Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (nMRCGP)
How to Apply / Exam Format / Reading List / Courses
In 2007 the nMRCGP ("new" MRCGP) was introduced to replace the summative assesment and old MRCGP as a combined qualifying exam and membership.
RCGP New Professionals Website
Overview of Specialty Training
There are various routes for completion but the minimum training period after FY2 is three years (ST1,2,3). The training must be completed within a seven year period.
Minimum of 12 months full time employment, or equivalent, as a specialty trainee, under supervision of a GP trainer.
Minimum of 12 months full time employment, or equivalent, in hospital training posts approved for GP training.
(the remaining 12 months can be hospital based, GP based or a mixture of both ie ITPs).
Once you have passed AKT, CSA and the final review of WPBA you can apply to the PMETB for your CCT (certificate of completion of training). You must also hold valid certificates for CPR and AED when applying for CCT.
see... isn't it simple! :-)
How to Apply
Application for nMRCGP Components |
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| AKT | Three sittings each year in Oct/Jan/May. Held at Pearson Vue driving theory test centres. Application is online at RCGP Assessments Current dates from the RCGP
Cost per attempt; (as of Oct2008) AiT £ 378 Non-member £ 420 |
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| CSA | Three sittings each year in Feb/May/Oct. Held at a single centre in Croydon Can only be taken in the last 12 months of training. Online at RCGP Assessments Current Dates from the RCGP Website
Cost per attempt; (as of Aug2007) AiT £1323 Non-member £ 1470 |
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| WPBA | Continuous assessment throughout ST1,2,3 and recorded via the e-portfolio. |
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Exam Format
The nMRCGP is made up of three components and is assessed against the curriculum which can be found here.
1)AKT ( Applied Knowledge Test) 3-hours long, 200 multiple choice questions (80% clinical medicine, 10% critical appraisal and evidence based clinical practice, 10% health informatics and administrative issues.
2) CSA (Clinical Skills Assesment) 13x 10min consultations with role-played patients. Looking at Primary Care Management, Problem Solving Skills, Comprehensive Approach, Person-centred Care, Attitudinal Aspects, Clinical Practical Skills
3) WPBA - Continuous assesment throughout training both in primary and secondary care settlings. Recorded in the e-portfolio and acts as combined formative and summative assessment.
According to the RCGP, 12 main areas of competence are to be assessed.
1) Communication and Consultation Skills - communication with patients and the use of recognised consultation techniques.
2) Practising Holistically - the ability to operate in physical, psychological, socio-economic and cultural dimensions, taking into account feelings as well as thoughts.
3) Data Gathering and Interpretation - gathering and use of data for clinical judgement, the choice of examination and investigations, and their interpretation.
4) Making a Diagnosis/Making Decisions - a conscious, structured approach to decision-making
5) Clinical Management - the recognition and management of common medical conditions.
6) Managing Medical Complexity - aspects of care beyond managing straightforward problems, including the management of co-morbidity, uncertainty and risk, and the approach to health rather than just illness.
7) Primary Care Administration and Information Management and Technology - the appropriate use of primary care administration systems, effective record keeping and information technology for the benefit of patient care.
8) Working with Colleagues and in Teams - working effectively with other professionals to ensure patient care, including the sharing of information with colleagues.
9) Community Orientation
- the management of the health and social care of the practice population and local community.
10) Maintaining Performance, Learning and Teaching - maintaining the performance and effective continuing professional development of oneself and others.
11) Maintaining an Ethical Approach to Practise - practising ethically with integrity and respect for diversity.
12) Fitness to Practise - the doctor’s awareness of how their own performance, conduct or health, or that of others, might put patients at risk and the action taken to protect patients.
Assessment tools for the WPBA
MSF - Multi-Source Feedback
PSQ - Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
CBD - Case Based Discussions
COT - Consultation Observation (either directly, joint surgeries, videos)
(also Mini CEX and DOPS in hospital practice)
If you are a member of the BarnetVTS there is further information on ST3 DOPs on the intranet.
Reading List
There are some sample questions released by the RCGP to give an idea of the structure. If you are sitting the exam and find any books or courses particularly helpful please let us know so that this information can be updated. The best revision will always be found in your surgeries and with your patients!
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Courses
In addition to the courses below, you may find nPEP useful. It is an online self assessment tool for MRCGP and access is included in your AiT package.
Ese Stacey (for CSA) |
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Dates: |
1st September 2007 , London. |
Duration: |
1 Sep 2007, 9:00 - 17:00 |
Cost: |
£300.00 |
Website: |
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PasTest |
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Dates: |
8-9th September 2007, Manchester |
Duration: |
2days |
Cost: |
£445(mainly old MRCGP but with a session on AKT) |
Website: |
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Online |
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Dates: |
Online |
Note: |
The RCGP has issued a warning that commercial question banks do not accurately reflect the current AKT questions. |
Cost: |
AKT revision = £20 for 3month access Onexamination.com = £80 for 3month access Passmedicine = £20 for 4months access |
Website: |
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Information