MRCGP regulations: Revision history and resources

Version 1.0 - August 2007

• Written by examinations team
• New regulations

Version 2.0 - December 2018

• Written by examinations team
• Updates to regulations

Version 3.0 - August 2023

• Written by examination team
• Introduction of revision history
• Full review of language and item ordering to increase accessibility for all users.
• Sections 4, 5, 11, 12, 13 and 15 have been updated to include details of the Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA).
• 3.4 - New clause to clarify the need to apply for CEGPR when the AKT or SCA is passed outside of training.
• Section 4 - confirms the established position, from the introduction of the RCA, that examination of clinical skills is assessed solely within WPBA.
• Section 5 - Eligibility:

  5.2 - New clause to clarify position on trainees taking the SCA or AKT whilst out of training, specifically those who plan to return e.g. trainees on sabbatical, maternity, or sick leave.

  5.5 and 5.6 - updated clauses that allow trainees entering GP Specialty training on or after 2 August 2023, a maximum of six attempts at both the AKT and SCA. There is no change for eligibility for any trainee who is currently in training.

  5.18 and 5.19 - updated clauses to detail the new reservation process, which is introduced in addition to the current booking process.

  5.20 - new clause to specify the location of the SCA, and the responsibility of the trainee to secure a suitable location for their SCA examination.

• Section 7 - Cancellations and refunds - updated to reflect policy changes since 2018.

• Section 8 - Reasonable adjustments - updated to reflect policy changes. Trainees can now apply once for reasonable adjustments and have these applied to all subsequent sittings of the same component. 

  Timeframes for submission and approval of reasonable adjustments have been updated.

• 10.3 - New clause to restate pregnant trainees may request reasonable adjustments.

• Section 16 - Feedback/complaints/appeals - updated to reflect policy changes since 2018.
• Removal of expired CSA information where appropriate.
• Transition section removed.

Version 4.0 - November 2024

• MRCGP exam application regulations, mitigating circumstances policy and exceptional fifth attempt policy: Time period in which to take an examination attempt out of training increased from six months to twelve months.
• MRCGP training regulations for a CCT introduction: section under 'regulatory framework' on different pathways removed as full information on working as a GP in the UK to be accessed via the GMC website.
• Cancellation and refund policy and procedure: clarification of the SCA cancellation deadlines with regard to level of forfeit.
• Mitigating Circumstances Policy: addition of a mitigating circumstance example.

Review date: August 2025 and then annually thereafter.

The following policies, procedures and guidance should be used or referred to, when necessary, alongside this policy. All policies and templates are available on the RCGP website.

• MRCGP examination fifth Attempts at the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT), Simulated Consultation Assessment (SCA) and Recorded Consultation Assessment (RCA) policy, procedure and FAQs
• MRCGP AKT/SCA/RCA - Application for an exceptional fifth attempt
• MRCGP examination cancellation and refund policy and procedure
• MRCGP examination reasonable adjustments policy, procedure and guidance
• MRCGP examination mitigating circumstances policy and procedure
• MRCGP mitigating circumstances form
• MRCGP examination misconduct policy and procedure
• MRCGP reporting an allegation of misconduct form
• MRCGP examination feedback and complaints policy and procedure
• MRCGP examination feedback and complaints form
• MRCGP examination appeals policy and procedure
• MRCGP request for review of examination result - Stage 1 (form AP1)
• MRCGP request for an appeal against a result - Stage 2 (form AP2)
• MRCGP request for an independent appeals panel - Stage 3 (form AP3)