The mail from the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom has just arrived. It is a hefty stack of documents comprising the President’s congratulatory message, Membership brochures, admission ceremony RSVP and what else but the eagerly awaited judgement results letter.
The Royal Colleges have been keeping mum and many speculated wildly about the cut-off between pass and fail. Now, it’s finally divulged. For the new PACES format introduced in the third diet of 2009, the examination board set the Pass Mark at 138.
That is 138 points from a possible 172 (or 80%). This is most definitely increased from the previous 42/56 pass mark or 75%. In other words, you gotta be damn near-perfect in order to pass this new PACES exam! There is very little margin for mistakes.
I am so relieved I had made the mark. My bet is that the Royal Colleges will very likely hike the passing mark further and examiners will be more stringent in their marking as the system adapts to this new format.
Seriously, I have an ominous feeling the incoming PACES candidates are in for a rough ride.
now though I did not receive my score report yet but I understand why I failed
I am expecting score of 130-132 one of the cases of the new station 5 did not go well though the other went perfectly well also the communication was not that well
was expecting to pass if the passing score 128 ( 75 % )
Hey bro, sorry to hear that. But brace yourself for a future passing mark of ≥ 145.
yes you are right,i got 156 out of 172.that is 90 percent,passing standard is extremely high,this means that it is the most hardest part of the mrcp uk exam.requires good prep,clincal course and luck,not enough time in the real exam you have to think on your feet.
thanks for this nice blog
take care
mustaqeem qazi md facp.
Totally agree!
Congratulation Dr. Nocturnale of Penang GH. I am your blog reader who by chance got to know your blog during search for information regarding MRCP(UK). I am MRCP(UK) aspirants and currently completing my undergraduate studies in 2 weeks time. Maybe it is too early for me to decide, but I do like your informative blog. Hope you may tell us more of the methods of your preparation and probably recommend the books for 1st part and 2nd part paper. Once again, proud that another MRCPian hailed from Malaysia.
Alamak, I am not from Penang GH leh! Anyway thanks for the nice comment. Don’t worry, I will be delivering more blog posts on MRCP(UK) exam preparation.
Ouh.., All this while I thought that you are working in Penang GH (=.=”). Gomenansai… anyway, thumbs up for your effort in this blog. Being a new BOSS is not easy and yet got time to share with us your experience. Really appreciate your passion! Keep it up and hopefully more Malaysians can become MRCPian!
have you ever expect to get in the abdominal case 10 from one eximiner and 3 from the other