Frequently asked questions about the RCEM examinations
Your questions and our answers from the RCEM Twitter Q&A held on 2 March 2021.
+ Can RCEM have MRCEM OSCE exam centres in middle East countries eg Saudi Arabia and UAE?Exam centres are continually under review and plans for new centres
have been impacted by COVID. We hope to add centres in Oman
and Malaysia when circumstances allow.
No. This examination is specifically designed to assess competence in a range of practical skills in a face-to-face setting which we can’t replicate online. We are working on a hybrid model that is less threatened by COVID for June 2021.
Candidates holding passes in FRCEM Final OSCE and SAQ will be awarded FRCEM in September 2021. A CESR application will still need Research and QI evidence.
From August 2021, MRCEM OSCE eligibility will require 24 months experience post FY1, which must include 6 months in EM.
Sample questions are now available on the College website for the MRCEM and FRCEM SBA examinations.
There are no plans for any future changes, but it is a possibility that the exam formats will be developed if necessary.
There is no backlog for written exams or FRCEM OSCE. For MRCEM OSCE we are reviewing plans to increase capacity to ensure we can accommodate as many candidates as possible throughout 2021/22.
Without FRCEM QIP, trainees staying on the 2015 curriculum will need to complete 2021 portfolio evidence for QIP in order to CCT. Candidates
holding FRCEM Final SAQ and OSCE will be awarded FRCEM in September 2021.
From August 2021, candidates with MRCEM after August 2012, meeting all eligibility criteria, can apply for FRCEM SBA and OSCE to gain FRCEM.
We would recommend using your Iqama ID, but your Sudanese passport will be accepted in a Pearson Test Centre. Sudanese passports will NOT be accepted online/OnVUE.
Yes. A pass in FRCEM Critical Appraisal will count towards the portfolio requirements for SLO10 (research). Other evidence for SLO10 can include eLearning modules, journal club presentations, work towards a higher degree and peer reviewed papers.
No. Candidates apply for each component separately. Candidates must pass the FRCEM SBA/SAQ and FRCEM OSCE within 7 years of each other.
We considered many factors including planned travel restrictions being implemented by the UK government, number of candidates that had already requested to cancel their exam booking and the availability of examiners at a time when the NHS was under extreme pressure with many colleagues working surge rotas and unable to confirm leave to
attend the exam.
From August 2021, any candidates who have achieved MRCEM after August 2012 (and meet the other eligibility criteria) will be eligible for FRCEM Final examinations.
When reviewing the curriculum to meet the updated GMC standards, we felt it appropriate to review the whole programme of assessment, not just WBA in isolation, to ensure all exams were fit for purpose and reducing the examination burden where possible.
Check out the 2021 curriculum for SLO10 (research)
https://rcemcurriculum.co.uk for more information on this.
+ Am I eligible to sit the FRCEM Primary?
Providing you hold a medical qualification approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of registration.
Candidates registered with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) or an international medical council are required to upload a copy of their current medical registration document (in English) at the time of application.
Providing you hold a medical qualification approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of registration.
Candidates would need to of completed the UK foundation programme or equivalent. Evidence would need to be uploaded to your application when applying.
Candidates are eligible if they have the above and one of the following:
For more information about Defined Route of Entry into Emergency Medicine (DRE-EM) Please see All UK Training Programmes.
Providing you hold a medical qualification approved by the General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of registration.
Candidates would need to of completed the UK foundation programme or equivalent. Evidence would need to be uploaded to your application when applying.
Candidates are eligible if they have the above and passed either the following:
Candidates would also need to have passed one of the following:
Applicants must have 36 months experience including 6 months experience in Emergency Medicine at a level above Foundation Year 1 (post full registration).
Candidates who have not been awarded MRCEM prior to August 2018 are still able to sit the required examinations in order to be awarded MRCEM but should be aware that they will be required to pass the FRCEM Intermediate SJP should they wish to sit the FRCEM Final Examinations at a future date.
Candidates who have completed MRCEM are eligible to sit FRCEM Final exams. Candidates who have also completed FRCEM Primary, FRCEM Intermediate SAQ and Intermediate SJP can go on to the FRCEM final exams.
*updated February 2021*
As of 2020, all written examinations are delivered with Pearson VUE and can be sat in any Pearson VUE test centre or remotely via OnVUE. Please see https://home.pearsonvue.com/rcem to find your nearest test centre.
