonable adjustment applications and supporting evidence will be required. Additional time is not granted as standard and is based on individual trainee needs.