Guide to MRCPCH
Practical MRCPCH preparation, written exam advice, useful resources and supportive discussion for paediatric trainees.
You are called to the resuscitation area by the triage nurse, who is concerned about him.
The nurse tells you that Dylan is alert but unable to speak because of tachypnoea and increased work of breathing.
Best Answer: A. Immediately review and assess the patient
This child may have acute severe or life-threatening asthma.
The priority is immediate clinical assessment using an ABCDE approach, assessment of severity, oxygen saturation, work of breathing and response to treatment.
Although salbutamol is likely to be needed, the patient first requires urgent medical review and assessment.
Calling a senior may also be appropriate depending on your level of experience, but it should not delay immediate assessment of the child.
Reviewing the child later is unsafe because the child already has signs of significant respiratory distress.
Start Your MRCPCH Journey
Welcome to Guide to MRCPCH. This website was created to help paediatric trainees prepare for the MRCPCH in a simple, practical and organised way.
MRCPCH is a challenging exam, but it is achievable. You need confidence, a clear plan, regular revision, question practice and the right resources.
Preparation for MRCPCH Written Examination
I am a past MRCPCH candidate and passed the written MRCPCH examination on my first attempt with very good marks. These are my personal experiences, strategies and suggestions which helped me during preparation.
A) General Preparation for MRCPCH
1. Confidence
Confidence is extremely important. MRCPCH is a challenging examination, and there is no shortcut to success. During preparation, many candidates lose confidence due to the extensive syllabus, difficult questions, or negative discussions with others.
Almost every successful candidate has experienced periods of self-doubt. Confidence does not mean believing the exam is easy. It means trusting that consistent hard work, repeated revision and proper strategy will gradually improve your performance.
2. One or Two Good Study Partners
A good study partner can be extremely helpful. Ideally, study with one or two serious and motivated candidates. Too many partners may create confusion, distraction, anxiety or negative competition.
- Discuss difficult concepts
- Practise questions together
- Maintain motivation
- Share useful resources
- Identify weak areas
- Improve exam confidence
Avoid people who constantly discourage others, spread panic or discuss only how difficult the exam is.
3. Proper Diet, Sleep and Exercise
Physical health directly affects concentration, memory and learning ability. Take a healthy, balanced diet with adequate protein, fruits and vegetables. Vitamin supplementation may help some candidates, especially vegetarians who may have Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Avoid excessive tea, coffee, alcohol and smoking. Proper sleep is essential. Most people require around six hours or more of good-quality sleep.
Do light regular exercise to maintain physical and mental fitness. Simple stretching exercises for the neck, back and shoulders are useful during long study sessions. For eye relaxation, periodically look away from books or screens and focus on distant objects.
4. Meditation and Mental Relaxation
Mental calmness improves concentration and reduces anxiety. Some form of meditation or relaxation technique can be very useful during MRCPCH preparation.
I personally used meditation before many study sessions and found that it improved focus and reduced mental fatigue.
a. Humming Bee Breathing
This is one of the quickest methods to improve concentration and calm the mind. Practising it for even two minutes before studying may improve focus. Close your eyes, breathe slowly and create a gentle humming sound while exhaling.
b. Counting Numbers in Reverse
Sit quietly with closed eyes and count backwards from 100 to 1 slowly. This simple exercise may help reduce distracting thoughts and improve concentration.
B) Specific Preparation for MRCPCH
1. Time Required for Preparation
At least 3–6 months are usually required for preparation, although some candidates may require less time if they are academically strong or already have a good paediatric background.
For most candidates, studying around 3–4 hours daily in a consistent manner is more effective than occasional long, exhausting study sessions.
2. General Information About the Examination
a. For Newcomers
Before starting preparation, every newcomer should carefully read the information available on the RCPCH website. It gives important information regarding the structure of the examination, application process and examination rules.
b. MRCPCH Has Four Sections
- MRCPCH Foundation of Practice (FOP)
- MRCPCH Theory and Science (TAS)
- MRCPCH Applied Knowledge in Practice (AKP)
- MRCPCH Clinical Examination
c. Rules, Fees and Examination Centres
Candidates should regularly check the RCPCH website for:
- Updated examination fees
- Application deadlines
- Rules and regulations
- Examination centres
- Format changes
- Updated guidance and announcements
3. Clinical Attachment and Experience
Working in a paediatric emergency department is extremely beneficial because many questions in the examination are directly or indirectly related to acute paediatrics and emergency management.
Exposure to emergency cases helps improve clinical judgement, recognition of red flags, safe decision-making and confidence in scenario-based questions.
4. Understand the Examination Pattern
- Current exam format
- BO5 Single Best Answer questions
- Time limits
- Important topics
- Question style
- Exam technique
Many candidates study hard but lose marks because they do not understand how the examination tests clinical reasoning and safe decision-making.
5. Use Limited but Good Resources
Avoid trying to read too many books completely. This usually creates confusion and anxiety. Choose a few reliable resources and revise them repeatedly.
6. Practise Questions Regularly
Question practice is extremely important. Initially, do questions slowly and focus on understanding explanations. Later, gradually improve speed and time management.
- Identify why you made the mistake
- Read the relevant topic
- Make a short note
- Revise the same point repeatedly
Question → Wrong answer → Read topic → Make short note → Repeat revision
7. Revise Weak Areas Repeatedly
Common difficult topics include:
- Statistics
- Genetics
- Development
- Safeguarding
- Neonatal medicine
- Respiratory physiology
- Metabolic disorders
8. Learn Exam Technique
- Read the final line carefully
- Identify the key clue
- Look for red flags
- Eliminate unsafe answers
- Choose the single best answer
9. Do Not Panic Near the Exam
- Avoid learning completely new large topics
- Revise important notes
- Sleep properly
- Maintain routine
- Avoid negative discussions
Final Advice
MRCPCH is challenging, but it is achievable with proper planning, repeated revision and consistent effort.
Do not become discouraged by difficult questions or temporarily poor scores during preparation. Improvement occurs gradually.
High-Yield Study Method
- Read the official RCPCH exam information first.
- Make a realistic timetable.
- Use one main question bank and revise wrong answers.
- Use NICE and BNFC for UK-based clinical practice.
- Keep screenshots or notes of difficult topics.
- Record difficult points as audio if that helps your revision.
- Practise clinical communication in simple language.
- Do not leave revision until the last few weeks.
MRCPCH Discussion Forums
Use the forums to ask questions, discuss difficult topics and support other MRCPCH candidates.
FOP Forum
Discuss safeguarding, development, ethics and Foundation of Practice questions.
Open FOP Forum