You can apply to sit an exam on our website. You can only apply to sit a specific exam when the window for the exam is open. The deadline for each exam would be 5pm (GMT) on the deadline day. Applications received after this will not be accepted. You can apply here.
The results for each component of exams will be published on a pre-advised day approximately four weeks after the date of the examination. For the current results dates please see our exams calendar on our dates and fees section.
Feedback will be emailed to candidates within four weeks of the publication of results. Examination results will not be issued or confirmed by telephone or email.
If you didn’t receive your feedback, then you should contact us, and we will resend it by email. You would need to provide us with your full name, the exam you sat, date of exam and candidate number if you have it.
If you withdraw from an examination before the closing date, for any reason, you will get a full refund.
You can transfer your exam within the exam window to the next exam date.
If it is for QIP and you contact us within the window, you will get a full refund as we don’t transfer QIP submissions anymore. You would need to apply again in the next window.
If your visa has been declined you should send documentary evidence of this to the Exams Office.
I(f your visa is delayed, you will need to provide documentary evidence to demonstrate that you applied for your visa in good time before the examination. Your application will be considered by a Manager and if approved a full refund will be issued.
In exceptional circumstances, for matters beyond your control, you can request to have your fee transferred or refunded. You will need to supply documentary evidence e.g. a medical certificate if you or a direct family member are unwell.
A lack of preparation is not a sufficient reason to transfer an examination entry.
No, an attempt is only counted if you attend the examination. If you are absent you will be recorded as such.
Attempts at all components are limited as follows:
No, certificates are only issued for achievement of Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
Doctors in in the UK training programme should refer to the advice provided by the Emergency Medicine Trainees’ Association (EMTA) “claiming back the costs of training” which is available on the EMTA website.
Exemption from the Primary is only an option for trainees on the DREEM training scheme in the UK, please refer to the Primary regulation pack for further information.
Candidates can wear scrubs or smart professional attire.
+ What equipment will I need to be able to sit the exam? What if I don’t have it?
Candidates need a computer with a webcam, microphone and a stable internet connection (2Mbps speed). If you do not have or cannot borrow this equipment you will be unable to take any online exam. Candidates who are unable to take the examination online will be able to sit the examination in a Pearson Vue test centre.
There is a significant cost attached to setting up and delivering examinations online, as well as the costs the College has already incurred for the cancelled Spring FRCEM Final written examinations.
The remote invigilation the College will use is much more focused than in an examination hall setting. Candidates have to satisfy a remote room check before they can start the examination and their behaviour during the examination is monitored live as well as being recorded. Any concerning behaviour is recorded and will be investigated in accordance with the College’s Misconduct Policy. The examination application locks down the candidate’s computer so they cannot navigate away from the exam screen.
All written examinations will be delivered electronically, either online through remote invigilation or in a Pearson Vue test centre.
What happens if the internet connection cuts out during my exam?
The system uses a low bandwidth so connection losses are rare, often if the connection dips out there is no interruption to the exam. If the connection cuts out entirely and you’re unable to communicate with your invigilator through the online chat, the invigilator will call you (you provide your mobile number at the point of registration) to talk you through getting back on line. If you do get disconnected, your exam clock stops so you do not lose any exam time. Everything is saved ‘live’ so no work will be lost.
No, candidates can sit in any location as long as it is a private room with a stable internet connection. Alternatively, candidates can sit in a Pearson Vue test centre.
All reasonable adjustments will be individually considered as normal and reviewed in light of the different delivery format and agreed accordingly. Generally, candidates requiring adjustments will need to sit their examination at a test centre as the adjustments that can be provided with OnVUE are limited.
Candidates requiring adjustments need to contact the Examinations Department so that this can be considered.
The SAQ examinations ask for short answers and candidates should not have an issue. As with hand-written examinations, candidates will not be penalised for poor spelling, and typing removes legibility issues associated with handwriting. Any candidate requiring adjustments for a computer-based exam (i.e. extra time) will need to seek an educational psychologist assessment and then provide the report and recommendations for adjustments to the College.
Candidates taking their examination OnVUE will not be permitted to take a comfort break for the duration of the examination as they cannot leave the room.
Candidates taking their examination at a test centre will be permitted to take a comfort break as there are staff at the test centre facilitate with this.
To maintain the security of the examination, you are required to take the examination on the specified date.
Being late is not an option. To allow time for the check-in procedure, please be ready when the check-in window opens 30 minutes before the exam start time.
If you do not take your examination, this will not be counted as an attempt. Only those with exceptional circumstances will be offered a refund or transfer. Further information on refunds and transfers can be viewed on this page.
Your exam proctor will help you with technical issues during the exam. If you have any other issues please contact Amy Spivey (Examinations Manager (Operational)) on 02070671277.
Candidates taking their examination OnVUE are permitted to have their mobile in the exam room. During the id checking process, a proctor may contact you on your mobile if there are technical issues. Once your ID check is complete, candidates are advised to put their mobile on the floor and not to check it during the examination. Candidates are required to click ‘start’ to start the examination, and any attempt to check you’re your mobile or answer a call will be treated as misconduct. In this instance the examination will be revoked and the allegation of misconduct will be investigated after by the college – in this instance you would be unable to complete your examination.
Pearson Vue use both proctors and AI to highlight anything that may be seen as suspicious activity. To reduce any possible disturbance by the proctor we would advise:
Keep your mouth uncovered – whether you’re a nail biter or rest your hand on your chin / mouth area during thought, avoiding this will prevent the proctor having to make contact to request you uncover your mouth.
Avoid looking above your laptop/screen / floor – AI will pick this up as possible misconduct.
If you are taking your exam at home, and have other family members present, please notify them of the importance of not disturbing you. Any entry to the room by someone during your examination could lead to your exam being revoked.
Do not answer your mobile phone. If you answer your mobile once you have started your examination your exam will be revoked. Proctors will only call you during the registration process if you are encountering problems.
Please have your college id number and a contact telephone number for you in case we have to phone you back.
Yes. Once candidate data has been uploaded to Pearson Vue, Candidates will be advised to check their name on Pearson Vue against the id being used on the day. Candidates who have a different name on their id will be required to change this by notifying the college. This can only be done after your details have been uploaded to Pearson Vue and the exams team will prompt candidates when to check this information. The exams team will also request candidates to check their date of birth to ensure this matches to the id on their id.
Due to USA political sanctions, Pearson Vue are unable to conduct either OnVUE or test centre examinations in the following countries:
Sudan, Syria, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Crimea region.
The restrictions also extend to candidates from the sanctioned countries wishing to take an examination with Pearson in a different country, i.e. candidates cannot enter a Pearson VUE test appointment with their passport from a sanctioned country. If a candidate has a valid photographic ID from the country in which they are testing, they will be permitted by Pearson to take their examination.
Candidates who do not have valid ID from the country in which they are testing in will be unable to sit their examination.
The restrictions in place do not represent the College values and are set by Pearson Vue, the College has no influence to change this.
Where a candidate’s first attempt at a new online format examination is taken between 1 July 2020 and 31 August 2021 and is unsuccessful, this will not be counted towards their total number of attempts at that specific examination. Please refer to examination regulations derogation published 12 June 2020.
Online examinations require candidates to verify they want to submit their examination prior to the exam being submitted.
After each exam, candidates will be given the opportunity to provide feedback via Survey monkey and this feedback will be used for continuous development with the exams team.
2021 examination changes are summarised below. Further information can be found at https://rcemcurriculum.co.uk/resources/
I’m a trainee who will stay on the 2015 curriculum, what happens if I don’t pass FRCEM QIP?
Without FRCEM QIP, trainees staying on the 2015 curriculum will need to complete 2021 portfolio evidence for QIP in order to CCT. Candidates holding FRCEM Final SAQ and OSCE will be awarded FRCEM in September 2021.
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I’m a trainee who will stay on the 2015 curriculum, what happens if I don’t pass FRCEM QIP?
Without FRCEM QIP, trainees staying on the 2015 curriculum will need to complete 2021 portfolio evidence for QIP in order to CCT. Candidates holding FRCEM Final SAQ and OSCE will be awarded FRCEM in September 2021.
Information on all UK Training Programmes
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Information for applicants to UK specialty training.
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As a result of the pandemic, the Training Standards Committee have adapted the ARCP requirements from the 2015 curriculum to a "minimum data set" for trainees.
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